New Pipes, New Perception

So, while this will likely bore the piss right out of most people, I can't help but be excited that I have a new set of pipes. Some c. 1910 Full-Ivory Glens, and by all accounts, they sound damned good.

Now, I have a pretty decent set of Hendersons from about 1950-something, but they kinda look less than stellar. While my dad and I were discussing the purchase of the new (to me) pipes, he asked the question: "So, why haven't you gone about fixing up your current set, anyway?" Meaning that I could have gotten silver trim, or something, on my pipes to replace the crappy finish they have. I basically said I didn't see the point, at which point he asked me how many other people in Grade 1 bands have pipes that look even close to as shitty as mine do.

The answer? Zero. Nobody.

Now, it's not like I consider myself some kind of piping iconoclast where I don't need to conform to the perceived "norms" of the sub-culture, but I really hadn't thought about it like that.

I'm going to say this without any ego, whatsoever, but I do need to be clear, as this was pretty much the exact revelation I had on Sunday night, ironically after having come home from practice.

I play in a Grade 1 band. Now, I have pretty high expectations for myself, so this isn't any great realization. Of course I play in a Grade 1 band... what other grade would I be in?

But hold the phone.

I wasn't really thinking of myself as being in the same category as the other "Grade 1 Players" around, and so felt no need to assimilate myself in terms of my instrument.

Why? I have no idea. I tend to be pretty self-aware, and this one baffles me. Is it possible that despite what most of you likely think, I don't have that big an ego? Did I really, while expecting Grade 1 playing of myself, didn't really consider myself to be in their class? Is it some kind of weird underdog mentality that's keeping me from accepting my position in the grade scheme of things?

I have absolutely no idea.

Now, I know that the heights that I reached in my pre-University days were significant, and I certainly didn't appreciate where I stood then, but one could (easily) argue that I'm a better player now, and I don't think I'm fully appreciating that, either.

Well, until now.

I deserve to have an instrument that can compare to others at this level, and damnit, now I do.

Okay, enough Stuart Smalley..... now back to your regularly scheduled venomous invective. :)