How to Put Together a Winning Medley

Pipe band medleys are a great way to showcase your band's musical range and creativity.

But why do some medleys sound more musical than others?

Should you use harmonies in every tune... or is less more?

Plus, what do judges actually listen for – and is that more important that putting together a creative set that an audience enjoys and players love to play?

When you're putting together a pipe band medley, the first rule is always to think about who you're playing for. Are you trying to impress judges at a competition, entertain the audience, or just have a blast yourself? Ideally, you want to hit a sweet spot that covers all bases, but you might tweak your selection of tunes to suit your band's focus.

Picture it like three circles on a Venn diagram – one is for what judges like, one is for the audience's taste, and one is for your creative flair. Your aim should be to find the magical overlap where your chosen tunes resonate with everyone.

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Get a grasp on the basics of musical theory to spice up your medleys. Think about things like key changes and chord progressions – they can really amp up your performance and keep the crowd hooked. Plus, don't underestimate the power of nostalgia – throw in some tunes that bring back fond memories for the judges and it will automatically make them enjoy the set more to hear an old favorite (as long as you play it well!).
• Don't shy away from learning from the pros. Seek advice from experienced pipers and drummers in your community. Getting an outside perspective on your scores can be a game-changer, shaping up your performance and boosting the overall quality of your medley. As you develop, you might even consider bringing in professionals to write your drum scores and harmonies.
• Strike a balance on harmonies – they can jazz up your bagpipe medley, but don't let them dominate the main melody, or become too common in your set. Find that sweet spot where they complement rather than overshadow the star of the show.
• Picking the right tempo can make or break your medley. Judges might lean towards a precise, conservative tempo, while audiences might groove to something faster and energetic. Read the room, feel the vibe, and aim for a tempo that checks all the boxes.

Creating a killer bagpipe medley is an art – it's about captivating your listeners while letting your musical style shine through. By nailing the expectations of judges, meeting the preferences of your audience, and enjoying the process yourself, you'll be cooking up melodic magic that lingers long after the bagpipes have stopped humming.

Want to dive deeper on medleys? Check out this Dojo Conversations podcast as we get into it!