Top Parade Piping Tips

Parades are an inevitable part of life for a piper. They can be long, hot, and exhausting. But they can also be a lot of fun if you approach them the right way!

So how do you set yourself up for the best possible parade gigs? 

There's more that goes into a successful parade than just showing up at the right place, at the right time, in the right kilt.

To give your band the best chance of a good sound for the entire parade route, first things first: bagpipe maintenance. Regular maintenance checks and ensuring your bag is airtight, joints are secure, and tuning slides aren’t loose can save you and your band leaders a lot of headaches. Remember, no one wants to deal with a bass drone that slips down on the march and ruins the whole band's sound.

Tuning up in general is a strategy game for parades. Your pipe major will dictate how the band tunes up, but as a general rule, aim to be as consistent as possible with the other pipers in your band – show up on time at the designated meeting point, don't go off to play more or disappear when everyone else shows up to tune. And aim to play short sets, both during tuning and on the parade itself, to give your chanter the best shot at staying stable for longer, and not pitching way too sharp, too quickly. 

Here are some other pointers for the parade itself:

• Avoid clumping up. A neat and organized formation can make even a small band look impressive.
• If possible, have five players across the front with one person centered on the middle lane line for better alignment.
• Long sets can be tiring and your players can start to make mistakes or struggle to blow tone, especially in hot weather. Keeping tunes short, ideally two-tunes or less in sets.
• Keep it fun! A post-parade picnic or potluck can be a great way to bond and relax, as can bringing frisbees or balls can make waiting time enjoyable.
• Plan whether you'll park at the beginning or end of the route, and organize within your band to carpool or have designated drivers at either end so you don't have to walk the route twice (brogues can be really uncomfortable after a long day!). 
• Also make sure you pack a camp chair so you have a spot to rest between performances if it's going to be a long day!
• It's important to stay hydrated but avoid overdoing it or guzzling too much before you step off, to minimize bathroom breaks. Sip water throughout instead of drinking a lot before stepping off.
• Be vigilant about avoiding horse manure and other obstacles and clearly signal to fellow band members to sidestep these "bogeys".
• If possible, ask whether your band can be positioned towards the beginning of the parade to avoid bottlenecks – this will mean your players don't have to stand or play for as long.

 Check out the Dojo Conversations podcast as Jim and I chat through these and more portent (and practical!) parade principles...