Bagpipe Band Interesting Historical Facts Terminology Glossary You May Not Know!

Bagpipe Band Interesting Historical Facts Terminology You May Not Know!

1. Are all the pipes the same in a band, or do you have different kinds?
2. All of the pipes are the same kind (Great Highland Bagpipes), and are pitched identically. The bagpipes do come from different makers, however.

Bagpipe Band Interesting Historical Facts Terminology Glossary

1. What piping association governs piping and pipe bands in India?
2. Band Association (BA).

1. What is the grading system used by bands and individuals?
2. The grade indicates the level at which the band or individual competes.
   See the Grades page for examples of band competency at each grade.

Put simply, the higher the grade, the better the band or individual.  The Kings Bagpiper Band Drums Performance Team, has over ten members who compete individually at either the Professional (Open) or the Amateur Grade I level. The following chart shows the range of  PBA grades listed from highest  to lowest:

COMPETITION GRADE LEVELS

Bands
Grade I (Premier) to Grade V (Novice)

Pipers
Professional, then Amateur Grade I to Amateur Grade V (Novice)

Snare Drummers
Professional, then Amateur Grade I to Amateur Grade IV (Novice)

Tenor Drummers
Professional, Amateur Grade I and Amateur Grade II (Novice)

Bass Drummers
Professional and Amateur

Drum Majors
Professional and Amateur

1. How are pipe bands judged? What differentiates between a good and bad performance?
   A. Pipe bands are judged on the following criteria:

Tuning
Tone
Tempo
Unison (Playing as one within a section such as the pipe section)
Ensemble (Playing together across the sections)
Expression
Phrasing
Execution
Musicality
Balance/blend between the pipes and drums
Attacks (starts)
Cut-offs (stops)

Q. Are there any other pipe bands in the area?

1. There are several smaller Grade V bands in the area.

1. Why do pipe bands usually perform in a circle?
   -Tradition mostly. Also, it is easier to hear what the rest of the band is doing, so the unison and ensemble are both improved.Bagpipe Band Interesting Historical Facts Terminology Glossary

   These are some of the Bagpipe Band Interesting Historical Facts Terminology Glossary You May Not Know!