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Solo Piping

Solo Elements

As of 1 July 2024 there are new requirements for solo piping in competition throughout Australia.

The implementation of standardised tune requirements aims to enhance the overall standard of solo piping throughout the nation. This initiative allows pipers 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 piping contests organised by Pipe Band Australia, they do not prohibit promoters/branches from organizing specialized events.

As part of our commitment to improving the standard and ongoing development of Piobaireachd, Australia has adopted The Piobaireachd Society Silver Medals Set Tunes.

Piobaireachd elements will change on 1 December in line with the Piobaireachd Society Gold and Silver medal tune announcements. These requirements will apply to the following year of competition allowing competitors ample time to prepare.

This page details these requirements by grade.

Piobaireachd Society

Website

Set Tune

Archives

Implementation Timeline

1 July 2024

2024 Set tunes released. A minimum of 1 tune from the 2024 or 2025 set tune list to be submitted by A/ B Grade pipers for all competitions.

1 December 2024

A minimum of 2 tunes from the 24/25 list to be submitted by A grade pipers at all Pipe Bands Australia competitions. B grade pipers will submit 1 tune from the 24/25 set tune list.

1 December 2025

The 2026 set tunes from the Piobaireachd Society Gold & Silver list implemented. A minimum of 2 tunes for A grade pipers and 1 tune for B grade pipers from the set tune list will be expected.

1 December 2026

The 2027 set tunes from the Piobaireachd Socity Gold & Silver list will be implemented. A minimum of tunes for A grade players and 1 tune for B grade players from the set tune list expected.

Light Music

  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 4 or more parts (Submit 2 tunes)
  • Element 2 – 1 x Strathspey of 4 or more parts into 1 x Reel of 4 or more parts (Submit 2 of each tune)
  • Element 3 – 1 x Hornpipe of 4 parts into 1 x jig of 4 or more parts (Submit 2 of Element 4 – 1 x 6/8 March of 4 or more parts (submit 2 tunes)

Promotors are advised that a minimum of 3 events should be conducted at each contest. Elements 1 & 2 are compulsory and element 3 & 4 can be selected/interchanged as the 3rd event.

  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 4 or more parts (Submit 3 tunes)
  • Element 2 – 1 x Strathspey of 4 or more parts into 1 x Reel of 4 or more parts (submit 3 of each tune)
  • Element 3 – 1 x Hornpipe of 4 parts into 1 x jig of 4 or more parts (Submit 3 of each tune) Element 4 – 2 x 6/8 March of 4 or more parts (submit 3 tunes) Element 5 – 2 x Jigs of 4 or more parts (submit 3 tunes)

Promotors are advised that a minimum of 3 events should be conducted at each contest. Elements 1 & 2 are compulsory and element 3, 4 or 5 can be selected/interchanged as the 3rd event. Elements 1 & 2 can be combined into a MSR or run separately. This would be at the promotor’s discretion.

  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 4 or more parts
  • Element 2 – 1 x Strathspey of 4 or more parts into 1 x Reel of 4 or more parts
  • Element 3 – 1 x jig of 4 or more parts Element 4 – 1 x 6/8 March of 4 or more parts

Promotors are advised that a minimum of 3 events should be conducted at each contest. Elements 1 & 2 are compulsory and element 3 & 4 can be selected/interchanged as the 3rd event

  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 4 or more parts (can be 2 x 2 parted tunes)
  • Element 2 – 1 x Strathspey of 2 or more parts into 1 x Reel of 2 or more parts
  • Element 3 – 1 x Slow Air of 24 bars or more
  • Element 4 – 1 x 6/8 March of 4 or more parts (can be 2 x 2 parted tunes)

Promotors are advised that a minimum of 2 events should be conducted at each contest. Element 1 is compulsory and elements 2, 3 & 4 can be selected/interchanged as the 2nd event.

  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 2 or more parts
  • Element 2 – 1 x Slow Air
  • Element 1 – Any tune on the practice chanter
  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 4 or more parts

As at the day of the contest.

  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 4 or more parts

Over 50 as at the day of the contest.

Piobaireachd

  • Lament for the Viscount of Dundee PS1, K
  • You’re Welcome, Ewen Lochiel PS 2, K
  • The Rout of the MacPhees (#) PS 4
  • MacDonald of Kinlochmoirdart’s Lament No. 1 PS6, K
  • The Desperate BaƩle (#) PS7, K
  • The MacFarlanes’ Gathering PS 7, K
  • The Piper’s Warning to his Master PS 12, K
  • Chisholm’s Salute (#) PS 14, K
  • The Prince’s Salute (#) PS1, K
  • Lament for the Departure of King James PS 3, K
  • Lady Margaret MacDonald’s Salute PS3, K
  • The Stewarts’ White Banner PS 7
  • Ronald MacDonald of Morar’s Lament PS 8, K
  • The Young Laird of Dungallon’s Salute (#) PS10
  • The MacLeans’ March (#) PS 10
  • A Son’s Salute to his Parents Donald MacLeod Piob 2019 edition

# Denotes tunes requiring crunluaths a mach

  • Submit 3 full tunes including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

Competitors are required to select a minimum of 1 tune from the list supplied and the balance can be their own choice. Competitors are not restricted to scores from the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society. Competitors should submit a copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator.

  • Submit 2 full tunes including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

Competitors are required to select a minimum of 1 tune from the list supplied and the balance can be their own choice. Competitors are not restricted to scores of the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society books. Competitors should submit a copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator.

  • Submit 1 full tune including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

Ground and next variation only.

Note: If the tune has a ground followed by thumb variation or ground doubling then this is all that needs to be played. If the tune has a ground, then Variation 1, then this is all that needs to be played

Ground only

Over 50 as at the day of the contest.

  • Submit 1 full tune including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable

Piobaireachd

Support Materials

Pipe Band Australia acknowledges and thanks Malcolm McRae and Mike Cusack for the following recordings contained herein taken live at Albury Piobiareachd in July 2024.

Morning 1

19:40

Morning 2

12:49

Morning 3

07:23

Morning 4

20:48

Morning 5

12:36

Morning 6

07:03