Summer 2021 World Online Piping & Drumming Championships Official Results
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Complete List of All Events
The World Online Piping & Drumming Championships is the world's first and only piping and drumming competition in the world to publish a complete a record of the entire competition, including every performance, every result and every judge's comment. We hope that these excellent musical performances and detailed comments from our world-class judges will be a lasting and valuable resource for education and entertainment.
Includes competitor info, tunes played, placings, judge's comments, and video links. Click Watch Video to view the video on YouTube. Click Download Comments for the Official Judge's Comment Sheet PDF.
Events listed by event number.
Solo Piping Events: 1-40
Side Drumming Events: 101-212
Tenor Drumming Events: 201-213
Bass Drumming Events: 301-304
Band Events: 401-402
Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Glen Fletcher 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Scots Wha Hea Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great start to the tune — perfect tempo. Lovely technique which is really nicely into the melody. The D through however is sometimes really good and sometimes rather weak — make sure the low G is really strong. The tempo started to increase towards the end which lost the emotional connection. On the whole, a really enjoyable performance — well done!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: The Skye Boat Song Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: A lovely tempo here. Lovely technique, very clear, though it could be slightly crisper and better embedded in the melody. Though the tempo was spot on, the emotional feel of the performance could have been a little better, though that is not to say that it was by any means poor. Overall this was a solid performance, well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Loving 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Amazing Grace Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great musical start. The tune had a great tempo but try not to play it any faster, otherwise it will lose its emotional effect. For the most part the technique is great! However, a couple of things to note: the grace note strike in the opening motif was inconsistent, sometimes crushed and sometimes really good — try to keep these the same every time. A couple of crossing noises came through now and again between D and F; practice this movement slowly in order to get rid of it completely. On the whole this was a very enjoyable performance, well done!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: William Cavanough 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good technique here, very nicely embedded in the melody. Make sure that the taorluath's E finger is raised higher in order to get the full clarity. Try not to rush to finish the tune either. The piece was musical, though I felt it could have been a little brighter in tempo. Overall, a solid entry.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Heather Island Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great technique here. Overall, although this piece has a lovely bright tempo, it is coming across as a little square. The notes at the ends of the phrase aren't given their full length and so the tune feels a little rushed at places. The birls are really crisp which is great so keep this up. Overall a solid entry, well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Storm Masters 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: The Mist Covered Mountains Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good open technique evident which is great, and it was executed nicely. Musically this felt just a little stilted for me, even though it is a "slow air" it could have been a little brighter in terms of tempo. Similarly the technique is very good but could be better embedded in the melody. All in all a solid entry, well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Imogen Schmitz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cap'n No More Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: This had good musical uplift which is great. Technically everything is ok but could be a little clearer — try to lift the fingers a little higher when playing the grace notes. Similarly there were a number of little crossing noises here and there, work on getting absolute clarity when moving from bottom hand to top hand and vice versa. On the whole, well played — well done!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Lewis Brown-Potter 🏴 Tunes: Dark Island Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good start to the tune here. The first part was a little on the slow side however the second part was lovely and had great flow. The opneing motif was a little undefined — try to get the grace note fingers lifted a little higher for maximum clarity. The technique for the most part is good however at times the embellishments seemed a little crushed. On the whole, a good crack at a tricky tune — well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Rachel Herold 🇺🇸 Tunes: Massacre of Glencoe Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great effort to play in a competition after your recent illness — well done! Good musical playing here, the first part was wonderful. The second part at times felt a little hesitant; the first part had a lot of lovely musical flow whilst the second part could have been a little more accurate. Technically sound although there is some false fingering evident in the second part so keep an eye out on the pinkie movements. There is much potential here as this was a good performance, well done — keep it up!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sam Cordingley 🇦🇺 Tunes: heather island Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good musical start here, Sam, very nice technique. I felt you were perhaps a little distracted by the metronome as the first couple of bars in each part were well-played however the end phrases lost some musical flow. This may also be because you're still working on the new embellishments which were very well executed. Keep practicing with the metronome and aim to keep the music flowing from A to B. On the whole you made a good attempt at this tune, you may have been better playing without the metronome however. Keep up the good work.
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Competitor: Glen Fletcher 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Scots Wha Hea Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great start to the tune — perfect tempo. Lovely technique which is really nicely into the melody. The D through however is sometimes really good and sometimes rather weak — make sure the low G is really strong. The tempo started to increase towards the end which lost the emotional connection. On the whole, a really enjoyable performance — well done!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: The Skye Boat Song Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: A lovely tempo here. Lovely technique, very clear, though it could be slightly crisper and better embedded in the melody. Though the tempo was spot on, the emotional feel of the performance could have been a little better, though that is not to say that it was by any means poor. Overall this was a solid performance, well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Loving 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Amazing Grace Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great musical start. The tune had a great tempo but try not to play it any faster, otherwise it will lose its emotional effect. For the most part the technique is great! However, a couple of things to note: the grace note strike in the opening motif was inconsistent, sometimes crushed and sometimes really good — try to keep these the same every time. A couple of crossing noises came through now and again between D and F; practice this movement slowly in order to get rid of it completely. On the whole this was a very enjoyable performance, well done!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: William Cavanough 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good technique here, very nicely embedded in the melody. Make sure that the taorluath's E finger is raised higher in order to get the full clarity. Try not to rush to finish the tune either. The piece was musical, though I felt it could have been a little brighter in tempo. Overall, a solid entry.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Heather Island Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great technique here. Overall, although this piece has a lovely bright tempo, it is coming across as a little square. The notes at the ends of the phrase aren't given their full length and so the tune feels a little rushed at places. The birls are really crisp which is great so keep this up. Overall a solid entry, well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Storm Masters 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: The Mist Covered Mountains Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good open technique evident which is great, and it was executed nicely. Musically this felt just a little stilted for me, even though it is a "slow air" it could have been a little brighter in terms of tempo. Similarly the technique is very good but could be better embedded in the melody. All in all a solid entry, well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Imogen Schmitz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cap'n No More Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: This had good musical uplift which is great. Technically everything is ok but could be a little clearer — try to lift the fingers a little higher when playing the grace notes. Similarly there were a number of little crossing noises here and there, work on getting absolute clarity when moving from bottom hand to top hand and vice versa. On the whole, well played — well done!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Lewis Brown-Potter 🏴 Tunes: Dark Island Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good start to the tune here. The first part was a little on the slow side however the second part was lovely and had great flow. The opneing motif was a little undefined — try to get the grace note fingers lifted a little higher for maximum clarity. The technique for the most part is good however at times the embellishments seemed a little crushed. On the whole, a good crack at a tricky tune — well done.
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Rachel Herold 🇺🇸 Tunes: Massacre of Glencoe Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Great effort to play in a competition after your recent illness — well done! Good musical playing here, the first part was wonderful. The second part at times felt a little hesitant; the first part had a lot of lovely musical flow whilst the second part could have been a little more accurate. Technically sound although there is some false fingering evident in the second part so keep an eye out on the pinkie movements. There is much potential here as this was a good performance, well done — keep it up!
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Event 01. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Slow Air (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sam Cordingley 🇦🇺 Tunes: heather island Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Good musical start here, Sam, very nice technique. I felt you were perhaps a little distracted by the metronome as the first couple of bars in each part were well-played however the end phrases lost some musical flow. This may also be because you're still working on the new embellishments which were very well executed. Keep practicing with the metronome and aim to keep the music flowing from A to B. On the whole you made a good attempt at this tune, you may have been better playing without the metronome however. Keep up the good work.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Eliza Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Rita. The "Haddads" are everywhere — great! Tempo: Very good tempo selected. I think you could even sit back that little bit more being a 3/4 and such a nice tune. Technique: Clear fingers are evident early. I feel the doublings could be bigger/clear — especially E. Music: A nice tune you have chosen. A musical presentation. You are holding the beats very well and consistently — well done. Overall: Really good Rita. You were solid right the way through the tune. Well done and thanks.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Callum Fisher 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Castle Dangerous & Shoals of Herring Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Thanks for taking part here Callum. Tempo: Excellent tempo chosen. Technique: Hands are good. Watch to open "F" doublings more. Same with hubbaba at part endings. These should be very juicy. Try to dig for D throws as well (more Low G). Music: Well started in a musical fashion. You have very steady pacing and this could serve you well. Overall: Really good job and entertaining overall. Thanks.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: My Land Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Arla and welcome to this event. A very bright chanter you have there . . . nice. Tempo: Lovely tempo chosen. Nice and relaxed. I would grab the chanter a little firmer at the very start (sliding a little) and then settles nicely. Technique: Hands seem pretty good and look comfortable on your chanter. Watch C & E doublings (clarity). Very good D throws and E strikes. Music: Musically very steady and pleasant. You are exhibiting good timing and it moves along in a smooth fashion. Overall: Really good Arla. Good fundamentals shown and musically very good. Keep up the good work. Thanks!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Raymond Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Scotts Wha Hae Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: HI Raymond and welcome to this event! A cool chanter you have there. Tempo: A nicely controlled pace to your tune. Very well done. Technique: Excellent D throw movement Raymond, very good. You are "digging" nicely for your movements involving Low G sounds — excellent. Watch to consistently hit strong G grace notes. Music: An interesting setting for this tune but very musical in the end. Nice way to get it into 4/4 time. Watch as most grace notes should be "on" the beat. Sometimes you are before or after and it could be even more musical with this in mind. Overall: A really good tune Raymond thanks. Just check the music to make sure all your grace notes are in the right spot — especially in the 2nd part. Thanks.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Rhonda Impey 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: The Badge of Scotland Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Rhonda and welcome here. A nice chanter tone you have there. Tempo: Very good — perhaps pushed a hair but pleasant. Nice and steady right through. Technique: Good hands but watch some clarity issues. An example would be note changes and hand changes (D - E). Try to dig LG sound in your D throw movements. Work on taorluaths as well. Music: Nicely done. At the part endings hold the last HA a bit longer to give the LA lots of strength. Note values are quite good and this is creating a good flow to your tune. Overall: Really enjoyed this. Just work on technique generally and you will be putting a nice musical package together. Thank you.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Glen Fletcher 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Farewell to Nigg Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Glen and good to have you here. So this is such a great tune and I know it very well. Tempo: A nice start here — laid back — but well in control. Technique: Pretty good. You need to "go for" the low G quicker in the D throw in bar 1 (you are pretty much missing it). D throws get better after you start the part. Watch C doublings as well — clean them up. Music: Musically it is okay and yet I feel it is a bit stilted. I think it just needs a touch more tempo to give it some certainty musically. Let is go that little bit I would say. Overall: Really enjoyed this and spectacular tune choice. Keep at it and I would try to clear up technique as much as anything. Thanks!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Haddad 🇦🇺 Tunes: Bluebells of Scotland Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Christopher. Thanks for being here and you also have a cool chanter. I can hear the gurgling sound so that means you've been practicing loads and that is just excellent. Tempo: A well started tune. Nicely done. Technique: Pretty good fingers Christopher. Work on your E doublings to make them very clear. You have good strong fingers which will help your piping for a long time in the future. Watch the grace notes used at the ending of the parts. In the last bar, for example, I would say there are too many G grace notes. An idea would be to not have any g/note on the B heading towards the LA. Watch also to not have fingers off the chanter from both hands at the same time. So when playing a top-hand note please be sure to have all the bottom fingers closed solidly on the chanter. Music: A musical tune Christopher. Just get confident with the technique and the music will come forward. Overall: Well done Christopher. Thank you.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Imogen Schmitz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Teribus Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Imogen and thanks for being involved with this event. Tempo: Not bad but a little fast for me and for your hands. Technique: In Bar 1, I recommend you put an E grace note on the LA (between the two D throws) for stronger affect. Missing some work early and there are catch sounds with the bottom hand not closing quickly enough when changing to the top hand notes. You are kind of blurring all the notes together instead of separating the beats. Open up the short/quick notes to help you prepare for the next beat (which usually has a grace note or doubling on it). This will give the beats more punch and separate everything nicely as well. Music: Steady music is being created nevertheless. Just pushed throughout is all. Overall: You have really good-looking fingers and I know this can create lots of clarity to your execution and music. I would slow it right down — go back to doubling fundamentals — and build up from there. You are looking for "clarity." Thanks for this today.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Loving 🇺🇸 Tunes: Going Home Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Joshua and welcome here. I would use another tune here. Going Home is more an Air or as you are playing it a 3/4 waltz. Go for a true March (if you tried tried to walk or march to this I think you would find it difficult). However, I will carry on and listen right through. Tempo: For this tune, it is a little quick. Steady however right through and well done for that. Technique: Okay and fingers look good. Some doublings could be clearer (e.g. C & E). Slow them down with two distinct grace notes. Music: Pretty steady and musical — just slow it a little to bring out more music to this great tune. Overall: A good job Joshua. Just change this tune. This would be better in a Slow Air contest. Well done and thank you.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Lewis Brown-Potter 🏴 Tunes: Scotland the Brave Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Lewis. Good to see you here today. Tempo: So, you are starting really fast on this tune. 4/4 should be at least somewhat laid back. Technique: At the very start try to open with a very strong G grace note (a bit quiet it is). Also in bar one it should really be an E grace note between the two C doublings. Hands are okay but the work is pretty scrunched together due to the big tempo. Pull back and open up the doublings. Music: You are steady right the way through and that is good. A better tempo would help this even more. Overall: A pretty good tune thanks Lewis. Just address the tempo and technique comments to try to improve. Thank you!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Cordingley 🇦🇺 Tunes: scots wha hae Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Sam and thanks for taking part here. Tempo: A metronome can be tricky — especially if you miss a beat which happened here early on. I also feel like you are running ahead of the beat. If it were me, I would use the metronome more to get the tempo in your head and then play without it — at least for this type of event. Technique: Good hands. Watch to "close" C (pinky down). I can tell you really do have potentially good fingers as you get older and hands get a bit larger. The basics are there. Music: So the connecting notes between bars are on the big side — taking too long — and that is why you are missing a beat on the metronome. Overall: A really good try Sam. To help I would slow it down — turn off the metronome — and go along at a comfortable pace for you. Then you can get all the "work" in and be nice and musical as well. Thank you!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: William Cavanough 🇦🇺 Tunes: Wae's Me For Prince Charlie Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi William. Thanks for doing this today. Tempo: Well started but very quick. Held steady though — well done. Technique: Pretty fair hands William. Work on making the embellishments clearer by slowing it down and excuting more carefully. Watch "catch sounds" opening from the bottom to top hand. Music: Pretty good — just on the fast side so hard to appreciate all you are doing. Jumping off the beat notes sometimes. If you hold them longer it will help with the tempo as well. Overall: A good job William. I would take a breath and try to relax more when you are playing. This will help everything. Thank you again.
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Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Eliza Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Rita. The "Haddads" are everywhere — great! Tempo: Very good tempo selected. I think you could even sit back that little bit more being a 3/4 and such a nice tune. Technique: Clear fingers are evident early. I feel the doublings could be bigger/clear — especially E. Music: A nice tune you have chosen. A musical presentation. You are holding the beats very well and consistently — well done. Overall: Really good Rita. You were solid right the way through the tune. Well done and thanks.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Callum Fisher 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Castle Dangerous & Shoals of Herring Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Thanks for taking part here Callum. Tempo: Excellent tempo chosen. Technique: Hands are good. Watch to open "F" doublings more. Same with hubbaba at part endings. These should be very juicy. Try to dig for D throws as well (more Low G). Music: Well started in a musical fashion. You have very steady pacing and this could serve you well. Overall: Really good job and entertaining overall. Thanks.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: My Land Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Arla and welcome to this event. A very bright chanter you have there . . . nice. Tempo: Lovely tempo chosen. Nice and relaxed. I would grab the chanter a little firmer at the very start (sliding a little) and then settles nicely. Technique: Hands seem pretty good and look comfortable on your chanter. Watch C & E doublings (clarity). Very good D throws and E strikes. Music: Musically very steady and pleasant. You are exhibiting good timing and it moves along in a smooth fashion. Overall: Really good Arla. Good fundamentals shown and musically very good. Keep up the good work. Thanks!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Raymond Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Scotts Wha Hae Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: HI Raymond and welcome to this event! A cool chanter you have there. Tempo: A nicely controlled pace to your tune. Very well done. Technique: Excellent D throw movement Raymond, very good. You are "digging" nicely for your movements involving Low G sounds — excellent. Watch to consistently hit strong G grace notes. Music: An interesting setting for this tune but very musical in the end. Nice way to get it into 4/4 time. Watch as most grace notes should be "on" the beat. Sometimes you are before or after and it could be even more musical with this in mind. Overall: A really good tune Raymond thanks. Just check the music to make sure all your grace notes are in the right spot — especially in the 2nd part. Thanks.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Rhonda Impey 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: The Badge of Scotland Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Rhonda and welcome here. A nice chanter tone you have there. Tempo: Very good — perhaps pushed a hair but pleasant. Nice and steady right through. Technique: Good hands but watch some clarity issues. An example would be note changes and hand changes (D - E). Try to dig LG sound in your D throw movements. Work on taorluaths as well. Music: Nicely done. At the part endings hold the last HA a bit longer to give the LA lots of strength. Note values are quite good and this is creating a good flow to your tune. Overall: Really enjoyed this. Just work on technique generally and you will be putting a nice musical package together. Thank you.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Glen Fletcher 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Farewell to Nigg Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Glen and good to have you here. So this is such a great tune and I know it very well. Tempo: A nice start here — laid back — but well in control. Technique: Pretty good. You need to "go for" the low G quicker in the D throw in bar 1 (you are pretty much missing it). D throws get better after you start the part. Watch C doublings as well — clean them up. Music: Musically it is okay and yet I feel it is a bit stilted. I think it just needs a touch more tempo to give it some certainty musically. Let is go that little bit I would say. Overall: Really enjoyed this and spectacular tune choice. Keep at it and I would try to clear up technique as much as anything. Thanks!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Haddad 🇦🇺 Tunes: Bluebells of Scotland Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Christopher. Thanks for being here and you also have a cool chanter. I can hear the gurgling sound so that means you've been practicing loads and that is just excellent. Tempo: A well started tune. Nicely done. Technique: Pretty good fingers Christopher. Work on your E doublings to make them very clear. You have good strong fingers which will help your piping for a long time in the future. Watch the grace notes used at the ending of the parts. In the last bar, for example, I would say there are too many G grace notes. An idea would be to not have any g/note on the B heading towards the LA. Watch also to not have fingers off the chanter from both hands at the same time. So when playing a top-hand note please be sure to have all the bottom fingers closed solidly on the chanter. Music: A musical tune Christopher. Just get confident with the technique and the music will come forward. Overall: Well done Christopher. Thank you.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Imogen Schmitz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Teribus Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Imogen and thanks for being involved with this event. Tempo: Not bad but a little fast for me and for your hands. Technique: In Bar 1, I recommend you put an E grace note on the LA (between the two D throws) for stronger affect. Missing some work early and there are catch sounds with the bottom hand not closing quickly enough when changing to the top hand notes. You are kind of blurring all the notes together instead of separating the beats. Open up the short/quick notes to help you prepare for the next beat (which usually has a grace note or doubling on it). This will give the beats more punch and separate everything nicely as well. Music: Steady music is being created nevertheless. Just pushed throughout is all. Overall: You have really good-looking fingers and I know this can create lots of clarity to your execution and music. I would slow it right down — go back to doubling fundamentals — and build up from there. You are looking for "clarity." Thanks for this today.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Loving 🇺🇸 Tunes: Going Home Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Joshua and welcome here. I would use another tune here. Going Home is more an Air or as you are playing it a 3/4 waltz. Go for a true March (if you tried tried to walk or march to this I think you would find it difficult). However, I will carry on and listen right through. Tempo: For this tune, it is a little quick. Steady however right through and well done for that. Technique: Okay and fingers look good. Some doublings could be clearer (e.g. C & E). Slow them down with two distinct grace notes. Music: Pretty steady and musical — just slow it a little to bring out more music to this great tune. Overall: A good job Joshua. Just change this tune. This would be better in a Slow Air contest. Well done and thank you.
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Lewis Brown-Potter 🏴 Tunes: Scotland the Brave Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Lewis. Good to see you here today. Tempo: So, you are starting really fast on this tune. 4/4 should be at least somewhat laid back. Technique: At the very start try to open with a very strong G grace note (a bit quiet it is). Also in bar one it should really be an E grace note between the two C doublings. Hands are okay but the work is pretty scrunched together due to the big tempo. Pull back and open up the doublings. Music: You are steady right the way through and that is good. A better tempo would help this even more. Overall: A pretty good tune thanks Lewis. Just address the tempo and technique comments to try to improve. Thank you!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Cordingley 🇦🇺 Tunes: scots wha hae Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Sam and thanks for taking part here. Tempo: A metronome can be tricky — especially if you miss a beat which happened here early on. I also feel like you are running ahead of the beat. If it were me, I would use the metronome more to get the tempo in your head and then play without it — at least for this type of event. Technique: Good hands. Watch to "close" C (pinky down). I can tell you really do have potentially good fingers as you get older and hands get a bit larger. The basics are there. Music: So the connecting notes between bars are on the big side — taking too long — and that is why you are missing a beat on the metronome. Overall: A really good try Sam. To help I would slow it down — turn off the metronome — and go along at a comfortable pace for you. Then you can get all the "work" in and be nice and musical as well. Thank you!
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Event 02. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 3/4 or 4/4 March (2 or 4 parts)
Competitor: William Cavanough 🇦🇺 Tunes: Wae's Me For Prince Charlie Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi William. Thanks for doing this today. Tempo: Well started but very quick. Held steady though — well done. Technique: Pretty fair hands William. Work on making the embellishments clearer by slowing it down and excuting more carefully. Watch "catch sounds" opening from the bottom to top hand. Music: Pretty good — just on the fast side so hard to appreciate all you are doing. Jumping off the beat notes sometimes. If you hold them longer it will help with the tempo as well. Overall: A good job William. I would take a breath and try to relax more when you are playing. This will help everything. Thank you again.
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Very nice playing here. Lovely technique. Second part little untidy on some High A doublings. 3rd & 4th very good. Loads of potential Rita, look forward to hearing you play in the future!
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Storm Masters 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Maries Wedding 2/4 beginner Chanter Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice open and clear technique, Good steady tempo. No major error. Keep up the good work
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Alaskan Scottish at Eagle River Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Tidy fingers, nice open technique. 3rd part well played. Tempo OK – could come up a touch. No major error. From here it's just a case of giving some more expression to the front of the bar and show some 2 bar phrasing. Pull out the upbeats. Some more accuracy around the birl also. Thanks for the listen Arla.
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: William Cavanough 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: First birl a bit squashed. Better second time – be sure to sound the low A in the movement. D strike end of first part fraction too early. Some slight rushing in second part. 3rd good. 4th just falling off the beat a tad. Loads of potential here William, keep up the good work.
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: David Blewitt 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: Terribus and Muir of Ord Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good bright tempo. First D throw had an extra grace note, much better second time. You’re getting a slight catch (crossing noise) from D down to Low A, and also up to the HG doublings. F doublings a little indistinct. Try to balance the two grace notes the same size. Second part watch catches from F to D. Second tune started well. Some work to do on the accuracy of your B doublings here. Some slight hesitancy in the second part. Loads of potential. All the best on your journey!
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Faith Kats 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Slight rushing to the first birl (second beat). Little catch from D to F on the repeat. 2nd part started well, just crossing noise C to E in the second phrase. 3rd part catches D to F. Similar in 4th. Overall, all your embellishments and doublings are very good. Just try to eliminate the crossing noises. Good steady tempo. All the best.
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Imogen Schmitz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Just a touch rushed in the introduction. Be careful not to squash the birl. Need to sound the Low A grace note in the movement. Crossing noise up to the HG doubling. Last phrase in first part, you're adding an extra grace note in the grip movement. On the repeat phrase 2, I notice when you play your E strike you are putting your little finger down to sound LG. This should be a Low A grace note in the E strike. Little untidy in second part – few incorrect notes in the second phrase. 3rd part some incorrect grace notes and missed technique. Also similar in 4th. Lots of low hanging fruit here Imogen – fix the grip movement, and the strikes, clean up the catches and you will have this tune nailed. Thanks for the listen.
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Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Very nice playing here. Lovely technique. Second part little untidy on some High A doublings. 3rd & 4th very good. Loads of potential Rita, look forward to hearing you play in the future!
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Storm Masters 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Maries Wedding 2/4 beginner Chanter Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice open and clear technique, Good steady tempo. No major error. Keep up the good work
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Alaskan Scottish at Eagle River Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Tidy fingers, nice open technique. 3rd part well played. Tempo OK – could come up a touch. No major error. From here it's just a case of giving some more expression to the front of the bar and show some 2 bar phrasing. Pull out the upbeats. Some more accuracy around the birl also. Thanks for the listen Arla.
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: William Cavanough 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: First birl a bit squashed. Better second time – be sure to sound the low A in the movement. D strike end of first part fraction too early. Some slight rushing in second part. 3rd good. 4th just falling off the beat a tad. Loads of potential here William, keep up the good work.
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: David Blewitt 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: Terribus and Muir of Ord Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good bright tempo. First D throw had an extra grace note, much better second time. You’re getting a slight catch (crossing noise) from D down to Low A, and also up to the HG doublings. F doublings a little indistinct. Try to balance the two grace notes the same size. Second part watch catches from F to D. Second tune started well. Some work to do on the accuracy of your B doublings here. Some slight hesitancy in the second part. Loads of potential. All the best on your journey!
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Faith Kats 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Slight rushing to the first birl (second beat). Little catch from D to F on the repeat. 2nd part started well, just crossing noise C to E in the second phrase. 3rd part catches D to F. Similar in 4th. Overall, all your embellishments and doublings are very good. Just try to eliminate the crossing noises. Good steady tempo. All the best.
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Event 03. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Imogen Schmitz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Just a touch rushed in the introduction. Be careful not to squash the birl. Need to sound the Low A grace note in the movement. Crossing noise up to the HG doubling. Last phrase in first part, you're adding an extra grace note in the grip movement. On the repeat phrase 2, I notice when you play your E strike you are putting your little finger down to sound LG. This should be a Low A grace note in the E strike. Little untidy in second part – few incorrect notes in the second phrase. 3rd part some incorrect grace notes and missed technique. Also similar in 4th. Lots of low hanging fruit here Imogen – fix the grip movement, and the strikes, clean up the catches and you will have this tune nailed. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 04. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Aria! Very well played tune! Hand and finger positioning looks great. Make sure to completely cover both holes on your B taps. Otherwise, your execution is very precise and clean. Tempo is quite slow, but that’s to be expected at the beginner level. You might try a bit more tempo, as long as you can keep the execution clean. You’ve got a great foundation. Keep it up!
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Competitor: Arla DeField 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Aria! Very well played tune! Hand and finger positioning looks great. Make sure to completely cover both holes on your B taps. Otherwise, your execution is very precise and clean. Tempo is quite slow, but that’s to be expected at the beginner level. You might try a bit more tempo, as long as you can keep the execution clean. You’ve got a great foundation. Keep it up!
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Event 05. Beginner Piping (practice chanter) - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Glengarry’s Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Rita, thanks for entering! Line 1: Very nice pace and balance to start throughout. One thing to work on here would be consistency of G grace notes. When you play grace notes to E they are pretty good, but on other notes are slightly larger/longer. This is a small thing to work on but can really pull a tune together. Line 2: As above, good technique and pace. Try to wait longer before the cadence (Last group of grace notes with the long E) at the end of the line. Waiting for that shows some mature phrasing and starting the process now will serve you well as you continue on in this tune Line 3: Again a well played line! As in the second line, wait longer for that last cadence and it will be quite polished! Very well played, Rita! You're clearly well taught and are working hard. I wish I played piobaireachd as well as you at your age! Keep up the good work and I can't wait to hear you on the pipes!
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Competitor: Rita Haddad 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Glengarry’s Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Rita, thanks for entering! Line 1: Very nice pace and balance to start throughout. One thing to work on here would be consistency of G grace notes. When you play grace notes to E they are pretty good, but on other notes are slightly larger/longer. This is a small thing to work on but can really pull a tune together. Line 2: As above, good technique and pace. Try to wait longer before the cadence (Last group of grace notes with the long E) at the end of the line. Waiting for that shows some mature phrasing and starting the process now will serve you well as you continue on in this tune Line 3: Again a well played line! As in the second line, wait longer for that last cadence and it will be quite polished! Very well played, Rita! You're clearly well taught and are working hard. I wish I played piobaireachd as well as you at your age! Keep up the good work and I can't wait to hear you on the pipes!
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Sean Stewart 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Alexander MacDonald of Heisker’s Farewell To The Monach Light Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Sean and thank you for your submission. Great pipe! You have a good understanding and play great short notes here. Work towards strengthening your birl movement. Blowing well and execution appropriate for the tune. Musical, great tune played well! As it should be.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: James Morris 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Going home to kintail Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello James and thank you for your submission. Great drones with a nice full umbrella. Top hand a wee bit sharp. Blowing good. Execution is good here also. Short notes as they should be — VG. Nice musical tune.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Dark Isle Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Heather and thank you for your submission. This is a well timed tune on a relatively well set instrument. F is a wee bit sharp here. Work towards elimination of crossing notes with good consistent exercises. Otherwise you have good strong execution here on a well blown instrument.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Jan Roberts 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Morag Duncan Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Jan, a well set pipe that is also blown well. There is some earliness on some notes, make sure nothing is played early and wait for it. Watch to wait for the end phrase, phrasing also and not jump to the next note. Short notes here are nice and musical.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Oscar Arnold 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: The mist Covered mountains Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Oscar and thank you for your submission. After a fairly rough start the tune settled into quite a musical presentation. Work towards a solid strike in so no drones are howling. Chanter balance ok and drones settled. Watch to blow out high A 100% of the time for consistency. Good strong bottom hand work.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Going Home Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Matthew and thank you for your submission. Looks like a nice setting to play in. Work towards getting consistency on your blowing as there are some chokes at times. Drones nicely together however not in tune with chanter. Work on eliminating crossing notes with exercises. Musical phrasing here with good tempo.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Alexander Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: Sleeping Tune Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Alexander and thank you for your submission. What a great composition this tune is. Drones out at the start, I believe one drone knocked out shortly after starting. Some execution that can use some exercise work to strengthen your hands. Have a quick look at the music and ensure that all the correct execution is being played here. Nice musicality.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Don Lively 🇺🇸 Tunes: Westering Home Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Don and thank you for your submission. Your hand placement on your top hand is causing some issues in covering the holes at times. Try having a look at your hands while playing in front of a mirror and work towards getting the hands correct. Some overblowing at times here. Tempo is ok.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Fergus and thank you for your submission. On strike in it may sound like your bass drone reed is a wee bit too open? Tempo is ok here in this tune. Try and ensure that all execution is sounded as a birl was missed on the repeat of part one. Second part may have sped up, work with a metronome to ensure this does not happen.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Maren Rohmeyer 🇩🇪 Tunes: Leaving Glen Affric Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Maren and thank you for your submission. Overall ok, work on tidying up your bottom hand work as it is a wee bit too open. Blowing ok and pipe ok. Keep your tempo on track here. Work with a metronome to improve this.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: Thug Mi Gaol Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Nancy and thank you for your submission. Angus is a nice addition to the setting of your recording. Work towards a good solid strike in with drones fully sounding. Chanter balance is good. Drones are not quite fully in tune with chanter. Work towards not playing any early notes, some metronome time each day will be frustrating but oh so worth it.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Parker Brooke 🇨🇦 Tunes: A Pipers Heart Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Parker and thank you for your submission. Work towards having your foot and note movement lining up for better accuracy — nothing early. Top hand quite sharp with D quite out of balance. Interesting tune, composition is such a skill.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Tunes: Setting a Course for Lewis Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Stephanie and thank you for your submission. Drones are very robust at the start here and really sound nice, however they are not fully in tune with chanter. Chanter is well balanced with a slightly flat high G. Tempo is ok, however ensure you don't speed up. Some metronome work here will help.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Stewart Fenwick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Stewart and thank you for your submission. I do believe checking the music here is in order. Work towards steady blowing with some excercises to strengthen this. Working with a metronome with also help towards musicality. Keep working towards playing musically. Nice job wearing a kilt.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Mrs. Joy Cairns Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Sue and thank you for your submission. Work on that strike in of your drones as this is a very important part of a first impression. Drones are well set and chanter well balanced on well blown instrument. Have a look at your top hand placement — it appears as if your F finger is quite bent causing some sound issues from High A to E.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Susan Ross 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Road to Ardfern composed by Ann Gray Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Susan, thank you for your submission. Some work to be done here on blowing, work towards consistency — some over blowing top hand and then a few chokes. Tempo is good here with a nice strong birl. Drones are good also. Some moments for tightening up some execution on top hand also.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Victoria MacKenzie 🇺🇸 Tunes: Ceannloch Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Victoria, thank you for your submission. Work towards a good clean strike in with all drones sounding with no squeal. Also if at all possible try and have the chanter not sound until both hands are on the chanter. Have a look at your top hand placement in front of a mirror while playing. Your hands are not fully covering the holes at all times causing some intonation issues. Timing is quite good here.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Violet, Watch that you don't start the tune too fast as this can take away from the musicality of the tune. Some rushed phrasing here at times also. Work with a metronome to ensure that timing and phrasing are lining up. Execution quite good.
