2024/2025/2026 Tune Requirements
Background Information:
Following comprehensive investigation and consultation, it has become evident that there is a diversity in solo piping tune requirements across all our branches. Additionally, some branches delegate solo piping competition organization to independent piping societies.
In addition to varied tune requirements, Australia faces a disparity in grading standards, notably in Novice, D, C, and B Grades.
The implementation of standardized 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 organized by Pipe Band Australia, they do not prohibit promoters/branches from organizing specialized events. The Lachie McCabe U18 contest at MacLean serves as an example of such events.
It is hoped that independent piping societies, though not obligated to adhere to these tune requirements, will recognize their benefits and significance, eventually adopting them for the advancement of solo piping in Australia.
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) 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 Practice Chanter Event
Element 1 – Any tune on the practice chanter
U18 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 will adopt The Piobaireachd Society Silver Medals Set Tunes. This concept aims to support pipers planning to compete internationally while also growing the knowledge and understanding of Piobaireachd in Australia. It is recommended that pipers join the Piobaireachd Society for information on the set tunes as a starting point.
It is acknowledged that this will be a difficult process to commence, and it is hoped that Pipers will embrace this new concept. It will take effect from the 1st of May 2024. Please review the Set tune Implementation Timeline.
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 copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator.
This will take effect from 1st July 2024.
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 of the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society books. Competitors should submit a copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator.
This will take effect from 1st July 2024.
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.
Set Tune List Implementation Timeline
State Championships Tune Requirements
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 of the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society books. Competitors should submit a copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator.
National Championships Tune Requirements
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 of the Kilberry or Piobaireachd Society books. Competitors should submit a copy of the music when approaching the adjudicator.
2026 Set Tunes
To be released on the 1/12/2025 after the announcement of the Piobaireachd Gold & Silver Medal tunes.