Piping, Drumming, Pipe Band Competition and the Great Highland Pipes
Kathy LeVar
Chair
pipers@arizonascots.com

Historically, the components of competition among the members of a pipe band have fallen into four categories. These cateogories are the solo piping and drumming competitions, band competitions and drum major competitions.

Over the years and for a variety of reasons, modifications and local changes have been made to these basic segments, but the fundamental categories have been altered little since the early 1900’s.

Solo Piping – The Great Highland Bagpipes evolved in northern and western Scotland probably from a Roman prototype introduced in the 1st century. The bagpipe is constituted of a hide bag, a blowpipe, a chanter with eight finger holes (nine notes) on which the melody is played and three drones (one bass and two tenor), which are placed on the shoulder and provide a continuous background sound in tonal balance with the chanter.

Solo Drumming – Drums in some form have been associated with military signaling and discipline for over 4000 years. The use of these instruments in combination with others to produce meaningful music in British military organizations, however, dates from the 16th century. At that time, more sophisticated, tunable drums adapted from those in the Middle East, became popular with European armies, and finally the Royal Artillery began using them in 1786.

Three types of drums are used in modern pipe bands, side (snare), tenor and bass. The side drum is the most common one played as a solo instrument, primarily because there are more of them in each pipe band.

Drum Major – An integral part of the pipe band, but not a part of the pipe band competition, is the drum major. The drum major is the musical conductor, march director, and discipline leader of the pipe band when it is marching. The drum major competition is according to Scottish Association rules.

Pipe Bands – The history of the Scottish Games is mostly shrouded in mystery and myth. Many say that they are a remembrance of the competition between potential chieftains. All bands and individuals compete in their own class before certified judges provided by the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA). All competitors must be members of WUSPBA.

The origination of pipe bands, comprised of pipers, side drummers, a bass drummer, and occasionally a tenor drummer occurred sometime after the battle of Waterloo in 1815. It was at this time that a form of pipe music that was lighter than the ancient martial music was developed. Pipe bands at that time were strictly an army occupation.

Around 1870, however, civilian bands began to form, due in some part to the desire of discharged soldiers to continue a part of army life that they had found enjoyable. The first major pipe band competition was held in conjunction with the Cowal Highland Gathering in 1906 and was an all army event. This remained so for the next 3 years until civilian bands were allowed to compete in 1909.

Since World War II, the number of civilian pipe bands has increased greatly throughout the world, and their numbers now include some excellent bands and soloists here in the Western United States.

The Contest Rules governing the Pipe Band Competition are uniform and very specific. At least two hours before the competition begins, the bands draw lots to determine the order in which they will play.

Each band is comprised of no fewer than 9 players; six pipers, two side drummers and one bass drummer. To compete, each band marches to the contest area and forms a circle.

How each circle is formed is at the discretion of each band’s pipe major. Grade 3 and grade 4 bands must play at least 4 parts of march, strathspey and reel; these may be two-parted tunes played twice over. Each band is to be correctly dressed in the uniform designated by their Pipe Major.

Judging is done by a panel of three judges: one each for piping, drumming and ensemble. Judging commences with the first beat of the attack and ends on the last note in the last tune played. Score sheets are filled out in duplicate, and the judges are required to provide written constructive criticism.

Judges may not approach nearer than 6 feet to a competing band member, nor may they converse with one another during the contest. Piping accounts for 50% of the points, drumming and ensemble account for 25% each. Ties are not permitted. Bands are ranked in each category and points are assigned based on placement.

The Great Highland Bagpipe: Originating as a shepherd’s simple bag-less, reeded pipe in Eastern Africa several thousand years before Christ, the instrument now known as the Great Highland Bagpipe is but one of a number of styles of bagpipes.

Although its development is not specifically documented, the spread of the earliest pipes from Africa to Rome and the European continent coincided with the advance of the Roman Empire and its legions into northern Europe and the British Isles.

Today, bagpipes and pipe music may be found in many parts of the world. The Scottish bagpipe, however, is by far the best known, primarily because of the tradition and teaching methods of the Scottish Regiments around the world. It is the continuation of the recognition of Highland piping as a national art form that is celebrated in today’s competition.

The Highland Bagpipe consists of a hide bag, a blowpipe, a chanter, a bass drone and two-tenor drones. The instrument is constructed in such a way that when being played, the bag is under the left arm, and the chanter is held in both hands.

The piper holds the blow pipe in the mouth. The drones are supported near the shoulder. The piper inflates the bag. The chanter reed is a double reed similar to that in an oboe; the single-bladed drone reeds vibrate against a movable tube that can be adjusted for tuning. The materials of construction are of great importance to proper tone and the design has not been absolutely successfully duplicated with modern materials.