THE STUDY
Concept CLARIFICATION
The author explores some of the basic concept inconsistencies found in MSR bagpipe and side-drum music.
Drum-Score ANCHORING
The author explains how drum-scores anchor themselves to the rhythms, melody-line pitch values, and emphasis points in MSR pipe-music.
The S-W-M-W Myth?
The author challenges the notion that there is a generic beat-note emphasis pattern in MSR bagpipe music.
ENSEMBLE Adjudication - Part 1
The author defines the role of the MSR ensemble judge.
ENSEMBLE Adjudication - Part 2
The author explains what pipe-drum ensemble is, and how it should be evaluated.
Pipe-Drum RUDIMENT Integration
The author describes how bagpipe and side-drum MSR music integrate at a rudimentary level.
CORE Rhythm
The author introduces a simple numerical method that reduces all bars of MSR music to one of 16 possible rhythms.
The Dot-and-Cut STRING
The author explains the importance of dot-and-cut STRINGS in MSR pipe-music for optimal pipe-drum rhythmic integration.
Off-Beat LIFT
The author explores the concept of off-beat melodic LIFT, within a dot-and-cut rhythm, in MSR pipe-music.
Rhythmic DRIVE - Part 1
The author defines the concept of rhythmic DRIVE and applies it in an MSR pipe-music context.
Rhythmic DRIVE - Part 2
The author explains how DRIVE value can be measured, and applied in an MSR pipe-music context.
Adding Dot-and-Cut RHYTHM
The author shows how certain anticipatory piping embellishments can help add dot-and-cut rhythm to a drum-score.
Measuring SYNCOPATION
The author shows how drum-SYNCOPATION value can be attached to one-bar pipe-tune rhythms.
2/4 March END-PHRASE Impact
The author explains the importance of the END-PHRASE in adding ‘authority’ to a 2/4 march tune.
MSR Drum-Score Writing - REELS
The author demonstrates how to write a competition drum-score that delivers high levels of pipe-drum ensemble integration.
MSR Drum-Score Writing - STRATHSPEYS
The author demonstrates how to write a competition drum-score that delivers high levels of pipe-drum ensemble integration.
MSR Drum-Score Writing - 2/4 MARCHES
The author demonstrates how to write a competition drum-score that delivers high levels of pipe-drum ensemble integration.
The Ultimate ‘BUSKER’ Drum-Score? - REELS
The author asks: is any such thing as a ‘typical’ MSR bagpipe reel rhythm? If so, what would its drum-score accompaniment look like?
The Ultimate ‘BUSKER’ Drum-Score? - STRATHSPEYS
The author asks: is any such thing as a ‘typical’ MSR bagpipe strathspey rhythm? If so, what would its drum-score accompaniment look like?
The Ultimate ‘BUSKER’ Drum-Score? - 2/4 MARCHES
The author asks: is any such thing as a ‘typical’ MSR bagpipe 2/4 march rhythm? If so, what would its drum-score accompaniment look like?