'Tune Composition/Selection'

I always thought that pipe bands were supposed to play entertaining music: foot tapping melodies, sing along melodies, sad melodies, happy melodies, nostalgic melodies. Unfortunately most of the new compositions I have heard, in my opinion, are nothing more than exercises, admittedly very difficult, but still exercises, with little or no melody. There does not seem to be the variety of tunes in modern contest selections than there was in the past. They seem to have been hijacked by the new composers. I don't mind one or two of these in a contest selection, but when it comes to most of the selection comprising them, it is too much.

Are pipers trying to show how clever they are, to the detriment of the melody? Are modern pipers afraid of any notes longer than semi-quavers? Has the art of composing a good melody died? I hope not. I am not trying to stifle innovation, but too much of one thing can overpower and finally denigrate a performance.

When you listen to pipe band contests this year, please consider the above points, and judge for yourself.

Billy McCombie
14 May 1992

If you have anything you would like to add to Billy's opinion. Please e-mail

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Other Opinions:

'Super Bands'

'Tune Composition / Selection'

'Pipe Band Ensemble'