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Solo Elements: Piping

Solo Elements

Piping

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. 

 

This page details these requirements by grade. You can read more including the implementation timeline by clicking here.

Light Music

A Grade

  • 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. 

B Grade

  • 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.

C Grade

  • 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

D Grade

  • 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.

Novice

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

Beginner

  • Element 1 – Any tune on the practice chanter

Under 18

As at the day of the contest.

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

Veterans

Over 50 as at the day of the contest.

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

Piobaireachd

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.

 

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

A Grade

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 legible copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator where the music has not been sourced from Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society.

B Grade

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 from the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society. Competitors should submit a legible copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator where the music has not been sourced from Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society.

C Grade

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

D Grade

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

Novice

Ground only

Veterans

Over 50 as at the day of the contest.

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

Tunes marked (#) require crunluaths a mach.

Support Materials

State Championships

A Grade Light Music

  • 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)

Elements 1 & 2 can be combined into a MSR or run separately. This would be at the promotor’s discretion.

A Grade Piobaireachd

Submit 4 full tunes including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

For 2024, 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 legible copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator where the music has not been sourced from Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society.

National Championships

A Grade Light Music

  • Element 1 – 1 x 2/4 March of 4 or more parts (Submit 4 tunes)
  • Element 2 – 1 x Strathspey of 4 or more parts into 1 x Reel of 4 or more parts (submit 4 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)

Elements 1 & 2 can be combined into a MSR or run separately. This would be at the promotor’s discretion

A Grade Piobaireachd

Submit 4 full tunes including crunluath variation and crunluath a’mach where applicable.

Competitors are required to select a minimum of 2 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 legible copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator where the music has not been sourced from Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society.