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| The world is full of bagpipers and bagpipe bands. So, in order to keep everything organized there are regional pipe band associations. Pipe band associations make rules and govern the level of competition for pipers, drummers, and pipe bands. The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Australian Pipe Band Association The Competing Piper's Association The Bagpipe Association of Germany The Irish Pipe Band Association The Netherlands Pipe Band Association Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Association Pipe Band Association of Scandinavia Pipe Bands Association of South Africa The United States and Canada is organized as independent pipe band associations but collectively make up The Alliance of North American Pipe Band Associations (ANAPBA). Alberta Society of Pipers and Drummers Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association British Columbia Pipers Association Saskatchewan Pipe Band Association Pipers' & Pipe Band Society of Ontario Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (U.S.) Midwest Pipe Band Association (U.S.) Southern United States Pipe Band Association (U.S.) Western United States Pipe Band Association (U.S.) For solo bagpipe competition, competitors are organized into categories, called grades, according to levels of proficiency. Each competitor's performance is evaluated to a certain standard according to their grade in the following areas: Time, including tempos and breaks between tunes Tuning and tone of chanter and drones Execution Expression The grades are organized as follows: Grade 5 Practice Chanter An introductory level of competition where the competitor demonstrates basic fundamentals on the practice chanter. Grade 5 Novice Bagpipe An introductory level of competition where the competitor demonstrates basic fundamentals on the great highland bagpipe. Grade 4 Junior & Senior This is the first official sanctioned grade in many associations. Grade 4 Junior is for pipers aged 18 and under, and Senior is for pipers aged 19 and above. At this level, pipers are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of the graded elements and can receive assistance in tuning. Grade 3 At this level, pipers begin to demonstrate a higher level of proficiency in one or more of the elements. Also in grade 3, the 4 part MSR and more complicated tunes are introduced. Grade 2 At this level, pipers now must submit two selections to the judge and play one as well as demonstrate an even higher level of proficiency on the graded elements. Grade 1 The highest amateur level a piper can achieve. At this level, a piper is expected to demonstrate a high level of mastery in most if not all graded elements. Open or Professional This is the professional level and the highest level a piper can obtain. Piper in video is David Corbett, Pipe Major of the NEAC Pipe Band In the video is a sample of a real competition. Each competition performance will generally follow the same pattern. 1st: Competitor greets judge and says what tune(s) will be played. 2nd: Competitor will give one last quick tune up before playing. This is where the bagpiper will sometimes turn away from audience and listen to the chanter or adjust the drones before competing. 3rd: Competitor plays selection. 4th: Competitor, upon finishing, will thank judge and repeat for next event or is done. Events include the 2/4 March, 6/8 March, Slow Air/Slow March, Strathspey & Reel, Jig, Hornpipe, and of course the classical music, piobaireachd. While watching a competition, please be mindful that this is a musical competition and to remain quiet and no clapping until the performance is completed. Other than that, the only other rule is to enjoy the show! |
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1. Bass drone
2. Tenor drones
3. Bag
4. Pipe chanter
(where the melody comes from)
5. Blow pipe
Other facts:
The bagpipe has 4 reeds.
The bagpipe has only 9 notes.
The bagpipe was an instrument of war.
The Great Highland Bagpipe is the
most popular bagpipe worldwide.
The bagpipe is a woodwind that
circulates air continuously from start
to finish with no pauses and no
volume control.
2. Tenor drones
3. Bag
4. Pipe chanter
(where the melody comes from)
5. Blow pipe
Other facts:
The bagpipe has 4 reeds.
The bagpipe has only 9 notes.
The bagpipe was an instrument of war.
The Great Highland Bagpipe is the
most popular bagpipe worldwide.
The bagpipe is a woodwind that
circulates air continuously from start
to finish with no pauses and no
volume control.