Tag: Learn the Bagpipes

Why There Can Be Anomalies in Pipe Band Competition Results – Part 2

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The circle formation for pipe band competitions has remained constant since the early days of the original SPBA.  The concept was based on the principle of the arena allowing bands space to enter and leave whilst also allowing spectators maximum opportunity to see and hear the performances, in effect from three sides of a roughly square arena.  The other principle was to allow bands to march into a circle to…

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Piobaireachd Society Summer School/ Uist & Barra/ Highlands & Islands Festival

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The first Piobaireachd Society Summer School of Ceòl Mòr has now been confirmed. It will be held on the isle of Skye, the home of piobaireachd, from June 26 untuil July 1. The venue is Sabhal Mòr Ostaig the Gaelic medium college situated on the Sleat peninsula which is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. The school is only open to Society members and places are limited to…

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Be a Better Piper: Dre and Edre and the Crunluath

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Reader Paul Eschenburg in Plymouth, Michigan: ‘A question from the trenches…I have always played the dre movement as instructed by my tutor. ‘When I mentioned to him that Jimmy McIntosh espouses the pre-1895 version as described in his ‘Ceol Mor in the Balmoral Tradition’, page 29, I was just told ‘we are not going to do it that way’. By Robert Wallace ‘Jimmy is very adamant regarding this movement as…

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Pipes for Aberdeen Pupils/ Lochaber Juniors Contest Entry

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Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust: Aberdeenshire pupils are on the road to a life-time of piping success, thanks to an award of new, on loan pipes. Fifteen pupils at Meldrum Academy and Rayne North Primary will benefit from the award. Pictured are some of the pupils at Meldrum Academy with their new pipes, alongside their piping tutor Andrew Gray.  Linda Moggach, Faculty Head of Performing Arts at Meldrum Academy…

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Pipe Band Workshop: Focussing on Melody and the Importance of Tune Selection in a Band’s Presentation

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Within the pipe band idiom there are a number of different melodic disciplines to consider, viz. tunes for competition march, strathspey and reel, tunes for medley construction, tunes for concert performance, tunes for parade and ceremonial occasions, certain tunes that are more sympathetic for tuning the bagpipe. With bands at different levels of expertise, tune selection becomes an art in its self.   By Barry Donaldson Many pieces suitable for…

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