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Competitor: Sean Stewart 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Alexander MacDonald of Heisker’s Farewell To The Monach Light Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Sean and thank you for your submission. Great pipe! You have a good understanding and play great short notes here. Work towards strengthening your birl movement. Blowing well and execution appropriate for the tune. Musical, great tune played well! As it should be.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: James Morris 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Going home to kintail Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello James and thank you for your submission. Great drones with a nice full umbrella. Top hand a wee bit sharp. Blowing good. Execution is good here also. Short notes as they should be — VG. Nice musical tune.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Dark Isle Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Heather and thank you for your submission. This is a well timed tune on a relatively well set instrument. F is a wee bit sharp here. Work towards elimination of crossing notes with good consistent exercises. Otherwise you have good strong execution here on a well blown instrument.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Jan Roberts 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Morag Duncan Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Jan, a well set pipe that is also blown well. There is some earliness on some notes, make sure nothing is played early and wait for it. Watch to wait for the end phrase, phrasing also and not jump to the next note. Short notes here are nice and musical.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Oscar Arnold 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: The mist Covered mountains Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Oscar and thank you for your submission. After a fairly rough start the tune settled into quite a musical presentation. Work towards a solid strike in so no drones are howling. Chanter balance ok and drones settled. Watch to blow out high A 100% of the time for consistency. Good strong bottom hand work.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Going Home Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Matthew and thank you for your submission. Looks like a nice setting to play in. Work towards getting consistency on your blowing as there are some chokes at times. Drones nicely together however not in tune with chanter. Work on eliminating crossing notes with exercises. Musical phrasing here with good tempo.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Alexander Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: Sleeping Tune Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Alexander and thank you for your submission. What a great composition this tune is. Drones out at the start, I believe one drone knocked out shortly after starting. Some execution that can use some exercise work to strengthen your hands. Have a quick look at the music and ensure that all the correct execution is being played here. Nice musicality.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Don Lively 🇺🇸 Tunes: Westering Home Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Don and thank you for your submission. Your hand placement on your top hand is causing some issues in covering the holes at times. Try having a look at your hands while playing in front of a mirror and work towards getting the hands correct. Some overblowing at times here. Tempo is ok.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Fergus and thank you for your submission. On strike in it may sound like your bass drone reed is a wee bit too open? Tempo is ok here in this tune. Try and ensure that all execution is sounded as a birl was missed on the repeat of part one. Second part may have sped up, work with a metronome to ensure this does not happen.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Maren Rohmeyer 🇩🇪 Tunes: Leaving Glen Affric Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Maren and thank you for your submission. Overall ok, work on tidying up your bottom hand work as it is a wee bit too open. Blowing ok and pipe ok. Keep your tempo on track here. Work with a metronome to improve this.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: Thug Mi Gaol Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Nancy and thank you for your submission. Angus is a nice addition to the setting of your recording. Work towards a good solid strike in with drones fully sounding. Chanter balance is good. Drones are not quite fully in tune with chanter. Work towards not playing any early notes, some metronome time each day will be frustrating but oh so worth it.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Parker Brooke 🇨🇦 Tunes: A Pipers Heart Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Parker and thank you for your submission. Work towards having your foot and note movement lining up for better accuracy — nothing early. Top hand quite sharp with D quite out of balance. Interesting tune, composition is such a skill.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Tunes: Setting a Course for Lewis Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Stephanie and thank you for your submission. Drones are very robust at the start here and really sound nice, however they are not fully in tune with chanter. Chanter is well balanced with a slightly flat high G. Tempo is ok, however ensure you don't speed up. Some metronome work here will help.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Stewart Fenwick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Stewart and thank you for your submission. I do believe checking the music here is in order. Work towards steady blowing with some excercises to strengthen this. Working with a metronome with also help towards musicality. Keep working towards playing musically. Nice job wearing a kilt.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Mrs. Joy Cairns Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Sue and thank you for your submission. Work on that strike in of your drones as this is a very important part of a first impression. Drones are well set and chanter well balanced on well blown instrument. Have a look at your top hand placement — it appears as if your F finger is quite bent causing some sound issues from High A to E.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Susan Ross 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Road to Ardfern composed by Ann Gray Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Susan, thank you for your submission. Some work to be done here on blowing, work towards consistency — some over blowing top hand and then a few chokes. Tempo is good here with a nice strong birl. Drones are good also. Some moments for tightening up some execution on top hand also.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Victoria MacKenzie 🇺🇸 Tunes: Ceannloch Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Victoria, thank you for your submission. Work towards a good clean strike in with all drones sounding with no squeal. Also if at all possible try and have the chanter not sound until both hands are on the chanter. Have a look at your top hand placement in front of a mirror while playing. Your hands are not fully covering the holes at all times causing some intonation issues. Timing is quite good here.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) A
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Violet, Watch that you don't start the tune too fast as this can take away from the musicality of the tune. Some rushed phrasing here at times also. Work with a metronome to ensure that timing and phrasing are lining up. Execution quite good.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: My Home Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very good playing, nicely executed and expressed. Drones a little out but the blowing very steady. Well done.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: The Massacre of Glencoe Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very nicely played and executed on a well tunes bagpipe. A little choke. Blowing pretty steady just watch it was slightly unsteady on top notes in part 2. Very enjoyable.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Jeremy Suggett 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Carles Wi the Breeks Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice steady and musical performance. Execution pretty clean except for a couple of crossing noises. The bass drone seemed a little unsteady and very sensitive to small changes in pressure. This would be an area to work on in your instrument which otherwise was good.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Kate Gordon 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Hector the Hero Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice pipe sound and very steady, as was the timing of the tune. A little light in some of the embellishments and a couple of crossing noises. Nice performance.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Highland Cathedral Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nicely played, timing good and very steady performance of a simple tune. Clean fingerwork. Blowing was steady and pipes tuned well.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: James Randell 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: The Skye Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very nicely timed, I enjoyed it and very steady. Pipes were good but watch blowing when you go up to High A where you have varied the pressure there. A choke in part 1. Also take care of slight catch to HIGH A.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Alan Sutherland 🇬🇧 Tunes: Leaving Lismore Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very musical and steady. I feel you have a good grasp of the music and focus needs to be on making sure all fingerwork is tidy. Overall execution good but the crossing noises and little catches to High A, eg, need a little care. Try and keep the arm steady against the bag to maximise the steady pressure, there was a little bit of movement there.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Alberto Armstrong 🇨🇱 Tunes: The Sleeping Tune Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Steady playing and good expression. Some little untidy bits of execution, mainly work on crossing noises, catching between notes. Good steady blowing although drones could be tuned a little better.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Ally Cavanagh 🇦🇺 Tunes: Loch Maree Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice performance and well expressed tune mostly but a little mistimed in 2nd part. Embellishments and fingering quite good just keep an ear out for crossing noises. Blowing is quite steady always remember to keep the arm movement to a minimum to help bag pressure to be steadier.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Tunes: Mingulay Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: I really enjoyed your tune, it was delivered with nice composure and good execution, nicely controlled. Main thing is to learn to tune your drones a little better to enhance the overall effect of the good playing. The drones were just too untuned.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Grace Pettaras 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lament for Rory Mor Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice steady playing and good execution mainly. Watch the grips at end of part so they are timed a little better.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: John Richmond 🇺🇸 Tunes: Kilworth Hills Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: I enjoyed the timing and expression in the tune. You blew the pipe steady. The main thing for you to work on is going to be the crossing noises which were very evident. A cleaner execution of this would have brought more success. Well done.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Arran Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Steady playing, and execution pretty strong. Quite a few chokes and this is a pressure thing to work through to eliminate. Drones a little out of tune, but main thing is keeping pressure to avoid chokes.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Régent Noël 🇨🇦 Tunes: Going Home Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Quite steady performance of the tune, your grips are good. C-E crossing noises need a little work. Tuning and blowing steady will be the next goal for you, especially getting the top notes on the chanter better tuned.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Robert Real 🇺🇸 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Quite nicely played, the main thing to work on is playing it a little steadier and always use the beat as your guide on this. The 2nd part was a little steadier. Also work on the blowing steadiness a bit, especially when you go to top hand, it was a different pressure. It's all about keeping the bag pressure steady throughout.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Sheldon Hoffman 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cailin Mo Ruinsa Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Most of the timing here was very good but opening bar of phrase in 2nd part seemed mistimed. Drones were not tuned and this is an area for you to develop and this would enhance the performance. Execution quite good with a couple of the embellishments needing a little practice for fluency eg, grips
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Toni DeVore 🇺🇸 Tunes: Going Home Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice steady performance of the tune. A couple of little execution issue. The main thing now to work on is tuning and trying to learn to tune the drones, as they were not strictly tuned to low A. Bag pressure pretty steady but try and keep the arm movement to a minimum.
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Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: My Home Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very good playing, nicely executed and expressed. Drones a little out but the blowing very steady. Well done.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: The Massacre of Glencoe Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very nicely played and executed on a well tunes bagpipe. A little choke. Blowing pretty steady just watch it was slightly unsteady on top notes in part 2. Very enjoyable.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Jeremy Suggett 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Carles Wi the Breeks Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice steady and musical performance. Execution pretty clean except for a couple of crossing noises. The bass drone seemed a little unsteady and very sensitive to small changes in pressure. This would be an area to work on in your instrument which otherwise was good.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Kate Gordon 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Hector the Hero Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice pipe sound and very steady, as was the timing of the tune. A little light in some of the embellishments and a couple of crossing noises. Nice performance.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Highland Cathedral Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nicely played, timing good and very steady performance of a simple tune. Clean fingerwork. Blowing was steady and pipes tuned well.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: James Randell 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: The Skye Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very nicely timed, I enjoyed it and very steady. Pipes were good but watch blowing when you go up to High A where you have varied the pressure there. A choke in part 1. Also take care of slight catch to HIGH A.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Alan Sutherland 🇬🇧 Tunes: Leaving Lismore Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very musical and steady. I feel you have a good grasp of the music and focus needs to be on making sure all fingerwork is tidy. Overall execution good but the crossing noises and little catches to High A, eg, need a little care. Try and keep the arm steady against the bag to maximise the steady pressure, there was a little bit of movement there.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Alberto Armstrong 🇨🇱 Tunes: The Sleeping Tune Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Steady playing and good expression. Some little untidy bits of execution, mainly work on crossing noises, catching between notes. Good steady blowing although drones could be tuned a little better.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Ally Cavanagh 🇦🇺 Tunes: Loch Maree Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice performance and well expressed tune mostly but a little mistimed in 2nd part. Embellishments and fingering quite good just keep an ear out for crossing noises. Blowing is quite steady always remember to keep the arm movement to a minimum to help bag pressure to be steadier.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Tunes: Mingulay Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: I really enjoyed your tune, it was delivered with nice composure and good execution, nicely controlled. Main thing is to learn to tune your drones a little better to enhance the overall effect of the good playing. The drones were just too untuned.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Grace Pettaras 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lament for Rory Mor Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice steady playing and good execution mainly. Watch the grips at end of part so they are timed a little better.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: John Richmond 🇺🇸 Tunes: Kilworth Hills Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: I enjoyed the timing and expression in the tune. You blew the pipe steady. The main thing for you to work on is going to be the crossing noises which were very evident. A cleaner execution of this would have brought more success. Well done.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Arran Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Steady playing, and execution pretty strong. Quite a few chokes and this is a pressure thing to work through to eliminate. Drones a little out of tune, but main thing is keeping pressure to avoid chokes.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Régent Noël 🇨🇦 Tunes: Going Home Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Quite steady performance of the tune, your grips are good. C-E crossing noises need a little work. Tuning and blowing steady will be the next goal for you, especially getting the top notes on the chanter better tuned.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Robert Real 🇺🇸 Tunes: Skye Boat Song Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Quite nicely played, the main thing to work on is playing it a little steadier and always use the beat as your guide on this. The 2nd part was a little steadier. Also work on the blowing steadiness a bit, especially when you go to top hand, it was a different pressure. It's all about keeping the bag pressure steady throughout.
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Sheldon Hoffman 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cailin Mo Ruinsa Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Most of the timing here was very good but opening bar of phrase in 2nd part seemed mistimed. Drones were not tuned and this is an area for you to develop and this would enhance the performance. Execution quite good with a couple of the embellishments needing a little practice for fluency eg, grips
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Event 06. Grade 5 Piping - Slow Air (at least 2 parts) B
Competitor: Toni DeVore 🇺🇸 Tunes: Going Home Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice steady performance of the tune. A couple of little execution issue. The main thing now to work on is tuning and trying to learn to tune the drones, as they were not strictly tuned to low A. Bag pressure pretty steady but try and keep the arm movement to a minimum.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Heather, thanks for the recording. Nicely tuned pipes, good solid 2/4 tempo and rhythm, clean hands at beginning of tune. Well controlled and expressed from outset. Occasionally playing D strike ahead of beat at part endings but otherwise a very strong performance — great stuff.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Dylan, good confident strike in and a bright tempo. Top of chanter slightly flat to my ear. Good grips and birls coming through. Wee cross third part. Just rushing your D strikes at the part endings. Again wee catch 4th part however a good complete tune on a pleasant instrument. Great stuff!
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Stephanie — there's that Maclennan tartan again! Good solid tempo and musical flow from the outset, strong hands evident, nice clean technique throughout the entire performance. I really enjoyed your playing, just one main observation — the bass drone — unfortunately from start to finish this was not anywhere near in tune. Here's a suggestion, next time the pipe was been tuned take note of where the bass is tuning. Whenever you put your pipes together aim to get the bass really close to where it was the last time it was 'in tune,' it may not be perfect but it should be very close. Great job once again, keep up the good work, loads of potential here.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Craig Sherman 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The 79th Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Craig, nice pipe, bold start to this classic 2/4. Strong hands, clean technique coming through, occasional musical 'pause' which just interrupted flow at times. Untidy last part (tacchums) otherwise a pretty clean run, well done, enjoyable listen ,thanks.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Lisa Martin 🇳🇿 Place: 5 Tunes: The Taking of Beaumont Hamel Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Lisa, a classic 2/4 to present, great. Pipes nicely tuned, conservative tempo but phrasing all there, and good 2/4 rhythm. Strong tacchums and taorluaths, some crossing noises C to E distract. Well controlled performance on a very pleasant pipe, well done, enjoyed this.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Parker Brooke 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Donald Maclean’s Farewell To Obon Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Parker, thanks for the tune. Well tuned bagpipe, nice technique at outset and reasonable tempo and rhythm for this grade. Watch C to E change second part, tacchums 3rd part not clean. Occasional cross 4th part, slight slowing coming into the 4th part variation — enjoyed your presentation of this classic tune, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Hills of Perth Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: HI Adi, thanks for your entry. Good tune choice and tempo. Drones not quite in with chanter from outset, some tiny chokes in first part. Nice birls 3rd part. Wee chokes and crosses last part, parts of this performance were great, took a while to settle in to first part and lost composure in last part . Killer birl, perhaps work on those throws on D. Well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Alberto Armstrong 🇨🇱 Tunes: High Road to Gairloch, Highland Laddie Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi there Alberto, nice pipes, strong hands, wee choke in first part, good music in first tune, second tune, some crossing noises creeping now, watch you don't rush the last part. Overall a good performance, nice tunes well handled. Well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Alexander Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: 24th Guard Brigade at Anzio Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi there Alexander. Good choice of tune, very musical interpretation and solid tempo from outset. Blowing slightly variable early on, a couple of crossing noises in first part. Again in third, may have lost a drone at this point too. 4th part pretty good, just lost your way in the last line, double toning drones and loss of finger clarity. Good effort. Make sure you don't play those D strikes early at the end of parts.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Barbara Willard 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major CM Usher OBE Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Barbara, thanks for the recording. Nicely tuned bagpipe. Appropriate tune and tempo. Crisp doublings. Taorluath movement not always clean, musical flow interrupted 1st bar third part. Crossings noises creeping last part. Solid rhythm largely throughout, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Ben Timberlake 🇮🇹 Tunes: Father John MacMillan of Barra Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Ben, thanks for the entry. A big tune for this grade. Drones well tuned. Tempo quite slow, and some technical troubles early. Not quite getting the musical flow to this 2/4. A couple of errors in 2nd apart, then kind of derailed . . . back on track in the third. More errors creeping in 4th. Thanks for the listen, I'd suggest you use a tune more appropriate to the grade to get the best of your playing across in this format.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Tunes: Walter Douglas, MBE Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Brian, nice pipes, controlled tempo and good 2/4 rhythm. Technical distractions — mostly crossing noises, which were apparent from first part, also watch you don't move to next note before the grace note (creates extra sound), slightly rushed last line, a pleasant performance nonetheless, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Callum Fisher 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding & Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Callum, thanks for the tune. I hope there weren't any snakes out there! Drones pretty wild from the outset, a few technical blemishes also distract, god 2/4 tempo and flow. Second tune — skirls in first part, second part was much better. Well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: David Hasbrouck 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi David, nice sounding instrument, not quite 100% in tune but close. Conservative march tempo, slowing down a little into second. Mostly well phrased, some technical distractions (grips and crossing noises), blowing increasingly unsteady in 3rd part, leading to chokes. Strong 4th part (wee error). A pleasant tune on a pretty good pipe — well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Duncan McInnes, Jenny's Bawbee Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: HI Fergus, thanks for the entry. Pipe solid at outset, good tempo, doublings not always 100%. First tune strong, rushing into second tune, catch on grips, crossing noises second part. Just losing composure towards the end of the performance, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: Walter Douglas M.B.E. Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan, thanks for entering the comp. Bagpipe not quite in tune, drones not with chanter (very sharp low A) Ok tempo, some catches second part, strong taorluath movement. Just jumping in with the birl part endings at times. Again crossing noises distract last part but pretty solid effort overall, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: James Randell 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi James, thanks for entering. Well tuned bagpipe, brisk tempo from outset, possibly losing a little musically as a result, nice hands, wee choke first part. Third part, watch you don't lose the low G in the throw on D, wee last part and small catch. Strong performance — just a wee bit frenetic to my ear with some minor technical blemishes. Keep up the good work!
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Lars Bertels 🇩🇪 Tunes: The Auld Hoose | The Lea Rig Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Lars, wow, what a backdrop to your performance. Drones not quite locked in from outset, nice first tune, well handled musically. 2nd tune tune not quite as strong, a few crossing noises creeping in here which distract. Tiny choke too. Thanks for the listen, keep working hard at eliminating those crossing noises.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Mairi Bhan / Teribus Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, nice tunes, nice pipe, watch those birls, chokes distract in the first tune, couple of wee crossing noises in teribus, with a hint of rushing in this tune. Probably the main features for me were the change in tempo as you went on, and the variable blowing/pressure leading to chokes. Hands were pretty solid and musically you were great! Keep up the good work.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber (PM Evan MacRae) Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Mike, thanks for competing in this event. Appropriate tune choice for this grade, conservative tempo form outset, drones not together , some occasional memory slips interrupt musical flow, there are also chokes and skirls at times. 3rd part strong hands here, also grips very clean 4th part, well done. Prior to this there were a few crossing noises which distracted. Strong finish to your tune, keep working on those hands, you're on the right track, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: King George V's Army Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: HI Nancy (and Angus), thanks for entering the online contest. Good tune selection and tempo, took a while to settle in first part. Occasional crossing noise, especially up to high A, and C to E. Wee error third part. Again those crossing noises sometimes in last part. Musically flowed well, good job, thanks for the listen. Pipes were pretty good.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Oscar Einem 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding, Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Oscar. Two good tunes there — unfortunately those drones of yours were well out of tune from the beginning which really affects the overall impact of your performance. I thought you had good technique and your understanding of the music is obvious. I got your message re: the lockdown situation and thought you gave it a great go. If the pipes had been more closely tuned it would have made a big difference to your recording, perhaps your band/tutor could give you a few tips on how to sort this for next time — but well done and good luck with the lock down! You've got lots of potential — keep it up!
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Rhonda Impey 🇦🇺 Tunes: The High Road to Gairloch Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Rhonda, thanks for the recording. One of the classic wee 2/4s. Pipes not bad, reasonable tempo for this tune. Nice posture and straight fingers, good. Try to make your grace notes 'bigger and softer' that will help time the transition between melody notes, you are getting a few catches and crossing noises in the tune. Would have liked to have heard another 2 parts of march in this event.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Stephen Cady 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Steve, thanks for the recording. Pipes good, drones well tuned, D a wee bit sharp. Good tempo and 2/4 expression, throw on D needs a bit more low G. Wee chirp in 3rd part. Technique not always clear part endings (grip and throw) oops, went into wrong part 4th. Thanks again.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Stewart Fenwick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Duncan McInnes / Walter Douglas Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Stewart, nice to see the Maclennan tartan! Good tempo and rhythm from outset. Good musical flow. Crossing noises interject early in the performance and continue. This was pretty distracting. Musically sound, pipes pretty well tuned — just work on that technique to get your playing to the next level! Thanks.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Muir of Ord Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Sue, thanks for the entry, a nicely tuned instrument from the start. A classic GS Maclennan tune. Good tempo and musical flow, 1st and 2nd parts excellent. Wee chirps in 3rd part, expression getting a little round in 4th part. Overall a solid tune, nice bagpipe, technique pretty good, maybe check on throw on D, this is not consistent. Enjoyed the listen thanks.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Susan Ross 🇨🇦 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Susan, thanks for entering the 2/4 event — nice tune, pipes pretty well tuned, solid tempo from outset, and pretty good 2/4 rhythm. Make sure you get the full low G sound in your throw on D every time or musical effect. Wee crossing noise last part. Also make sure you wait for the strikes on D and time them on the beat at the part endings. Solid performance, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Travis, thanks for your entry. Perhaps a little rushed into the beginning of your performance, took a wee while to settle. Pipes ok, the occasional wee choke and skirl distract, technique in third part is not clean. Make sure you get a full low G sound in your grips. Thanks for the listen, perhaps tackling this at a more conservative tempo would give you more time to get on top of your music and technique.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: 42nd Highlanders, Teribus Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Violet, good stuff. A lively tempo and 2/4 rhythm from outset. A few technical blemishes and a wee pause in 2nd part distract. Good entry into Teribus, which was played very well, good technique and musical flow, pipes pretty well tuned too. Well done!
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Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Heather, thanks for the recording. Nicely tuned pipes, good solid 2/4 tempo and rhythm, clean hands at beginning of tune. Well controlled and expressed from outset. Occasionally playing D strike ahead of beat at part endings but otherwise a very strong performance — great stuff.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Dylan, good confident strike in and a bright tempo. Top of chanter slightly flat to my ear. Good grips and birls coming through. Wee cross third part. Just rushing your D strikes at the part endings. Again wee catch 4th part however a good complete tune on a pleasant instrument. Great stuff!
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Stephanie — there's that Maclennan tartan again! Good solid tempo and musical flow from the outset, strong hands evident, nice clean technique throughout the entire performance. I really enjoyed your playing, just one main observation — the bass drone — unfortunately from start to finish this was not anywhere near in tune. Here's a suggestion, next time the pipe was been tuned take note of where the bass is tuning. Whenever you put your pipes together aim to get the bass really close to where it was the last time it was 'in tune,' it may not be perfect but it should be very close. Great job once again, keep up the good work, loads of potential here.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Craig Sherman 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The 79th Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Craig, nice pipe, bold start to this classic 2/4. Strong hands, clean technique coming through, occasional musical 'pause' which just interrupted flow at times. Untidy last part (tacchums) otherwise a pretty clean run, well done, enjoyable listen ,thanks.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Lisa Martin 🇳🇿 Place: 5 Tunes: The Taking of Beaumont Hamel Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Lisa, a classic 2/4 to present, great. Pipes nicely tuned, conservative tempo but phrasing all there, and good 2/4 rhythm. Strong tacchums and taorluaths, some crossing noises C to E distract. Well controlled performance on a very pleasant pipe, well done, enjoyed this.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Parker Brooke 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Donald Maclean’s Farewell To Obon Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Parker, thanks for the tune. Well tuned bagpipe, nice technique at outset and reasonable tempo and rhythm for this grade. Watch C to E change second part, tacchums 3rd part not clean. Occasional cross 4th part, slight slowing coming into the 4th part variation — enjoyed your presentation of this classic tune, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Hills of Perth Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: HI Adi, thanks for your entry. Good tune choice and tempo. Drones not quite in with chanter from outset, some tiny chokes in first part. Nice birls 3rd part. Wee chokes and crosses last part, parts of this performance were great, took a while to settle in to first part and lost composure in last part . Killer birl, perhaps work on those throws on D. Well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Alberto Armstrong 🇨🇱 Tunes: High Road to Gairloch, Highland Laddie Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi there Alberto, nice pipes, strong hands, wee choke in first part, good music in first tune, second tune, some crossing noises creeping now, watch you don't rush the last part. Overall a good performance, nice tunes well handled. Well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Alexander Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: 24th Guard Brigade at Anzio Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi there Alexander. Good choice of tune, very musical interpretation and solid tempo from outset. Blowing slightly variable early on, a couple of crossing noises in first part. Again in third, may have lost a drone at this point too. 4th part pretty good, just lost your way in the last line, double toning drones and loss of finger clarity. Good effort. Make sure you don't play those D strikes early at the end of parts.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Barbara Willard 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major CM Usher OBE Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Barbara, thanks for the recording. Nicely tuned bagpipe. Appropriate tune and tempo. Crisp doublings. Taorluath movement not always clean, musical flow interrupted 1st bar third part. Crossings noises creeping last part. Solid rhythm largely throughout, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Ben Timberlake 🇮🇹 Tunes: Father John MacMillan of Barra Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Ben, thanks for the entry. A big tune for this grade. Drones well tuned. Tempo quite slow, and some technical troubles early. Not quite getting the musical flow to this 2/4. A couple of errors in 2nd apart, then kind of derailed . . . back on track in the third. More errors creeping in 4th. Thanks for the listen, I'd suggest you use a tune more appropriate to the grade to get the best of your playing across in this format.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Tunes: Walter Douglas, MBE Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Brian, nice pipes, controlled tempo and good 2/4 rhythm. Technical distractions — mostly crossing noises, which were apparent from first part, also watch you don't move to next note before the grace note (creates extra sound), slightly rushed last line, a pleasant performance nonetheless, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Callum Fisher 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding & Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Callum, thanks for the tune. I hope there weren't any snakes out there! Drones pretty wild from the outset, a few technical blemishes also distract, god 2/4 tempo and flow. Second tune — skirls in first part, second part was much better. Well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: David Hasbrouck 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi David, nice sounding instrument, not quite 100% in tune but close. Conservative march tempo, slowing down a little into second. Mostly well phrased, some technical distractions (grips and crossing noises), blowing increasingly unsteady in 3rd part, leading to chokes. Strong 4th part (wee error). A pleasant tune on a pretty good pipe — well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Duncan McInnes, Jenny's Bawbee Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: HI Fergus, thanks for the entry. Pipe solid at outset, good tempo, doublings not always 100%. First tune strong, rushing into second tune, catch on grips, crossing noises second part. Just losing composure towards the end of the performance, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: Walter Douglas M.B.E. Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan, thanks for entering the comp. Bagpipe not quite in tune, drones not with chanter (very sharp low A) Ok tempo, some catches second part, strong taorluath movement. Just jumping in with the birl part endings at times. Again crossing noises distract last part but pretty solid effort overall, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: James Randell 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi James, thanks for entering. Well tuned bagpipe, brisk tempo from outset, possibly losing a little musically as a result, nice hands, wee choke first part. Third part, watch you don't lose the low G in the throw on D, wee last part and small catch. Strong performance — just a wee bit frenetic to my ear with some minor technical blemishes. Keep up the good work!
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Lars Bertels 🇩🇪 Tunes: The Auld Hoose | The Lea Rig Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Lars, wow, what a backdrop to your performance. Drones not quite locked in from outset, nice first tune, well handled musically. 2nd tune tune not quite as strong, a few crossing noises creeping in here which distract. Tiny choke too. Thanks for the listen, keep working hard at eliminating those crossing noises.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Mairi Bhan / Teribus Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, nice tunes, nice pipe, watch those birls, chokes distract in the first tune, couple of wee crossing noises in teribus, with a hint of rushing in this tune. Probably the main features for me were the change in tempo as you went on, and the variable blowing/pressure leading to chokes. Hands were pretty solid and musically you were great! Keep up the good work.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber (PM Evan MacRae) Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Mike, thanks for competing in this event. Appropriate tune choice for this grade, conservative tempo form outset, drones not together , some occasional memory slips interrupt musical flow, there are also chokes and skirls at times. 3rd part strong hands here, also grips very clean 4th part, well done. Prior to this there were a few crossing noises which distracted. Strong finish to your tune, keep working on those hands, you're on the right track, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: King George V's Army Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: HI Nancy (and Angus), thanks for entering the online contest. Good tune selection and tempo, took a while to settle in first part. Occasional crossing noise, especially up to high A, and C to E. Wee error third part. Again those crossing noises sometimes in last part. Musically flowed well, good job, thanks for the listen. Pipes were pretty good.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Oscar Einem 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding, Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Oscar. Two good tunes there — unfortunately those drones of yours were well out of tune from the beginning which really affects the overall impact of your performance. I thought you had good technique and your understanding of the music is obvious. I got your message re: the lockdown situation and thought you gave it a great go. If the pipes had been more closely tuned it would have made a big difference to your recording, perhaps your band/tutor could give you a few tips on how to sort this for next time — but well done and good luck with the lock down! You've got lots of potential — keep it up!
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Rhonda Impey 🇦🇺 Tunes: The High Road to Gairloch Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Rhonda, thanks for the recording. One of the classic wee 2/4s. Pipes not bad, reasonable tempo for this tune. Nice posture and straight fingers, good. Try to make your grace notes 'bigger and softer' that will help time the transition between melody notes, you are getting a few catches and crossing noises in the tune. Would have liked to have heard another 2 parts of march in this event.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Stephen Cady 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Steve, thanks for the recording. Pipes good, drones well tuned, D a wee bit sharp. Good tempo and 2/4 expression, throw on D needs a bit more low G. Wee chirp in 3rd part. Technique not always clear part endings (grip and throw) oops, went into wrong part 4th. Thanks again.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Stewart Fenwick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Duncan McInnes / Walter Douglas Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Stewart, nice to see the Maclennan tartan! Good tempo and rhythm from outset. Good musical flow. Crossing noises interject early in the performance and continue. This was pretty distracting. Musically sound, pipes pretty well tuned — just work on that technique to get your playing to the next level! Thanks.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Muir of Ord Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Sue, thanks for the entry, a nicely tuned instrument from the start. A classic GS Maclennan tune. Good tempo and musical flow, 1st and 2nd parts excellent. Wee chirps in 3rd part, expression getting a little round in 4th part. Overall a solid tune, nice bagpipe, technique pretty good, maybe check on throw on D, this is not consistent. Enjoyed the listen thanks.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Susan Ross 🇨🇦 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Susan, thanks for entering the 2/4 event — nice tune, pipes pretty well tuned, solid tempo from outset, and pretty good 2/4 rhythm. Make sure you get the full low G sound in your throw on D every time or musical effect. Wee crossing noise last part. Also make sure you wait for the strikes on D and time them on the beat at the part endings. Solid performance, well done.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Travis, thanks for your entry. Perhaps a little rushed into the beginning of your performance, took a wee while to settle. Pipes ok, the occasional wee choke and skirl distract, technique in third part is not clean. Make sure you get a full low G sound in your grips. Thanks for the listen, perhaps tackling this at a more conservative tempo would give you more time to get on top of your music and technique.
