tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978415216995472439.post8158441275837162681..comments2014-12-16T21:36:26.392+10:30Comments on City of Elizabeth Pipe Band: The GurkhasCity of Elizabeth Pipe Bandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117034914005177364noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978415216995472439.post-11804323990127917762008-09-05T09:40:00.000+09:302008-09-05T09:40:00.000+09:30A Gurkha army pipe band visited Aberdeen around 19...A Gurkha army pipe band visited Aberdeen around 1956 and drew a large and enthusiastic crowd. <BR/>I remember watching the performance and being a bit dismayed by the apparent butchering of some<BR/>of our best-loved traditional marches by playing them at 140 beats per minute. I was not alone,<BR/>because a few letters appeared in the local press expressing the same sentiment, and bemoaning the <BR/>fact that the local pipe bands of quite a high calibre could never hope to get such a turnout of<BR/>spectators. <BR/><BR/>It did occur to me at the time that a simple cure to the speed problem would be to play the march at<BR/>70 beats per minute but continue to keep up the frenetic pace with their feet. That would be a win-win<BR/>situation. The listeners could enjoy (and recognise) the music and the Gurkhas could keep their traditional<BR/>pace. <BR/><BR/>But I don't think that ever happened. More is the pity perhaps, because I am sure there were some excellent<BR/>musicians in the Gurkha ranks. <BR/><BR/>I should add that I have never heard a Gurkha pipe band play other than traditional Scottish tunes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com