Introduction to the Great Highland Bagpipe

Bagpipe Competitions

Once a student has become fairly proficient on the pipes, he or she should consider competing at a Highland games. A student that starts learning as an adult may take longer to be ready for competition, but one to two years of playing experience is sufficient for most pipers. Competitions are held by grades, so pipers of similar ability compete against each other. As pipers improve their skill, they can advance their grade level.

Competition and Grades

Piping associations set up the rules and standards for sanctioned competitions. These associations set up grade levels for pipers, so that pipers of similar ability will be competing against each other. This is true for both solo and band competitions. As pipers gain experience and have success at competitions, they can apply to be elevated in grade.

Each piping association has slightly different rules, but most have set up 5 amateur grades of competition. In addition, solo pipers also have an "Open" class for professional pipers that have passed through all of the lower grades. The grades are Grade I to Grade V, and Grade V is the level of least experience. In solo competitions, Grade V is usually practice chanter only. This allows a novice piper the opportunity to compete in the early stages of learning. Grade IV is typically the lowest level where the competitors are on the full set of pipes. Grade IV is usually split into a junior (under 18 years of age) and senior division, as this grade has the most pipers. Each higher level has more proficient pipers, and each higher level typically has fewer pipers. The highest amateur level is Grade I. If a soloist passes through this grade, they become an Open piper. The highest grade level for bands is Grade I. There is not an Open grade for bands.

To advance to a higher grade, a piper must win or place highly in several competitions. The judge's score sheet will have a section that lets him or her note whether the piper is playing at, above, or below the current grade level. When a piper has been rated as playing above the current grade level in several competitions, it is usually time for a grade advancement. A piper that competes at the same level for too long may become complacent. It is much better to move on to a more challenging grade than to coast along in the current grade. However, a piper that moves up too quickly can become frustrated and disappointed if the new grade is too challenging. Not every piper will advance all of the way to Grade I or Open status. It is important for a piper to compete in a grade that is challenging, but not so challenging that it is above the piper's current ability.

Highland Attire

Proper Highland attire is required to compete at a sanctioned Highland games. The one exception to this rule may be Grade V (practice chanter) competition. At some Highland games, it is acceptable to wear street clothes in Grade V.

The typical, minimum attire required for competition is as follows: ghillie brogues, hose, flashes, kilt, sporran, dress shirt, tie, and hat. The hat is typically a glengarry or a balmoral. For the dress shirt, a short sleeved, white dress shirt is usually appropriate. A jacket will be needed for competitions in colder climates.

Both soloists and bands must be properly attired. A band will often have matching attire for a more professional appearance. The Pipe Major of the band will decide the exact uniform requirements for the band. If a piper is competing in a band, the same attire can be worn in a solo competition. This will save the piper a great deal of money, as kilts can be fairly expensive.

Solo Competition

Solo competition can be a very stressful experience. However, the feedback that a piper obtains from a judge can be extremely valuable. In addition, performing well at a competition provides a healthy boost to a piper's confidence. Although not all pipers enjoy competition, many find it to be a challenging and rewarding experience.

A solo competitor should send in an entry form and fee to the bagpipe competition coordinator of a Highland games as early as possible. Many competitions will not accept entries past a certain deadline. The entry form will allow the piper to choose which particular competitions he or she wishes to enter for a specific grade. On the day of competition, the piper should go to the bagpipe competition booth before competitions are scheduled to begin. The booth will have the location of each event and the order of play listed. It is the piper's responsibility to ensure punctual arrival at the scheduled time.

The competition area will usually be roped off, and there should be plenty of area for the competitor to march while playing. For solo competitions, there will be only one judge. Pipers are giving time to warm up before the actual competition tune is played.

Grade IV competitions. Grade IV competitions typically have two events: a 2/4 march competition and a piobaireachd competition. In Grade IV, only the ground of the piobaireachd is played. This has undergone some changes in recent years, and some competitions do allow a piper to play an entire piobaireachd in Grade IV. The 2/4 march should be a 4-part march, or the competitor can choose to play 2 2-parted marches at some games.

Choosing an appropriate competition tune can be difficult. Although a competition march should be challenging, it definitely should not be above the level of the piper. Perfect execution of the tune and proper tuning are essential parts of a winning performance. For a piper just entering Grade IV, Nancy Tunnicliffe, writing for The Voice, recommends some of the following tunes: "Walter Douglas, MBE," " Atholl and Breadalbane," "Duncan MacInnes," or "Capt. Norman Orr Ewing." [13] In addition to these tunes, she has recommended some less common tunes as well: "King George V's Army," "Glen Caladh Castle," or "Acheny Glen." [13] For a piper that has competed several times in Grade IV, a more advanced march may be appropriate.

Competition in higher grades. As this is an introduction to the bagpipe, a detailed discussion of advanced competition is beyond the scope of this report. However, there are some general points to review in upper-level competition.

There are more events in higher grade competitions. Grade IV competitions typically only have a 2/4 march and piobaireachd competition. In higher grades, these events are still present, but several have been added as well. Typically, 6/8 march, MSR (march, strathspey, and reel), hornpipe, and jig events are added. In the article, "Choose Wisely," in the Summer 1998 issue of The Voice, Nancy Tunnicliffe offers advice on putting together several tunes for a complete competition package. This is an excellent article to review for a piper moving into Grade III. [13]

Band Competition

Band competitions follow a similar grade system as the solo competition. A band may play a medley of styles (march, strathspey, reel, jig, hornpipe, etc.), or they may simply play an MSR (march, strathspey, reel). Band competitions tend to draw the biggest crowds at a Highland games. Many pipers only compete as a member of band, and they choose not to compete solo.

Typically, a band will march into the competition circle, and then form a circle of pipers. This circle faces inward, so that all pipers are able to see the Piper Major. The Pipe Major plays with the band, but the Pipe Major also keeps the tempo for the band. The band watches the Pipe Major's foot for the exact tempo, which can change with a transition into a new tune during a medley.

There are several judges for a pipe band competition. Typically, there is a judge for the drum corps, and three judges for the pipers. The judges use ordinal ranking when comparing bands, and the scores of all the judges are compared at the end of the competition.

Competition provides an excellent venue for improving a piper's skills. Whether playing with a band or playing solo, a piper can learn a great deal from feedback from a judge. Competition also provides a chance to listen to other pipers and other bands. Highland games that are sanctioned by the Eastern Pipe Band Association of America (EUSPBA) are listed in The Voice, which is published quarterly. In addition, the Scottish and Celtic Games Listings web page (http://www.shirenet.com/MacLachlan/games.html) provides an extremely comprehensive list of Highland games around the world. [14]

garycox@io.com
Date last modified: 8/8/98