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Event 07. Grade 5 Piping – 2/4 March (at least 4 parts OR 2 different 2 parted tunes)
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: 42nd Highlanders, Teribus Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Violet, good stuff. A lively tempo and 2/4 rhythm from outset. A few technical blemishes and a wee pause in 2nd part distract. Good entry into Teribus, which was played very well, good technique and musical flow, pipes pretty well tuned too. Well done!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Steamboat Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Heather! Pipes are sounding nice — a bright chanter sound and drones are well-tuned and steady. You established a confident and precise 6/8 feel right from the start. The tempo is quite slow, but this allows you to articulate your movements and rhythms cleanly and consistently. Watch in the second part that the short Fs in the groupings do not get too small, otherwise they can come across more like grace notes than sixteenth notes. Good control of grace notes and doublings throughout. To take your tune to the next level, you can bump the tempo up a bit to get more flow and momentum. You have put the work in and it shows! Well played. Keep it up.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Miss Lily Christie Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Adi! Drones are close but not quite together with your chanter. Keep working on improving your drone tuning techniques as it can really enhance your performance. You can even teach your parents to use a tuner to help you! You are establishing and maintaining a good 6/8 feel through your tune; nice consistent emphasis of dotted notes in the groupings. Keep working on the ending phrase to make sure you get the E tap in consistently. Also listen for little crossing notes on cut Ds going up to high A. This was a strong performance! This tune is quite challenging for grade 5 and you are playing it well. Keep up the great work, Adi!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Pibroch Of Donald Dhu Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Brian! Pipes are well set up and your drones are tuned closely together and to the chanter. You have a good sense of the 6/8 feel and are articulating most rhythms well. Your ending phrase could be refined somewhat as the relationship between the quarter note B and eighth note C is not quite accurate. Be sure to give the equivalent of 2 eighths to this B and one to the C. At times the C is being treated more as a sixteenth note, perhaps to give more time to the low G of the D throw? I would focus on getting the B-C relationship more precise and then waiting for the D throw movement more. Nice work with articulating 2 clear sounds in doublings throughout. Enjoyed your tune! Keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: PM Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Stephanie! Your pipe sound is quite well-tuned although the drones seem rather open and dominant (this could just be the recording as well). Make sure your drones are not taking too much air and this should take them down in volume a bit. In order to get a stronger 6/8 feel here, you need to put more emphasis on the dotted note in each grouping. Keep working on pushing these notes throughout the tune. Otherwise it comes across as more of a 2/4 feel. You have very strong technique and nice crispness to your grace notes and movements; well done! You are very close here; I would make some small adjustments to the timing and your tune will be very strong. Thanks!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Hot Punch Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Violet! Your pipes sound bright and balanced. Keep working on strategies for drone tuning and steady blowing to get them even closer together and smoother in tone. I would take a longer moment to get settled once you have your pipes up before starting into your tune. You can play a long E before you start if you wish. You have a strong sense of the 6/8 feel here; nice emphasis on the dotted notes. Good articulation of movements overall, particularly with separating grace notes in your doublings. I would focus on improving your grip movement by covering more completely to low G to start the movement and ensuring you can hear the second low G as well. In addition, avoid crossing notes from C to E by thinking of the E finger as the “leader” in this transition on the way up. Keep up the good work, Violet!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Dylan! Your pipes sound really nice. Great job getting your drones well -tuned to your chanter and getting a good chanter sound also. Nice strong start to your tune. You are articulating the 6/8 rhythms well generally. Watch out for frequent crossing notes between C and E. Think about your E finger “leading” on the way up to get a cleaner transition. I would also keep working on your tachum movements and places where you are cutting down to low A with a D grace note as you are sometimes rushing into these and take time away from the dotted note before the cut down. You have a strong sense of the 6/8 idiom and lots of potential. Keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Barbara Willard 🇺🇸 Tunes: Rab's Wedding Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Barbara! Very nice bagpipe. You have done a good job of setting up your instrument to get a good balance between chanter and drones and your drones are well-tuned and steady. 6/8 rhythms are generally well-expressed and consistent throughout. One area to focus on in order to improve this tune is the grouping in beat 2, bar 1 (and subsequent places where it happens through the tune) where you are coming off a cut C onto the E. You have crossing notes coming through here at times. Think of your E finger “leading” and this may help to articulate this move cleanly. You also can look at places where you move from high A to E as you have a slight low A sound where your E finger sometimes catches the chanter in the transition. Continue to also focus on your birl movement with the focus being to prevent your B finger from rolling while you articulate the birl. You may find it helpful to press more with the thumb on the back of the chanter or to try different birl techniques to find one that fits you. This was a nice performance. I enjoyed your tune, thank you!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Craig Sherman 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Glendaruel Highlanders Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Craig! Bagpipe quite well-tuned and sounding good. Overall, I would put more emphasis on the dotted notes of the groupings to get a more grounded and solid 6/8 feel through your tune. Be sure to wait for the beat consistently as well; you are sometimes jumping ahead particularly when there is a cut note starting the next beat (such as the last beat of line 1). Another place to wait for the beat is the birl ending each part. Nice articulation of movements overall; you are getting good separation of grace notes in most doublings. I would just try to refine the timing of the 6/8 rhythms as I have mentioned above and see where that takes you! Thanks. Enjoyed this!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: David Hasbrouck 🇺🇸 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi David! This is a tough tune and you are doing a good job with it. Your drones are very well-tuned and your pipes sound solid. The timing in the first part is quite strong. In the second part, keep working on the first 2 bars of each line to maintain the feel and tempo that you have established in part 1. Your movements overall are coming across clearly. I would focus next on ensuring that D throws always begin with a strong low G sound; sometimes the D part of the movement is the first sound heard. Keep up the good work, David!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Bonnie Dundee, 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Fergus! Your pipes are well set up and blown solidly through your tunes. Your expression of the 6/8 idiom is on the right track with a very consistent emphasis on the dotted note in the groupings throughout. Be careful not to underemphasize the third note in the grouping (the plain eighth note) as it can feel like you are early to the next beat at times. Watch the crossing notes between C and E in Bonnie Dundee; think of your E finger “leading” on the way up to avoid untidiness in this transition. You have the right idea with shortening the cut eighth notes throughout but at times they are too cut and are not coming across audibly. Pull back the amount of cut just slightly so you can articulate the note and grace note cleanly. Lots of potential here! Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: Piobaireachd of Donald Dhu 1 & 2 parts Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan! Drones are a bit flat to the chanter. I noticed in your video that you are using E as a tuning note as your right hand moves up to tune the drones. Try high A instead, as it is less affected tonally by the bottom hand being off the chanter. You are getting a good emphasis on the dotted note in your 6/8 groupings throughout. Be careful not to cut the third note in the grouping (the plain eighth note) or it feels like you are jumping the beat at times. Very nice clarity of E doublings throughout the first part. One technical area to continue to refine is the articulation of D grace notes, especially in tachums. Try to keep the D finger closer to the chanter when executing these so that the grace note does not obscure the melody note, and ensure the placement of the grace note is precise. Thanks and keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: James Randell 🇦🇺 Tunes: One Hundred Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi James! You have done a good job of tuning your drones and setting up your chanter here. I would take a longer moment to get settled once you have your pipes up before starting into your tune. Also, try to keep the pressure steady throughout to avoid small chokes. You are establishing a pretty good 6/8 feel here overall but at times it feels like you are pushing the tempo (such as in the ending phrase). Lay back on the beat a bit and push those dotted notes consistently to keep in the groove, start to finish. In the first part, open up the bottom hand grouping that occurs in beat 2 (and subsequent spots) so that the cut B is still audible. In the second part, keep working on the tachum movement in the ending phrase so that you are able to control its placement (the B of the tachum should be on the beat). Very nice tune choice and I think with a couple of wee refinements this will be very strong! Thanks.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Janene Hall 🇦🇺 Tunes: A Hundred Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Janene! Really enjoyed your tune. Sound wise: your drones are a bit flat to your chanter, but they are close and well-tuned together. Keep working at the drone tuning skill; it takes lots of practice to master but it sounds like you are on the right track! You have a strong feel for the 6/8 timing overall. I think you could slow down a wee bit to execute some of the technical aspects of the tune more cleanly. One spot is the low G grace note to low A that occurs during beat 2 of part 1 (and its subsequent repetitions) as this is not yet consistent. I would also continue to develop your movements involving low G (grips, taorluaths, and D throws) and go for a stronger low G sound in each. Keep up the good work! Thanks.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew! Your pipes are sounding very nice. Your drones are well-tuned and your chanter is well set up. Now be sure to keep a solid pressure up from start to finish with your blowing in order to avoid any chokes. I would also make sure that your pipes are efficient and air-tight. Very strong articulation throughout of movements generally. I especially liked your first taorluath; super clear and strong! Keep working towards 100% consistency with your grips and taorluaths. You are doing a good job of articulating the 6/8 rhythms accurately. Don’t rush into the tachum in the ending phrase part 2. Remember that the cut B of this tachum still needs to be on the beat. Great potential here Matthew! Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Mikhail Baev (Polsky) 🇷🇺 Tunes: The Atholl Highlanders Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Mikhail! Your pipes are sounding balanced and your drones are fairly close. Keep working on strategies to improve the accuracy of your drone tuning as it can really help your sound to come together. Nice control of the 6/8 rhythms throughout. You are getting a good emphasis on the dotted note in each grouping. In the second part, you have a bit of untidiness between some of the C and E transitions. Think of the E finger “leading” on the way up in order to make these clean. Nice work on the tachums in part 4. You have a good sense of the 6/8 feel and are controlling the timings well throughout. You may want to bump the tempo up to get some more momentum into the tune as a next step. Keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: Leaving Port Askaig Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Nancy (and Angus)! Nice pipe sound! Your drones are steady and well-tuned. You are getting a pretty good 6/8 feel throughout your tune. Be sure to get a nice strong dotted emphasis on the very first low A of your tune. Also be sure to go smoothly into the second ending in part 2. Doublings are clearly articulated, giving 2 strong sounds consistently. I would spend more time developing movements involving low G (in this tune, grips). Try to feel both low Gs strongly and let them take up some space in your tune. You have put a lot of work in and it shows! Keep it up. Thanks!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Oscar Einem 🇦🇺 Tunes: Bonnie Dundee, 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Oscar! Way to go submitting this video! I really like the way you introduced yourself and wrapped up the video at the end so professionally. I would start to work on tuning your drones to your chanter more closely. You can even teach a non-piper (maybe a parent) to use a tuning app if there is no one available to help you get tuned up before you compete. Get your instructor to help you make a plan for tuning. Well done marching to your tunes. You have a good sense of the 6/8 timing already! Nice clarity of grips, taorluaths, and birls. Watch the occasional crossing note from C to E. Also keep working on the tachum movement in the ending phrase of Hundred Pipers, part 2. You have so much potential, Oscar! Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stephen Cady 🇺🇸 Tunes: Gary Owen & 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Stephen! You have done a good job getting your pipes set up and tuned here. Your drones are just a bit flat to the chanter but they are tuned well together and close. You have a consistent 6/8 feel throughout. I would focus on improving your movements involving low G (grips, taorluaths, D throws). Try to get full coverage on both the low Gs in your grips and taorluaths as they are coming across quite light. For taorluaths, also continue to work on placement of the grace notes so they fall precisely where you want them to be, creating the 3 beat sound characteristic of this movement. This was a nice steady performance. Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stewart Fenwick 🇦🇺 Tunes: A Hundred Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Stewart! Great job setting up your bagpipe. Drones sound smooth and well-tuned. You are getting a pretty good 6/8 feel throughout your tune although there are places where the cut note in the grouping is getting overcut (One example of this is the high G in the 3rd bar, 1st part). Make sure this note is always audible. I would also be careful not to shorten the third eighth note in groupings (the plain one) as it can feel like you are jumping ahead of the beat at times. I would also focus on separating the grace notes more in the the B doublings; you want to hear 2 distinct B sounds each time. Similarly, with your grips and taorluaths, grab the low G part more fully in order to hear 2 strong low Gs each time. Keep up the good work! This was a nice performance. Thanks!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Bengullion 1-2 Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Sue! What a gusty day! Lovely spot. Nice sounding pipes; well done with your setup! Be sure to blow through the reed solidly to eliminate any small chokes. You establish a strong 6/8 feel in the first part but you are skipping a large part of the beat that finishes the first line. In this spot, make sure you play the D after the D throw as a quarter note and the E as an eighth as written. Keep working on the B doubling followed by tachum grouping (as occurs to start bar 3 in each part and in ending phrase). Try to stretch the B to its full value before beginning the tachum movement. Then concentrate on the placement of the tachum grace notes until they land squarely each time. This is a tricky one, but you will get there with slow and determined practice. A lovely tune choice and presentation. Keep up the good work! Thanks.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Toni DeVore 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Steamboat Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Toni! I enjoyed your tune! Drones not quite matched in pitch to your chanter; keep working at this skill as it can really help your sound to come together. You are getting a pretty good 6/8 feel in bar 1-2 of each line in your tune but the dot-cuts are evening out in bars 3-4. The tempo also tends to slow down and speed up. I would take the tempo of the whole tune down to a place where it is possible to sustain it from start to finish. Then you can concentrate on keeping the 6/8 rhythms consistent (putting emphasis on the dotted notes in the groupings) at a more manageable pace. Continue to also focus on your birl movement with the focus being to prevent your B finger from rolling while you articulate the birl. You may find it helpful to press more with the thumb on the back of the chanter or to try different birl techniques to find one that fits you. Hope these tips are helpful! Thanks for submitting your tune and keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Tunes: Frank Thompson Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Travis! Nice bagpipe; you are getting a good chanter sound and your drones are well-tuned. The 6/8 feel is not coming through consistently yet. Try to give more time to the dotted notes that start the groupings. This will help to establish the compound time feel that you need. In addition, be sure that the cut notes in the groupings are articulated cleanly and are audible. I would spend time building the technique of this grouping in particular: dotted low A- D grace note on cut C- to E (as happens repeatedly in part 1). D throws and high A doublings are strong. All the best! Keep up the hard work.
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Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Steamboat Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Heather! Pipes are sounding nice — a bright chanter sound and drones are well-tuned and steady. You established a confident and precise 6/8 feel right from the start. The tempo is quite slow, but this allows you to articulate your movements and rhythms cleanly and consistently. Watch in the second part that the short Fs in the groupings do not get too small, otherwise they can come across more like grace notes than sixteenth notes. Good control of grace notes and doublings throughout. To take your tune to the next level, you can bump the tempo up a bit to get more flow and momentum. You have put the work in and it shows! Well played. Keep it up.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Miss Lily Christie Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Adi! Drones are close but not quite together with your chanter. Keep working on improving your drone tuning techniques as it can really enhance your performance. You can even teach your parents to use a tuner to help you! You are establishing and maintaining a good 6/8 feel through your tune; nice consistent emphasis of dotted notes in the groupings. Keep working on the ending phrase to make sure you get the E tap in consistently. Also listen for little crossing notes on cut Ds going up to high A. This was a strong performance! This tune is quite challenging for grade 5 and you are playing it well. Keep up the great work, Adi!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Pibroch Of Donald Dhu Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Brian! Pipes are well set up and your drones are tuned closely together and to the chanter. You have a good sense of the 6/8 feel and are articulating most rhythms well. Your ending phrase could be refined somewhat as the relationship between the quarter note B and eighth note C is not quite accurate. Be sure to give the equivalent of 2 eighths to this B and one to the C. At times the C is being treated more as a sixteenth note, perhaps to give more time to the low G of the D throw? I would focus on getting the B-C relationship more precise and then waiting for the D throw movement more. Nice work with articulating 2 clear sounds in doublings throughout. Enjoyed your tune! Keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: PM Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Stephanie! Your pipe sound is quite well-tuned although the drones seem rather open and dominant (this could just be the recording as well). Make sure your drones are not taking too much air and this should take them down in volume a bit. In order to get a stronger 6/8 feel here, you need to put more emphasis on the dotted note in each grouping. Keep working on pushing these notes throughout the tune. Otherwise it comes across as more of a 2/4 feel. You have very strong technique and nice crispness to your grace notes and movements; well done! You are very close here; I would make some small adjustments to the timing and your tune will be very strong. Thanks!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Hot Punch Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Violet! Your pipes sound bright and balanced. Keep working on strategies for drone tuning and steady blowing to get them even closer together and smoother in tone. I would take a longer moment to get settled once you have your pipes up before starting into your tune. You can play a long E before you start if you wish. You have a strong sense of the 6/8 feel here; nice emphasis on the dotted notes. Good articulation of movements overall, particularly with separating grace notes in your doublings. I would focus on improving your grip movement by covering more completely to low G to start the movement and ensuring you can hear the second low G as well. In addition, avoid crossing notes from C to E by thinking of the E finger as the “leader” in this transition on the way up. Keep up the good work, Violet!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Dylan! Your pipes sound really nice. Great job getting your drones well -tuned to your chanter and getting a good chanter sound also. Nice strong start to your tune. You are articulating the 6/8 rhythms well generally. Watch out for frequent crossing notes between C and E. Think about your E finger “leading” on the way up to get a cleaner transition. I would also keep working on your tachum movements and places where you are cutting down to low A with a D grace note as you are sometimes rushing into these and take time away from the dotted note before the cut down. You have a strong sense of the 6/8 idiom and lots of potential. Keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Barbara Willard 🇺🇸 Tunes: Rab's Wedding Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Barbara! Very nice bagpipe. You have done a good job of setting up your instrument to get a good balance between chanter and drones and your drones are well-tuned and steady. 6/8 rhythms are generally well-expressed and consistent throughout. One area to focus on in order to improve this tune is the grouping in beat 2, bar 1 (and subsequent places where it happens through the tune) where you are coming off a cut C onto the E. You have crossing notes coming through here at times. Think of your E finger “leading” and this may help to articulate this move cleanly. You also can look at places where you move from high A to E as you have a slight low A sound where your E finger sometimes catches the chanter in the transition. Continue to also focus on your birl movement with the focus being to prevent your B finger from rolling while you articulate the birl. You may find it helpful to press more with the thumb on the back of the chanter or to try different birl techniques to find one that fits you. This was a nice performance. I enjoyed your tune, thank you!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Craig Sherman 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Glendaruel Highlanders Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Craig! Bagpipe quite well-tuned and sounding good. Overall, I would put more emphasis on the dotted notes of the groupings to get a more grounded and solid 6/8 feel through your tune. Be sure to wait for the beat consistently as well; you are sometimes jumping ahead particularly when there is a cut note starting the next beat (such as the last beat of line 1). Another place to wait for the beat is the birl ending each part. Nice articulation of movements overall; you are getting good separation of grace notes in most doublings. I would just try to refine the timing of the 6/8 rhythms as I have mentioned above and see where that takes you! Thanks. Enjoyed this!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: David Hasbrouck 🇺🇸 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi David! This is a tough tune and you are doing a good job with it. Your drones are very well-tuned and your pipes sound solid. The timing in the first part is quite strong. In the second part, keep working on the first 2 bars of each line to maintain the feel and tempo that you have established in part 1. Your movements overall are coming across clearly. I would focus next on ensuring that D throws always begin with a strong low G sound; sometimes the D part of the movement is the first sound heard. Keep up the good work, David!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Bonnie Dundee, 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Fergus! Your pipes are well set up and blown solidly through your tunes. Your expression of the 6/8 idiom is on the right track with a very consistent emphasis on the dotted note in the groupings throughout. Be careful not to underemphasize the third note in the grouping (the plain eighth note) as it can feel like you are early to the next beat at times. Watch the crossing notes between C and E in Bonnie Dundee; think of your E finger “leading” on the way up to avoid untidiness in this transition. You have the right idea with shortening the cut eighth notes throughout but at times they are too cut and are not coming across audibly. Pull back the amount of cut just slightly so you can articulate the note and grace note cleanly. Lots of potential here! Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: Piobaireachd of Donald Dhu 1 & 2 parts Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan! Drones are a bit flat to the chanter. I noticed in your video that you are using E as a tuning note as your right hand moves up to tune the drones. Try high A instead, as it is less affected tonally by the bottom hand being off the chanter. You are getting a good emphasis on the dotted note in your 6/8 groupings throughout. Be careful not to cut the third note in the grouping (the plain eighth note) or it feels like you are jumping the beat at times. Very nice clarity of E doublings throughout the first part. One technical area to continue to refine is the articulation of D grace notes, especially in tachums. Try to keep the D finger closer to the chanter when executing these so that the grace note does not obscure the melody note, and ensure the placement of the grace note is precise. Thanks and keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: James Randell 🇦🇺 Tunes: One Hundred Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi James! You have done a good job of tuning your drones and setting up your chanter here. I would take a longer moment to get settled once you have your pipes up before starting into your tune. Also, try to keep the pressure steady throughout to avoid small chokes. You are establishing a pretty good 6/8 feel here overall but at times it feels like you are pushing the tempo (such as in the ending phrase). Lay back on the beat a bit and push those dotted notes consistently to keep in the groove, start to finish. In the first part, open up the bottom hand grouping that occurs in beat 2 (and subsequent spots) so that the cut B is still audible. In the second part, keep working on the tachum movement in the ending phrase so that you are able to control its placement (the B of the tachum should be on the beat). Very nice tune choice and I think with a couple of wee refinements this will be very strong! Thanks.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Janene Hall 🇦🇺 Tunes: A Hundred Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Janene! Really enjoyed your tune. Sound wise: your drones are a bit flat to your chanter, but they are close and well-tuned together. Keep working at the drone tuning skill; it takes lots of practice to master but it sounds like you are on the right track! You have a strong feel for the 6/8 timing overall. I think you could slow down a wee bit to execute some of the technical aspects of the tune more cleanly. One spot is the low G grace note to low A that occurs during beat 2 of part 1 (and its subsequent repetitions) as this is not yet consistent. I would also continue to develop your movements involving low G (grips, taorluaths, and D throws) and go for a stronger low G sound in each. Keep up the good work! Thanks.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew! Your pipes are sounding very nice. Your drones are well-tuned and your chanter is well set up. Now be sure to keep a solid pressure up from start to finish with your blowing in order to avoid any chokes. I would also make sure that your pipes are efficient and air-tight. Very strong articulation throughout of movements generally. I especially liked your first taorluath; super clear and strong! Keep working towards 100% consistency with your grips and taorluaths. You are doing a good job of articulating the 6/8 rhythms accurately. Don’t rush into the tachum in the ending phrase part 2. Remember that the cut B of this tachum still needs to be on the beat. Great potential here Matthew! Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Mikhail Baev (Polsky) 🇷🇺 Tunes: The Atholl Highlanders Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Mikhail! Your pipes are sounding balanced and your drones are fairly close. Keep working on strategies to improve the accuracy of your drone tuning as it can really help your sound to come together. Nice control of the 6/8 rhythms throughout. You are getting a good emphasis on the dotted note in each grouping. In the second part, you have a bit of untidiness between some of the C and E transitions. Think of the E finger “leading” on the way up in order to make these clean. Nice work on the tachums in part 4. You have a good sense of the 6/8 feel and are controlling the timings well throughout. You may want to bump the tempo up to get some more momentum into the tune as a next step. Keep up the good work!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: Leaving Port Askaig Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Nancy (and Angus)! Nice pipe sound! Your drones are steady and well-tuned. You are getting a pretty good 6/8 feel throughout your tune. Be sure to get a nice strong dotted emphasis on the very first low A of your tune. Also be sure to go smoothly into the second ending in part 2. Doublings are clearly articulated, giving 2 strong sounds consistently. I would spend more time developing movements involving low G (in this tune, grips). Try to feel both low Gs strongly and let them take up some space in your tune. You have put a lot of work in and it shows! Keep it up. Thanks!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Oscar Einem 🇦🇺 Tunes: Bonnie Dundee, 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Oscar! Way to go submitting this video! I really like the way you introduced yourself and wrapped up the video at the end so professionally. I would start to work on tuning your drones to your chanter more closely. You can even teach a non-piper (maybe a parent) to use a tuning app if there is no one available to help you get tuned up before you compete. Get your instructor to help you make a plan for tuning. Well done marching to your tunes. You have a good sense of the 6/8 timing already! Nice clarity of grips, taorluaths, and birls. Watch the occasional crossing note from C to E. Also keep working on the tachum movement in the ending phrase of Hundred Pipers, part 2. You have so much potential, Oscar! Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stephen Cady 🇺🇸 Tunes: Gary Owen & 100 Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Stephen! You have done a good job getting your pipes set up and tuned here. Your drones are just a bit flat to the chanter but they are tuned well together and close. You have a consistent 6/8 feel throughout. I would focus on improving your movements involving low G (grips, taorluaths, D throws). Try to get full coverage on both the low Gs in your grips and taorluaths as they are coming across quite light. For taorluaths, also continue to work on placement of the grace notes so they fall precisely where you want them to be, creating the 3 beat sound characteristic of this movement. This was a nice steady performance. Keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stewart Fenwick 🇦🇺 Tunes: A Hundred Pipers Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Stewart! Great job setting up your bagpipe. Drones sound smooth and well-tuned. You are getting a pretty good 6/8 feel throughout your tune although there are places where the cut note in the grouping is getting overcut (One example of this is the high G in the 3rd bar, 1st part). Make sure this note is always audible. I would also be careful not to shorten the third eighth note in groupings (the plain one) as it can feel like you are jumping ahead of the beat at times. I would also focus on separating the grace notes more in the the B doublings; you want to hear 2 distinct B sounds each time. Similarly, with your grips and taorluaths, grab the low G part more fully in order to hear 2 strong low Gs each time. Keep up the good work! This was a nice performance. Thanks!
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Bengullion 1-2 Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Sue! What a gusty day! Lovely spot. Nice sounding pipes; well done with your setup! Be sure to blow through the reed solidly to eliminate any small chokes. You establish a strong 6/8 feel in the first part but you are skipping a large part of the beat that finishes the first line. In this spot, make sure you play the D after the D throw as a quarter note and the E as an eighth as written. Keep working on the B doubling followed by tachum grouping (as occurs to start bar 3 in each part and in ending phrase). Try to stretch the B to its full value before beginning the tachum movement. Then concentrate on the placement of the tachum grace notes until they land squarely each time. This is a tricky one, but you will get there with slow and determined practice. A lovely tune choice and presentation. Keep up the good work! Thanks.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Toni DeVore 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Steamboat Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Toni! I enjoyed your tune! Drones not quite matched in pitch to your chanter; keep working at this skill as it can really help your sound to come together. You are getting a pretty good 6/8 feel in bar 1-2 of each line in your tune but the dot-cuts are evening out in bars 3-4. The tempo also tends to slow down and speed up. I would take the tempo of the whole tune down to a place where it is possible to sustain it from start to finish. Then you can concentrate on keeping the 6/8 rhythms consistent (putting emphasis on the dotted notes in the groupings) at a more manageable pace. Continue to also focus on your birl movement with the focus being to prevent your B finger from rolling while you articulate the birl. You may find it helpful to press more with the thumb on the back of the chanter or to try different birl techniques to find one that fits you. Hope these tips are helpful! Thanks for submitting your tune and keep up the good work.
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Event 08. Grade 5 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Tunes: Frank Thompson Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Travis! Nice bagpipe; you are getting a good chanter sound and your drones are well-tuned. The 6/8 feel is not coming through consistently yet. Try to give more time to the dotted notes that start the groupings. This will help to establish the compound time feel that you need. In addition, be sure that the cut notes in the groupings are articulated cleanly and are audible. I would spend time building the technique of this grouping in particular: dotted low A- D grace note on cut C- to E (as happens repeatedly in part 1). D throws and high A doublings are strong. All the best! Keep up the hard work.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Tripping Up The Stairs Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice tempo selected and pipe pleasing with drones not quite locked together but a non-issue for this grade level. -Very nice performance played with lots of confidence and poise. There were some light strikes at times so work on ensuring you are accurate and touching down on the chanter for them. -You sound ready to play the next two parts! Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: St Ninian’s Parish Centre Ceilidh Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice tempo and a solid sounding instrument with drones (bass) not quite locked together although not an issue for me at this grade level. -a little quick up to the vedre at times in the first part otherwise very well played on a nice, consistent beat. -second part played very well and showing excellent command of technique and instrument throughout. Overall a very enjoyable jig performance!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Lisa Martin 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Paddy’s Leather Breeches Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Nice tempo and pipe pretty good with just some minor chirps popping out on occasion. -Nice accurate playing with nice feel for the music. You were consistently jumping a tad early to the E doubling that finishes the parts. Would like to see you begin to make the grace notes a little smaller which will make your GDEs more articulate and improve your presentation. Keep your hands nice and loose. -Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Paddy’s Leather Breeches Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Solid tempo to start and maintained (other than the start of the 4th). Pipe solid and well controlled throughout performance. -Technically pretty good here just watch you are not gripping the chanter as the 3rd part GDEs have a pushed feel and ensuring you put the G grace note to start the GDEs right on the beat will settle them down (Create an exercise GDE on B, GDE on C and GDE on B again and repeat). I think you are also now ready to bring the size of your grace notes down (closer to the chanter. . . smaller) which will allow you more precision and articulation to improve your GDEs and tacchums but ensure you keep your hands loose. -The start of the 4th part was laboured but you found it as you went along. Overall an enjoyable performance showing excellent promise!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The Last Tango in Harris Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Careful tempo to start but appropriate for the grade and maintained throughout performance. Nice instrument demonstrating control from start to finish. -Missed D strike in repeat of first part -choke in repeat of 2nd part Some of the above criticism will sort itself out with more time and experience but ensure you keep your hands nice and loose to allow for free mobility about the chanter (Zero effort is the goal!!!). If you find that you are missing pieces of technique (ie. D strike) often then break the area down using the beat before the D strike and master the feel by ensuring your hands are relaxed and you wait patiently for the beat to arrive and just repeat until you can do this ten time in a row effortlessly and accurately. Show excellent potential, nice job.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: The Banjo Breakdown Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Solid tempo from start to finish on a nice instrument you appear to have nice command of. -I liked your attention to accuracy here in terms of your GDEs and Doublings and you now need to ensure there are no little crossing noises sounding during your performance. At times there are little "catches" that can be caused from slight gripping of the chanter which of course can be easily fixed by loosening up your hands more (especially the top) which allows more freedom of movement about the chanter. You first need to recognize the sounds and then spend the time correcting them through exercise and practice. -You have excellent timing and rhythmical feel so try relaxing a bit and let your hands go. A nice performance!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Alexander Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lieutenant McGuire’s Jig Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Aggressive tempo to start and bagpipe sounds full and maybe a tad hard for you? -Some false fingering in the first part from F to the B strikes (make sure your Low A goes down while on top hand even when you are not there too long). -some little chokes popping up in the 2nd part and reason for the comment above of pipe being a little too hard for you. If building up to a stronger reed keep at it but know the goal is to play without any effort at all so you can relax and just play on the beat musically, accurately and consistently. You have a nice feel for the music and just need to keep at it to improve your presentation . . . well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ben Timberlake 🇮🇹 Tunes: I Laid a Herring in Salt Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Careful tempo but appropriate for the grade. Pipe pretty good and pretty well tuned. -Take a look at the notes in bar 5 of the first part as you were playing some extra pulses here which pulled you out of the rhythm. Mistake on the repeat -In the second part make sure there is some Low G in your D throws as they sounded light. –In the third part you were losing the rhythm and playing incorrect embellishments. -In the fourth part is became more prevalent that you are not completing the grip from D down to Low A and then playing the birl on the next beat. You have a lot more time here than what you demonstrated which will allow you the time to play both the grip on the first beat and the birl on the 2nd beat of the final bar in each part. Overall pretty good performance with a challenging tune on a bagpipe you appear to have good command of. Just working a little more with the metronome and ensure you have no difficulty going from beat to beat playing exactly what is written to really improve your presentation. Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Overall a nice appropriate tempo to start on a solid instrument that was well controlled throughout. -First part was well played with only one light C strike to make comment on. -The second part was pretty good with some slight crossing noises right at the start in bar 1 (and whenever it occurs again) where you are barely moving your fingers off the chanter to play the C because of the D grace note that is written here. This is very common and can be fixed by getting out the metronome and just playing G grace note to Low A, D grace note to C (make sure you can see the C in the mirror) and then to E. Start very slow and make sure you are totally relaxed at all times and just gradually increase the tempo to the desired number (i.e., tempo you played in your video) which will improve your performance. The tightness on the D grace note can cause the C to disappear as yours did. Overall this was an enjoyable performance! Well done.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: David Hasbrouck 🇺🇸 Tunes: Troy's Wedding Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Appropriate tempo for grade and pretty consistent throughout. Bagpipe pretty good quality with drones not locked together and to Low A which detracts from the overall presentation however a non-issue for me at this grade level. -Pretty good understanding of GDEs in first part but ensure you start with the G grace note on the C to start bar 3. Ending phrase (bar 8) you are not closing the C (bring low A back down) which is actually causing you to be early to the D throw. -second part pretty good and I like that you are controlling the tempo so that you don's sacrifice missing technique. Slight choke in 2nd part which could be a bit of tension causing you to squeeze and blow at the same time? Overall well done and enjoyable performance.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Solid tempo to start on a nice sounding instrument with drones not quite locked together which is a non-issue for Grade 5 contests. -You did a pretty good job of maintaining a consistent jig rhythm however there is still room for improvement in terms of relaxing and not pushing to the next beat in certain passages. -I think this setting of the Jig is okay for Grade 5 and there were some small crossing noises popping up here which should be rectified prior to moving on to a more challenging setting. Relaxing your hands a bit more may assist in removing these crossing noises as you appear to have a nice command of the instrument (an instrument that is too hard can cause player to grip chanter more and cause slight crossing noises as well!). Overall an enjoyable performance. Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Joshua James Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Nice tempo to start and pipe okay but drones not quite locked together or on the low A however not an issue for this grade. -Grace note size in the jig are a little "big" (lifted off the chanter) which detracts from the precision in the embellishments however again if part of where you are at not a problem. Keeping your hands relaxed and grace note size a little smaller will improve the articulation of technique such as GDEs (in this tune) and doublings and tacchums which is the goal moving forward. Slight crossing noise popping up from the Run beginning on F down to the D with the crossing noise audible when going back up to the E doubling. -Slight chokes in tune but again depending on where you are in your development this happens...work on keeping your hands nice and relaxed no matter what is being played while maintaining a nice even pressure on your left arm with consistent technique of blowing and then squeezing when you need to take a breath (a technique to improve this is just playing a Low A or High A and ensure there are no chokes and no fighting yourself and then once mastered add the tune. I also think a little bit of time with the metronome here will provide you with the necessary amount of time needed to play all of the embellishments as you did have a tendency to be slightly ahead with passages such as the very last D throw finishing the parts . . . you have more time to play the C and E before the D throw. Overall well done and keep at it as you are doing pretty good at this stage for the Grade 5 level.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: Banjo Breakdown Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Overall a nice aggressive tempo to start on a solid instrument that was only blown a little sharp at times. -GDEs to start are pretty good but would like to see them extended a little so that they finish evenly into the start of the 2nd beat within the bar instead of playing a quick 123 and waiting on 3 a tad before going into the next beat (i.e., the G grace note to start the C doubling). It is here that you will really progress in terms of controlling your fingers and keeping a nice consistent rhythm. -In the 2nd part you have a good feel of playing on the beat but would like to see you articulate your doublings a little more to really show the poise as you are jumping a bit here (ie. playing on the beat to the High A doubling and then ensuring you are relaxed and playing the short E before beginning the G grace note to start the C doubling and the same with the short F before the D throw in bars 3 and 4. You did not miss any but it felt a bit pushed here and using the time will keep you relaxed and provide a nice poised delivery. Overall this was an enjoyable performance! Well done.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Parker Brooke 🇨🇦 Tunes: Over To Uist Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice aggressive tempo to start the Jig. Nice consistent rhythm established and consistently maintained throughout tune. A light High G doubling to start the 2nd part and a slight choke right near the end however bagpipe was well tuned and controlled nicely. Keep your hands nice and loose to allow for the free mobility necessary to play the embellishments without effort. A very nice performance played with confidence and poise! Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Paul Watson 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Panda Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Pretty good tempo to start that was maintained throughout on a nice instrument with drones being pretty close in terms of tune. -Setting is a little different and the 2nd part first bar with the back-to-back G grace notes would normally be a strike on the E followed by a G grace note but you were consistent in your presentation. -Overall would like to see you relax your hands a bit more just to allow you more mobility as you appear to have a nice command of the instrument. Enjoyable presentation.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Robert Real 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Bass not quite in tune with the other drones. -slight crossing noise coming from the E to the C strikes consistently -try to stay in a nice consistent rhythm at a comfortable tempo and a metronome will assist in gaining the confidence and mastery ensuring there are no crossing noises. Your hands look accurate and now it will be just identifying the correct sound in terms of instrument and clarity in your technique. -Getting a little tired toward the end of the tune with chokes becoming more prevalent so again keep up practice and ensure you are not blowing and squeezing the bag at the same time as this can contribute to the types of chokes presented. Keep at it as you appear to enjoy playing and just need a little more time and experience to improve your presentation.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sheldon Hoffman 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Tenpenny Bit Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Tempo was a little aggressive in presentation and pipe has lots of good presence and you seem to have good command of it. -A little pushed in terms of staying on the Jig rhythm and slightly too long a pause at the end of the parts before repeating or going into the part following. -The setting you have for the first part, 2nd bar, 2nd beat (Low G, Low A, B) I have always heard it as Low G, B, D? -Pretty good 2nd part but again some little pushed places pulling you out of the consistent jig rhythm. Overall a pretty good attempt at a challenging tune! Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lark in the Morning 1-2 Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice solid tempo for this grade and maintained pretty well throughout. A nice instrument you appear to have good command of. -Started well and keeping the rhythm consistent with accurate fingering and other than the squeak at end of first part very well done. -Pretty good here in the second part as well with some pushed passages going to the High A in the 2nd bar following the F strike which may be the result of just gripping a little too much on the top hand. You can work this out through exercise staying relaxed and just go over the bar (Start on the E to start the bar and ensure you are on the beat here and then smoothly and accurately make your way up to the High A in time and repeat. Overall an enjoyable performance to listen to. Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Toni DeVore 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Fittie Boatman Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice Tempo to start. 1st part: missing the B strike here so work on breaking this down to ensure it is mastered to improve the presentation. My suggestion is to play a G grace note to D and then just fall down to the B and then strike as you appear to be adjusting your whole bottom hand to make the attempt which may actually be pulling you further away from the chanter when you needed to be closer. You have a nice feel for the rhythm here and nice command of your instrument which was pleasing and well controlled. Very enjoyable!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Goat Herd and The Sheepherd Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Nice solid tempo to start on a solid instrument with drones not quite together but close to Low A. -Pretty good first part with nice feel for the rhythm and beat. Grace notes a little too big but again for Grade 5 quite acceptable. Work on making them smaller so that they are not on top of one another creating a "Muddled" delivery. -A little laboured going into the 2nd part but got back in rhythm. Some wrong notes right at the end of the part on repeat. -A little lost on the repeat on the 3rd part. Try to keep your hands relaxed and ensure you are playing all the correct notes and adhering to the beat to give you all the time you need to play the embellishments. -back on track in the 4th part. Overall pretty good jig playing and you appear to have a good command of your instrument so work with a metronome a little bit more and try to relax your hands more so they move more freely about the chanter which will also allow you to feel more in control and waiting for the beat to come instead of forcing it. Well done!
