Pipes/drums discusses number cap
21 Mar
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What are your thoughts on number caps for bands?
Is it bands being greedy, or is it survival of the fittest?
this will be a hotly debated topic this season due to numbers across the board for every grade.
The RSPBA has eased numbers for bands, but do you think any G1 band will show with 8 pipers?
https://www.pipesdrums.com/article/opinion-if-there-were-ever-a-time-to-cap-numbers-its-now/
5 Comment(s)
A limit of 20 pipers and a reasonable balance of drummers would be ample to provide harmony and give room for cutting folks or no-shows on the day. There likely, would still be a few pipers on the bench for such occurrences so the band would still be taking quite a few. One might even find that with fewer pipers/drummers, a lower pitch would sound better as the numbers wouldn't be the factor producing the sound. You are very right in pointing out the outstanding sound of bands like the 78th with a much smaller band. Then again, the 78th pushed the limit with 30 IIRC. Not sure they were rewarded for that move with better anything though? A few years ago, the Pleasanton Games in CA held a Grade 1 comp with a max of 8 pipers. The sound was pretty darn good. Plus, the games could afford to bring the bands in! I'm not suggesting 8 as the cap but a smaller band would be able to travel more often I bet.
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Why are there 2 circles at the playing area? The band should be inside the inner and judges stay outside the outer. If the band can't fit in, then it's too big! Some bands could turn out two smaller units and still do well anyway.
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Why would anyone be against making contests fair...or to promote the creation of more bands...or to help bands boost attendence at practices ??? This issue has been debated for years. Perhaps one day when the RSPBA decides that it's time to promote the art, they'll finally get around putting a cap on our section numbers. This amendment to the rules is LONG overdue !!!
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The circles are there as guides as much as anything else. Originally band would form up on the inner one, judges not allowed to enter the outer one.
Even with bigger bands, you'll find the judges still keep their distance, a) out of politeness to the players by not looking over their shoulders and b) so they can hear better - they'll still know if someone is off
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