Shotts rebound at Gourock

It was great to see The House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band under their (still) new pipe major, Gavin Walker, participate in Scotland's first outdoor competition and Highland Games of the 2011 season at Gourock. All artistic organisations take some time to rebuild when leadership changes and more so when the change marks the end of one era and the start of another. I thought this was a very auspicious start to the season.

The band is playing a set comprising the march, Mrs John McColl, followed by the strathspey, The Caledonian Society of London, and the reel, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. The band was placed first for drumming in the Grade One Competition, winning the Old Gourock Community Council Trophy. The band also took home The Henry McGovern Trophy for second place overall in the Grade 1 competition.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Shotts
• Dykehead
• Grade
• Gourock
• Highland
• Gathering
• 2011
• pipe
• band
• drumming

[NiklasSD]

I disagree - the two bass thing, is still awesome I think.

If world class american drumlines from DCI, can do it with 5 bass drums - I don't think 2 bass drums would be too much.

In fact - a 32 " bass drum, to the drum tuned in G, should be considered here I think - Could make the sound very much more powerful! ..eventhough its pretty heavy.

anyhooo .... I very much like the 2 Bass thing! - It's new and innovative, and gives a lot of more opportunities to make more variables to the ensemble.

[scottcurrieltd]

@rablennox It's a pity you don't understand or appreciate the benefits tuned percussion can bring to ensemble. That doesn't make it stupid.

[Andrew97Z]

i think having two bass drums is just like having another massive tenor drum but has more of an impact with the sound of the whole band you cant really tell from a video.

[BigIanable]

Great tenor section, lots of flourishing, but most importantly, hitting the drums.

[IwishIcouldFC]

@ChrisZ70 HELLLL NO, keep the lead drummer.

[ChrisZ70]

Not only are two base drums okay - a good idea, in fact - but the time has come, I feel, for the end of the "lead drummer": ALL snare drummers should play every note of every part together, for a much meatier sound and a better snare drum presence the first time through parts. With the advent of huge pipe corps the "lead-follow" tradition must be discontinued in favour of a fuller snare drum sound to complement and augment the pipes. One snare drummer is so drowned out as to be inaudible.

[jobieloon]

@rablennox Aye, really stupid! NOT!

Rather awesome I would say!

[mybigpiper]

In a poll of Grade 1 Bass sections.. Their peers placed the STUPID 2 bass drummers 1st at the Worlds last year....

[rablennox]

I see that they are still doing that STUPID two base drum thing.. totally spoils the pulse.. But pipers playing well, with some sound issues..