Third competition in Richmond First Place 2/4 March

My third competition was in Richmond Highland Games and Festival Richmond Virginia. My wife's aunt was visiting from Oregon so we all met in Richmond at my sister-in-law's house. All the families came, there was a big chance of the rain continuing on Saturday. Pipers Hut rushed me my Mr. Anthony Band Spec Cape since the forecast was heavy rain. After Williamsburg, my decision to spend time on the 2/4 march was paying off, the missing 16th notes are now played in their full value and not rushed.

Woke up late so we had to hurry, after registering, I had 15 minutes till my turn on the boards. I went to my band's tent to get the pipes ready and my Pipe Major who was also competing offered to help in tuning. I thanked him and off I went to warm up. I could have used his help in tuning but in the rush I decided to do it alone. Coming late is taking it's toll on my concentration, and since my pipes which needs a decent 30 minute warm up, will have to do in 10 minutes.

Note to self, if one is not ready, do not accept an offer by the steward of stepping up when the competitor who is in front of you is not ready. My pipes did not settle at all when I played my piobaireachd "The Little Spree". The rushing and pipes not ready destroyed any chance of getting a good expression on the tune. I clipped the long notes so my chances was nil.

My number for the 2/4 march, third in line. I had 20 minutes to warm up. By now my pipes sounds solid, alas, number two was not ready, can I be ready to go(steward came, since I was the sucker the last time, seem to be the trend now, get that guy). Yep, I'm ready. After telling Chris Hamilton my tune, I turned and played Sou Gan to tune, it was in tune and immediately turned and off I went with "Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber". I felt very good after I finished playing.

I took the kids for snacks, cold fish and chips and soda. Not the best meal but I was very hungry. I stopped by the Henderson Imports booth where Chris Apps was and bought a solo reed. Chatted with him awhile about having softer reeds and how it improved techniques and overall playing. As usual, he was a great source of info, I always leave with a better understanding of the reeds.

I returned to the main booth to check my results, my P/M was there to check his results as well. I was surprised to find my 2/4 march awarded first place. That felt good, it took a while to get the glitches out. My P/M won four medals, excellent. I went back to the tent and talked to my teacher and band members, as the rookie, it will be a while before before I compete with them. We had to leave for Williamsburg so I wished them luck and bid them farewell.

Lesson learned, I will have to be diligent in giving myself time to get to the games early so I can get myself and the pipes settled. The tunes needs to be played the day before the competition. Pipes needs to be inspected night before every competition for any loose drone reeds, loose joints etc. The pipes have to settle to lock in and warming up prior to competing is essential.

Second competition in Williamsburg Second Place Piobaireachd

My second competition was in Williamsburg Va. on September 9, 2007. I came down Friday to my mother-in-law's house which was not very far from the event. My son accompanied me and was promised a good shopping spree at the games after the event.

The weather the next day was perfect, slightly warm in the sun and cool in the shade. We arrived almost an hour early, checked in and went to find the tent for my first event, 2/4 march. I was having issues with rushing the 16th notes before the d-throws coming into the games. So my game plan was to play it safely and make each note standout. I talked briefly with one competitor who did not have his band mate to tune him, he did not asked so I did not volunteer. We chatted until I had to do my routine warm up, wished him luck and off I went. The result was disastrous, not only did it slow down the tempo, it killed my expression on the phrases. The judge wrote that it was too slow for his taste but it had potential. I felt as if I was playing in slow motion, I also had to adjust my march since I started to far to right of the judge.

It was another 30 minutes before going to the piobaireachd tent. I played my pipes every 5 minutes and tuned constantly. When it was time, I made sure Sandy Jones knew that I was playing "The little Spree" this time, did not tell him my tune in Maryland. I thought my drones sounded perfect, but since I was given time to tune, I touched the middle tenor and it seemed like it was slightly off. Now the pressure is on, keep tuning or start since it was close to being tuned. Chose the latter and proceeded, I went through with my teacher about the long notes and holding the end notes. I also played Donald Macleod all week just to make sure. It seemed that the middle drone was slightly off and it bothered me for a second and just ignored it as I marched. I kept my blowing steady and played the tune very relaxed. After playing, thanked Sandy and off I went with my son to go shopping. The weapons tent with swords and daggers was a hit.

After going around shopping, we went back to the main tent and check on my results, did not place in 2/4 march and piobaireachd was not finished, so off we went for the next spree. We came back to check on the piob result and since my 2/4 march was poorly executed, my goal is to get my piob paper and go to the movies after lunch. My son found the paper, and told me that I came in second place. Unbelievable, great comments from Sandy Jones, wrote on 3 and 4 that the note on the grips was held a little too long but overall it was played very well. I called my teacher and wife to announce the good news and off we went for lunch and the movie.
Lesson learned, play the tempo that was natural in practice and just go for it. Playing safe did not help the tune at all.