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Competitor: Adi Moss-Sheth 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Tripping Up The Stairs Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice tempo selected and pipe pleasing with drones not quite locked together but a non-issue for this grade level. -Very nice performance played with lots of confidence and poise. There were some light strikes at times so work on ensuring you are accurate and touching down on the chanter for them. -You sound ready to play the next two parts! Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stephanie Scott 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: St Ninian’s Parish Centre Ceilidh Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice tempo and a solid sounding instrument with drones (bass) not quite locked together although not an issue for me at this grade level. -a little quick up to the vedre at times in the first part otherwise very well played on a nice, consistent beat. -second part played very well and showing excellent command of technique and instrument throughout. Overall a very enjoyable jig performance!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Lisa Martin 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Paddy’s Leather Breeches Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Nice tempo and pipe pretty good with just some minor chirps popping out on occasion. -Nice accurate playing with nice feel for the music. You were consistently jumping a tad early to the E doubling that finishes the parts. Would like to see you begin to make the grace notes a little smaller which will make your GDEs more articulate and improve your presentation. Keep your hands nice and loose. -Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Dylan McMaster 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Paddy’s Leather Breeches Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Solid tempo to start and maintained (other than the start of the 4th). Pipe solid and well controlled throughout performance. -Technically pretty good here just watch you are not gripping the chanter as the 3rd part GDEs have a pushed feel and ensuring you put the G grace note to start the GDEs right on the beat will settle them down (Create an exercise GDE on B, GDE on C and GDE on B again and repeat). I think you are also now ready to bring the size of your grace notes down (closer to the chanter. . . smaller) which will allow you more precision and articulation to improve your GDEs and tacchums but ensure you keep your hands loose. -The start of the 4th part was laboured but you found it as you went along. Overall an enjoyable performance showing excellent promise!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The Last Tango in Harris Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Careful tempo to start but appropriate for the grade and maintained throughout performance. Nice instrument demonstrating control from start to finish. -Missed D strike in repeat of first part -choke in repeat of 2nd part Some of the above criticism will sort itself out with more time and experience but ensure you keep your hands nice and loose to allow for free mobility about the chanter (Zero effort is the goal!!!). If you find that you are missing pieces of technique (ie. D strike) often then break the area down using the beat before the D strike and master the feel by ensuring your hands are relaxed and you wait patiently for the beat to arrive and just repeat until you can do this ten time in a row effortlessly and accurately. Show excellent potential, nice job.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Heather Nicasio 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: The Banjo Breakdown Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Solid tempo from start to finish on a nice instrument you appear to have nice command of. -I liked your attention to accuracy here in terms of your GDEs and Doublings and you now need to ensure there are no little crossing noises sounding during your performance. At times there are little "catches" that can be caused from slight gripping of the chanter which of course can be easily fixed by loosening up your hands more (especially the top) which allows more freedom of movement about the chanter. You first need to recognize the sounds and then spend the time correcting them through exercise and practice. -You have excellent timing and rhythmical feel so try relaxing a bit and let your hands go. A nice performance!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Alexander Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lieutenant McGuire’s Jig Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Aggressive tempo to start and bagpipe sounds full and maybe a tad hard for you? -Some false fingering in the first part from F to the B strikes (make sure your Low A goes down while on top hand even when you are not there too long). -some little chokes popping up in the 2nd part and reason for the comment above of pipe being a little too hard for you. If building up to a stronger reed keep at it but know the goal is to play without any effort at all so you can relax and just play on the beat musically, accurately and consistently. You have a nice feel for the music and just need to keep at it to improve your presentation . . . well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ben Timberlake 🇮🇹 Tunes: I Laid a Herring in Salt Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Careful tempo but appropriate for the grade. Pipe pretty good and pretty well tuned. -Take a look at the notes in bar 5 of the first part as you were playing some extra pulses here which pulled you out of the rhythm. Mistake on the repeat -In the second part make sure there is some Low G in your D throws as they sounded light. –In the third part you were losing the rhythm and playing incorrect embellishments. -In the fourth part is became more prevalent that you are not completing the grip from D down to Low A and then playing the birl on the next beat. You have a lot more time here than what you demonstrated which will allow you the time to play both the grip on the first beat and the birl on the 2nd beat of the final bar in each part. Overall pretty good performance with a challenging tune on a bagpipe you appear to have good command of. Just working a little more with the metronome and ensure you have no difficulty going from beat to beat playing exactly what is written to really improve your presentation. Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Brian Creel 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Overall a nice appropriate tempo to start on a solid instrument that was well controlled throughout. -First part was well played with only one light C strike to make comment on. -The second part was pretty good with some slight crossing noises right at the start in bar 1 (and whenever it occurs again) where you are barely moving your fingers off the chanter to play the C because of the D grace note that is written here. This is very common and can be fixed by getting out the metronome and just playing G grace note to Low A, D grace note to C (make sure you can see the C in the mirror) and then to E. Start very slow and make sure you are totally relaxed at all times and just gradually increase the tempo to the desired number (i.e., tempo you played in your video) which will improve your performance. The tightness on the D grace note can cause the C to disappear as yours did. Overall this was an enjoyable performance! Well done.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: David Hasbrouck 🇺🇸 Tunes: Troy's Wedding Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Appropriate tempo for grade and pretty consistent throughout. Bagpipe pretty good quality with drones not locked together and to Low A which detracts from the overall presentation however a non-issue for me at this grade level. -Pretty good understanding of GDEs in first part but ensure you start with the G grace note on the C to start bar 3. Ending phrase (bar 8) you are not closing the C (bring low A back down) which is actually causing you to be early to the D throw. -second part pretty good and I like that you are controlling the tempo so that you don's sacrifice missing technique. Slight choke in 2nd part which could be a bit of tension causing you to squeeze and blow at the same time? Overall well done and enjoyable performance.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Fergus McKitterick 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Solid tempo to start on a nice sounding instrument with drones not quite locked together which is a non-issue for Grade 5 contests. -You did a pretty good job of maintaining a consistent jig rhythm however there is still room for improvement in terms of relaxing and not pushing to the next beat in certain passages. -I think this setting of the Jig is okay for Grade 5 and there were some small crossing noises popping up here which should be rectified prior to moving on to a more challenging setting. Relaxing your hands a bit more may assist in removing these crossing noises as you appear to have a nice command of the instrument (an instrument that is too hard can cause player to grip chanter more and cause slight crossing noises as well!). Overall an enjoyable performance. Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Joshua James Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Nice tempo to start and pipe okay but drones not quite locked together or on the low A however not an issue for this grade. -Grace note size in the jig are a little "big" (lifted off the chanter) which detracts from the precision in the embellishments however again if part of where you are at not a problem. Keeping your hands relaxed and grace note size a little smaller will improve the articulation of technique such as GDEs (in this tune) and doublings and tacchums which is the goal moving forward. Slight crossing noise popping up from the Run beginning on F down to the D with the crossing noise audible when going back up to the E doubling. -Slight chokes in tune but again depending on where you are in your development this happens...work on keeping your hands nice and relaxed no matter what is being played while maintaining a nice even pressure on your left arm with consistent technique of blowing and then squeezing when you need to take a breath (a technique to improve this is just playing a Low A or High A and ensure there are no chokes and no fighting yourself and then once mastered add the tune. I also think a little bit of time with the metronome here will provide you with the necessary amount of time needed to play all of the embellishments as you did have a tendency to be slightly ahead with passages such as the very last D throw finishing the parts . . . you have more time to play the C and E before the D throw. Overall well done and keep at it as you are doing pretty good at this stage for the Grade 5 level.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Tunes: Banjo Breakdown Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Overall a nice aggressive tempo to start on a solid instrument that was only blown a little sharp at times. -GDEs to start are pretty good but would like to see them extended a little so that they finish evenly into the start of the 2nd beat within the bar instead of playing a quick 123 and waiting on 3 a tad before going into the next beat (i.e., the G grace note to start the C doubling). It is here that you will really progress in terms of controlling your fingers and keeping a nice consistent rhythm. -In the 2nd part you have a good feel of playing on the beat but would like to see you articulate your doublings a little more to really show the poise as you are jumping a bit here (ie. playing on the beat to the High A doubling and then ensuring you are relaxed and playing the short E before beginning the G grace note to start the C doubling and the same with the short F before the D throw in bars 3 and 4. You did not miss any but it felt a bit pushed here and using the time will keep you relaxed and provide a nice poised delivery. Overall this was an enjoyable performance! Well done.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Parker Brooke 🇨🇦 Tunes: Over To Uist Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice aggressive tempo to start the Jig. Nice consistent rhythm established and consistently maintained throughout tune. A light High G doubling to start the 2nd part and a slight choke right near the end however bagpipe was well tuned and controlled nicely. Keep your hands nice and loose to allow for the free mobility necessary to play the embellishments without effort. A very nice performance played with confidence and poise! Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Paul Watson 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Panda Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Pretty good tempo to start that was maintained throughout on a nice instrument with drones being pretty close in terms of tune. -Setting is a little different and the 2nd part first bar with the back-to-back G grace notes would normally be a strike on the E followed by a G grace note but you were consistent in your presentation. -Overall would like to see you relax your hands a bit more just to allow you more mobility as you appear to have a nice command of the instrument. Enjoyable presentation.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Robert Real 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Bass not quite in tune with the other drones. -slight crossing noise coming from the E to the C strikes consistently -try to stay in a nice consistent rhythm at a comfortable tempo and a metronome will assist in gaining the confidence and mastery ensuring there are no crossing noises. Your hands look accurate and now it will be just identifying the correct sound in terms of instrument and clarity in your technique. -Getting a little tired toward the end of the tune with chokes becoming more prevalent so again keep up practice and ensure you are not blowing and squeezing the bag at the same time as this can contribute to the types of chokes presented. Keep at it as you appear to enjoy playing and just need a little more time and experience to improve your presentation.
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sheldon Hoffman 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Tenpenny Bit Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Tempo was a little aggressive in presentation and pipe has lots of good presence and you seem to have good command of it. -A little pushed in terms of staying on the Jig rhythm and slightly too long a pause at the end of the parts before repeating or going into the part following. -The setting you have for the first part, 2nd bar, 2nd beat (Low G, Low A, B) I have always heard it as Low G, B, D? -Pretty good 2nd part but again some little pushed places pulling you out of the consistent jig rhythm. Overall a pretty good attempt at a challenging tune! Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lark in the Morning 1-2 Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice solid tempo for this grade and maintained pretty well throughout. A nice instrument you appear to have good command of. -Started well and keeping the rhythm consistent with accurate fingering and other than the squeak at end of first part very well done. -Pretty good here in the second part as well with some pushed passages going to the High A in the 2nd bar following the F strike which may be the result of just gripping a little too much on the top hand. You can work this out through exercise staying relaxed and just go over the bar (Start on the E to start the bar and ensure you are on the beat here and then smoothly and accurately make your way up to the High A in time and repeat. Overall an enjoyable performance to listen to. Well done!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Toni DeVore 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Fittie Boatman Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: Nice Tempo to start. 1st part: missing the B strike here so work on breaking this down to ensure it is mastered to improve the presentation. My suggestion is to play a G grace note to D and then just fall down to the B and then strike as you appear to be adjusting your whole bottom hand to make the attempt which may actually be pulling you further away from the chanter when you needed to be closer. You have a nice feel for the rhythm here and nice command of your instrument which was pleasing and well controlled. Very enjoyable!
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Event 09. Grade 5 Piping - Jig (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Goat Herd and The Sheepherd Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: -Nice solid tempo to start on a solid instrument with drones not quite together but close to Low A. -Pretty good first part with nice feel for the rhythm and beat. Grace notes a little too big but again for Grade 5 quite acceptable. Work on making them smaller so that they are not on top of one another creating a "Muddled" delivery. -A little laboured going into the 2nd part but got back in rhythm. Some wrong notes right at the end of the part on repeat. -A little lost on the repeat on the 3rd part. Try to keep your hands relaxed and ensure you are playing all the correct notes and adhering to the beat to give you all the time you need to play the embellishments. -back on track in the 4th part. Overall pretty good jig playing and you appear to have a good command of your instrument so work with a metronome a little bit more and try to relax your hands more so they move more freely about the chanter which will also allow you to feel more in control and waiting for the beat to come instead of forcing it. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Old Men of the Shells - Ground Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: I like the forward drive you are getting in this ground, flowing along nicely. The E's in some of your cadences and hiharins could be just a bit longer. Instrument: Excellent drone tuning! Solid chanter tuning as well. F# is just a shade sharp. Technique: Strong hiharins, edres, grips, and cadences. A couple small crossing noises, such as E to C. Untidy hiharins in line 3. Summary: Excellent playing, Sue. You are ready for grade 4. This was an above-grade-level performance! Musical ground on a great bagpipe for this grade. Strong and rhythmic technique overall, especially to start. Just a few untidy bits as mentioned. Well done.
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Jeremy Suggett 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Glengarrys Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Excellent flow through the 'A' phrases. Losing some definition in the 'B' phrases. Keep moving through the phrase and pause at the end. Jumping into the final E cadence of each line just a bit. Instrument: Well-set instrument overall. Top hand is a bit flat. Technique: Strong and clear technique throughout. Great grips and cadences. Summary: Very strong playing here, Jeremy. Musically, I like the flow and shape of the 'A' phrase more than the 'B' phrase. Don't get stuck on the E to Low A within that phrase and be careful not to rush into the final E cadence in that phrase. Very nice instrument overall. Top hand is flat. Excellent, above-grade-level technique. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Lament for the Old Sword Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You have the right idea here and are doing a good job of keeping it moving. I would lengthen your E cadences, treating them as relaxed 1/8 notes rather than abrupt grace notes. Also, just make sure you don't jump off the phrase/measure endings, particularly measure 2 and measure 4 in each line. Instrument: Solid instrument tuning. High G is flat. You likely need to remove tape from your High G when going from Light Music to the piobaireachd High G fingering. Technique: Clear and well-defined technique! Great edres and odros/note-grips. You'll want to work on hiharins a bit, trying to eliminate the slight pause/hesitation on the initial Low A of the embellishment, keeping it smooth and even. Also, you played a G grace note in the hiharin in line 3. Summary: Well done, Travis. Musically, this was a strong tune, with my main critique just being a snippy treatment of E cadences instead of integrating them into the melodic line. Nice bagpipe overall! Take some tape off the high G, at least when playing piobaireachd so that it is still in tune with the altered fingering. Really strong technique overall with great edres and odros. Hiharins could be improved as mentioned. Keep it going!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Place: 4 Tunes: Company's Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good pace and flow in the ground. I feel you are overcutting the short B connecting note up to the E double echo from measure 3 to measure 4. Same comment with the B connecting note into the final measure of the ground. As a rule of thumb, we tend not to play two very short notes in a row in piobaireachd, playing one slightly longer than the other. Since the E strike must be played quickly, you can open up the B before just a little bit to keep if from sounding rhythmically cramped. You omitted the G grace note on E (before High A) in measure 3 of line 2. Instrument: Drones set nicely together but they are set flat to the chanter (making the chanter sound sharp). You underblowing Low A when tuning which is giving you a false reference for your drone tuning. Once you begin the tune, you are blowing full-pressure making the chanter sharper. Just work on blowing out your Low A more when tuning. Technique: Great technique overall, with well articulated echo beats. The final grip was untidy. Just focus on getting two clear Low Gs in the grips. Summary: Well done, Ivan. You're playing this ground at an appropriate pace with good expression and consistency. I would just slightly lengthen/open up those short connecting notes into your double echo strikes. Practice tuning at full pressure so that you can get your drones locked in with Low A. This is the area where you could see the biggest improvement. Strong technique! Best of luck this season.
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Company's Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good, consistent musical approach here. I wouldn't take it any slower than this. Added an extra G grace note in measure 1 of line 2 on the C. In measure 3 of line 2, I'd recommend holding the initial F longer and treating the E up to the High A as a relaxed passing/connecting note, rather than holding it out like a theme note. Instrument: Well-set instrument overall! You are struggling a bit with steady pressure control, which is causing the pitch to undulate. F# is quite flat. Technique: Great! Strong grips and strikes in double echoes. Summary: Nicely played, Nancy. Musical playing in this ground. Keep it moving along and have a look at the timing in measure 3 of line 2, as mentioned. Very nice bagpipe tuning overall, just work on steady pressure control. Excellent technique throughout. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Alan Sutherland 🇬🇧 Place: 6 Tunes: The Companys Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Great musicality and flow throughout! Instrument: Drones well-set with each other but they are not locked in with Low A. Some unsteady pressure control in places. Resonant chanter sound. Technique: Missed the G grace note to begin the last measure of line 1 on the E double echo, both times, and in measure 2 on the repeat of line 1. Also missed the same G grace note on the E double echo in line 3. Summary: This was a musical tune, Alan. You're on the right track with the bagpipe tuning, just work to get the drones closer to low A. Aside from the missing G grace notes mentioned above, you are showing strong, well-developed technique throughout. Best of luck this season!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Barbara Willard 🇺🇸 Tunes: Struan Robertson's salute Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Excellent pace and overall flow in the ground. I feel you are inconsistent with the E-B-D motif in the first line, somethimes rushing off the D, such as in measure/phrase 2. Lovely expression in lines 2 & 3. Instrument: Drones are set nicely together but are not in tune with Low A. Working on steadier pressure control will help tuning. Some instability is especially apparent on D. Technique: Hiharin is a bit untidy. Just open it up. D-to-E, High A-to-E, and E-to-High A crossing noises creeping in. Summary: Nice tune, Barbara! I think you've got the overall feel and pace just right. Work to get the drones locked in with Low A. A few crossing noises and the hiharin to look at, but solidly played overall. Well done.
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: I would shorten the B before the grip to C whenever you see this in the ground (and in most other piobaireach as well). In measure 3, you moved the G grace note from the E cadence to the Low A. You could lengthen your E cadences, treating the E as an 1/8 connecting note, rather than an abrupt grace note. Slight memory flubs in line 2. Just like the B should be very quick up to the C's in line 1, in line 2 and 3, the High G up to the High A should be very quick. Good overall pace. Instrument: A few small chokes. Solid tuning overall. Not totally locked in, but in the ballpark. Technique: You have very nice grips. However, you are lingering too long on the note prior to the grip (C or B) when playing your "odro"/note-grip embellishment throughout this ground. Try to shorten the note prior to the Low G of the grip. Slight crossing E to C. Summary: You have a lot of potential, Matthew! Musically, I would aim to shorten some of the connecting notes as mentioned and lengthen the E cadences. A couple memory errors. Well set instrument overall but it may be a bit too hard for you, as evidenced by the chokes. Really strong technique overall! Work on the even and smooth "odros"/note-grips. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament (ground) Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You've got the right idea here but it's quite slow overall. Instrument: Solid tuning. Watch pressure control as you are sagging on Low A in particular. Chokes. Technique: Grip to C is just a bit untidy. You could speed up the Low G grace notes to Low A. Perhaps not as quick as in light music, but less deliberate than they are here. Summary: A lot of potential here, Mike. Musically, I like how you are portraying this ground but I think it would be more interesting just fractionally faster than this. Good instrument tuning! Work on steady pressure control, especially on Low A, to help eliminate chokes and eradicate pitch undulations. A couple minor technical comments above. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Robert Real 🇺🇸 Tunes: Company's Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You've got a nice feel for this ground. You may be able to play it a shade faster, but first focus on speeding up some of the technique. Instrument: Drones not in tune with Low A. Solid chanter sound. Technique: Rodin and grip are slow but nice and clean. Good rhythm to your double echoes. Missed the G grace note on E in measure 3 of line 2. E to High A crossing noise. Summary: Nice playing overall, Robert. You have a good musical understanding of this tune. Work to get the drones closer to Low A. Good, clear, and even technique throughout. You should try to speed up the grips and rodins, but slow them back down if they get sloppy or uneven.
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Competitor: Sue Kennedy 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Old Men of the Shells - Ground Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: I like the forward drive you are getting in this ground, flowing along nicely. The E's in some of your cadences and hiharins could be just a bit longer. Instrument: Excellent drone tuning! Solid chanter tuning as well. F# is just a shade sharp. Technique: Strong hiharins, edres, grips, and cadences. A couple small crossing noises, such as E to C. Untidy hiharins in line 3. Summary: Excellent playing, Sue. You are ready for grade 4. This was an above-grade-level performance! Musical ground on a great bagpipe for this grade. Strong and rhythmic technique overall, especially to start. Just a few untidy bits as mentioned. Well done.
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Jeremy Suggett 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Glengarrys Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Excellent flow through the 'A' phrases. Losing some definition in the 'B' phrases. Keep moving through the phrase and pause at the end. Jumping into the final E cadence of each line just a bit. Instrument: Well-set instrument overall. Top hand is a bit flat. Technique: Strong and clear technique throughout. Great grips and cadences. Summary: Very strong playing here, Jeremy. Musically, I like the flow and shape of the 'A' phrase more than the 'B' phrase. Don't get stuck on the E to Low A within that phrase and be careful not to rush into the final E cadence in that phrase. Very nice instrument overall. Top hand is flat. Excellent, above-grade-level technique. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Travis Robbins 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Lament for the Old Sword Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You have the right idea here and are doing a good job of keeping it moving. I would lengthen your E cadences, treating them as relaxed 1/8 notes rather than abrupt grace notes. Also, just make sure you don't jump off the phrase/measure endings, particularly measure 2 and measure 4 in each line. Instrument: Solid instrument tuning. High G is flat. You likely need to remove tape from your High G when going from Light Music to the piobaireachd High G fingering. Technique: Clear and well-defined technique! Great edres and odros/note-grips. You'll want to work on hiharins a bit, trying to eliminate the slight pause/hesitation on the initial Low A of the embellishment, keeping it smooth and even. Also, you played a G grace note in the hiharin in line 3. Summary: Well done, Travis. Musically, this was a strong tune, with my main critique just being a snippy treatment of E cadences instead of integrating them into the melodic line. Nice bagpipe overall! Take some tape off the high G, at least when playing piobaireachd so that it is still in tune with the altered fingering. Really strong technique overall with great edres and odros. Hiharins could be improved as mentioned. Keep it going!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Place: 4 Tunes: Company's Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good pace and flow in the ground. I feel you are overcutting the short B connecting note up to the E double echo from measure 3 to measure 4. Same comment with the B connecting note into the final measure of the ground. As a rule of thumb, we tend not to play two very short notes in a row in piobaireachd, playing one slightly longer than the other. Since the E strike must be played quickly, you can open up the B before just a little bit to keep if from sounding rhythmically cramped. You omitted the G grace note on E (before High A) in measure 3 of line 2. Instrument: Drones set nicely together but they are set flat to the chanter (making the chanter sound sharp). You underblowing Low A when tuning which is giving you a false reference for your drone tuning. Once you begin the tune, you are blowing full-pressure making the chanter sharper. Just work on blowing out your Low A more when tuning. Technique: Great technique overall, with well articulated echo beats. The final grip was untidy. Just focus on getting two clear Low Gs in the grips. Summary: Well done, Ivan. You're playing this ground at an appropriate pace with good expression and consistency. I would just slightly lengthen/open up those short connecting notes into your double echo strikes. Practice tuning at full pressure so that you can get your drones locked in with Low A. This is the area where you could see the biggest improvement. Strong technique! Best of luck this season.
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Nancy Guss 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Company's Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good, consistent musical approach here. I wouldn't take it any slower than this. Added an extra G grace note in measure 1 of line 2 on the C. In measure 3 of line 2, I'd recommend holding the initial F longer and treating the E up to the High A as a relaxed passing/connecting note, rather than holding it out like a theme note. Instrument: Well-set instrument overall! You are struggling a bit with steady pressure control, which is causing the pitch to undulate. F# is quite flat. Technique: Great! Strong grips and strikes in double echoes. Summary: Nicely played, Nancy. Musical playing in this ground. Keep it moving along and have a look at the timing in measure 3 of line 2, as mentioned. Very nice bagpipe tuning overall, just work on steady pressure control. Excellent technique throughout. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Alan Sutherland 🇬🇧 Place: 6 Tunes: The Companys Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Great musicality and flow throughout! Instrument: Drones well-set with each other but they are not locked in with Low A. Some unsteady pressure control in places. Resonant chanter sound. Technique: Missed the G grace note to begin the last measure of line 1 on the E double echo, both times, and in measure 2 on the repeat of line 1. Also missed the same G grace note on the E double echo in line 3. Summary: This was a musical tune, Alan. You're on the right track with the bagpipe tuning, just work to get the drones closer to low A. Aside from the missing G grace notes mentioned above, you are showing strong, well-developed technique throughout. Best of luck this season!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Barbara Willard 🇺🇸 Tunes: Struan Robertson's salute Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Excellent pace and overall flow in the ground. I feel you are inconsistent with the E-B-D motif in the first line, somethimes rushing off the D, such as in measure/phrase 2. Lovely expression in lines 2 & 3. Instrument: Drones are set nicely together but are not in tune with Low A. Working on steadier pressure control will help tuning. Some instability is especially apparent on D. Technique: Hiharin is a bit untidy. Just open it up. D-to-E, High A-to-E, and E-to-High A crossing noises creeping in. Summary: Nice tune, Barbara! I think you've got the overall feel and pace just right. Work to get the drones locked in with Low A. A few crossing noises and the hiharin to look at, but solidly played overall. Well done.
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: I would shorten the B before the grip to C whenever you see this in the ground (and in most other piobaireach as well). In measure 3, you moved the G grace note from the E cadence to the Low A. You could lengthen your E cadences, treating the E as an 1/8 connecting note, rather than an abrupt grace note. Slight memory flubs in line 2. Just like the B should be very quick up to the C's in line 1, in line 2 and 3, the High G up to the High A should be very quick. Good overall pace. Instrument: A few small chokes. Solid tuning overall. Not totally locked in, but in the ballpark. Technique: You have very nice grips. However, you are lingering too long on the note prior to the grip (C or B) when playing your "odro"/note-grip embellishment throughout this ground. Try to shorten the note prior to the Low G of the grip. Slight crossing E to C. Summary: You have a lot of potential, Matthew! Musically, I would aim to shorten some of the connecting notes as mentioned and lengthen the E cadences. A couple memory errors. Well set instrument overall but it may be a bit too hard for you, as evidenced by the chokes. Really strong technique overall! Work on the even and smooth "odros"/note-grips. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Mike Allen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament (ground) Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You've got the right idea here but it's quite slow overall. Instrument: Solid tuning. Watch pressure control as you are sagging on Low A in particular. Chokes. Technique: Grip to C is just a bit untidy. You could speed up the Low G grace notes to Low A. Perhaps not as quick as in light music, but less deliberate than they are here. Summary: A lot of potential here, Mike. Musically, I like how you are portraying this ground but I think it would be more interesting just fractionally faster than this. Good instrument tuning! Work on steady pressure control, especially on Low A, to help eliminate chokes and eradicate pitch undulations. A couple minor technical comments above. Well done!
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Event 10. Grade 5 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground Only)
Competitor: Robert Real 🇺🇸 Tunes: Company's Lament Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You've got a nice feel for this ground. You may be able to play it a shade faster, but first focus on speeding up some of the technique. Instrument: Drones not in tune with Low A. Solid chanter sound. Technique: Rodin and grip are slow but nice and clean. Good rhythm to your double echoes. Missed the G grace note on E in measure 3 of line 2. E to High A crossing noise. Summary: Nice playing overall, Robert. You have a good musical understanding of this tune. Work to get the drones closer to Low A. Good, clear, and even technique throughout. You should try to speed up the grips and rodins, but slow them back down if they get sloppy or uneven.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Duncan MacColl Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: HI Alec, nice efforts here! Pipe well set and blown A nice musical played 2/4 march with a nice pace and feel. Nice birls P3. Tempo is slightly slow — yet consistent. Watch High A in P4 prior to tachum. Extend that High A to achieve full value. Just early to that C tachum at the moment. Nice performance! Very thoughtful detail coming through. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Mrs McDonald of Dunach Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Emily — lovely strong finger and musically pleasing performance. Was that a peacock singing along? Good focus and sustainment with that distraction. Technique is nice a clean with solid rhythmic doublings. Confident tempo. Well appointment short notes and well weighted themals, nice performance. Musically superior. Full Package. Low A is slightly sharp. Thanks!! - SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: The 1st Battalion Scots Guards Farewell to Southampton Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Poppy. Thanks for this. A nice spirited performance here today! Good tempo, well sustained. Confident 2/4 idiom, pace and feel. Technique is coming along very nicely — strong grips, and taorluaths. Strong bottom hand work here. Pipe is well set with good blowing. Some very minor rushing to grips in P3. I look forward to seeing you next time. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Denmark Hodges 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome To Lochaber Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Denmark, Thanks for this — a nice musically delivered 2/4 march today. Good pace and feel. Watch your bag strike — aim for a stronger hit to eliminate squeals . . . and go to Low A to cut off at end, rather than staying on D. A wee bit slow — however consistent sustained tempo. Nice clean fingerwork through your tune. Nice D throws. Strong Grips. I look forward to hearing you next time. Thanks.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Camille. Thanks for this. Nice pipe. A good effort. Watch B-C doub — just a wee catch here. A wee catch in P2 C to E. Tempo is steady. Could lean into the main themal beat notes for full musical effect. Some of the connecting notes are shade over valued at times. Overall a bit more dot and cut would enhance the performance. Its just a bit "safe." Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James Gendron 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Prince Charles welcome to Lochaber Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi James. Thank you for this. A very musically pleasing performance with a spirited tempo. Pipe well set and a nice interval on the chanter. Good Blowing. Technique was well placed. Watch for catches to F, from D and from Low A. Be sure all your fingers are coming up together. Watch the grips in P4 for clarity. Just not quite a clean lift back up after the Low G. A very musically pleasing tune, with good pacing. Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Campbell of Drum A Voisk Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: ** This is a Strathspey/Reel recording **
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Bill McEvoy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Ensign Keogh Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Bill. A good effort here — nice stable tempo. A musically pleasing tune. You could lean into your themal beat notes slightly more, for full effect. Several even passages that were well paced. Watch your fingerwork, keep working at it. Clean note changes for High A-F-E doub LA-B doub Watch tachums in P3. These items need to have the G grace note finger more precise on the note change itself. Beautifully made drones, very unique look! Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Damien. Very brisk tempo. P3 — watch B doublings from Low A, Aim for a rhythmic doubling there. Watch d throws for a low G in each. Not quite closing. Hi A is quite sharp. Drones have a minor wavering. A lovely setting to play in and background view. For full musical effect, try slowing your tempo down slightly and lean on the beat notes just a shade more. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Dave Reisdorf 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Dave. Pipe set is a shade wavering. Musical is slightly unstable — good efforts! You can lean into the themal beat notes just a shade for full effect. Tempo is ok, and is unstable in spots. Technique is challenged is P3 on bottom hand. Watch for clean note changes. Grace notes are not quite on the transition itself. Keep working hard — this is a good tune selection for you. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: Walter Douglas, M.B.E. Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Gerrard. Thanks for this. Drones are wavering from the start. Check that the tenors are not too open. The chanter reed is a shade easy for you. The gurgling on Low G confirms that. Intervals are ok. Tempo is ok. You have the right idea for the musical delivery with a good pace and feel. Some connecting notes are overvalued. You could lean on the themal notes a bit more and cut the connection notes more, for full effect. Keep working at your technique for clarity and rhythmic doublings. Movement are too open in some cases. Watch D throws to get a clean Low G to start each one. Good marching.. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James McIntosh 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Don. Thanks for this. Tempo slowish yet consistent Catches C-E P2. Low A-B-C doub, watch for clarity. P3 wee wrong note. Grip not quite closing to low G. D throws aim for a full close to Low G. Nice musical effort. Thoughtful efforts. Biggest item would be to increase tempo to achieve the desired 2/4 pace and feel. Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Laura Stott 🇨🇦 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Laura. Thanks for this. Pipe is ok. Some sharpness on the top hand esp. High A. Unclear note changes. Keep working at clarity in the fingerwork. Aim to close to Low G inside each D throw. Watch C-B-D passages in ending phrases. Wee catches creeping in. E-LA-C doub. LG-B-HG. Musical delivery is quite nice. You can lean on beat notes a wee bit longer to achieve the full 2/4 effect. Keep at it! Thanks -SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Tunes: Siege of Delhi Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Lillian, thanks for this Pipe ok — Slightly dry sounding. Nice 2/4 Tempo — a shade early to your E doubling in P1, bar 2. (E - E doub). Watch for pacing . . . just a shade early to C doublings (C-C doub). You are not changing notes in these passages, just needing to wit and place the G grace note with accuracy. Wait until the foot is fully down. Wee catches F-D-High A P4, Zero in on your ending phrases — just a shade rushed. F-grip to -E esp. Spirited performance — looking forward to hearing you next time. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Matthew Quinn Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Duncan McInnes Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Matthew. Drones very nicely tuned. Chanter is ok except on C and High A for flatness. Tempo is stable. Right idea with the pace and musical feel. Nice. The technique is very tight on C and B doublings. Aim to hear 2 separate grace notes here within each doubling.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Naoko Yoda 🇺🇸 Tunes: Walter Douglas, MBE Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Naoko. Thanks for this. Pipe is ok — High G is very sharp, drones ok. Nice musical delivery, with well weight themal, and nice short notes. Thoughtful extensions before taorluaths. Watch technique — and esp. G grace notes for strength. Aim to be a bit more deliberate with them to achieve clean crisp note changes and doublings. F to High G throw is coming across as delicate* — aim to thicken that movement up. Good efforts on the birls, and D throws. Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Tunes: King George V's Army Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Paige. Several wrong connecting notes throughout the tune. Slip P4. Have a relook at the music to get all the wee wrong notes fixed. The drones are wavering a bit from the start. The chanter intervals are ok, with minor sharpness. When performing, take your time a the beginning with a few moments on Low A or E, then begin your performance. Keep working on your doublings and fingering fundamentals. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Rowena Bryce 🇦🇺 Tunes: Highland Wedding Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Rowena. Thank for this. A nice forest setting. Lovely. Highland wedding is a demanding tune. A couple of wild birl sweeps in P1. Pace and Feel is generally ok. Short notes are slightly clipped. A few areas of technique and note changes to clean up. Watch grips in P4, E tap placement in P5 (one quite delayed) and P6 top hand to bottom hand changes . . . some ok, others less clear. A big tune for G4. Good efforts on the musical delivery. Tempo sustained quite well. Keep at it! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Shara Maikranz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald Maclean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Shara, thanks for this. Pipe nicely tuned. Chanter reed strength is light and some moments of over blowing on the top hand notes, are evident. Nice spirited tempo and well paced 2/4 idiom. Right idea for this event. Noticing that you are lifting fingers up away from the chanter . . . try to keep your fingers lower (slightly less lifting )for more control. A few wee catches C to E creeping in. P3 Hi A-LA-D doub. G grace notes are not quite on the changes there also in Bar 4 E-C-B-LA all parts. Aim for clarity in the fingering. Thanks! -SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr-Ewing Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Sophie, Bag Strike is problematic. Tune is presented quite nicely. Small hesitation on the F-E-Dthrow in P1, 2, 3. otherwise musical delivery is ok. Nice pace and feel. Tempo is stable. Chanter is flat on F, sharp on Low A and D. Cut off is also problematic. Technical delivery is quite nice. Watch the D Strikes and birls for consistency. Looking forward to hearing you next time. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Susan Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Muir of Ord Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Susan, thank for this! Pipe has minor wavering. Chanter interval ok. Wee catches E-High A. D - E. P3 B doub-La-B doub clarity. P1 was inserted as repeat of P3. Parts of the tune are slipped here. P3 inserted after P4. Aim to get your G grace notes directly on note changes. Musically a nice performance with a nice pace and feel. Beautiful setting in the woods! Lovely! Thanks, SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Miss Delicia Chisholm Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Vickie, Thanks for this. Good efforts on your 2/4 March. Pipe is ok — with good chanter interval. Tempo is *very slow . . . aim to increase this a wee bit to achieve a full 2/4 March feel. Nice efforts on technical delivery, lovely D throws. Very Thoughtful playing today. Nice musical delivery regarding ratios and short note note values. The whole tempo has to come up to achieve a march pace and feel. You can do it! Thanks. SH.
