Solo Drumming

Solo Elements

For 2025 to 2030 there are new requirements for solo drumming in competition.

The implementation of standardised requirements aims to enhance the overall standard of solo drumming. This initiative allows drummers from one branch to competently participate in contests hosted by another branch, ensuring familiarity with the tune requirements and fair competition against players of similar grades.

While these tune requirements are obligatory for solo drumming contests organised by Pipe Band Australia, they do not prohibit promoters/branches from organizing specialized events.

This page details these requirements by grade.

Competitor Information

  • D.1.12.02 allows players (other than Novice and Beginner) to compete also in a grade higher with the permission of the Promoter and the Contest Supervisor
  • Soloists must be correctly attired in traditional Highland dress.
  • Performance must commence with two three-beat introduction rolls.
  • Solo drummer (not any accompanist) to demonstrate control of determining a suitable tempo and give the words of command to commence playing (refer to notes on backing track recordings, below).
  • Beginer: Practice pad, may have piper (practice chanter accompaniment
  • Novice & D Grade: Recommend piper accompaniment
  • Open, B & C Grades: Recommended piper accompaniment

D.1.06.04 A Snare drummer may be accompanied by one or two pipers, a tenor may also have a snare drummer as well. This is optional

Tenor solos will be nominally graded in only three grades: Novice (for beginners), C Grade (for those with some experience) and Open (for very experienced drummers).

  • Novice: Recommend piper accompaniment
  • Open & C Grades: Must have piper accompaniment Complete scores to be played (not orchestrated band settings).
    Must include the two three-beat introduction rolls and the first beat note of each tune. Rhythmic drum patterns and stick flourish essential. Flourish will be critiqued only where it has a positive or negative affect on performance.

Grading Bass solos will be nominally graded in only two grades: Novice (for beginners), and Open (for experienced drummers).

  • Novice: Highly recommend using snare and piper accompaniment.
  • Open: Must have snare and piper accompaniment

Where backing track recordings are used to accompany a soloist, they must be of high quality. A six-click track should be added to the recording in the format below, to allow the soloist to demonstrate skill in calling tempo and initiating the performance:

Click/ Beat Action
1 Warning beat one
2 Warning beat two
3 Soloist calls “Ready”
4 Pause
5 Soloist calls “One” or “Quick”
6 Soloist calls “Two” or “March”
No click First beat of three-pace roll played

As per RSPBA Regulations – Only avaialble if/ where promoter runs contest

For soloists intending to enter the Under 18 snare and tenor competition:

Open to those drummers who, at 1 November are aged under 18, and who are a member of a band registered in either, Novice B, Novice A, Grade 4B, or Grade 4A. The students are encouraged to use the Mapping System of selected music (not a requirement for PBV solos).

The prescribed tunes, and example scores, are on the RSPBA approved list: Click Here

Element 1: Eight parts of quick march tempo in 2/4 time

Performance Expectations

These points should guide soloists, with the assistance of their tutors (if applicable), in determining which grade it is appropriate to enter. Only one grade (per type of drum) may be entered in any given solo competition. Grades with entries of more than 15 will play in heats, with a final to be conducted later in the day. It is the responsibility of finalists to be aware that they have qualified and present themselves for the final at the nominated time.

  • Properly execute two three-beat introductory rolls
  • Demonstrate ability to execute simple time basic rudiments
  • Maintain a somewhat steady tempo

Learner

  • Demonstrate ability to execute simple time basic rudiments
  • Maintain a somewhat steady tempo
  • Perform with a degree of expression

Elementary

  • Minimum massed bands drum score standard
  • Demonstrate the ability to play rudiments and embellishments
  • Maintain acceptable tempo for each idiom (style of tune)
  • Perform with a reasonable degree of musical expression
  • Compete on an instrument tuned to acceptable standards

Sub Intermediate

  • Capability to perform fundamentals and embellishments with clarity
  • Demonstrate a suitable degree of technical difficulty
  • Maintain steady tempo on different time signatures
  • Generate expressively with some dynamic influence
  • Compete on a soundly tuned instrument

Intermediate

  • Accurate execution of all notations
  • Demonstrate sympathetic scoring relative to each melody
  • High quality and measure of dynamics, phrasing and expression
  • Perform at appropriate tempo for each idiom (style of tune)
  • Compete on a quality instrument suitably tuned for the surroundings

Demonstrate an exceptional degree of proficiency and excellence in all facets of performance consistently across idioms (technical, expression, tempo control

Grading

  • Drummers can remain in the beginner section for up to 12 months.
  • After 12 months, drummers will automatically be upgraded to Novice.
  • Participants in the Novice category can stay for one season.
  • After one season, Novice participants will automatically be upgraded.

(Adjudicators to retain a list of recommendations from each event)

  • A grading meeting will be held after the last contest of the solo season.
  • During this meeting, all other competitors’ performances will be evaluated to determine necessary grading options.

National Competition Requirements

  • 2/4 March – Minimum 4 Parts
  • 6/8 March – Minimum 4 Parts
  • MSR – Minimum 4 parts of March, minimum 2 parts of Strathspey, minimum 2 of Reel
  • Hornpipe & Jig – Minimum 2x 2 parts of music.
  • MSR: 4, 4, 4 parts minimum.
  • Hornpipe & Jig: – 4, 4 parts minimum.
  • MSR: 4, 4, 4 parts minimum
  • Hornpipe & Jig: 4, 4 parts minimum