This newbie has a busy Monday planned

**Phogfan86** · 24th May 09, 09:48 PM

If I was any more geeked, I'd be arrested.

Against my better judgment, I volunteered my son and I to play at a 10 a.m. Memorial Day Mass at a local cemetery tomorrow morning. I said we'd do a prelude tune and some postlude tunes but that I want to do it from a distance. I don't want to be up front; I want to be atmosphere, ambient music, part of the furniture. I'm doing Highland Cathedral as a solo prelude/call to worship, and then we're doubling up on Amazing Grace/Going Home and Wing/Rowan Tree for postlude. We've been playing about 18 months, so these are nice, do-able tunes.

Sunday evening, my pipe sergeant called. He's playing at a Memorial Day service at another cemetery at noon. He asked my son and I to join him and play an echo to his Amazing Grace.

He knew we had intended on attending the ceremony to hear him play, so I was quick to say that I didn't want him to ask us out of any sense of obligation. He said it wasn't that at all. He said he knows we've got the tune down, so we'd be fine. He also said that this is how the band starts training pipers up so they can start getting handed solo wedding and funeral gigs.

I'm flattered. This is going to be cool.

**JolyStNicholas** · 25th May 09, 05:01 AM

Sounds as though you will be busy! Play well and relax and enjoy. Be Honored for those you honor!

**KFCarter** · 25th May 09, 05:04 AM

Sounds like a great way to spend Memorial Day... and to be able to share it with your son. Good on you both!
:ootd:

**Mipi** · 25th May 09, 05:22 AM

Step by step to Master piper

**kypnkilt** · 25th May 09, 12:51 PM

I will be staying home this Memorial Day, but I will be playing this evening at sundown. It has become a tradition here in my rural neighborhood. The neighbors have already inquired if I will be playing again on Memorial Day evening. No sense in breaking with tradition.

**Phogfan86** · 25th May 09, 03:18 PM

Both gigs went pretty well -- a couple of rough spots on echoing Amazing Grace, but the pipe sergeant said that was to be expected with it being our first time.

The second ceremony was especially cool. We had about 25 members of the Harley-riding Patriot Guard as well as a one-star, who spent a little time talking to my son.

Bottom line: no glaring mistakes, and neither of us fell down or tripped over a headstone. Seriously, it was a good day, and a proud day for this dad.

**Mipi** · 26th May 09, 01:31 AM

Good to hear that! First time experience is very important. Good for you both.

**ohiopiper** · 28th May 09, 07:32 AM

Even if you plan to play purely for your own enjoyment, playing a public set now and again is important. Not only will it steady your nerves as you get used to it, but will prepare you for the time you get caught off guard and can't talk your way out of an impromtu performance of a tune or two.

I do about one wedding and funeral each per year. Not a whole lot, I usually do them for free as it's word of mouth by friends and family that want a piper. Playing at church keeps me in practice for public performance.

In Jan. I played for a cousins wedding, all they wanted was STB as they marched down the aisle after the ceremony. Two weeks ago I played The Dark Island and AG for a great Uncles funeral. Getting the jitters would have been bad either time, I'm glad to have played in front of the church a half dozen times recently.

Anyway, congrats on the first gig, and even more so for doing something with your son. I have a five year old who is showing an interest in music. We'll see if the pipes are a hit only because he hears them at home or if he really wants to play them.

Tell you son I said "Good Job" and to give you a hug for spending time with him in the crazy hectic world we live in. It's too easy to let "stuff", including hobbies, take our time away from important things like family.

**wvpiper** · 28th May 09, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by ohiopiper

Even if you plan to play purely for your own enjoyment, playing a public set now and again is important. Not only will it steady your nerves as you get used to it, but will prepare you for the time you get caught off guard and can't talk your way out of an impromtu performance of a tune or two.

I need the get out and play for these reasons.
I'm also hoping that attending a week long clinic will also help improve my confidence. It's my nerves...stage fright I'd guess you could call it...