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Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Duncan MacColl Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: HI Alec, nice efforts here! Pipe well set and blown A nice musical played 2/4 march with a nice pace and feel. Nice birls P3. Tempo is slightly slow — yet consistent. Watch High A in P4 prior to tachum. Extend that High A to achieve full value. Just early to that C tachum at the moment. Nice performance! Very thoughtful detail coming through. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Mrs McDonald of Dunach Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Emily — lovely strong finger and musically pleasing performance. Was that a peacock singing along? Good focus and sustainment with that distraction. Technique is nice a clean with solid rhythmic doublings. Confident tempo. Well appointment short notes and well weighted themals, nice performance. Musically superior. Full Package. Low A is slightly sharp. Thanks!! - SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: The 1st Battalion Scots Guards Farewell to Southampton Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Poppy. Thanks for this. A nice spirited performance here today! Good tempo, well sustained. Confident 2/4 idiom, pace and feel. Technique is coming along very nicely — strong grips, and taorluaths. Strong bottom hand work here. Pipe is well set with good blowing. Some very minor rushing to grips in P3. I look forward to seeing you next time. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Denmark Hodges 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome To Lochaber Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Denmark, Thanks for this — a nice musically delivered 2/4 march today. Good pace and feel. Watch your bag strike — aim for a stronger hit to eliminate squeals . . . and go to Low A to cut off at end, rather than staying on D. A wee bit slow — however consistent sustained tempo. Nice clean fingerwork through your tune. Nice D throws. Strong Grips. I look forward to hearing you next time. Thanks.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Camille. Thanks for this. Nice pipe. A good effort. Watch B-C doub — just a wee catch here. A wee catch in P2 C to E. Tempo is steady. Could lean into the main themal beat notes for full musical effect. Some of the connecting notes are shade over valued at times. Overall a bit more dot and cut would enhance the performance. Its just a bit "safe." Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James Gendron 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Prince Charles welcome to Lochaber Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi James. Thank you for this. A very musically pleasing performance with a spirited tempo. Pipe well set and a nice interval on the chanter. Good Blowing. Technique was well placed. Watch for catches to F, from D and from Low A. Be sure all your fingers are coming up together. Watch the grips in P4 for clarity. Just not quite a clean lift back up after the Low G. A very musically pleasing tune, with good pacing. Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Campbell of Drum A Voisk Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: ** This is a Strathspey/Reel recording **
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Bill McEvoy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Ensign Keogh Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Bill. A good effort here — nice stable tempo. A musically pleasing tune. You could lean into your themal beat notes slightly more, for full effect. Several even passages that were well paced. Watch your fingerwork, keep working at it. Clean note changes for High A-F-E doub LA-B doub Watch tachums in P3. These items need to have the G grace note finger more precise on the note change itself. Beautifully made drones, very unique look! Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Damien. Very brisk tempo. P3 — watch B doublings from Low A, Aim for a rhythmic doubling there. Watch d throws for a low G in each. Not quite closing. Hi A is quite sharp. Drones have a minor wavering. A lovely setting to play in and background view. For full musical effect, try slowing your tempo down slightly and lean on the beat notes just a shade more. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Dave Reisdorf 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Dave. Pipe set is a shade wavering. Musical is slightly unstable — good efforts! You can lean into the themal beat notes just a shade for full effect. Tempo is ok, and is unstable in spots. Technique is challenged is P3 on bottom hand. Watch for clean note changes. Grace notes are not quite on the transition itself. Keep working hard — this is a good tune selection for you. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: Walter Douglas, M.B.E. Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Gerrard. Thanks for this. Drones are wavering from the start. Check that the tenors are not too open. The chanter reed is a shade easy for you. The gurgling on Low G confirms that. Intervals are ok. Tempo is ok. You have the right idea for the musical delivery with a good pace and feel. Some connecting notes are overvalued. You could lean on the themal notes a bit more and cut the connection notes more, for full effect. Keep working at your technique for clarity and rhythmic doublings. Movement are too open in some cases. Watch D throws to get a clean Low G to start each one. Good marching.. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James McIntosh 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Don. Thanks for this. Tempo slowish yet consistent Catches C-E P2. Low A-B-C doub, watch for clarity. P3 wee wrong note. Grip not quite closing to low G. D throws aim for a full close to Low G. Nice musical effort. Thoughtful efforts. Biggest item would be to increase tempo to achieve the desired 2/4 pace and feel. Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Laura Stott 🇨🇦 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Laura. Thanks for this. Pipe is ok. Some sharpness on the top hand esp. High A. Unclear note changes. Keep working at clarity in the fingerwork. Aim to close to Low G inside each D throw. Watch C-B-D passages in ending phrases. Wee catches creeping in. E-LA-C doub. LG-B-HG. Musical delivery is quite nice. You can lean on beat notes a wee bit longer to achieve the full 2/4 effect. Keep at it! Thanks -SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Tunes: Siege of Delhi Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Lillian, thanks for this Pipe ok — Slightly dry sounding. Nice 2/4 Tempo — a shade early to your E doubling in P1, bar 2. (E - E doub). Watch for pacing . . . just a shade early to C doublings (C-C doub). You are not changing notes in these passages, just needing to wit and place the G grace note with accuracy. Wait until the foot is fully down. Wee catches F-D-High A P4, Zero in on your ending phrases — just a shade rushed. F-grip to -E esp. Spirited performance — looking forward to hearing you next time. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Matthew Quinn Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Duncan McInnes Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Matthew. Drones very nicely tuned. Chanter is ok except on C and High A for flatness. Tempo is stable. Right idea with the pace and musical feel. Nice. The technique is very tight on C and B doublings. Aim to hear 2 separate grace notes here within each doubling.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Naoko Yoda 🇺🇸 Tunes: Walter Douglas, MBE Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Naoko. Thanks for this. Pipe is ok — High G is very sharp, drones ok. Nice musical delivery, with well weight themal, and nice short notes. Thoughtful extensions before taorluaths. Watch technique — and esp. G grace notes for strength. Aim to be a bit more deliberate with them to achieve clean crisp note changes and doublings. F to High G throw is coming across as delicate* — aim to thicken that movement up. Good efforts on the birls, and D throws. Thanks! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Tunes: King George V's Army Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Thanks Paige. Several wrong connecting notes throughout the tune. Slip P4. Have a relook at the music to get all the wee wrong notes fixed. The drones are wavering a bit from the start. The chanter intervals are ok, with minor sharpness. When performing, take your time a the beginning with a few moments on Low A or E, then begin your performance. Keep working on your doublings and fingering fundamentals. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Rowena Bryce 🇦🇺 Tunes: Highland Wedding Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Rowena. Thank for this. A nice forest setting. Lovely. Highland wedding is a demanding tune. A couple of wild birl sweeps in P1. Pace and Feel is generally ok. Short notes are slightly clipped. A few areas of technique and note changes to clean up. Watch grips in P4, E tap placement in P5 (one quite delayed) and P6 top hand to bottom hand changes . . . some ok, others less clear. A big tune for G4. Good efforts on the musical delivery. Tempo sustained quite well. Keep at it! SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Shara Maikranz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald Maclean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Shara, thanks for this. Pipe nicely tuned. Chanter reed strength is light and some moments of over blowing on the top hand notes, are evident. Nice spirited tempo and well paced 2/4 idiom. Right idea for this event. Noticing that you are lifting fingers up away from the chanter . . . try to keep your fingers lower (slightly less lifting )for more control. A few wee catches C to E creeping in. P3 Hi A-LA-D doub. G grace notes are not quite on the changes there also in Bar 4 E-C-B-LA all parts. Aim for clarity in the fingering. Thanks! -SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr-Ewing Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Sophie, Bag Strike is problematic. Tune is presented quite nicely. Small hesitation on the F-E-Dthrow in P1, 2, 3. otherwise musical delivery is ok. Nice pace and feel. Tempo is stable. Chanter is flat on F, sharp on Low A and D. Cut off is also problematic. Technical delivery is quite nice. Watch the D Strikes and birls for consistency. Looking forward to hearing you next time. Thanks SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Susan Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Muir of Ord Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Susan, thank for this! Pipe has minor wavering. Chanter interval ok. Wee catches E-High A. D - E. P3 B doub-La-B doub clarity. P1 was inserted as repeat of P3. Parts of the tune are slipped here. P3 inserted after P4. Aim to get your G grace notes directly on note changes. Musically a nice performance with a nice pace and feel. Beautiful setting in the woods! Lovely! Thanks, SH
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Miss Delicia Chisholm Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Vickie, Thanks for this. Good efforts on your 2/4 March. Pipe is ok — with good chanter interval. Tempo is *very slow . . . aim to increase this a wee bit to achieve a full 2/4 March feel. Nice efforts on technical delivery, lovely D throws. Very Thoughtful playing today. Nice musical delivery regarding ratios and short note note values. The whole tempo has to come up to achieve a march pace and feel. You can do it! Thanks. SH.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ian MacPhail 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Donald Maclean's Farewell To Oban Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice full and resonate pipe Ian, and good pace. Tone — Full and well balanced bagpipe. Technique — hands moving well with lift, and movements are articulated well. Watch some slight catching/crossover noises throughout, making sure to lift your fingers fully off the holes going note to note. Good treatment of the short notes. Expression — good and steady pace, with lost of lift to your playing, and bounce in the music. Well done!
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kyle Wallis 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: John McDonald’s of Glencoe Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice resonant pipe Kyle. Tone — pipe is full and resonant. Drones a bit sharp to chanter. Technique — each note is coming across as well-defined in your taorluath and d-throw movements, birls are a bit light. Expression — steady pace, controlled and good lift to the tune, watch a tempo drop going into the last part. 3rd part could use a bit stronger pulsing on the down beats, and be careful not to play the birls at the end of the parts before the beat. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Jodie Warren 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Muir of Ord Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pipe, Jodie. Full, and well-balanced. Tone — Good balance between drones and chanter. Note intervals well balanced, and drones tuned well together and with chanter. Technique — movements are coming across as well defined. Some E doublings could use more articulation of each note in the movement. Expression — Good for the most part. A bit cautious in pace, but steady. Well done. Thank you for your Service.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Chris Zaleski 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pipe Chris, and it held throughout. Tone — Drones may be a touch sharp to the chanter, but otherwise good. Technique — technique coming across nicely. Expression — tune a bit too slow. I feel you could get more music out of this with more tempo. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Sheila Stewart 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice drone sound Sheila. Tone — F a bit sharp Technique — mostly well-articulated. Watch the FEF combination (E is a bit too clipped consistently). Missed C doubling last part. Expression — steady pace, tempo a bit slow but steady. Good swing. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Amanda Brennan 🇮🇪 Place: 6 Tunes: King George the V Army Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice resonant pipe, and confident start, with swing Amanda. Tone — pipe is nice and full, with a good drone sound. F and high G a bit sharp. B a bit flat. Technique — hands sound a bit tight, I feel your technique would come across more clearly by loosening up a bit. Movements aren't coming across with each note clearly defined, and some catching noises. Expression — good pace, and swing to this with, good pulsing. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Alan Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice and assertive start to this Alan. Tone — Resonant pipe, drones a bit flat to chanter. High G a touch flat. Technique — coming across well. Watch catching noises DtoF. Expression — assertive pace to tune, a slight drop in tempo would help add a bit more swing to this. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Allan Kerr 🇨🇦 Tunes: 25th Kings Own Scottish Borders Farewell to Meerut Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Tone — drones not tuned quite together and not with chanter. Chanter well balanced, if anything slightly sharp on F. Technique — pt 2 watch birls and cross-over noises. Pt 3 crosses again DtoF. Pt4 crosses, b-taorluaths well articulated. Expression — good pace, lift and steady tempo. Well done Allan.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Major CM Usher OBE Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pace to this Anders. Tone — Good sound coming off the chanter. Drones could be tuned a bit tighter together. Technique — in some of your doublings, each note isn't articulated clearly, other movements are coming across nicely. Expression — mostly good with good attention to the back beat. Watch in pt 3, you don't jump to the low A Taorluath too quickly. Give the note a slight pulse before the movement. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome To Lochaber Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice resonant drones Bill. Tone — Drones tuned too flat to chanter making it sound too sharp, especially top hand. Technique — technique coming across well. Some doublings are a bit crushed, and watch catching noise (DtoF end of 3rd and 4th). Expression — steady tempo, could use a slight boost in tempo to get more music out of it. Well done.
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"Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Craig Herbert 🏴 Tunes: The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel, The Brown Haired Maiden, High Road To Gairloch, Captain Norman Orr Ewing. Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pipe and pace to this Craig. Tone — drones nicely together, and good sound coming off the chanter. Technique — technique is coming across light throughout, on your D-throws you could articulate each note in the movement a bit more clearly. Some dropped C-doublings in (HRtG). Expression — you have a good feel for the music and pace in each of these tunes Well done.
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" Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Daniel Basaez Diaz 🇨🇱 Tunes: Siege of Delhi Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pipe Daniel. Watch catching/cross-over noises going from top hand to bottom and back throughout. Tone — Nice pipe. Drones nicely together, chanter well-balanced. Technique — some movements coming across well, but there are crossing/catching noise throughout when you are going note to note. Make sure to lift your fingers fully off the holes as you change notes. Expression — good pace and lift, but the crossing noises detract from the flow. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Douglas Crawford 🇺🇸 Tunes: Prince Charlies Welcome Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pace and music to this Douglas. Tone — Good chanter sound and balance, drones could be tuned a bit closer together and with chanter Technique — Fingers moving off the chanter well, and each note in movements (doublings/D-throw) not always coming across clearly. Expression — the music is coming across well, with good rhythm and back beat. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Walter Douglas Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: That looks like quite the collection, Glen. Tone — slight mic distortion, but drones sound ok, and high G a bit sharp and thin. Technique — coming across well, with movements well-defined. Expression — Steady pace and tempo. Watch you don't jump to the birl too soon before the beat at part ends. Slight drop in tempo 3rd part. 4th part, watch speeding in 4th bar. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Heather Dunn 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice sound resonating through the church Heather. Tone — drones not quite 100% together, blowing a bit unsteady in 3rd part. Technique — movements coming across mostly well. Watch that some grips aren't too crushed, and define each note in the movement. Expression — steady pace, tune could use a bit more tempo to get more out of the music. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Assertive start into this tune Ian. I feel you could get a bit more swing out of the tune by bringing the pace down a bit. Tone — good chanter sound. Drones could be tighter together and with chanter. Technique — mostly coming across clearly. Watch consistency of your D throws as some D are coming across as heavy and others light. Wrong note part 2 bar 5 (E instead of F). Expression — Pace is steady, though this tempo might be better suited for band play. I feel with your hands, you could get much more swing and music by slowing it down a bit. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: 79th Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Technique coming across well Ivan. Tone — good sound from the chanter, drones could be sharpened and tuned better together. Technique — for the most part your technique is coming across well, just be sure articulate each note in your B taorluaths. Expression — steady pace and music coming across well. Well done
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kathleen Madden 🇺🇸 Tunes: Clan MacColl Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Consistent tempo Kathleen. Tone — Drones are tuned a bit too flat to the chanter, making some notes like high G sound quite sharp, but good volume balance between drones and chanter. Chanter choke in the last part. Technique — most movements are coming across well defined, and some could use more articulation. Some crossover noises as well. Expression — The tempo is well controlled, but could use a boost to get a bit more music out of it. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: Miss Delicia Chisholm Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Resonant drone sound Lou. Tone — D and F sharp, and drones a touch flat to chanter, and not quite 100% together. Technique — some doublings are articulated well, and some could use more separation note to note. Watch catch noise 2nd part end of line 1, DtoE. Expression — Watch not to jump the d-strikes before the beat at the end of the parts. Tempo is a bit inconsistent, but not too bad. Could be a touch quicker. Well done
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Matthew Ross 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pace to this Matthew. Tone — Top hand a bit sharp. Drones not quite in tune. Technique — Technique is coming across as light. B doublings are well defined, as are some d-throws. Watch crossovers. At part ends, be careful not start the C-hit on D until the G-grace note has landed, and D sounded. Expression — Steady pace to the tune. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: 79th Farewell to Gibralter Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pace to this Robert. Tone — Drones not in tune. High A is a bit raspy, but comes and goes away when blown out. Technique — movements coming across a bit inconsistently, some taorluaths are well-defined, but others are coming across a bit tight, and several missed grace notes. Expression — good pace Well done.
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Competitor: Ian MacPhail 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Donald Maclean's Farewell To Oban Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice full and resonate pipe Ian, and good pace. Tone — Full and well balanced bagpipe. Technique — hands moving well with lift, and movements are articulated well. Watch some slight catching/crossover noises throughout, making sure to lift your fingers fully off the holes going note to note. Good treatment of the short notes. Expression — good and steady pace, with lost of lift to your playing, and bounce in the music. Well done!
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kyle Wallis 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: John McDonald’s of Glencoe Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice resonant pipe Kyle. Tone — pipe is full and resonant. Drones a bit sharp to chanter. Technique — each note is coming across as well-defined in your taorluath and d-throw movements, birls are a bit light. Expression — steady pace, controlled and good lift to the tune, watch a tempo drop going into the last part. 3rd part could use a bit stronger pulsing on the down beats, and be careful not to play the birls at the end of the parts before the beat. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Jodie Warren 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Muir of Ord Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pipe, Jodie. Full, and well-balanced. Tone — Good balance between drones and chanter. Note intervals well balanced, and drones tuned well together and with chanter. Technique — movements are coming across as well defined. Some E doublings could use more articulation of each note in the movement. Expression — Good for the most part. A bit cautious in pace, but steady. Well done. Thank you for your Service.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Chris Zaleski 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pipe Chris, and it held throughout. Tone — Drones may be a touch sharp to the chanter, but otherwise good. Technique — technique coming across nicely. Expression — tune a bit too slow. I feel you could get more music out of this with more tempo. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Sheila Stewart 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice drone sound Sheila. Tone — F a bit sharp Technique — mostly well-articulated. Watch the FEF combination (E is a bit too clipped consistently). Missed C doubling last part. Expression — steady pace, tempo a bit slow but steady. Good swing. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Amanda Brennan 🇮🇪 Place: 6 Tunes: King George the V Army Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice resonant pipe, and confident start, with swing Amanda. Tone — pipe is nice and full, with a good drone sound. F and high G a bit sharp. B a bit flat. Technique — hands sound a bit tight, I feel your technique would come across more clearly by loosening up a bit. Movements aren't coming across with each note clearly defined, and some catching noises. Expression — good pace, and swing to this with, good pulsing. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Alan Davidson 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice and assertive start to this Alan. Tone — Resonant pipe, drones a bit flat to chanter. High G a touch flat. Technique — coming across well. Watch catching noises DtoF. Expression — assertive pace to tune, a slight drop in tempo would help add a bit more swing to this. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Allan Kerr 🇨🇦 Tunes: 25th Kings Own Scottish Borders Farewell to Meerut Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Tone — drones not tuned quite together and not with chanter. Chanter well balanced, if anything slightly sharp on F. Technique — pt 2 watch birls and cross-over noises. Pt 3 crosses again DtoF. Pt4 crosses, b-taorluaths well articulated. Expression — good pace, lift and steady tempo. Well done Allan.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Major CM Usher OBE Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pace to this Anders. Tone — Good sound coming off the chanter. Drones could be tuned a bit tighter together. Technique — in some of your doublings, each note isn't articulated clearly, other movements are coming across nicely. Expression — mostly good with good attention to the back beat. Watch in pt 3, you don't jump to the low A Taorluath too quickly. Give the note a slight pulse before the movement. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome To Lochaber Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice resonant drones Bill. Tone — Drones tuned too flat to chanter making it sound too sharp, especially top hand. Technique — technique coming across well. Some doublings are a bit crushed, and watch catching noise (DtoF end of 3rd and 4th). Expression — steady tempo, could use a slight boost in tempo to get more music out of it. Well done.
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"Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Craig Herbert 🏴 Tunes: The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel, The Brown Haired Maiden, High Road To Gairloch, Captain Norman Orr Ewing. Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pipe and pace to this Craig. Tone — drones nicely together, and good sound coming off the chanter. Technique — technique is coming across light throughout, on your D-throws you could articulate each note in the movement a bit more clearly. Some dropped C-doublings in (HRtG). Expression — you have a good feel for the music and pace in each of these tunes Well done.
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" Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Daniel Basaez Diaz 🇨🇱 Tunes: Siege of Delhi Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pipe Daniel. Watch catching/cross-over noises going from top hand to bottom and back throughout. Tone — Nice pipe. Drones nicely together, chanter well-balanced. Technique — some movements coming across well, but there are crossing/catching noise throughout when you are going note to note. Make sure to lift your fingers fully off the holes as you change notes. Expression — good pace and lift, but the crossing noises detract from the flow. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Douglas Crawford 🇺🇸 Tunes: Prince Charlies Welcome Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pace and music to this Douglas. Tone — Good chanter sound and balance, drones could be tuned a bit closer together and with chanter Technique — Fingers moving off the chanter well, and each note in movements (doublings/D-throw) not always coming across clearly. Expression — the music is coming across well, with good rhythm and back beat. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Walter Douglas Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: That looks like quite the collection, Glen. Tone — slight mic distortion, but drones sound ok, and high G a bit sharp and thin. Technique — coming across well, with movements well-defined. Expression — Steady pace and tempo. Watch you don't jump to the birl too soon before the beat at part ends. Slight drop in tempo 3rd part. 4th part, watch speeding in 4th bar. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Heather Dunn 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice sound resonating through the church Heather. Tone — drones not quite 100% together, blowing a bit unsteady in 3rd part. Technique — movements coming across mostly well. Watch that some grips aren't too crushed, and define each note in the movement. Expression — steady pace, tune could use a bit more tempo to get more out of the music. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Assertive start into this tune Ian. I feel you could get a bit more swing out of the tune by bringing the pace down a bit. Tone — good chanter sound. Drones could be tighter together and with chanter. Technique — mostly coming across clearly. Watch consistency of your D throws as some D are coming across as heavy and others light. Wrong note part 2 bar 5 (E instead of F). Expression — Pace is steady, though this tempo might be better suited for band play. I feel with your hands, you could get much more swing and music by slowing it down a bit. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: 79th Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Technique coming across well Ivan. Tone — good sound from the chanter, drones could be sharpened and tuned better together. Technique — for the most part your technique is coming across well, just be sure articulate each note in your B taorluaths. Expression — steady pace and music coming across well. Well done
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kathleen Madden 🇺🇸 Tunes: Clan MacColl Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Consistent tempo Kathleen. Tone — Drones are tuned a bit too flat to the chanter, making some notes like high G sound quite sharp, but good volume balance between drones and chanter. Chanter choke in the last part. Technique — most movements are coming across well defined, and some could use more articulation. Some crossover noises as well. Expression — The tempo is well controlled, but could use a boost to get a bit more music out of it. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: Miss Delicia Chisholm Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Resonant drone sound Lou. Tone — D and F sharp, and drones a touch flat to chanter, and not quite 100% together. Technique — some doublings are articulated well, and some could use more separation note to note. Watch catch noise 2nd part end of line 1, DtoE. Expression — Watch not to jump the d-strikes before the beat at the end of the parts. Tempo is a bit inconsistent, but not too bad. Could be a touch quicker. Well done
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Matthew Ross 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice pace to this Matthew. Tone — Top hand a bit sharp. Drones not quite in tune. Technique — Technique is coming across as light. B doublings are well defined, as are some d-throws. Watch crossovers. At part ends, be careful not start the C-hit on D until the G-grace note has landed, and D sounded. Expression — Steady pace to the tune. Well done.
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Event 11. Grade 4 Piping - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: 79th Farewell to Gibralter Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Good pace to this Robert. Tone — Drones not in tune. High A is a bit raspy, but comes and goes away when blown out. Technique — movements coming across a bit inconsistently, some taorluaths are well-defined, but others are coming across a bit tight, and several missed grace notes. Expression — good pace Well done.
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Monymusk, Malcolm Johnston Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Abby. Excellent playing! Execution is clean and crisp throughout. Really good phrasing and lift to your strathspey. Very musical! Reel, also nicely phrased. Perhaps some jumping into phrases a bit early at times, but overall, well controlled. Good tempos for both tunes. Excellent bagpipe! Chanter bright and well balanced. Drones solid start to finish. This was a really good performance; ready for G3 for sure! Nicely done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: The Doune of Invernochty and Arnish Light Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Aiken. Really good playing! Very crisp fingering technique. A bit too crushed with some of your movements at times causing some missed embellishments. Try to keep movements a bit more open. This will help with your consistency. Both tunes were well expressed. Strathspey had good lift and I especially enjoyed your reel; very “swingy”! Your playing is very musical. Just need to open up some of your movements. Pipes were very well tuned and steady throughout. This was an excellent performance. You’re ready for G3! Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Maggie Cameron, The Sound Of Sleat Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Alec. Great stuff Alec! Excellent bagpipe sound! Well tuned and steady throughout performance. Strathspey playing is controlled, but musical. Good lift with a nice dot-cut feel. A few moments of tight execution, but overall very cleanly played. Really nice break into reel! Again, playing is under control and relaxed. Some slight under blowing at times. Overall, this was a very confident and musical performance. Probably ready for G3 in my opinion. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Ian MacPhail 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Colin Campbell and The sound of Sleat Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Ian. Really nice playing! Strong bagpipe sound. Well-tuned drones and a very bright and well balanced chanter. Pipes were steady throughout performance. Nice, controlled strathspey with good lift. Careful not to rush off of the B taorluaths in 2nd and 4th parts. Could use a little more emphasis on beat 1 in the 3rd part. Reel also very controlled and musical. At times, you’re playing a little ahead of the down beat. Practicing with a metronome will help you to fix this. Overall, a very confident and strong performance. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The Caledonian Society of London and Alec Cameron Champion Piper Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Emily. Very nice playing! Good execution in strathspey. Your technique is clean and crisp. Good, steady tempo. Expression is bit round. Try to extend the downbeat notes and shorten the notes in between. This will create more lift to your strathspey playing. Good execution in reel. Some rushing in places. Your landing some phrases ahead of the downbeat. Use your metronome to check yourself and I’m sure you’ll feel/hear it. Drones well tuned to each other, but set slightly flat to your chanter. Pipes were steady throughout. Some really good playing overall. Just a bit of work needed on expression. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Kyle Wallis 🏴 Place: 6 Tunes: Maggie Cameron Lexie McCaskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Kyle. Excellent playing! Your execution is very clear and crisp. A few missed embellishments in places; most notably, your birl is not consistent. Nice control and lift to your strathspey playing; very musical. Reel also nicely controlled and well phrased. Some missed taps and a bit sloppy in some bottom hand work (e.g. B to low G tachums). Good, steady tempos for both tunes. A really nice bagpipe sound! Chanter is bright and balanced and drones were well tuned. Overall, this is an excellent G4 performance. I think you’d be well suited to G3! Nicely done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Amanda Brennan 🇮🇪 Tunes: Dorrothor bridge and Captain Lochlain Mcpheil of Tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Amanda. Nicely done! Big bagpipe sound! Well tuned drones. Careful not to over blow. I really enjoyed your strathspey. Good use of dot-cut to create nice lift! A few sloppy moments. C hacums not always clean. Make sure your D strikes have good separation between the G grace note and the tap. You tend to run the two together. Slight bobble in 3rd part, but good recovery. Reel was not quite as musical. At times, your expression is a bit too pointed. Tending to wander from playing round to dot-cut. Some sloppy execution in 3rd part. A little more confidence in the reel and you’ll have a really good set!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Dorrator Bridge and Angus MacLellan Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Anders. Really nice job overall! I’d encourage you to work on striking in you pipes without letting the drones squeal. While you’re not really judged on this, it is generally frowned on in piping circles and sets a bad tone for the judge before you even begin your performance. Really nice bagpipe sound. Drones were well tuned. Bright chanter sound, but your B, E and F were a bit flat. Pipes stayed steady throughout. Your strathspey could use a bit more dot-cut feel some phrasing is a bit round. I believe you’re playing a wrong note in the 3rd bar of the 1st part. You might want to check the music. Watch your crossing noises from C to E. I really enjoyed your reel! Nice, controlled playing. Perhaps slightly more dot-cut, at least for my taste. Your E doublings from F not always clean. Overall, this was a solid performance on a very nice bagpipe. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: Dorrator Bridge / Kalabakan Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Camille. Nicely done! Some execution issues to sort out. Tacums and hacums need to be cleaner. You might need to slow your tempos down until you’re able to keep these movements cleaner. Execution was cleaner in the reel. Your phrasing and expression is good in both tunes; but poor execution is distracting from the music. Watch that you don’t change your blowing at the start of the tune. Your blowing pressure increased as soon as you started the tune. A nice chanter sound, but drones were not quite in tune. Overall, nicely expressed tunes. Just need to work on cleaning up the technique. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Tunes: John Roy Stewart, AC MacGregor Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Craig. Really good playing! Fingering is crisp, but a bit crushed at times. Try to keep your embellishments a bit more open. This will improve your consistency. Strathspey has nice lift; although, you could use a bit more emphasis on the strong pulses. Your phrasing is a bit round at times. Really nice break into reel! Excellent controlled phrasing with good swing in reel. A few missed taps in last part, but otherwise very cleanly played. A very musically played reel! Very well tuned bagpipe. Drones well set and steady throughout. Nice bright chanter sound. A few small chirps, but otherwise excellent. You’re a very promising player Craig. Keep it up!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: Caledonian Canal & Jock Wilson's Ball Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Damien. Nice skyline! Some good playing, but a few things to work on. I’d suggest slowing your tempos down for now. This will help you to get your execution in more cleanly. Your taorluaths are quite good, but doublings and tachums are too crushed. These need to be more opened up more. Expression in strathspey is too round. Try holding the downbeat notes more and shortening the notes in between. This will create for lift to your strathspey. Good chanter sound, but drones not quite in tune. Overall, less tempo will help you play with more control and cleaner technique. Keep working!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Caledonian Canal, Willie Cumming's Rant Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Glen. Nice performance! Your execution is good with clean and crisp technique. Strathspey idiom is too round. Try to put more time on the down beat notes, and less on the notes in between. This will create more lift. Execution in reel is not as clean. Phrasing in reel is bit stilted. You seem to be jumping off your triplets, causing you to arrive at the next downbeat early. Make sure you’re finishing your phrases. You might try practicing with a metronome set to double time to help fix this. Nice pipe sound. Drones well set and steady throughout. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Henry Rogers 🇦🇺 Tunes: Caledonian Canal Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Henry. Nicely done! Unfortunately, you only played a strathspey; no reel. Having said that, your pretty good execution, but some of your movements are too crushed. Try opening things up a bit, particularly your doublings. Also, watch your blowing; it’s a bit up and down.
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Molly Connell, Aspen Bank, The Linen Cap, Lexy McAskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Ian. Some very lively strathspey/reel playing! I would suggest slowing things down since much of your execution is sloppy or missing. For better or worse, competitive highland bagpiping tends to focus on execution over everything else so if your technique is lacking you’re generally not going to be in the prize list. I’d suggest spending some time working on cleaning up your embellishments. There are a lot of excellent resources for embellishment exercises. As mentioned, I also think slowing down your tempos to a speed that allows you to play more cleanly would be helpful. Both of these steps would vastly improve your performance. Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: Captain Colin Cambell / Jock Wilson's Ball - RSBPA settings Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan. Nicely played strathspey! Double check your grace notes. I think you’re playing E grace notes instead of G grace notes on several low As throughout the tune. Good, crisp fingering technique overall. Make sure to cover both holes on your B taps. Careful not to rush the runs from F. Keep them more open, especially at the slower tempo you’re playing. As the overall tempo comes up, the runs will naturally be quicker. Need some more pointing, especially on the dotted low As. This will give you a bit more lift which is crucial for strathspeys. Reel: playing wrong grace notes here as well. Double check your music. Nice tempo and control in reel. Some D throws not 100% clean. Nice chanter sound, but drones not quite in tune. Watch the blowing — a little up and down at times. Overall, well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dorrator Bridge, Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Lillian. A very good performance! Strathspey is nicely expressed with good, controlled tempo. Some missed taps and a few sloppy hacum movements, but mostly clean execution. Execution in reel is bit more sloppy. Try to clean up the crossing noises. Tachums sloppy and some missed taps here as well. Your phrasing is a bit too pointed in reel. A slightly rounder approach would give the reel more flow and would also help to clean up some of your execution. A very nice chanter sound. Drones not completely locked in, but were steady throughout. Overall, a nicely played strathspey, but reel needs a bit more work. Nicely done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Lisa Martin 🇳🇿 Tunes: The Caledonian Canal, Lexy McAskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Lisa. Really good playing! Your technique is mostly clean. Nice lift to your strathspey. A comfortable tempo and nicely expressed tune. Tempo will need to come up at some point, but only if you can keep the execution clean. Some crossing noises especially in the low A/C/E combination. Reel also very clean. Good control with tempo and phrasing. You missed a few E and B taps in first two parts, but they improved later in tune. Nice, bright chanter sound. Some small chirps on low G during strathspey. This can be due to over blowing, inaccurate finger placement, or the sign of a reed that is too weak. Drones were out of tune from start. Overall, a nicely played set!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: Highland Harry Kildonan Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Lou. Nice job! Your technique is basically correct, but very inconsistent. Some movements are clean and crisp, but at other times you are missing them. More repetitions over time will improve this. Tempos will need to come up at some point, but until you develop more consistency with your execution, I would keep things nice and slow. Your pipes sound nice, but watch the blowing. Your pressure varies quite a bit throughout the performance. Keep working on developing more consistency with your embellishments. Exercises are a great way to do this. Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Collin Campbell, Sound of Sleet Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Paige. Nicely done! You’ll need to spend some time working on cleaning up your execution. Most of your embellishments are too crushed. I’d suggest opening up all your movements. Make sure you can hear two low G sounds within your taorluaths. Slowing down your tempos would also help by giving you more time to get your execution in cleanly. For solo performances, you don’t need to start and stop your tunes right away. Take some time to get your pipes started. Play a few tuning phrases or even just sound a long E or low A before starting your tune. At the end, you don’t need to cut off right away like you would in band playing. Again, just play a few notes of anything or a long note before cutting off your pipes. Also: work on getting your drones a bit better tuned. If you don’t have anyone to help you, try out a tuning app. Keep working at it, and good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Tunes: Captain Colin Campbell and McKay from Skye Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Really good playing, Poppy! You have strong technique. Movements are clean and crisp! Need to work on your strike ins. Try hitting the bag with the flat of your hand, and pushing in with your palm rather than using your finger tips. Great bagpipe sound. Well tuned drones and a bright/balanced chanter sound. High G maybe a bit sharp. In your strathspey, you need to get to the third note in your F runs. You’re placing too much emphasis on the F. A bit more emphasis needed on the dotted low As. Overall: a very musically played strathspey! A bit too abrupt going into your reel. I’d suggest pausing a bit longer on the last note of strathspey, and then ease into the reel tempo, getting up to full tempo by the second bar. Some chokes in 2nd and 4th parts. Watch the short high Gs in 3rd part, end of 1st bar. You’re running over these. An excellent performance. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: caledonian canal & cpt dr lachlan macphail of tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Robert. Some good playing in places. Unfortunately, your pipe sound was distracting from your tune. The high G and high A are way to “scratchy.” There are some things you can do to manipulate the reed to reduce this, but you probably want to find someone with experience in sanding reeds to help. Your other option is to find a different reed. Drones were very out of tune, which also distracted from your performance. There was some good playing in your strathspey, but you could use a bit more emphasis on the 1st and 3rd beats to create more strathspey “lift.” I’d also suggest a bit slower tempo. Reel was too fast. I think a slower tempo would allow you to clean up your execution and play with more control. I also noted your bass drone positioning. Generally, the bass drone should rest closer to your neck. Yours is sitting out on your shoulder making it susceptible to sliding off. This is usually due to the bass drone stock not being angled properly when tied in. Keep at it and good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Tunes: Captain Colin Campbell & Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Sophie. Nice job! Very nicely expressed strathspey. Good lift and control of phrases. Execution a bit sloppy in places. Try opening up your taorluath movements more. Make sure you can hear each individual grace note within the taorluath, especially the 2 low G sounds. Watch the crossing noises in the Low A/C/E sequences. A felt your reel was a bit over pointed. Try relaxing the dot/cuts just a bit. Again, some crossing noises throughout the reel. A very nice pipe sound. Drones and chanter were well tuned and steady. Overall, a very nice performance. Just a few technical issues to sort out. Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Caledonian Canal/Lexy McAskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Vickie. Some really good execution overall. Your technique is excellent, with clear and crisp grace notes and doublings. You just need to get more confidence with the tunes as you a had quite a few note errors and went off the tune completely several times. Your strathspey tempo was very slow. I think if you get more confident with the tune, you can bring up the tempo a bit and this will make the tune much more “strathspey-like.” Good dot-cut control, which is uncommon in G4. Drones were very well tuned. Chanter a bit on the sharp side. Careful not to over blow. Nicely done!
