Striking in.
© Ted Garvin
The first technique is called "striking in". Stand with the drones resting horizontally on your left shoulder, with the blowpipe in your mouth. Your left arm is held horizontally with your elbow at a right angle. Your hand is holding the chanter stock. The bag should dangle freely beside your arm.
When the Pipe Major gives the signal for the roll-off, begin inflating your bag (one or two breaths), being careful not to let the drones sound. If your chanter reed chirps, your reed is way too easy!
When the bass drum's first BOOM BOOM BOOM of the roll-off sounds, that is your signal. At this point, place your hand on your bag, as shown.
| Almost ready. |
On beat one, push toward your armpit. This will cause the drones to rise to their normal diagonal position over your shoulder.
| Striking in. |
On beat two, sound an E for two beats, then go into the medley.
| Finger position for E. |
The above applies to striking in when in the playing circle. When marching, a different procedure follows. To visualize this, it is helpful to think of a series of beats "1, 2, 3, 4", one after the other.
On the first set of four beats, the pipe major announces that the march will begin, with the words (I designate beats by separating the words with commas) "Band, by the RIGHT, QUICK, MARCH!".
On the next beat, the band sets off on the left foot and marches (left,right,left,right).
On the next beat, strike in, sound the drones for two beats, then sound E on the chanter for two beats. Finally, on the next beat, the melody begins.
 |
 |
Go To Page: 1
