Over the past week I have watched many clips on various sites of Piping Live, The Worlds and Cowal.
I personally view Piping Live as a "showcase" event where bands can show to the public and also to the piping world just how far the pipes can be taken as a musical instrument. By "bands" I also include the drum corps in this.
I consider the Worlds and Cowal to be serious competitions where the "technicalities" of playing these instruments in the pipe band context are brought out to full potential.
I find it difficult to accept the "showmanship" of twirling tenor sticks, pipers turning out from the circle, "fanfares" rather than clean breaks between time signatures etc, etc in a competition environment.
Am I just being "old fashioned" or is there now becoming a need for a "showmanship" judge at major competitions?

For me, the short answers is, no, it's not needed at the majors. However, I've never considered flourishing to be showmanship, instead, an interpretation of the music. As a part of the tenor drummers skills, naturally there will be a lot more at a the highest level.
As for the break between time signatures, there is nothing like a clean crisp break from one to another and a lift in tempo to send a tingle up your spine.

....the fanfares are becoming ridiculous.
One a medley, fine....but no more.
The same with the harmonies....do they really have to be played almost every damn tune?

janelle wrote:I've never considered flourishing to be showmanship, instead, an interpretation of the music.

Janelle, I don't mean to be awkward by any means but could you explain this further.
Is a Drum Major who throws his Mace also interpreting the music?

You've made me stop and think now!
No i don't consider the Drum Major flourishes as interpretation of the music. He's either giving commands or commanding attention with his skill of mace flourishing.
Tenor drummers are taught that each flourish should be a visual interpretation of the music. Not required but a nice touch. So based on that principle, yes, it is a form of showmanship. Your point well made.

janelle wrote:.....Not required but a nice touch.

So if a tenor or bass drummer efs up the flourishing and misses the beat......when he / she does not need to flourish......and costs the band points.....and the band is second in G1 rather then 1st.........I think you get my point.

If flourishing is not required then why do it in a competition and if it is the "done thing these days" then why not judge it?

Tenor drum flourishing has always been a part of playing tenor in a drum corps, not just in pipe bands but in brass and other military bands. I think it should be judged at competition, I also think that there should be a max number of tenors enforced, I really like Shotts but they are starting to take the p""h with the amount of tenors.

In conclusion, Tenor drum flourishing should be judged on in competition. Whilst on the subject of competition who thinks that the marking system is wrong it is , to my understanding, 66% of the marks for piping and 33% for drumming? your views Stormy et all.....

tankiedrummie wrote:Tenor drum flourishing has always been a part of playing tenor in a drum corps.............to my understanding, 66% of the marks for piping and 33% for drumming?

You are quite correct and I love watching the "spectacle", but that is what it is, a spectacle / showmanship.
I cannot recall "flourishing" in the competition circle being as prevelant as it is today.
It's another thing to go wrong when it is not required. Try explaining to your bandmates you never got the 1st prize cause you messed up the flourishing and missed a beat. The flourishing is not judged but surely missing a beat would be picked up by the drumming judge.

Keep it for shows and non-competitive situations.



The marking system changed some years ago and if you are correct then it does appear to be biased to the pipe corp. Considering the size of bands these days maybe it needs to be looked at again, particularly for G1.

[quote="but surely missing a beat would be picked up by the drumming judge."
[/quote]

Oh my sides are splitting.... Competing this year reminded me why I stopped competing in the first place. Judges have there top 6 already picked and hardly listen to the rest. Just look at 3a at the worlds this year, some decent judging there not.

tankiedrummie wrote:Judges have there top 6 already picked and hardly listen to the rest.

Yer kiddin ne oan surely, is that right???????