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Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Monymusk, Malcolm Johnston Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Abby. Excellent playing! Execution is clean and crisp throughout. Really good phrasing and lift to your strathspey. Very musical! Reel, also nicely phrased. Perhaps some jumping into phrases a bit early at times, but overall, well controlled. Good tempos for both tunes. Excellent bagpipe! Chanter bright and well balanced. Drones solid start to finish. This was a really good performance; ready for G3 for sure! Nicely done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: The Doune of Invernochty and Arnish Light Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Aiken. Really good playing! Very crisp fingering technique. A bit too crushed with some of your movements at times causing some missed embellishments. Try to keep movements a bit more open. This will help with your consistency. Both tunes were well expressed. Strathspey had good lift and I especially enjoyed your reel; very “swingy”! Your playing is very musical. Just need to open up some of your movements. Pipes were very well tuned and steady throughout. This was an excellent performance. You’re ready for G3! Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Maggie Cameron, The Sound Of Sleat Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Alec. Great stuff Alec! Excellent bagpipe sound! Well tuned and steady throughout performance. Strathspey playing is controlled, but musical. Good lift with a nice dot-cut feel. A few moments of tight execution, but overall very cleanly played. Really nice break into reel! Again, playing is under control and relaxed. Some slight under blowing at times. Overall, this was a very confident and musical performance. Probably ready for G3 in my opinion. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Ian MacPhail 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Colin Campbell and The sound of Sleat Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Ian. Really nice playing! Strong bagpipe sound. Well-tuned drones and a very bright and well balanced chanter. Pipes were steady throughout performance. Nice, controlled strathspey with good lift. Careful not to rush off of the B taorluaths in 2nd and 4th parts. Could use a little more emphasis on beat 1 in the 3rd part. Reel also very controlled and musical. At times, you’re playing a little ahead of the down beat. Practicing with a metronome will help you to fix this. Overall, a very confident and strong performance. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The Caledonian Society of London and Alec Cameron Champion Piper Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Emily. Very nice playing! Good execution in strathspey. Your technique is clean and crisp. Good, steady tempo. Expression is bit round. Try to extend the downbeat notes and shorten the notes in between. This will create more lift to your strathspey playing. Good execution in reel. Some rushing in places. Your landing some phrases ahead of the downbeat. Use your metronome to check yourself and I’m sure you’ll feel/hear it. Drones well tuned to each other, but set slightly flat to your chanter. Pipes were steady throughout. Some really good playing overall. Just a bit of work needed on expression. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Kyle Wallis 🏴 Place: 6 Tunes: Maggie Cameron Lexie McCaskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Kyle. Excellent playing! Your execution is very clear and crisp. A few missed embellishments in places; most notably, your birl is not consistent. Nice control and lift to your strathspey playing; very musical. Reel also nicely controlled and well phrased. Some missed taps and a bit sloppy in some bottom hand work (e.g. B to low G tachums). Good, steady tempos for both tunes. A really nice bagpipe sound! Chanter is bright and balanced and drones were well tuned. Overall, this is an excellent G4 performance. I think you’d be well suited to G3! Nicely done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Amanda Brennan 🇮🇪 Tunes: Dorrothor bridge and Captain Lochlain Mcpheil of Tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Amanda. Nicely done! Big bagpipe sound! Well tuned drones. Careful not to over blow. I really enjoyed your strathspey. Good use of dot-cut to create nice lift! A few sloppy moments. C hacums not always clean. Make sure your D strikes have good separation between the G grace note and the tap. You tend to run the two together. Slight bobble in 3rd part, but good recovery. Reel was not quite as musical. At times, your expression is a bit too pointed. Tending to wander from playing round to dot-cut. Some sloppy execution in 3rd part. A little more confidence in the reel and you’ll have a really good set!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Dorrator Bridge and Angus MacLellan Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Anders. Really nice job overall! I’d encourage you to work on striking in you pipes without letting the drones squeal. While you’re not really judged on this, it is generally frowned on in piping circles and sets a bad tone for the judge before you even begin your performance. Really nice bagpipe sound. Drones were well tuned. Bright chanter sound, but your B, E and F were a bit flat. Pipes stayed steady throughout. Your strathspey could use a bit more dot-cut feel some phrasing is a bit round. I believe you’re playing a wrong note in the 3rd bar of the 1st part. You might want to check the music. Watch your crossing noises from C to E. I really enjoyed your reel! Nice, controlled playing. Perhaps slightly more dot-cut, at least for my taste. Your E doublings from F not always clean. Overall, this was a solid performance on a very nice bagpipe. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: Dorrator Bridge / Kalabakan Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Camille. Nicely done! Some execution issues to sort out. Tacums and hacums need to be cleaner. You might need to slow your tempos down until you’re able to keep these movements cleaner. Execution was cleaner in the reel. Your phrasing and expression is good in both tunes; but poor execution is distracting from the music. Watch that you don’t change your blowing at the start of the tune. Your blowing pressure increased as soon as you started the tune. A nice chanter sound, but drones were not quite in tune. Overall, nicely expressed tunes. Just need to work on cleaning up the technique. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Tunes: John Roy Stewart, AC MacGregor Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Craig. Really good playing! Fingering is crisp, but a bit crushed at times. Try to keep your embellishments a bit more open. This will improve your consistency. Strathspey has nice lift; although, you could use a bit more emphasis on the strong pulses. Your phrasing is a bit round at times. Really nice break into reel! Excellent controlled phrasing with good swing in reel. A few missed taps in last part, but otherwise very cleanly played. A very musically played reel! Very well tuned bagpipe. Drones well set and steady throughout. Nice bright chanter sound. A few small chirps, but otherwise excellent. You’re a very promising player Craig. Keep it up!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: Caledonian Canal & Jock Wilson's Ball Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Damien. Nice skyline! Some good playing, but a few things to work on. I’d suggest slowing your tempos down for now. This will help you to get your execution in more cleanly. Your taorluaths are quite good, but doublings and tachums are too crushed. These need to be more opened up more. Expression in strathspey is too round. Try holding the downbeat notes more and shortening the notes in between. This will create for lift to your strathspey. Good chanter sound, but drones not quite in tune. Overall, less tempo will help you play with more control and cleaner technique. Keep working!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Caledonian Canal, Willie Cumming's Rant Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Glen. Nice performance! Your execution is good with clean and crisp technique. Strathspey idiom is too round. Try to put more time on the down beat notes, and less on the notes in between. This will create more lift. Execution in reel is not as clean. Phrasing in reel is bit stilted. You seem to be jumping off your triplets, causing you to arrive at the next downbeat early. Make sure you’re finishing your phrases. You might try practicing with a metronome set to double time to help fix this. Nice pipe sound. Drones well set and steady throughout. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Henry Rogers 🇦🇺 Tunes: Caledonian Canal Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Henry. Nicely done! Unfortunately, you only played a strathspey; no reel. Having said that, your pretty good execution, but some of your movements are too crushed. Try opening things up a bit, particularly your doublings. Also, watch your blowing; it’s a bit up and down.
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Molly Connell, Aspen Bank, The Linen Cap, Lexy McAskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Ian. Some very lively strathspey/reel playing! I would suggest slowing things down since much of your execution is sloppy or missing. For better or worse, competitive highland bagpiping tends to focus on execution over everything else so if your technique is lacking you’re generally not going to be in the prize list. I’d suggest spending some time working on cleaning up your embellishments. There are a lot of excellent resources for embellishment exercises. As mentioned, I also think slowing down your tempos to a speed that allows you to play more cleanly would be helpful. Both of these steps would vastly improve your performance. Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: Captain Colin Cambell / Jock Wilson's Ball - RSBPA settings Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan. Nicely played strathspey! Double check your grace notes. I think you’re playing E grace notes instead of G grace notes on several low As throughout the tune. Good, crisp fingering technique overall. Make sure to cover both holes on your B taps. Careful not to rush the runs from F. Keep them more open, especially at the slower tempo you’re playing. As the overall tempo comes up, the runs will naturally be quicker. Need some more pointing, especially on the dotted low As. This will give you a bit more lift which is crucial for strathspeys. Reel: playing wrong grace notes here as well. Double check your music. Nice tempo and control in reel. Some D throws not 100% clean. Nice chanter sound, but drones not quite in tune. Watch the blowing — a little up and down at times. Overall, well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dorrator Bridge, Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Lillian. A very good performance! Strathspey is nicely expressed with good, controlled tempo. Some missed taps and a few sloppy hacum movements, but mostly clean execution. Execution in reel is bit more sloppy. Try to clean up the crossing noises. Tachums sloppy and some missed taps here as well. Your phrasing is a bit too pointed in reel. A slightly rounder approach would give the reel more flow and would also help to clean up some of your execution. A very nice chanter sound. Drones not completely locked in, but were steady throughout. Overall, a nicely played strathspey, but reel needs a bit more work. Nicely done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Lisa Martin 🇳🇿 Tunes: The Caledonian Canal, Lexy McAskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Lisa. Really good playing! Your technique is mostly clean. Nice lift to your strathspey. A comfortable tempo and nicely expressed tune. Tempo will need to come up at some point, but only if you can keep the execution clean. Some crossing noises especially in the low A/C/E combination. Reel also very clean. Good control with tempo and phrasing. You missed a few E and B taps in first two parts, but they improved later in tune. Nice, bright chanter sound. Some small chirps on low G during strathspey. This can be due to over blowing, inaccurate finger placement, or the sign of a reed that is too weak. Drones were out of tune from start. Overall, a nicely played set!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: Highland Harry Kildonan Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Lou. Nice job! Your technique is basically correct, but very inconsistent. Some movements are clean and crisp, but at other times you are missing them. More repetitions over time will improve this. Tempos will need to come up at some point, but until you develop more consistency with your execution, I would keep things nice and slow. Your pipes sound nice, but watch the blowing. Your pressure varies quite a bit throughout the performance. Keep working on developing more consistency with your embellishments. Exercises are a great way to do this. Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Collin Campbell, Sound of Sleet Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Paige. Nicely done! You’ll need to spend some time working on cleaning up your execution. Most of your embellishments are too crushed. I’d suggest opening up all your movements. Make sure you can hear two low G sounds within your taorluaths. Slowing down your tempos would also help by giving you more time to get your execution in cleanly. For solo performances, you don’t need to start and stop your tunes right away. Take some time to get your pipes started. Play a few tuning phrases or even just sound a long E or low A before starting your tune. At the end, you don’t need to cut off right away like you would in band playing. Again, just play a few notes of anything or a long note before cutting off your pipes. Also: work on getting your drones a bit better tuned. If you don’t have anyone to help you, try out a tuning app. Keep working at it, and good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Tunes: Captain Colin Campbell and McKay from Skye Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Really good playing, Poppy! You have strong technique. Movements are clean and crisp! Need to work on your strike ins. Try hitting the bag with the flat of your hand, and pushing in with your palm rather than using your finger tips. Great bagpipe sound. Well tuned drones and a bright/balanced chanter sound. High G maybe a bit sharp. In your strathspey, you need to get to the third note in your F runs. You’re placing too much emphasis on the F. A bit more emphasis needed on the dotted low As. Overall: a very musically played strathspey! A bit too abrupt going into your reel. I’d suggest pausing a bit longer on the last note of strathspey, and then ease into the reel tempo, getting up to full tempo by the second bar. Some chokes in 2nd and 4th parts. Watch the short high Gs in 3rd part, end of 1st bar. You’re running over these. An excellent performance. Well done!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: caledonian canal & cpt dr lachlan macphail of tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Robert. Some good playing in places. Unfortunately, your pipe sound was distracting from your tune. The high G and high A are way to “scratchy.” There are some things you can do to manipulate the reed to reduce this, but you probably want to find someone with experience in sanding reeds to help. Your other option is to find a different reed. Drones were very out of tune, which also distracted from your performance. There was some good playing in your strathspey, but you could use a bit more emphasis on the 1st and 3rd beats to create more strathspey “lift.” I’d also suggest a bit slower tempo. Reel was too fast. I think a slower tempo would allow you to clean up your execution and play with more control. I also noted your bass drone positioning. Generally, the bass drone should rest closer to your neck. Yours is sitting out on your shoulder making it susceptible to sliding off. This is usually due to the bass drone stock not being angled properly when tied in. Keep at it and good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Tunes: Captain Colin Campbell & Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Sophie. Nice job! Very nicely expressed strathspey. Good lift and control of phrases. Execution a bit sloppy in places. Try opening up your taorluath movements more. Make sure you can hear each individual grace note within the taorluath, especially the 2 low G sounds. Watch the crossing noises in the Low A/C/E sequences. A felt your reel was a bit over pointed. Try relaxing the dot/cuts just a bit. Again, some crossing noises throughout the reel. A very nice pipe sound. Drones and chanter were well tuned and steady. Overall, a very nice performance. Just a few technical issues to sort out. Good luck!
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Event 12. Grade 4 Piping – Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts OR a two parted tune played twice)
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Caledonian Canal/Lexy McAskill Judge: Keith Paton Judge's Comments: Hi Vickie. Some really good execution overall. Your technique is excellent, with clear and crisp grace notes and doublings. You just need to get more confidence with the tunes as you a had quite a few note errors and went off the tune completely several times. Your strathspey tempo was very slow. I think if you get more confident with the tune, you can bring up the tempo a bit and this will make the tune much more “strathspey-like.” Good dot-cut control, which is uncommon in G4. Drones were very well tuned. Chanter a bit on the sharp side. Careful not to over blow. Nicely done!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Kyke wallis 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Duncan Mcgilvery chief Staurt Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Nice tempo and phrasing. Some execution not perfectly on the beat, watch the D throws in particular. The 2nd part could flow more, it was a bit stilted compared to the rest of the tune. Recording quality could be improved, however the pipes sound great. Perhaps the high A was a little flat and overly scratchy, however great harmonics overall. Well done!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Nice clean fingerwork and a great birl. Drones sound light but it could be the recording. Chanter a touch sharper than the drones towards the end. Enjoyable performance, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Dornoch Highland Gathering Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Watch you don't cut the notes before the strikes too much as this will help with the flow of the tune. Drones were very slightly unsteady and the sharp F on the chanter was distracting. A very musical performance, keep up the great work, well done!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Heather Dunn 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however nicely phrased. Good strong technique coming through, lovely taorluath. Some E strikes light. Good solid bagpipes. Well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sheila Stewart 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: John D. Burgess Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo however good focus on the phrasing and holding the strong accent. I feel you have the ability to raise the tempo which will help the musical flow. A warm drone sound complimenting the chanter. Chanter well balanced, D slightly sharp. Nice performance, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Miss Ishabel T MacDonald Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Good technique that blends well with the flow of the tune. Be careful as there are a few small catches going from bottom to top hand notes. Fantastic birls, watch the E strikes as these could be stronger. Slight choke towards the end. Pipes well balanced and the chanter is nicely tuned, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Tunes: The 10th HLI Crossing the Rhine Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo and nice phrasing. Some catches going from bottom to top hand notes. You are missing out on some F doublings. Drones unsteady and difficult to hear to hear in the recording. Chanter is well balanced. Enjoyable performance.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James Gendron 🇨🇦 Tunes: Farewell to the creeks Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. I think one of your drones stopped at the start when you overblew slightly on High A. Generally the technique is good, however you need to work on the transition from bottom to top hand notes as there are catching noises. Chanter well balanced and projecting well. Drones sound slightly unsteady. Enjoyable performance, thank you.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James McIntosh 🇺🇸 Tunes: All the Blue Bonnets are over the Border Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo, however you are playing the execution and technique well. Some catches going from bottom to top hand notes. I think you have the ability to push the tempo more which will improve the musical presentation. Drones slightly unsteady, I like the chanter sound and this will only get better when you tune the drones more accurately.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Kathleen Madden 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dovecote Park Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however you are phrasing the tune well. Some D throws untidy however when you get a good low G in the movement it is great. Slight choke. Try to push out the note before the strikes more as it is hard to hear at times, especially in the last part. Drones projecting well but slightly unsteady. Chanter well balanced, however some notes slightly flat. Nice performance, thank you.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Laura Stott 🇨🇦 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however the phrasing is good. Your doublings are quite open, I like that they are defined however try to close them down more. Rushing to the low G grace note at the end of each part. Drones unsteady and top hand on the chanter is a touch sharp. Be careful not to overblow on the top hand. Nice performance!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: John D. Burgess Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo. Some untidy fingerwork, but I like that you are defining the technique well. Some catches in the 3rd part. Careful not to play the birl ahead of the beat in the last part. Lovely chanter sound, D a little sharp and the overall sound will improve if you can fine tune the drones better to the chanter. Nice cap! Well done Lou.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Mary Anne Carlos 🇨🇦 Tunes: Auld Adam Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Nice tempo and phrasing. Erratic with the lead in notes at the start of the parts. Hold the note before the taorluaths and grips more and don't rush to the note after either. Excellent drone sound, chanter well balanced with the drones, however the high G was sharp. Enjoyable performance, thanks!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: cock of the north Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Rushing the taorluaths before the beat. Some clipped notes and execution. Be careful to play on the beat as much as possible. Drones unsteady, chanter well balanced however the scratchy high A was distracting. Thanks for performing.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Rowena Bryce 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mrs Lily Christie Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Be careful not to miss execution, sometimes it is also a bit on the light side. Some good technique, I like your throw on D. A little squawk at the end. Some flat notes on the chanter and drones unsteady. A musical and lively performance, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sally C. Jones 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major John MacLennan, Gordon Highlanders Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however you are phrasing the tune nicely. Some untidy technique on the bottom hand — throw on D and birls. Drones slightly unsteady, chanter well set and balanced. Nice t-shirt! Thanks for performing.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Susan Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Nice tempo. Untidy fingerwork and some technique needs work. Perhaps slowing the tempo slightly and focusing on the technique will help the overall musical presentation. With some fine tuning your pipes will sound terrific. Good chanter reed selection with a lovely high A. Thank you.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: All The Blue Bonnets Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo but I like that you are focusing on getting the technique correct. Once the tempo is lifted this will bring out the music more when you are ready. Well balanced bagpipes, some sharp notes on the top hand, add some tape to these notes to flatten. Enjoyable performance, thank you.
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Competitor: Kyke wallis 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Duncan Mcgilvery chief Staurt Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Nice tempo and phrasing. Some execution not perfectly on the beat, watch the D throws in particular. The 2nd part could flow more, it was a bit stilted compared to the rest of the tune. Recording quality could be improved, however the pipes sound great. Perhaps the high A was a little flat and overly scratchy, however great harmonics overall. Well done!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Nice clean fingerwork and a great birl. Drones sound light but it could be the recording. Chanter a touch sharper than the drones towards the end. Enjoyable performance, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Dornoch Highland Gathering Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Watch you don't cut the notes before the strikes too much as this will help with the flow of the tune. Drones were very slightly unsteady and the sharp F on the chanter was distracting. A very musical performance, keep up the great work, well done!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Heather Dunn 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however nicely phrased. Good strong technique coming through, lovely taorluath. Some E strikes light. Good solid bagpipes. Well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sheila Stewart 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: John D. Burgess Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo however good focus on the phrasing and holding the strong accent. I feel you have the ability to raise the tempo which will help the musical flow. A warm drone sound complimenting the chanter. Chanter well balanced, D slightly sharp. Nice performance, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Miss Ishabel T MacDonald Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Good technique that blends well with the flow of the tune. Be careful as there are a few small catches going from bottom to top hand notes. Fantastic birls, watch the E strikes as these could be stronger. Slight choke towards the end. Pipes well balanced and the chanter is nicely tuned, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Tunes: The 10th HLI Crossing the Rhine Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo and nice phrasing. Some catches going from bottom to top hand notes. You are missing out on some F doublings. Drones unsteady and difficult to hear to hear in the recording. Chanter is well balanced. Enjoyable performance.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James Gendron 🇨🇦 Tunes: Farewell to the creeks Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. I think one of your drones stopped at the start when you overblew slightly on High A. Generally the technique is good, however you need to work on the transition from bottom to top hand notes as there are catching noises. Chanter well balanced and projecting well. Drones sound slightly unsteady. Enjoyable performance, thank you.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: James McIntosh 🇺🇸 Tunes: All the Blue Bonnets are over the Border Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo, however you are playing the execution and technique well. Some catches going from bottom to top hand notes. I think you have the ability to push the tempo more which will improve the musical presentation. Drones slightly unsteady, I like the chanter sound and this will only get better when you tune the drones more accurately.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Kathleen Madden 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dovecote Park Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however you are phrasing the tune well. Some D throws untidy however when you get a good low G in the movement it is great. Slight choke. Try to push out the note before the strikes more as it is hard to hear at times, especially in the last part. Drones projecting well but slightly unsteady. Chanter well balanced, however some notes slightly flat. Nice performance, thank you.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Laura Stott 🇨🇦 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however the phrasing is good. Your doublings are quite open, I like that they are defined however try to close them down more. Rushing to the low G grace note at the end of each part. Drones unsteady and top hand on the chanter is a touch sharp. Be careful not to overblow on the top hand. Nice performance!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: John D. Burgess Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo. Some untidy fingerwork, but I like that you are defining the technique well. Some catches in the 3rd part. Careful not to play the birl ahead of the beat in the last part. Lovely chanter sound, D a little sharp and the overall sound will improve if you can fine tune the drones better to the chanter. Nice cap! Well done Lou.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Mary Anne Carlos 🇨🇦 Tunes: Auld Adam Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Nice tempo and phrasing. Erratic with the lead in notes at the start of the parts. Hold the note before the taorluaths and grips more and don't rush to the note after either. Excellent drone sound, chanter well balanced with the drones, however the high G was sharp. Enjoyable performance, thanks!
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: cock of the north Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Rushing the taorluaths before the beat. Some clipped notes and execution. Be careful to play on the beat as much as possible. Drones unsteady, chanter well balanced however the scratchy high A was distracting. Thanks for performing.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Rowena Bryce 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mrs Lily Christie Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Good tempo and phrasing. Be careful not to miss execution, sometimes it is also a bit on the light side. Some good technique, I like your throw on D. A little squawk at the end. Some flat notes on the chanter and drones unsteady. A musical and lively performance, well done.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sally C. Jones 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major John MacLennan, Gordon Highlanders Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Slightly cautious tempo, however you are phrasing the tune nicely. Some untidy technique on the bottom hand — throw on D and birls. Drones slightly unsteady, chanter well set and balanced. Nice t-shirt! Thanks for performing.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Susan Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Nice tempo. Untidy fingerwork and some technique needs work. Perhaps slowing the tempo slightly and focusing on the technique will help the overall musical presentation. With some fine tuning your pipes will sound terrific. Good chanter reed selection with a lovely high A. Thank you.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: All The Blue Bonnets Judge: Alastair Dunn Judge's Comments: Cautious tempo but I like that you are focusing on getting the technique correct. Once the tempo is lifted this will bring out the music more when you are ready. Well balanced bagpipes, some sharp notes on the top hand, add some tape to these notes to flatten. Enjoyable performance, thank you.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Mrs Lily Christie Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Very well played Emily. Impressive technique which was strong, accurate and clear. Well done. The tempo was bright and lively with good drive. One thing to watch out for is the length of the medium notes in the note groupings – these were sometimes too short to really get across the 6/8 rhythm. When you don’t give them enough space, it sounds like you are jumping ahead of the beat. Thanks for the tune. It was good to hear you play.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: John D. Burges Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Very nicely played Poppy. This had lots of lift and drive. Watch out for a couple of areas where you hit the beat a little early – for example throw on D to low A and back to D with a throw in the first part – which can sound like you’re ahead of the beat and speeding up. Your technique was mostly excellent – clear and precise. Great throw on D with a clear low G. Keeping working on the birl so that it’s up to speed and clear, especially on the quick low As. Thanks for the tune Poppy. It was great to hear you play.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Sean Stewart 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: PM Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Sean. A good tempo and very effective expression of the 6/8 rhythm and varying note lengths. Your technique was strong and clear but not always correct to the written score, most notably at the start of the tune. I’d check the music to make sure the gracings for this tune are correct – in the setting I have, the first four grace notes in bar one are G D E D. You are playing and final G grace note. Great sounding pipe. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Mrs Lily Christie Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Sophie, this was a good tune played at a steady, well controlled tempo. Your technique was good – clear and precise. The main thing to work on is bringing out the 6/8 rhythm to give more flow to the music. The medium length notes – often the third note in a grouping – were a little short so rather than hearing 1-2-3 1-2-3 it sounds like 1-2 1-2. Extend this medium note so that you’re not jumping ahead to the next beat. Keep up the good work and thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Bengullion Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Aiken. You set and maintained a good, steady tempo. Technique was mostly strong although a little tight in places which led to a couple of missed doublings and strikes. Try to loosen and open the fingers slightly to make sure it’s clear, precise and complete. The overall musical effect was a bit staccato which would be improved by bringing out the medium length notes more — you are playing two short notes and a long note per beat, rather than one long, one medium and one short. This will get across the 6/8 rhythm and help it flow more, rather than sound more like a 2/4. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: P/M Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Anders. A very nice treatment of the 6/8 rhythm where the three different note lengths came across clearly. The tempo was a little on the slow side – try to keep the same clarity of technique while lifting the tempo slightly. Your technique was mostly clean and clear but watch out for the passages where you cut up to high G (for example from E doubling through short D to high G in the first part and low G through B to high G in the last phrase) which was a little snatched and untidy. Try also to hold off the birl at line ends so that it’s on the beat – don’t finish too early! Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Amanda Brennan 🇮🇪 Tunes: Lilly Christie Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: A steady and bright tempo and a very effective 6/8 rhythm where the three different note lengths came across well. Your technique was mostly open and clear but there were a few misses to try and correct. You just needed a bit more accuracy and consistency. Work on making the low G grace note going from B to low A – this was light and so wasn’t clear. And your birl sounded more like a single strikes so needed a clearer 2nd strike. Thanks for the tune Amanda.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Bill McEvoy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Bill. The start was a little untidy with some crossing noises, especially the C to E intro, and some of your gracings were imprecise – not quite on the note change — but it got better and more accurate as you went. The tempo did slow down a little and this may have helped with the improvement in your technique. The expression of the 6/8 rhythm came across well. Thanks for the tune Bill.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: PM Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: A steady and well controlled tempo. Your gracings are nice and open but need a little more precision to make sure they are on the note change, especially on the bottom hand – sometimes you were a little ahead or a little behind. Isolate and practice the passage in the last phrase where you go from low G through B to high G. Make sure you place the grace note precisely on the B and that the B is clear. This sounded a little rushed. I’d also check the music to make sure the gracings for this tune are correct – in the setting I have, the first four grace notes in bar one are G D E D. You are playing and final G grace note. Pipe was nicely tuned with only the high A standing out as slightly sharp. Thanks for the tune Camille.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Carmine Russo 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dr. Ross's 50th. Welcome to the Argyleshire Gathering Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: This was played at a good, consistent tempo which you maintained throughout the tune although the rhythm was slightly more 2/4 than 6/8. Try working on extending the medium length notes — you tended to play two different note lengths (two short and one long) rather than three (long, short and medium). A lot of your technique was clear and open but not always precise so work on making it consistent. I’d suggest checking back on the written score to make sure you’re playing the right grace notes. And work on cutting out some of those crossing noises. A couple of these minor corrections would make a big difference to a promising tune. Thanks for the music Carmine.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Chris Zaleski 🇺🇸 Tunes: Leaving Port Askaig Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good open grace note and doubling work Chris – there were a couple of places where it need a little more accuracy so that it’s precisely on the note change (G grace note to low A at the start and the D grace note going to low A from E doubling, through C in the penultimate phrase). The tempo was a little slow but ideal for making sure the technique is precise and clear which I’d suggest is preferable. You could give a little more to the long notes to make sure you get the correct 6/8 rhythm as you sound a little ahead of the beat. For example, a longer low A before the B to C grip throughout the tune. Good pipe. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: St. Jean des Vignes Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: I haven’t heard this great tune in a long time, thanks for playing it Damien. It was played at a good, bright tempo. Your technique was mostly open and clear – the doublings were clearly separated and strong. Also, good strikes. There were a couple of minor catches to try and eliminate and watch out in the 4th part where the short notes — short B in bar two which holds the beat and the low A in bar 4 which also holds the beat – these were too cut and so not were indistinct. The main thing to work on I’d suggest is to give more to the medium length notes to get across the 6/8 rhythm – your playing was tending towards 2/4. For example, hold off before bringing in the E doubling at the line ends. This was consistently early. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Dave Reisdorf 🇺🇸 Tunes: Farewell To The Creeks Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: I haven’t heard this tune in a long time David, thanks for playing it. You have the gist of the melody and kept the tune moving along although there were a few times when you wandered from the score. The main thing to work on is making sure more of your embellishments are open and placed precisely. The single grace notes were mostly fine so try to open up the doublings and make sure the grips have a good, firm low G sound. It might be worth slowing the tune down a little to make sure you can get this all in. Thanks for the tune David.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ephraim Dean 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Bonawe Highlanders Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: This was played at a good, steady tempo Ephraim, and you were precise to the beat. There are a couple of areas where the rhythm could be more apparently 6/8 rather than 2/4 – you tended to play two different note lengths (two short and one long) rather than three (short, medium and long). For example, try to add more to the E before the short F to high A. You played both the E and F as short notes making it sound a bit abrupt. Your technique was often strong but not always precise, especially in the first part. The main thing I’d suggest working on in this tune are the tachums and also the short low G grace notes which are a feature of this tune but didn’t come out clearly. Good job, thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: 10th Btn HLI Crossing the Rhine Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good to hear this tune played for the first time in a long time. Your tempo was a bit careful but it helped to make sure your technique was open and clear. Well done. The main technical things to work on are the placement of the D grace note on those short Cs (coming up from low A to E) – make sure you finish the grace note so the short C is heard, otherwise it sounds like you are playing D. And work on the grip from C to E – again the D grace note must be precise and the low G even on either side. It was sometimes good but not always. The notes on the chanter sounded well-tuned but work on setting the drones for a better overall effect. Thanks for the tune Gerrard.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: This was played at a bright tempo which you maintained throughout the tune although the rhythm was slightly more 2/4 than 6/8. Try working on extending the medium length notes — you tended to play two different note lengths (two short and one long) rather than three (long, short and medium). This makes it sound as though you are jumping ahead of the beat. Your technique was mostly open and clear. Work on making sure the placement is precise – that opening bar is tricky with a grace note in the opening four notes and you weren’t quite bang on. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: All The Blue Bonnets Are Over The Border Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Your tempo was a little careful but the main benefit was that your technique was clear and precise for the most part. Try to keep that same open technique while building up the speed slightly. There were a couple of technical areas to work on – watch that E C E passage in the 2nd part and cut out any crossing noises. And make sure you’re playing a clear low G in your throw on D – a couple were a bit light. The drones were quite a bit out of tune – something to work on to get the most out of your performance. Thanks for the tune Ivan.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Matthew Quinn Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: PM Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: A bright and well controlled tempo. Technique was mostly good but there are a couple of things to work on. Watch the placement of the D grace note on the short B when coming up from low G through B to high G in the last phrase. You need to finish the grace note to hear the B. And getting the fingers on the top hand moving together to high G to avoid any catching noises. Check the music to make sure the gracings for this tune are correct – in the setting I have, the first four grace notes in bar one are G D E D. You are playing and final G grace note. The chanter sounds well-tuned but work on the drones for a better overall effect. Thanks for the tune Matthew.
