N.Z. PIPING.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15306, 6 August 1923, Page 6

N.Z. PIPING.

IT IS NOT IMPROVING. ■CRITICISM BY JUDGE. AT DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS. " Looking back on the playing which I have heard in previous years I feel that bagpipe music in this country is not improving." This is the conclusion come to by Mr A. C. Dickson, of Wellington, who judged the bagpipe music at the Dunedin competitions, and has just forwarded his report to Dunedin. For 18 or 19 years he was a competitor in the leading competitions, and as a member of the Cameron school of playing is well qualified to speak on the subject. Distinctly Disappointing.

In conversation with a New Zealand Times reporter Mr Dickson said: "As regards the competition as a whole, with one or two exceptions, the performances were distinctly disappointing. For instance the reels competition in the bagpipe music was very good, and the winner, ,T. A. Cameron, played exceptionally well, but in my opinion the class of tune selected could have been of a much higher standard, such as John McKeehnie's " Big Reel," which one particular competitor did play. In the jigs and hornpipe competition the playing could have been much improved. In many cases there was an apparent desire to get as many ' grace notes ' into the measure as possible, to the consequent detriment of tune'and melody. In fact in more than one case the time seemed to be of very secondary consideration, and some players played 'breakdowns,' which cannot be considered a hornpipe in the accepted meaning of the term. . Sacrificed to a ffledtey. " The Strathspey competition generally was distinctly disappointing. One would have expected to hear something exceptional from the senior players. Again, as in the case of the hornpipe, tune and melody were sacrificed to a medley of ' grace notes ' frequently ' hammered ' out of the chanter. The want of tone, melody and finish was very apparent, and one or two of the players' were so far out in their tune as to preclude any possibility of anyone dancing to the music.

Ignorance of (Weaning of Music.

" The Pibroch contestnats in most cases showed a lack of knowledge of the meaning of the composition played, and time was almost completely ignored. The deportment and marching was also very, questionable. The winner, C. C. Macdonald, was the only man who marched correctly and in tune, and his interpretation of Pibroch plaved was very fine indeed. The same remarks apply to Macdonald's slow march playing. In fact he was the cnlv competitor who placed correct slow march tune. The playing as a whole was only fair, quite a few of the competitors rendering music without meaning, and although the notation was fairly clear the melody and tune were not by any means good. " The march competition, like the reels, was good as a whole. All players erred frequently in the phrasing of the measures. I consider that C. C. Macdonald deserves great credit both for his marching and deportment. In fact, both senior, semi-senior, and junior competitors could benefit considerably by following his style on the stage. A very surprising feature of the senior competition was the fact that one or two of the players were executing an incorrect scale. These played more of top-hand work, although occasionally I found an incorrect 'D.' The junior and semi-senior Hirers greatly lacked control of their instruments, and with one or two exceptions had no tone whatever. Promising Young Players. Frequently, however, good talent showed quite clearly among these young players, who gave a closer study to tone, time, phrasing and clear notation, with strict attention to melody. I should say that there are one or two who will make their ability a to be reckoned with on the competing platform. There were three young players whose future is distinctly promising in my opinion. They are Duncan Stuart, C. C. Selling, and D. Robinson of Invercargill. The latter plaver has a very fine finger, and for a boy a really good interpretation. " Looking back on playing I have heard in previous years, I feel that bagpipe music in this country is not improving. If such men as McLennen Ross, Macdonall, McCrae, or Callendoi- and other leading pipers in Scotland know their business, then quite a number of players in New Zealand, who have been recognised as leading men, have adopted a style of piping distinctly incorrect. The main fault which I have to find with them is that they get carried away by a desire to over execute the piece played and to use a great number of 'grace notes' bv no means widely placed. It one sacrifices tune and melody for execution the result is that the soul of the music is entirely lost."

Fow Fine Exponen'3. In commenting on matters generally Mr Dickson expressed very keen regreat that to-day New Zealand had, with verv few exceptions, no fine exponents "of bagpipe music to compare with men of the calibre of Duncan Cameron, A. S. Duncan, Dan McKenz.e to say nothing of the well-known late David' Campbell.