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Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Mrs Lily Christie Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Very well played Emily. Impressive technique which was strong, accurate and clear. Well done. The tempo was bright and lively with good drive. One thing to watch out for is the length of the medium notes in the note groupings – these were sometimes too short to really get across the 6/8 rhythm. When you don’t give them enough space, it sounds like you are jumping ahead of the beat. Thanks for the tune. It was good to hear you play.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: John D. Burges Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Very nicely played Poppy. This had lots of lift and drive. Watch out for a couple of areas where you hit the beat a little early – for example throw on D to low A and back to D with a throw in the first part – which can sound like you’re ahead of the beat and speeding up. Your technique was mostly excellent – clear and precise. Great throw on D with a clear low G. Keeping working on the birl so that it’s up to speed and clear, especially on the quick low As. Thanks for the tune Poppy. It was great to hear you play.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Sean Stewart 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: PM Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Sean. A good tempo and very effective expression of the 6/8 rhythm and varying note lengths. Your technique was strong and clear but not always correct to the written score, most notably at the start of the tune. I’d check the music to make sure the gracings for this tune are correct – in the setting I have, the first four grace notes in bar one are G D E D. You are playing and final G grace note. Great sounding pipe. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Mrs Lily Christie Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Sophie, this was a good tune played at a steady, well controlled tempo. Your technique was good – clear and precise. The main thing to work on is bringing out the 6/8 rhythm to give more flow to the music. The medium length notes – often the third note in a grouping – were a little short so rather than hearing 1-2-3 1-2-3 it sounds like 1-2 1-2. Extend this medium note so that you’re not jumping ahead to the next beat. Keep up the good work and thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Bengullion Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Aiken. You set and maintained a good, steady tempo. Technique was mostly strong although a little tight in places which led to a couple of missed doublings and strikes. Try to loosen and open the fingers slightly to make sure it’s clear, precise and complete. The overall musical effect was a bit staccato which would be improved by bringing out the medium length notes more — you are playing two short notes and a long note per beat, rather than one long, one medium and one short. This will get across the 6/8 rhythm and help it flow more, rather than sound more like a 2/4. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: P/M Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Anders. A very nice treatment of the 6/8 rhythm where the three different note lengths came across clearly. The tempo was a little on the slow side – try to keep the same clarity of technique while lifting the tempo slightly. Your technique was mostly clean and clear but watch out for the passages where you cut up to high G (for example from E doubling through short D to high G in the first part and low G through B to high G in the last phrase) which was a little snatched and untidy. Try also to hold off the birl at line ends so that it’s on the beat – don’t finish too early! Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Amanda Brennan 🇮🇪 Tunes: Lilly Christie Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: A steady and bright tempo and a very effective 6/8 rhythm where the three different note lengths came across well. Your technique was mostly open and clear but there were a few misses to try and correct. You just needed a bit more accuracy and consistency. Work on making the low G grace note going from B to low A – this was light and so wasn’t clear. And your birl sounded more like a single strikes so needed a clearer 2nd strike. Thanks for the tune Amanda.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Bill McEvoy 🇺🇸 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Bill. The start was a little untidy with some crossing noises, especially the C to E intro, and some of your gracings were imprecise – not quite on the note change — but it got better and more accurate as you went. The tempo did slow down a little and this may have helped with the improvement in your technique. The expression of the 6/8 rhythm came across well. Thanks for the tune Bill.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: PM Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: A steady and well controlled tempo. Your gracings are nice and open but need a little more precision to make sure they are on the note change, especially on the bottom hand – sometimes you were a little ahead or a little behind. Isolate and practice the passage in the last phrase where you go from low G through B to high G. Make sure you place the grace note precisely on the B and that the B is clear. This sounded a little rushed. I’d also check the music to make sure the gracings for this tune are correct – in the setting I have, the first four grace notes in bar one are G D E D. You are playing and final G grace note. Pipe was nicely tuned with only the high A standing out as slightly sharp. Thanks for the tune Camille.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Carmine Russo 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dr. Ross's 50th. Welcome to the Argyleshire Gathering Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: This was played at a good, consistent tempo which you maintained throughout the tune although the rhythm was slightly more 2/4 than 6/8. Try working on extending the medium length notes — you tended to play two different note lengths (two short and one long) rather than three (long, short and medium). A lot of your technique was clear and open but not always precise so work on making it consistent. I’d suggest checking back on the written score to make sure you’re playing the right grace notes. And work on cutting out some of those crossing noises. A couple of these minor corrections would make a big difference to a promising tune. Thanks for the music Carmine.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Chris Zaleski 🇺🇸 Tunes: Leaving Port Askaig Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good open grace note and doubling work Chris – there were a couple of places where it need a little more accuracy so that it’s precisely on the note change (G grace note to low A at the start and the D grace note going to low A from E doubling, through C in the penultimate phrase). The tempo was a little slow but ideal for making sure the technique is precise and clear which I’d suggest is preferable. You could give a little more to the long notes to make sure you get the correct 6/8 rhythm as you sound a little ahead of the beat. For example, a longer low A before the B to C grip throughout the tune. Good pipe. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: St. Jean des Vignes Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: I haven’t heard this great tune in a long time, thanks for playing it Damien. It was played at a good, bright tempo. Your technique was mostly open and clear – the doublings were clearly separated and strong. Also, good strikes. There were a couple of minor catches to try and eliminate and watch out in the 4th part where the short notes — short B in bar two which holds the beat and the low A in bar 4 which also holds the beat – these were too cut and so not were indistinct. The main thing to work on I’d suggest is to give more to the medium length notes to get across the 6/8 rhythm – your playing was tending towards 2/4. For example, hold off before bringing in the E doubling at the line ends. This was consistently early. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Dave Reisdorf 🇺🇸 Tunes: Farewell To The Creeks Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: I haven’t heard this tune in a long time David, thanks for playing it. You have the gist of the melody and kept the tune moving along although there were a few times when you wandered from the score. The main thing to work on is making sure more of your embellishments are open and placed precisely. The single grace notes were mostly fine so try to open up the doublings and make sure the grips have a good, firm low G sound. It might be worth slowing the tune down a little to make sure you can get this all in. Thanks for the tune David.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ephraim Dean 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Bonawe Highlanders Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: This was played at a good, steady tempo Ephraim, and you were precise to the beat. There are a couple of areas where the rhythm could be more apparently 6/8 rather than 2/4 – you tended to play two different note lengths (two short and one long) rather than three (short, medium and long). For example, try to add more to the E before the short F to high A. You played both the E and F as short notes making it sound a bit abrupt. Your technique was often strong but not always precise, especially in the first part. The main thing I’d suggest working on in this tune are the tachums and also the short low G grace notes which are a feature of this tune but didn’t come out clearly. Good job, thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: 10th Btn HLI Crossing the Rhine Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good to hear this tune played for the first time in a long time. Your tempo was a bit careful but it helped to make sure your technique was open and clear. Well done. The main technical things to work on are the placement of the D grace note on those short Cs (coming up from low A to E) – make sure you finish the grace note so the short C is heard, otherwise it sounds like you are playing D. And work on the grip from C to E – again the D grace note must be precise and the low G even on either side. It was sometimes good but not always. The notes on the chanter sounded well-tuned but work on setting the drones for a better overall effect. Thanks for the tune Gerrard.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: This was played at a bright tempo which you maintained throughout the tune although the rhythm was slightly more 2/4 than 6/8. Try working on extending the medium length notes — you tended to play two different note lengths (two short and one long) rather than three (long, short and medium). This makes it sound as though you are jumping ahead of the beat. Your technique was mostly open and clear. Work on making sure the placement is precise – that opening bar is tricky with a grace note in the opening four notes and you weren’t quite bang on. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: All The Blue Bonnets Are Over The Border Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Your tempo was a little careful but the main benefit was that your technique was clear and precise for the most part. Try to keep that same open technique while building up the speed slightly. There were a couple of technical areas to work on – watch that E C E passage in the 2nd part and cut out any crossing noises. And make sure you’re playing a clear low G in your throw on D – a couple were a bit light. The drones were quite a bit out of tune – something to work on to get the most out of your performance. Thanks for the tune Ivan.
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Event 13. Grade 4 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Matthew Quinn Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: PM Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: A bright and well controlled tempo. Technique was mostly good but there are a couple of things to work on. Watch the placement of the D grace note on the short B when coming up from low G through B to high G in the last phrase. You need to finish the grace note to hear the B. And getting the fingers on the top hand moving together to high G to avoid any catching noises. Check the music to make sure the gracings for this tune are correct – in the setting I have, the first four grace notes in bar one are G D E D. You are playing and final G grace note. The chanter sounds well-tuned but work on the drones for a better overall effect. Thanks for the tune Matthew.
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Wee Spree Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Aiken, thanks for entering! Pipes: Well tuned! Ground: Good pace to start. Nice job showing the phrase ends! Could use a little more clarity at the end of the lines, try to wait longer before moving on the next line. Strong, clear technique. Doubling: Nice change of pace, though could use a more clear end to the Ground (as above showing end of lines). One missed Edre in Line 2. Better job showing the end of Line 2 here, try to do that every time and you'll be spot on. A very, very well played Wee Spree, Aiken. This event is just for Ground and next variation, both of yours were great! A slight note error in Line 2 of Var I, but we are only judging the Ground and Ground Doubling here — work on some memory stuff here. It's nice to hear the Var I played "up" when we hear it played with long Low A's and Low G's more often. I really enjoyed your tune and look forward to hearing you play again!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Emily, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones not quite in with one another and set somewhat flat to chanter. Close though, good job! Some top hand notes are sharp (E, F), a little tape will fix that easily. Work with a tutor or Pipe Major to get the chanter more clearly set and to get the drones locked in. Tuning is a tricky process but I'm confident that you can do it! Ground: Nice pace and rhythm throughout. You have great poise and control of this Ground. Tuning detracted from the great playing some, but very enjoyable technique and music. Doubling: Clear and effective change of pace into the variation. As above lovely technique and phrasing. A very enjoyable tune, Emily! Other than getting the drones and chanter more locked in there isn't much to say! You're clearly well taught and working hard on your piping, and I look forward to hearing a full tune from you!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Heather Dunn 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Clan Campbell's Gathering Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Heather! Thanks for playing! Pipes: Very well tuned. Ground: Good pace selection. Sometimes you're clipping the short notes, usually short B's before long E's. Very clean technique, great edres. One unclean grip in Line 3. Thumb: A subtle but nice change of pace into this variation. Edres are again well played. High A is well tuned and pipes are blown well. A lovely rendition of this tune, Heather! Other than some clippiness the tune was very well presented. One other note to work on: keep the pressure steady in the bag on the last Low A of this to keep the note in tune as you go through the end. In your recording the chanter went quite flat before your cutoff, so try to keep that up. Otherwise very well done!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Sophie, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones are very well set together, though somewhat flat to Low A. Some flatness on the top hand (F mostly) is detracting from the chanter, but it has a pleasing sound overall. Ground: Great tempo and solid technique. Sometimes you are clearly showing the phrase ends, but other times you are rushing from one into the next. Try to keep the same phrasing throughout. I'd recommend taking more time at the end of the ground before going into the variation to clearly show the end of the Ground. Lots of good stuff in here! Variation: Dithis variations can be challenging, but you're handling this very well. One small choke in Line 1 but otherwise well done. A very nicely played Glengarry's Lament, Sophie! You're playing this with lots of poise, and some more work on keeping the phrasing consistent and getting the pipes really locked in tune will help you climb up the rankings. Keep it up!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Denmark Hodges 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Company’s Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Denmark, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones are close but not quite in tune with one another. Top hand of the chanter is pretty sharp, so work with your teacher or pipe major to get it brought back in tune. Good effort! Ground: Good pace to start with well executed technique. Some slight inconsistencies on the E echo movements in Line 1, but well played. As you went along to more high hand notes you tended to rush in Lines 2 & 3. Keep those brakes on to allow yourself the room to speed up into the variation and beyond. Lots of good potential here! Variation: Nice clear change of pace and control of the rhythm. Some crossing noises from High A to E and F throughout, so work on getting a clear change to those notes. Otherwise well played! You've got lots of potential, Denmark! You are clearly well taught and have strong, clear fingers. Keep working diligently on your playing and the musicality and consistency will come along faster than you think. I'm excited to hear you play a full tune soon!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Ray Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Ray, thanks for playing! Pipes: Very well tuned. Ground: Good start, very well poised and phrased. Odro movements (the grips) are well executed, though the first Gracenote could be smaller. Line 2 D throws are not spot on — work on opening them up similar to the Odros in line 1 to keep them clean. Dare movements in Line 3 are played accurately, but spend some time getting more comfortable with them to let them flow in the music more. Similarly to the Dare, the hiharin (birl) is a tad open and not as fitting in the music. Hold out the E in the hiharin to show more poise. Overall a very well played Ground V1: Not as strong in this variation to start - an aggressive pace. Remember to keep the brakes on since the full tune has another variation. Leave room to increase pace. Rushing to cadence at line end, let the E breathe some more. Good balance in the first half of Bar 4, just need to maintain in the final movement. Very good phrasing in Line 3. This variation overall had some good playing, just an abrupt and drastic pace change. Slowing this down will really help the music flow. Overall a well played tune with a very, very well played Ground, Ray. Pipes held fairly well in tune and just some work to do on a couple of movements as well as keeping the balance and poise you started with in the ground all the way through the end of the variation. I enjoyed listening to your tune and look forward to hearing you again soon!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: MacIntosh's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Anders, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones close to the Low A at the start, good work! E on the chanter seems flat, although I would recommend working with your teacher to make sure that the pipes are comfortable. As you went through the tune the pipes started to move due to inconsistent powering/blowing of the instrument. Steady blowing is an important skill and takes a long time to master, but you can do it! Ground: Somewhat fast to start this great tune. Remember to hold back so as you progress through the other variations you have the room to increase pace. Try to choose one D Throw to play (heavy vs light) throughout the tune. The overwhelming majority of piobaireachd players choose to play the Light throw, but it is perfectly acceptable to play heavy, so long as you are consistent. After your B Echo movement you tend to rush to the G grace note following the Low G, some more time here will not only keep the pace back, but will show more phrase structure. High A pleasant. Your F Echo movement is well played most of the time, although the first one in Line 4 was a bit light. V1: Pretty fast and round. This is usually heard slower and more pointed. Try to extend each of the themal notes more and be more aggressive on the connector notes. When I play this tune I try to think of a crescendo on the long notes and try to sing the tune in my head with varying volumes. A useful tip in this tune is to take more time between phrases (written as the quarter notes in Kilberry) to "shape" the phrases. Overall: A nice tune, Anders, one of my favorites! Pipes were very well tuned at the start and there were some great moments here. My biggest recommendation is to work on consistency in terms of blowing, technique and music. You've proven that you can play this tune very well, so now it's about delivering excellence on every note and in every bar, phrase and line. Keep up the great work and this tune will be rocking in no time!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: Corrienessan's Salute Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Camille, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones are well tuned and very pleasing! Chanter is well set and presents well. Ground: Some untidy technique (missed G grace note Bar 2 and Rodin) but good pace and phrasing. Work on getting each piece of technique spot on and this will really help. Variation: Aggressive tempo here, try to keep the brakes on keeping in mind that you've got a whole piobaireachd to go after this. Other than the speed, good job with dot-cut ratio and rhythm. Some inconsistency/uncertainty in Line 2 with rhythm, but not a note mistake. One note mistake in Line 3 Phrase 1. There's a lot of good playing happening here, Camille! Just a few pieces of technical work to focus on in your practice. Try to take the tough embellishments out of the tune and just work on them grace note by grace note to solidify them so they can embellish and add to your tune as you continue through. Keep up the good work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Chris Zaleski 🇺🇸 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Chris, thanks for entering! Pipes: A bright sounding instrument. I would recommend bringing the pitch down some to get more depth and stability, particularly on the top hand. Drones are set well with one another though flat to the chanter. Ground: A slightly brisk pace for this tune, through well controlled. I thought you tended to rush into the cadences in this ground. Try to give more time before playing the initial G grace note in cadences by extending the note immediately before it. One other note to help this tune shine — pause at the end of each phrase and line to show the structure of the tune. Doing this helps create "anchor points" that can really help a listener understand what the tune is trying to do. Variation: Dithis variations are quite challenging! You're doing a good job of getting all of the technique in here, but it is fairly round and fast. As you move through this tune and get to the Dithis Doubling you'll want to keep the brakes on during the Singling in order to give yourself the space to speed up. Try to keep the long notes quite long and the short ones quite short, while maintaining clear technique. You've got the hands for it! Lots of potential in this tune, Chris! Some work on the notes above will help the tune shine through, and I look forward to hearing you again soon!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Black Donald's March Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Glenn, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones not quite locked with one another and set flat to the chanter. Chanter itself is pretty sharp, so flattening out some will help gain more depth of sound and calm down the sharp top hand. Ground: You're tending to rush the end of each measure, try to extend the final note of each measure more to show the ends of phrases and lines more clearly. Technique is well played and pace is nice, but work to balance out each measure more to get the proper flow of this tune. Variation - As above, rushing from one measure into the next by clipping the final note. Work to extend this to balance out each measure. One note mistake in the last phrase of Line 2. You've got a lot of nice things happening in this tune, Glenn. Just work on balancing the final note of each measure to keep the tune flowing along and be sure to not have any note mistakes (penultimate bar of Line 2 in the variation C for B). This work will help this tune shine and help you climb up the rankings!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: MacCrimmon's Sweetheart Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan, thanks for participating! Pipes: Drones set relatively well with each other, but flat to the chanter. F sharp. Ground: A tad fast, try to leave space for the tune to progress and speed up as you go along. Even playing just Ground and V1 keep the brakes on at the start. As you went along Line 1 the pace started to settle. Some inconsistency at the last measure of each line (E to Low A balance) — work on keeping the relationship between these notes the same. Somewhat rushed at the end. Take your time to show a clear end to the Ground before moving on to the next variation. Thumb: High A is lovely. Good change of pace here, although the E to Low A in the final measure is still inconsistent. I would hold the E longer and Low A less as a general rule, but be sure to not clip the Low A, as you do at some points. A solid understanding of this variation with an enjoyable High A. Overall: A well prepared tune, Ivan. Work on getting those drones locked in not only to themselves, which you did well, but with the Low A of the chanter. Tuning is a challenging task to master, but you clearly have a strong ear with the drones being so close to one another. A few more moments of listening to how the drones relate to Low A will help. Some very good playing overall with good technique. Try to show the phrase, line, and variation ends a bit more by extending the last note and you'll start to see more structure in your tune. Keep up the great work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: James McIntosh 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lament for Mary MacLeod Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi James, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones sounded spectacular before the chanter came in, so work on tuning them with the chanter sounding in order to get them locked in. The difference in pressure between when the chanter is sounding vs. choked will certainly alter the tuning. E is a bit sharp, so some tape will fix that right up. Ground: Good pace to start this tune. Some technical things to work on in the hiharin movement to make sure each and every time is a long E followed by the D grace note to a "flowy" birl. This is a very challenging piece of technique, but you've got the hands to achieve this important part of a lovely tune like Mary MacLeod. A well phrased ground overall. Variation: Very aggressive clipping of the short notes here where we typically hear this tune a bit more open. Try to open up the notes that are usually written as 16th notes, depending on which version of Kilberry you have. This will balance the individual measures out and help the tune breathe. Overall lots of potential in this tune James. With some improvement on the hiharin movement and opening up short notes in the variation you'll see this tune really improve. Keep up the great work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Mary Anne Carlos 🇨🇦 Tunes: Lament for the Departure of King James Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Mary Anne, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones tuned very well to Low A, great job. Top hand of the chanter is somewhat unstable, particularly on the challenging High G. This is a very tricky note to get spot on. Work on keeping a steady/stable pressure in the bag when powering the instrument, regardless of whether you are blowing or squeezing. This is a tough skill to master, but I am confident that you can do it! Ground: An aggressive pace for this lament tune. I would recommend softening/extending the note before cadences at phrase ends to slow the pace down and to more clearly show the phrase ends. Good consistent treatment of the Double Echo rhythm overall. Be sure to keep all of your D throws either light or heavy - you played one heavy throw in the final line of the ground. Lots of potential here, just keep those brakes on to pull all of the musicality out of these lines. Variation: This tune has a lot of challenging technique, and you're clearly working hard to ensure each of the movements is well articulated, good work! As you go along, each of the movements should be exactly the same rhythm. Your Dare movement is well played, so work to match each of the other movements to the same rhythm. As above, a bit of an aggressive pace. Slowing down around the two note cadences will help pull even more music out of this tune. Overall a well played tune, Mary Anne! Work on the notes above to help this shine even more. Great job getting the pipes in tune!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, thanks for entering! Pipes: Not quite locked in but pretty close. Good job! Ground: Great technique! Very clear movements. Don't be too hesitant to cut your short notes more in this tune, both the 16th notes as well as the first note of the Odro (grip) movements. Some untidy fingering in the last line Bar 2. Lots of potential in this Ground! Variation: An aggressive tempo in this variation, Matthew. Try to keep the brakes on and let the notes with taorluaths on them breathe. Most settings of this tune have a D grace note on the notes after the taorluaths (where possible). Some stumbling in Lines 2 & 3, work on memory here with both the notes and grace notes and that will really help your strong technique shine! You've got endless potential, Matthew! The Ground was very well throughout out, just a bit hesitant to cut the short notes enough to give the balance we usually hear in this tune. You're clearly *very* well taught and so long as you keep up the work you've been putting in to your technique and continuing with some more focus on musicality and memorization you are going to be a rock star! Good work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Matthew Quinn Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Too Long in this Condition (John MacDonald Setting of Donald MacDonald Version) Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, thanks for playing! Pipes Drones aren't locked in with one another but are close. The middle notes of your chanter are pretty flat making the chanter sound dull overall. Perhaps some moisture issues? Ground: This is one of my favorite settings of piobaireachd, glad to hear you playing it! You are jumping off of notes at some points losing some of the flow in this tune. Try to match each phrase up rhythmically to make it a cohesive piece of music. Doubling: Effective change of pace, though some technical inaccuracies on the edre movements are taking away from the flow of music. Great to hear this setting, Matthew! I'd recommend working with your tutor to keep the pace of this tune more consistent from measure to measure and phrase to phrase. That work, combined with some more accurate tuning will help this lovely setting shine!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Matthew Ross 🇺🇸 Tunes: MacIntosh’s Banner Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: HI Matthew, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones set flat to Low A, but somewhat close to one another. High A is well set, but F is pretty sharp. Just some tape will help with this Ground: A bit of a brisk pace for this tune but played with good technique overall. Try to show the ends of the lines by holding out the last C (after the grip) just a little more. This is an effective way to illustrate the structure for the listener. Work as well on not over-clipping the short notes before grips. It can be challenging to keep these notes short but not clipped, but you've got strong hands and some work here will help the tune shine! Variation: Great job with the dot-cut relationship here. Oftentimes we hear Grade 4 players play these variations overly open. That being said, the danger with playing more aggressively with the short notes is that it is easy to lose grace notes, some of which were lost in your playing here. Try to slow down a little more and work to ensure each and every grace note is played to keep this tune spotless. Overall an enjoyable tune, Matthew. A few things above with tuning and phrasing will really help you polish this up for future contests. You're clearly working hard, so keep it up!
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Competitor: Aiken Madan 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Wee Spree Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Aiken, thanks for entering! Pipes: Well tuned! Ground: Good pace to start. Nice job showing the phrase ends! Could use a little more clarity at the end of the lines, try to wait longer before moving on the next line. Strong, clear technique. Doubling: Nice change of pace, though could use a more clear end to the Ground (as above showing end of lines). One missed Edre in Line 2. Better job showing the end of Line 2 here, try to do that every time and you'll be spot on. A very, very well played Wee Spree, Aiken. This event is just for Ground and next variation, both of yours were great! A slight note error in Line 2 of Var I, but we are only judging the Ground and Ground Doubling here — work on some memory stuff here. It's nice to hear the Var I played "up" when we hear it played with long Low A's and Low G's more often. I really enjoyed your tune and look forward to hearing you play again!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Emily, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones not quite in with one another and set somewhat flat to chanter. Close though, good job! Some top hand notes are sharp (E, F), a little tape will fix that easily. Work with a tutor or Pipe Major to get the chanter more clearly set and to get the drones locked in. Tuning is a tricky process but I'm confident that you can do it! Ground: Nice pace and rhythm throughout. You have great poise and control of this Ground. Tuning detracted from the great playing some, but very enjoyable technique and music. Doubling: Clear and effective change of pace into the variation. As above lovely technique and phrasing. A very enjoyable tune, Emily! Other than getting the drones and chanter more locked in there isn't much to say! You're clearly well taught and working hard on your piping, and I look forward to hearing a full tune from you!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Heather Dunn 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Clan Campbell's Gathering Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Heather! Thanks for playing! Pipes: Very well tuned. Ground: Good pace selection. Sometimes you're clipping the short notes, usually short B's before long E's. Very clean technique, great edres. One unclean grip in Line 3. Thumb: A subtle but nice change of pace into this variation. Edres are again well played. High A is well tuned and pipes are blown well. A lovely rendition of this tune, Heather! Other than some clippiness the tune was very well presented. One other note to work on: keep the pressure steady in the bag on the last Low A of this to keep the note in tune as you go through the end. In your recording the chanter went quite flat before your cutoff, so try to keep that up. Otherwise very well done!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Sophie, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones are very well set together, though somewhat flat to Low A. Some flatness on the top hand (F mostly) is detracting from the chanter, but it has a pleasing sound overall. Ground: Great tempo and solid technique. Sometimes you are clearly showing the phrase ends, but other times you are rushing from one into the next. Try to keep the same phrasing throughout. I'd recommend taking more time at the end of the ground before going into the variation to clearly show the end of the Ground. Lots of good stuff in here! Variation: Dithis variations can be challenging, but you're handling this very well. One small choke in Line 1 but otherwise well done. A very nicely played Glengarry's Lament, Sophie! You're playing this with lots of poise, and some more work on keeping the phrasing consistent and getting the pipes really locked in tune will help you climb up the rankings. Keep it up!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Denmark Hodges 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Company’s Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Denmark, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones are close but not quite in tune with one another. Top hand of the chanter is pretty sharp, so work with your teacher or pipe major to get it brought back in tune. Good effort! Ground: Good pace to start with well executed technique. Some slight inconsistencies on the E echo movements in Line 1, but well played. As you went along to more high hand notes you tended to rush in Lines 2 & 3. Keep those brakes on to allow yourself the room to speed up into the variation and beyond. Lots of good potential here! Variation: Nice clear change of pace and control of the rhythm. Some crossing noises from High A to E and F throughout, so work on getting a clear change to those notes. Otherwise well played! You've got lots of potential, Denmark! You are clearly well taught and have strong, clear fingers. Keep working diligently on your playing and the musicality and consistency will come along faster than you think. I'm excited to hear you play a full tune soon!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Ray Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Ray, thanks for playing! Pipes: Very well tuned. Ground: Good start, very well poised and phrased. Odro movements (the grips) are well executed, though the first Gracenote could be smaller. Line 2 D throws are not spot on — work on opening them up similar to the Odros in line 1 to keep them clean. Dare movements in Line 3 are played accurately, but spend some time getting more comfortable with them to let them flow in the music more. Similarly to the Dare, the hiharin (birl) is a tad open and not as fitting in the music. Hold out the E in the hiharin to show more poise. Overall a very well played Ground V1: Not as strong in this variation to start - an aggressive pace. Remember to keep the brakes on since the full tune has another variation. Leave room to increase pace. Rushing to cadence at line end, let the E breathe some more. Good balance in the first half of Bar 4, just need to maintain in the final movement. Very good phrasing in Line 3. This variation overall had some good playing, just an abrupt and drastic pace change. Slowing this down will really help the music flow. Overall a well played tune with a very, very well played Ground, Ray. Pipes held fairly well in tune and just some work to do on a couple of movements as well as keeping the balance and poise you started with in the ground all the way through the end of the variation. I enjoyed listening to your tune and look forward to hearing you again soon!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: MacIntosh's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Anders, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones close to the Low A at the start, good work! E on the chanter seems flat, although I would recommend working with your teacher to make sure that the pipes are comfortable. As you went through the tune the pipes started to move due to inconsistent powering/blowing of the instrument. Steady blowing is an important skill and takes a long time to master, but you can do it! Ground: Somewhat fast to start this great tune. Remember to hold back so as you progress through the other variations you have the room to increase pace. Try to choose one D Throw to play (heavy vs light) throughout the tune. The overwhelming majority of piobaireachd players choose to play the Light throw, but it is perfectly acceptable to play heavy, so long as you are consistent. After your B Echo movement you tend to rush to the G grace note following the Low G, some more time here will not only keep the pace back, but will show more phrase structure. High A pleasant. Your F Echo movement is well played most of the time, although the first one in Line 4 was a bit light. V1: Pretty fast and round. This is usually heard slower and more pointed. Try to extend each of the themal notes more and be more aggressive on the connector notes. When I play this tune I try to think of a crescendo on the long notes and try to sing the tune in my head with varying volumes. A useful tip in this tune is to take more time between phrases (written as the quarter notes in Kilberry) to "shape" the phrases. Overall: A nice tune, Anders, one of my favorites! Pipes were very well tuned at the start and there were some great moments here. My biggest recommendation is to work on consistency in terms of blowing, technique and music. You've proven that you can play this tune very well, so now it's about delivering excellence on every note and in every bar, phrase and line. Keep up the great work and this tune will be rocking in no time!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: Corrienessan's Salute Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Camille, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones are well tuned and very pleasing! Chanter is well set and presents well. Ground: Some untidy technique (missed G grace note Bar 2 and Rodin) but good pace and phrasing. Work on getting each piece of technique spot on and this will really help. Variation: Aggressive tempo here, try to keep the brakes on keeping in mind that you've got a whole piobaireachd to go after this. Other than the speed, good job with dot-cut ratio and rhythm. Some inconsistency/uncertainty in Line 2 with rhythm, but not a note mistake. One note mistake in Line 3 Phrase 1. There's a lot of good playing happening here, Camille! Just a few pieces of technical work to focus on in your practice. Try to take the tough embellishments out of the tune and just work on them grace note by grace note to solidify them so they can embellish and add to your tune as you continue through. Keep up the good work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Chris Zaleski 🇺🇸 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Chris, thanks for entering! Pipes: A bright sounding instrument. I would recommend bringing the pitch down some to get more depth and stability, particularly on the top hand. Drones are set well with one another though flat to the chanter. Ground: A slightly brisk pace for this tune, through well controlled. I thought you tended to rush into the cadences in this ground. Try to give more time before playing the initial G grace note in cadences by extending the note immediately before it. One other note to help this tune shine — pause at the end of each phrase and line to show the structure of the tune. Doing this helps create "anchor points" that can really help a listener understand what the tune is trying to do. Variation: Dithis variations are quite challenging! You're doing a good job of getting all of the technique in here, but it is fairly round and fast. As you move through this tune and get to the Dithis Doubling you'll want to keep the brakes on during the Singling in order to give yourself the space to speed up. Try to keep the long notes quite long and the short ones quite short, while maintaining clear technique. You've got the hands for it! Lots of potential in this tune, Chris! Some work on the notes above will help the tune shine through, and I look forward to hearing you again soon!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Black Donald's March Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Glenn, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones not quite locked with one another and set flat to the chanter. Chanter itself is pretty sharp, so flattening out some will help gain more depth of sound and calm down the sharp top hand. Ground: You're tending to rush the end of each measure, try to extend the final note of each measure more to show the ends of phrases and lines more clearly. Technique is well played and pace is nice, but work to balance out each measure more to get the proper flow of this tune. Variation - As above, rushing from one measure into the next by clipping the final note. Work to extend this to balance out each measure. One note mistake in the last phrase of Line 2. You've got a lot of nice things happening in this tune, Glenn. Just work on balancing the final note of each measure to keep the tune flowing along and be sure to not have any note mistakes (penultimate bar of Line 2 in the variation C for B). This work will help this tune shine and help you climb up the rankings!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Ivan Agarkov 🇧🇾 Tunes: MacCrimmon's Sweetheart Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Ivan, thanks for participating! Pipes: Drones set relatively well with each other, but flat to the chanter. F sharp. Ground: A tad fast, try to leave space for the tune to progress and speed up as you go along. Even playing just Ground and V1 keep the brakes on at the start. As you went along Line 1 the pace started to settle. Some inconsistency at the last measure of each line (E to Low A balance) — work on keeping the relationship between these notes the same. Somewhat rushed at the end. Take your time to show a clear end to the Ground before moving on to the next variation. Thumb: High A is lovely. Good change of pace here, although the E to Low A in the final measure is still inconsistent. I would hold the E longer and Low A less as a general rule, but be sure to not clip the Low A, as you do at some points. A solid understanding of this variation with an enjoyable High A. Overall: A well prepared tune, Ivan. Work on getting those drones locked in not only to themselves, which you did well, but with the Low A of the chanter. Tuning is a challenging task to master, but you clearly have a strong ear with the drones being so close to one another. A few more moments of listening to how the drones relate to Low A will help. Some very good playing overall with good technique. Try to show the phrase, line, and variation ends a bit more by extending the last note and you'll start to see more structure in your tune. Keep up the great work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: James McIntosh 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lament for Mary MacLeod Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi James, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones sounded spectacular before the chanter came in, so work on tuning them with the chanter sounding in order to get them locked in. The difference in pressure between when the chanter is sounding vs. choked will certainly alter the tuning. E is a bit sharp, so some tape will fix that right up. Ground: Good pace to start this tune. Some technical things to work on in the hiharin movement to make sure each and every time is a long E followed by the D grace note to a "flowy" birl. This is a very challenging piece of technique, but you've got the hands to achieve this important part of a lovely tune like Mary MacLeod. A well phrased ground overall. Variation: Very aggressive clipping of the short notes here where we typically hear this tune a bit more open. Try to open up the notes that are usually written as 16th notes, depending on which version of Kilberry you have. This will balance the individual measures out and help the tune breathe. Overall lots of potential in this tune James. With some improvement on the hiharin movement and opening up short notes in the variation you'll see this tune really improve. Keep up the great work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Mary Anne Carlos 🇨🇦 Tunes: Lament for the Departure of King James Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Mary Anne, thanks for entering! Pipes: Drones tuned very well to Low A, great job. Top hand of the chanter is somewhat unstable, particularly on the challenging High G. This is a very tricky note to get spot on. Work on keeping a steady/stable pressure in the bag when powering the instrument, regardless of whether you are blowing or squeezing. This is a tough skill to master, but I am confident that you can do it! Ground: An aggressive pace for this lament tune. I would recommend softening/extending the note before cadences at phrase ends to slow the pace down and to more clearly show the phrase ends. Good consistent treatment of the Double Echo rhythm overall. Be sure to keep all of your D throws either light or heavy - you played one heavy throw in the final line of the ground. Lots of potential here, just keep those brakes on to pull all of the musicality out of these lines. Variation: This tune has a lot of challenging technique, and you're clearly working hard to ensure each of the movements is well articulated, good work! As you go along, each of the movements should be exactly the same rhythm. Your Dare movement is well played, so work to match each of the other movements to the same rhythm. As above, a bit of an aggressive pace. Slowing down around the two note cadences will help pull even more music out of this tune. Overall a well played tune, Mary Anne! Work on the notes above to help this shine even more. Great job getting the pipes in tune!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, thanks for entering! Pipes: Not quite locked in but pretty close. Good job! Ground: Great technique! Very clear movements. Don't be too hesitant to cut your short notes more in this tune, both the 16th notes as well as the first note of the Odro (grip) movements. Some untidy fingering in the last line Bar 2. Lots of potential in this Ground! Variation: An aggressive tempo in this variation, Matthew. Try to keep the brakes on and let the notes with taorluaths on them breathe. Most settings of this tune have a D grace note on the notes after the taorluaths (where possible). Some stumbling in Lines 2 & 3, work on memory here with both the notes and grace notes and that will really help your strong technique shine! You've got endless potential, Matthew! The Ground was very well throughout out, just a bit hesitant to cut the short notes enough to give the balance we usually hear in this tune. You're clearly *very* well taught and so long as you keep up the work you've been putting in to your technique and continuing with some more focus on musicality and memorization you are going to be a rock star! Good work!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Matthew Quinn Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Too Long in this Condition (John MacDonald Setting of Donald MacDonald Version) Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, thanks for playing! Pipes Drones aren't locked in with one another but are close. The middle notes of your chanter are pretty flat making the chanter sound dull overall. Perhaps some moisture issues? Ground: This is one of my favorite settings of piobaireachd, glad to hear you playing it! You are jumping off of notes at some points losing some of the flow in this tune. Try to match each phrase up rhythmically to make it a cohesive piece of music. Doubling: Effective change of pace, though some technical inaccuracies on the edre movements are taking away from the flow of music. Great to hear this setting, Matthew! I'd recommend working with your tutor to keep the pace of this tune more consistent from measure to measure and phrase to phrase. That work, combined with some more accurate tuning will help this lovely setting shine!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) A
Competitor: Matthew Ross 🇺🇸 Tunes: MacIntosh’s Banner Judge: Andrew Donlon Judge's Comments: HI Matthew, thanks for playing! Pipes: Drones set flat to Low A, but somewhat close to one another. High A is well set, but F is pretty sharp. Just some tape will help with this Ground: A bit of a brisk pace for this tune but played with good technique overall. Try to show the ends of the lines by holding out the last C (after the grip) just a little more. This is an effective way to illustrate the structure for the listener. Work as well on not over-clipping the short notes before grips. It can be challenging to keep these notes short but not clipped, but you've got strong hands and some work here will help the tune shine! Variation: Great job with the dot-cut relationship here. Oftentimes we hear Grade 4 players play these variations overly open. That being said, the danger with playing more aggressively with the short notes is that it is easy to lose grace notes, some of which were lost in your playing here. Try to slow down a little more and work to ensure each and every grace note is played to keep this tune spotless. Overall an enjoyable tune, Matthew. A few things above with tuning and phrasing will really help you polish this up for future contests. You're clearly working hard, so keep it up!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Glen is mine Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Really nice job, Abby. The ground was first rate, both in terms of timing and execution of your embellishments. The throws from C up to E weren't always as clean as the ones from low A to E — always focus on landing a solid E grace note on the low A, then making the F grace note, with lots of low A before and after that F grace note. When you get to the end of the ground, maybe consider holding that last low A just a bit longer to better define that you've come to the end of a section. Variation was equally as good — it could have been bumped up just a touch tempo-wise, but otherwise you did an excellent job of it. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Jodie Warren 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nicely played throughout. Good memory work, and good embellishments/execution. I found the entire piece just a little bit on the slow side — perhaps you could hold the low As a bit less at the end of every even-numbered bar, in order to transition a bit less slowly into the next bar, thereby giving the ground more of a two-bar phrase feel, but this would have to be just a subtle thing. Despite the slowness, the ground was well played and consistent, and the overall temp was by no means distracting. The variation also was well played. Similar to the ground, the pace could have been picked up a little - in this case, I think it was a matter of not cutting the short notes quite short enough. Getting the right dot/cut feel in this type of variation is a tricky thing — you don't want to cut the short notes so much that you mess up the grace note sequence! Your grace notes were correct and clean throughout. Overall, a very nice performance. Thank you!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Sheila Stewart 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: An enjoyable performance, Sheila. Ground very nicely executed throughout with clean and strong embellishments. Phrasing-wise, I prefer the bars not to be quite so cut in half — by over-holding the long note in the middle of each bar, you lose the flow a bit Specifically, for example, the C in Bar 1 — I would prefer to hear more on the low A at the beginning of the bar and a bit less on the C in the middle. Perhaps a taste/style thing. Variation was very good also, again with clean embellishments, if a bit laboured-sounding. Watch the grace notes on the low A
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Black Donald’s March Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Very nice job of this tune, Bill. Your timing was good throughout — consistent and obviously well thought out. In terms of phrasing, my only suggestion would be to perhaps define each two-bar phrase a bit better by extending the low A at the end of every 2 bars just a bit longer — very subtle difference. I would suggest the same in the variation. The variation was nicely up tempo just a bit from the ground - very good! Embellishments — your grips were excellent throughout. The F throws weren't always clean. I would suggest that you practice making both grace notes the same height. You have a tendency to make the F grace note very large, and then the G grace note is very close to the chanter by comparison. These movements sound much more fluid if you lift both grace notes the same height off the chanter, while making sure the E in between the grace notes is still there. Your throws to E were much more consistent in terms of grace note height. Enjoyable performance — thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: A nice performance, Poppy. The ground was very well timed, and all of your embellishments were clean and clear. The variation started off a little slow — you were really holding those long notes, almost too much although with good dot-cut contrast, but then about midway through line two, you started speeding up and just kept getting faster all the way to the end of the variation. Be careful of this - it's best if you can keep it all at the same tempo after the initial bar. Other than the speeding up in the variation, your tune was played very well, and was an enjoyable performance. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: The Desperate Battle Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nice job, Lou! Your ground was very well paced, with only one small technical imprecision on a grip in line 2. Phrasing-wise, I found that the ground could move just a bit more, and I think that the reason it seemed a touch draggy was that you're tending to overhold the E before the F-gg F - gg F sequence each time; specifically, the E in the middle of Bar 1, and everywhere else that the specific sequence occurs. The variation was very well done. My only suggestion would be to try to push out the high A just a bit every time — hold it longer — while cutting the E just a bit shorter each time, so that the overall temp doesn't drop at all. An enjoyable performance - thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Massacre Of Glenco Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nice job of the ground, Alec — my only comment would be that you tend to hold the E at the end of your E double echoes a bit too long, especially considering that it is in the middle of a bar and therefore it tends to break up the bar rather than keeping it flowing. Otherwise the ground was well paced. You could consider cutting the C in Bar 1 of every line in the ground (and also the variation) just a little shorter. Be careful to make each grip complete — hit the low G, then make the D grace note, still on low G, before going back up to the B. Nice birls throughout. The variation was going along very well but you transposed lines 2 and line 3. You played line 3 where it should have been line 2, and then instead of playing line 3 where it belonged, you played the last four bars of line 1. Too bad, because otherwise this was a very enjoyable performance! Thanks.
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Bill McEvoy 🇺🇸 Tunes: I Got A Kiss Of The King's Hand Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Good effort of a big tune, Bill! In the ground, phrasing wise, my only comment would be that you should consider holding the low A far longer in each of the bars that start with a cadence down to low A. There should be four pulses in each bar of this ground, and by getting off the low A as quickly as you did every time, you basically missed one of those four pulses. The only exception is Bar four of the 2nd line, where the E of the cadence takes the first pulse, and the B after the low A takes the second pulse. Otherwise, the ground was well timed. It was also played very well from a technical point of view, with the exception of your throws up to F, which didn't always come out clean, although your throws on E were very good throughout. I found your variation quite a bit too fast. Technically very good, but very fast overall — you need to really focus on the Dot/cut of this variation, with far more emphasis on the dotted notes. Technically a very good presentation of a difficult tune — just a few phrasing and timing issues to watch out for. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Bryan Somerville 🇺🇸 Tunes: Struan Robertson's Salute Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Well played ground, Bryan. Technically very good. Make sure you sound the low A before you play the birl at line ends — you're playing the movement technically correct, but you'll get a nicer, more rolly sound from the Hiharin if you put just a bit more low A in before you make the girl. Phrasing-wise, there was a bit of inconsistency between line 1 and lines 2 and 3. In line 1, I found you held the D's in bars 1 and 3 just a bit too long - emphasizing them more than the Es at the beginning of those bars but in lines 2 and 3, the notes in the same position, specifically the high A's, you cut quite short. The bars should be rhythmically closer, rather than having such a discrepancy in phrasing between bars in the same place in each line. Your taorluaths in the variation were excellent throughout; however; however, the variation in general was quite slow — slower than the ground, which shouldn't be the case. You don't necessarily have to speed up the taorluath movements themselves, but you can spend less time on the other notes in order to move the variation along just a bit quicker. Overall, an enjoyable performance. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Craig Farley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Caber Feidth Gu Brath Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Well chosen tune, Craig — I really like this piece. My only complaint in the ground is that you seem to be skipping the first very important, significant pulse, that being the low A at the beginning of each of bars 1 and 3 in line 1 — and because that pulse is missing, the tendency is to focus on the 2nd pulse in each bar, in line 1 it's the Cs and Bs, but by focusing on this pulse you are in effect chopping the bar in half rather than letting it flow. With a bit more emphasis on the first long note in each bar and a little less emphasis on the 2nd long note, there's much more flow to the piece. The variation had the same tendency, although it wasn't quite as dominant. I liked your pacing of the variation (but again would prefer more pulse on the first long note and less on the second). The taorluaths were strong throughout, but watch the grace notes — you were playing some E grace notes where they should have been Gs. It didn't take away from the music, of course, but the grace notes are placed the way they are for a reason, all having to do with flow. Overall a very credible performance of a lovely tune. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Dave Reisdorf 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Marquis of Argyll's Salute Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Good effort, Dave. A few technical issues with some of the embellishments in the ground, notably the double echoes on B, and the cadence leading into that double echo — make sure you play the G grace note on the E that presents the cadence, and then the B strikes that form the double echo need to both touch all the way down to the low G. Also, make sure that you go down to low G, then make the D grace note, still on low G, before going up to C on the B to C grips which are scattered throughout the ground. Variation — probably the most important thing in a variation such as this one is to make sure you're playing the correct grace notes. If you don't, then the pattern gets lost and it's easy to forget where you are. All of the Low As are long, and should have E grace notes on them. Sometimes you had the sequence of E and D and G grace notes mixed up, and it's easy to go off track when that happens. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the performance!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Hector MacLean's Warning Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nicely paced ground. Some technical issues getting your low G closed down before the B grace note in making your grips from C to low A, and this was a consistent imprecision throughout. Phrasing-wise, I would make two suggestions — first, in the bar that has the double echo on B, don't be afraid to hold the B at the end of that double echo movement. Each time, you rushed off it a bit to get to the "hiharin" movement, and it seemed to disrupt the flow you had created with the four pulses in every other bar. Second, think a bit more about defining line endings — hold the last note just a touch longer in each line. You did this very well at the end of the ground — I think about incorporating the same phrasing into the last pulse of each line. Dithis was very well played, one little slip at the end of line two where I think your fingers simply missed the holes. Very well timed variation. Don't forget to play the last note of the variation — it should actually end on a short low A, but you ended it on the preceding long B. An enjoyable performance — thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Kathleen Madden 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Battle of Auldearn Setting #2 Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Good job, Kathleen. This isn't an easy tune to wrap one's hands around! From a phrasing perspective, in both the ground and the variation I felt you could have used more push on the low A's after each cadence, both at the beginning and in the middle of bars. Those bars seemed to lack balance against the bars which consisted of four quarter notes — example, bar 1 vs. bar 2 of the ground. The low A's in Bar 1 should have as much time on them as the D and B in Bar 2. In terms of your technique/embellishments — the movements were clean and strong for the most part, but diminished a bit as you went through the variation, I would guess because your hands were getting tired — there are certainly a lot of grips! Toward the end of the variation you were missing the low G on occasion, both before and after the D grace notes. Take your time on these movements. The most important part of the movement is getting to low G, and staying there until after you've completed the D grace note and are ready to go up to the next theme note. Overall an enjoyable performance, with just the timing issue as noted above. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Lewis Stewart 🏴 Tunes: Company's Lament Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Ground — nicely paced. Be careful not to cut the short note before the first hit of the double echo too short — you missed one of the hits at the end of the first line and I think it was because you cut the E before it just a bit too short. Slight miss on one of the grips, otherwise a nicely played ground. Slip in Bar 1 of line 2 — you played bar 1 of line two of the variation here instead of the ground, and you did the same with Bar 3 of Line 2. Variation — you timed the first bar of line 1 differently than I'm used to hearing it — the first note of each of that bar is normally held, as written, whereas you played it more as you would play the Variation doubling. A few little slips in the variation as well, where you substituted bars from the ground instead of playing the correct bars from the variation. Still, it was a nicely paced and consistent variation, again with slight misses on the double echoes. Good potential — just a few memory glitches to work out, and open up the double echoes a touch. An enjoyable performance. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Victoria MacKenzie 🇺🇸 Tunes: MacGregor's Salute Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: A few unfortunately chanter squeals off the start — but once you got into the piece, the ground was quite good. Be careful not to play the non-low-G tap bars too fast — try to keep the pacing/timing of those bars consistent with the bars that do have the low G taps. Nicely executed throughout the ground. In the variation — and this is a tricky one for sure, with all of those strange embellishments! Your timing of the non-low-G tap bars was better, although I think that was because of the difficult embellishments rather than consciously slowing the bars down to make the timing consistent. Good effort with those difficult movements. Watch the throw from low G to high G though — you played D and E grace notes, when in fact they're supposed to be E and F grace notes, same as the throw from low A to E. Good job of some difficult music! Thanks
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Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Glen is mine Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Really nice job, Abby. The ground was first rate, both in terms of timing and execution of your embellishments. The throws from C up to E weren't always as clean as the ones from low A to E — always focus on landing a solid E grace note on the low A, then making the F grace note, with lots of low A before and after that F grace note. When you get to the end of the ground, maybe consider holding that last low A just a bit longer to better define that you've come to the end of a section. Variation was equally as good — it could have been bumped up just a touch tempo-wise, but otherwise you did an excellent job of it. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Jodie Warren 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nicely played throughout. Good memory work, and good embellishments/execution. I found the entire piece just a little bit on the slow side — perhaps you could hold the low As a bit less at the end of every even-numbered bar, in order to transition a bit less slowly into the next bar, thereby giving the ground more of a two-bar phrase feel, but this would have to be just a subtle thing. Despite the slowness, the ground was well played and consistent, and the overall temp was by no means distracting. The variation also was well played. Similar to the ground, the pace could have been picked up a little - in this case, I think it was a matter of not cutting the short notes quite short enough. Getting the right dot/cut feel in this type of variation is a tricky thing — you don't want to cut the short notes so much that you mess up the grace note sequence! Your grace notes were correct and clean throughout. Overall, a very nice performance. Thank you!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Sheila Stewart 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: An enjoyable performance, Sheila. Ground very nicely executed throughout with clean and strong embellishments. Phrasing-wise, I prefer the bars not to be quite so cut in half — by over-holding the long note in the middle of each bar, you lose the flow a bit Specifically, for example, the C in Bar 1 — I would prefer to hear more on the low A at the beginning of the bar and a bit less on the C in the middle. Perhaps a taste/style thing. Variation was very good also, again with clean embellishments, if a bit laboured-sounding. Watch the grace notes on the low A
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Black Donald’s March Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Very nice job of this tune, Bill. Your timing was good throughout — consistent and obviously well thought out. In terms of phrasing, my only suggestion would be to perhaps define each two-bar phrase a bit better by extending the low A at the end of every 2 bars just a bit longer — very subtle difference. I would suggest the same in the variation. The variation was nicely up tempo just a bit from the ground - very good! Embellishments — your grips were excellent throughout. The F throws weren't always clean. I would suggest that you practice making both grace notes the same height. You have a tendency to make the F grace note very large, and then the G grace note is very close to the chanter by comparison. These movements sound much more fluid if you lift both grace notes the same height off the chanter, while making sure the E in between the grace notes is still there. Your throws to E were much more consistent in terms of grace note height. Enjoyable performance — thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: A nice performance, Poppy. The ground was very well timed, and all of your embellishments were clean and clear. The variation started off a little slow — you were really holding those long notes, almost too much although with good dot-cut contrast, but then about midway through line two, you started speeding up and just kept getting faster all the way to the end of the variation. Be careful of this - it's best if you can keep it all at the same tempo after the initial bar. Other than the speeding up in the variation, your tune was played very well, and was an enjoyable performance. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: The Desperate Battle Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nice job, Lou! Your ground was very well paced, with only one small technical imprecision on a grip in line 2. Phrasing-wise, I found that the ground could move just a bit more, and I think that the reason it seemed a touch draggy was that you're tending to overhold the E before the F-gg F - gg F sequence each time; specifically, the E in the middle of Bar 1, and everywhere else that the specific sequence occurs. The variation was very well done. My only suggestion would be to try to push out the high A just a bit every time — hold it longer — while cutting the E just a bit shorter each time, so that the overall temp doesn't drop at all. An enjoyable performance - thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Massacre Of Glenco Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nice job of the ground, Alec — my only comment would be that you tend to hold the E at the end of your E double echoes a bit too long, especially considering that it is in the middle of a bar and therefore it tends to break up the bar rather than keeping it flowing. Otherwise the ground was well paced. You could consider cutting the C in Bar 1 of every line in the ground (and also the variation) just a little shorter. Be careful to make each grip complete — hit the low G, then make the D grace note, still on low G, before going back up to the B. Nice birls throughout. The variation was going along very well but you transposed lines 2 and line 3. You played line 3 where it should have been line 2, and then instead of playing line 3 where it belonged, you played the last four bars of line 1. Too bad, because otherwise this was a very enjoyable performance! Thanks.
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Bill McEvoy 🇺🇸 Tunes: I Got A Kiss Of The King's Hand Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Good effort of a big tune, Bill! In the ground, phrasing wise, my only comment would be that you should consider holding the low A far longer in each of the bars that start with a cadence down to low A. There should be four pulses in each bar of this ground, and by getting off the low A as quickly as you did every time, you basically missed one of those four pulses. The only exception is Bar four of the 2nd line, where the E of the cadence takes the first pulse, and the B after the low A takes the second pulse. Otherwise, the ground was well timed. It was also played very well from a technical point of view, with the exception of your throws up to F, which didn't always come out clean, although your throws on E were very good throughout. I found your variation quite a bit too fast. Technically very good, but very fast overall — you need to really focus on the Dot/cut of this variation, with far more emphasis on the dotted notes. Technically a very good presentation of a difficult tune — just a few phrasing and timing issues to watch out for. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Bryan Somerville 🇺🇸 Tunes: Struan Robertson's Salute Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Well played ground, Bryan. Technically very good. Make sure you sound the low A before you play the birl at line ends — you're playing the movement technically correct, but you'll get a nicer, more rolly sound from the Hiharin if you put just a bit more low A in before you make the girl. Phrasing-wise, there was a bit of inconsistency between line 1 and lines 2 and 3. In line 1, I found you held the D's in bars 1 and 3 just a bit too long - emphasizing them more than the Es at the beginning of those bars but in lines 2 and 3, the notes in the same position, specifically the high A's, you cut quite short. The bars should be rhythmically closer, rather than having such a discrepancy in phrasing between bars in the same place in each line. Your taorluaths in the variation were excellent throughout; however; however, the variation in general was quite slow — slower than the ground, which shouldn't be the case. You don't necessarily have to speed up the taorluath movements themselves, but you can spend less time on the other notes in order to move the variation along just a bit quicker. Overall, an enjoyable performance. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Craig Farley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Caber Feidth Gu Brath Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Well chosen tune, Craig — I really like this piece. My only complaint in the ground is that you seem to be skipping the first very important, significant pulse, that being the low A at the beginning of each of bars 1 and 3 in line 1 — and because that pulse is missing, the tendency is to focus on the 2nd pulse in each bar, in line 1 it's the Cs and Bs, but by focusing on this pulse you are in effect chopping the bar in half rather than letting it flow. With a bit more emphasis on the first long note in each bar and a little less emphasis on the 2nd long note, there's much more flow to the piece. The variation had the same tendency, although it wasn't quite as dominant. I liked your pacing of the variation (but again would prefer more pulse on the first long note and less on the second). The taorluaths were strong throughout, but watch the grace notes — you were playing some E grace notes where they should have been Gs. It didn't take away from the music, of course, but the grace notes are placed the way they are for a reason, all having to do with flow. Overall a very credible performance of a lovely tune. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Dave Reisdorf 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Marquis of Argyll's Salute Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Good effort, Dave. A few technical issues with some of the embellishments in the ground, notably the double echoes on B, and the cadence leading into that double echo — make sure you play the G grace note on the E that presents the cadence, and then the B strikes that form the double echo need to both touch all the way down to the low G. Also, make sure that you go down to low G, then make the D grace note, still on low G, before going up to C on the B to C grips which are scattered throughout the ground. Variation — probably the most important thing in a variation such as this one is to make sure you're playing the correct grace notes. If you don't, then the pattern gets lost and it's easy to forget where you are. All of the Low As are long, and should have E grace notes on them. Sometimes you had the sequence of E and D and G grace notes mixed up, and it's easy to go off track when that happens. Keep up the good work, and thanks for the performance!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Hector MacLean's Warning Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nicely paced ground. Some technical issues getting your low G closed down before the B grace note in making your grips from C to low A, and this was a consistent imprecision throughout. Phrasing-wise, I would make two suggestions — first, in the bar that has the double echo on B, don't be afraid to hold the B at the end of that double echo movement. Each time, you rushed off it a bit to get to the "hiharin" movement, and it seemed to disrupt the flow you had created with the four pulses in every other bar. Second, think a bit more about defining line endings — hold the last note just a touch longer in each line. You did this very well at the end of the ground — I think about incorporating the same phrasing into the last pulse of each line. Dithis was very well played, one little slip at the end of line two where I think your fingers simply missed the holes. Very well timed variation. Don't forget to play the last note of the variation — it should actually end on a short low A, but you ended it on the preceding long B. An enjoyable performance — thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Kathleen Madden 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Battle of Auldearn Setting #2 Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Good job, Kathleen. This isn't an easy tune to wrap one's hands around! From a phrasing perspective, in both the ground and the variation I felt you could have used more push on the low A's after each cadence, both at the beginning and in the middle of bars. Those bars seemed to lack balance against the bars which consisted of four quarter notes — example, bar 1 vs. bar 2 of the ground. The low A's in Bar 1 should have as much time on them as the D and B in Bar 2. In terms of your technique/embellishments — the movements were clean and strong for the most part, but diminished a bit as you went through the variation, I would guess because your hands were getting tired — there are certainly a lot of grips! Toward the end of the variation you were missing the low G on occasion, both before and after the D grace notes. Take your time on these movements. The most important part of the movement is getting to low G, and staying there until after you've completed the D grace note and are ready to go up to the next theme note. Overall an enjoyable performance, with just the timing issue as noted above. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Lewis Stewart 🏴 Tunes: Company's Lament Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Ground — nicely paced. Be careful not to cut the short note before the first hit of the double echo too short — you missed one of the hits at the end of the first line and I think it was because you cut the E before it just a bit too short. Slight miss on one of the grips, otherwise a nicely played ground. Slip in Bar 1 of line 2 — you played bar 1 of line two of the variation here instead of the ground, and you did the same with Bar 3 of Line 2. Variation — you timed the first bar of line 1 differently than I'm used to hearing it — the first note of each of that bar is normally held, as written, whereas you played it more as you would play the Variation doubling. A few little slips in the variation as well, where you substituted bars from the ground instead of playing the correct bars from the variation. Still, it was a nicely paced and consistent variation, again with slight misses on the double echoes. Good potential — just a few memory glitches to work out, and open up the double echoes a touch. An enjoyable performance. Thanks!
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Event 14. Grade 4 Piping - Piobaireachd (Ground and Next Variation) B
Competitor: Victoria MacKenzie 🇺🇸 Tunes: MacGregor's Salute Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: A few unfortunately chanter squeals off the start — but once you got into the piece, the ground was quite good. Be careful not to play the non-low-G tap bars too fast — try to keep the pacing/timing of those bars consistent with the bars that do have the low G taps. Nicely executed throughout the ground. In the variation — and this is a tricky one for sure, with all of those strange embellishments! Your timing of the non-low-G tap bars was better, although I think that was because of the difficult embellishments rather than consciously slowing the bars down to make the timing consistent. Good effort with those difficult movements. Watch the throw from low G to high G though — you played D and E grace notes, when in fact they're supposed to be E and F grace notes, same as the throw from low A to E. Good job of some difficult music! Thanks
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: The Judges Dilemma Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Totally smokin tempo! Great playing with FIRE! Low A sharp but steady and sweet pipe. Nice E doublings in tough spots! Very spirited and precocious — loads of talent and potential to explore. No Judge's Dilemma here!!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: The Seagull Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice sweet pipe, and set very steady — gorgeous sound! I love this pointed style, not heard often nowadays — full of style. C strikes need a fuller Low G. Some small crossing noises, but this tune is great for working on those! Solid performance! AWESOME! Great tune also, love it!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Donnella Beaton Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Great technique on this difficult GDE tune. "Back" grace notes from F to B very nice too. Birls solid. Excellent jig style. Occasional rushing that unsettled the groove, but you get it back under control well. Chanter set a bit sharp, but sweet pipe and steady. AWESOME!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Corkhill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice pipe and steady! Smooth drones: yummy! Tune starting well, nice tempo. Gracing all very clear and consistent. Excellently rehearsed and solid run!!! Good job!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: The Pony Gallop Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice Steady pipe and very musical and lively playing!! Fun tune and excellent choice for you. The triplet and strike work are all very clean and consistent. Very enjoyable and danceable jig rhythms and steadiness. Cool ending phrase that's all you! Excellent Job.
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Pipe Major John MacDonald's Exercise Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Great pipe, nice and sweet yet steady. excellent musical and rhythmic control in a VERY HERD Jig part 4 taorluaths crushed at first but opened well EXCELLENT JOB!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Finlay Murchie's Birthday Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: What a fun tune! An uplifting choice. Bagpipe is very full, smooth and steady, and rich! Awesome drones, hypnotic! Some issues closing fully on Low G (relax bottom hand to spread), and some difficult motifs in part 4 lead to some untidy playing. But the phrasing of the melody, and steady tempo, made this very enjoyable to listen to, thanks!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Seagull Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Good pipe! Held well! Nice tune choice and well controlled! Low G strikes could be clearer and fuller w/ Low G. Tiny slip, nice recovery! Excellent work sorry for the slip! keep it going, this is gonna grow for you!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Lively tempo and good drive to this jig! some minor untidiness in the playing, minor crossing noises. Tempo could come down a tad and add some bottom hand gracing (D grace notes, tachum etc) Sweet pipe and steady blowing — well done!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: Honey in the Bag Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice Tune Choice! Unfortunately the audio is distorted, try microphone settings! Nice steady rhythms and melodic flow, and pipe sounds steady too! double-check rhythms of part 3
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Corkhill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Lively tempo! Slight stalling between phrases Execution of grace noting was excellent! Good work and solid run! Pipe was nice and held well
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Henry Rogers 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Curlew Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice full pipe, maybe a tad hard? Awesome tempo and technical work in part 1. Some technical work needed in Part 3. Part 4 wee slip. Maybe a tad easier pipe and tad slower for control for the future! Great job and lots of potential in you!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Flee the Glen & The Celtic Matador Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Great pipe and fun tune choice! Lively tempo, and big cross-rhythms syncopate very nicely! Some untidy playing like some crossing noises and a high slip, but loved the drive in the tune and the upbeat rhythm and tempo. Good job!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Gurkhas' Joy Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Good tempo and GDE work, great grips too! 3rd part very nice, not easy! 4th part even tougher, but hanging on nicely! Pipe full and nice could be set a bit easier for you to focus on a cleaner, sweeter and steadier tone. Excellent work on the fingers and tune!!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: PM Joe Wilson Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Totally musical flow, if a bit on the slow side. Gorgeous sweet and steady bagpipe. Great background and well behaved dog! AWESOME JOB LOU!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice job Matthew! Good musical flow, nice tempo and good style! The pipe is bold and full, and very rich. Maybe a tad too hard? I say because the main issue with this performance was the missing top-hand grace notes. You kept the tune going nicely, maybe a tad more comfort in the pipe might lead to cleaner execution. Nice music and great job!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Tunes: Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Good Fingers! Good sense of the tune and nice steady and musical tempo and flow. Pipe needed to be set better prior to filming, which lead to some squeaks that put you off the tune this tune seems like it goes well for you on the chanter. Some clarity just after B triplet GDEs back onto C. Work on the pipe sound mostly and let the musical playing sing through that voice!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Morrison 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice and lively tempo! Sweet pipe, not locked in perhaps low ceiling crowding drone sound. Mostly for this tune I would open the E and High A notes before the C strikes, Some crushing and rushing to the strike happening, but nice run!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: Banjo Breakdown Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Wonderful drive and rhythm. great control of the melody until part 4, slightly losing the groove. Mainly I'd recommend some more tuning time prior to your video take (drones and chanter not set) and take a few seconds to settle the blowing before playing. good music though!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Corkhill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Pleasant tone to the pipe, and with steady blowing, nice! Some separation of the hands in part 2 leading to a wee slip in parts 3 and 4, be sure the low G closes fully on the C strike Another slip in part 4. Tempo was excellent, and very steady with a good round feel to the triplets a very well prepared performance, enjoyable!
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Competitor: Emily Pentz 🇿🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: The Judges Dilemma Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Totally smokin tempo! Great playing with FIRE! Low A sharp but steady and sweet pipe. Nice E doublings in tough spots! Very spirited and precocious — loads of talent and potential to explore. No Judge's Dilemma here!!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: The Seagull Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice sweet pipe, and set very steady — gorgeous sound! I love this pointed style, not heard often nowadays — full of style. C strikes need a fuller Low G. Some small crossing noises, but this tune is great for working on those! Solid performance! AWESOME! Great tune also, love it!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Alec Macdonald 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Donnella Beaton Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Great technique on this difficult GDE tune. "Back" grace notes from F to B very nice too. Birls solid. Excellent jig style. Occasional rushing that unsettled the groove, but you get it back under control well. Chanter set a bit sharp, but sweet pipe and steady. AWESOME!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Bill Stuart 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Corkhill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice pipe and steady! Smooth drones: yummy! Tune starting well, nice tempo. Gracing all very clear and consistent. Excellently rehearsed and solid run!!! Good job!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Poppy Middleton 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: The Pony Gallop Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice Steady pipe and very musical and lively playing!! Fun tune and excellent choice for you. The triplet and strike work are all very clean and consistent. Very enjoyable and danceable jig rhythms and steadiness. Cool ending phrase that's all you! Excellent Job.
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sophie Stringer 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Pipe Major John MacDonald's Exercise Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Great pipe, nice and sweet yet steady. excellent musical and rhythmic control in a VERY HERD Jig part 4 taorluaths crushed at first but opened well EXCELLENT JOB!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Anders Udsen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Finlay Murchie's Birthday Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: What a fun tune! An uplifting choice. Bagpipe is very full, smooth and steady, and rich! Awesome drones, hypnotic! Some issues closing fully on Low G (relax bottom hand to spread), and some difficult motifs in part 4 lead to some untidy playing. But the phrasing of the melody, and steady tempo, made this very enjoyable to listen to, thanks!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Camille Layt 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Seagull Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Good pipe! Held well! Nice tune choice and well controlled! Low G strikes could be clearer and fuller w/ Low G. Tiny slip, nice recovery! Excellent work sorry for the slip! keep it going, this is gonna grow for you!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damien Roy 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Lively tempo and good drive to this jig! some minor untidiness in the playing, minor crossing noises. Tempo could come down a tad and add some bottom hand gracing (D grace notes, tachum etc) Sweet pipe and steady blowing — well done!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: Honey in the Bag Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice Tune Choice! Unfortunately the audio is distorted, try microphone settings! Nice steady rhythms and melodic flow, and pipe sounds steady too! double-check rhythms of part 3
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Glen Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Tunes: Corkhill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Lively tempo! Slight stalling between phrases Execution of grace noting was excellent! Good work and solid run! Pipe was nice and held well
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Henry Rogers 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Curlew Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice full pipe, maybe a tad hard? Awesome tempo and technical work in part 1. Some technical work needed in Part 3. Part 4 wee slip. Maybe a tad easier pipe and tad slower for control for the future! Great job and lots of potential in you!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ian Thorn 🇦🇺 Tunes: Flee the Glen & The Celtic Matador Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Great pipe and fun tune choice! Lively tempo, and big cross-rhythms syncopate very nicely! Some untidy playing like some crossing noises and a high slip, but loved the drive in the tune and the upbeat rhythm and tempo. Good job!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lillian Prince 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Gurkhas' Joy Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Good tempo and GDE work, great grips too! 3rd part very nice, not easy! 4th part even tougher, but hanging on nicely! Pipe full and nice could be set a bit easier for you to focus on a cleaner, sweeter and steadier tone. Excellent work on the fingers and tune!!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lou Lanaro 🇨🇦 Tunes: PM Joe Wilson Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Totally musical flow, if a bit on the slow side. Gorgeous sweet and steady bagpipe. Great background and well behaved dog! AWESOME JOB LOU!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Owen-Hunt 🇨🇦 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice job Matthew! Good musical flow, nice tempo and good style! The pipe is bold and full, and very rich. Maybe a tad too hard? I say because the main issue with this performance was the missing top-hand grace notes. You kept the tune going nicely, maybe a tad more comfort in the pipe might lead to cleaner execution. Nice music and great job!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Tunes: Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Good Fingers! Good sense of the tune and nice steady and musical tempo and flow. Pipe needed to be set better prior to filming, which lead to some squeaks that put you off the tune this tune seems like it goes well for you on the chanter. Some clarity just after B triplet GDEs back onto C. Work on the pipe sound mostly and let the musical playing sing through that voice!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Morrison 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cork Hill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice and lively tempo! Sweet pipe, not locked in perhaps low ceiling crowding drone sound. Mostly for this tune I would open the E and High A notes before the C strikes, Some crushing and rushing to the strike happening, but nice run!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Robert Baker 🇦🇺 Tunes: Banjo Breakdown Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Wonderful drive and rhythm. great control of the melody until part 4, slightly losing the groove. Mainly I'd recommend some more tuning time prior to your video take (drones and chanter not set) and take a few seconds to settle the blowing before playing. good music though!
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Event 15. Grade 4 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Corkhill Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Pleasant tone to the pipe, and with steady blowing, nice! Some separation of the hands in part 2 leading to a wee slip in parts 3 and 4, be sure the low G closes fully on the C strike Another slip in part 4. Tempo was excellent, and very steady with a good round feel to the triplets a very well prepared performance, enjoyable!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban, The Caledonian Canal, Alick C. McGregor Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: A very well set musical sounding pipe. Lovely balance drones to chanter. March, lovely March playing, good steady tempo maintained throughout, technique good overall, phrasing excellent. Watch some C doublings slightly tight. Strathspey, nicely into Strathspey, good tempo for this tune. Good technique and again excellent phrasing. Reel, nicely into reel tempo for me slightly on the cautious side, however tune well played and phrased. Slowing in third part very slightly. Overall a very well presented MSR on a lovely pipe,
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Alan Dodd's Farewell to Scotland, Highland Harry, Captain Lochlan MacPhail Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Sound on the strong side. Quite well set. Chanter slightly flat on the bottom hand. March, good steady tempo throughout. Tune very well phrased with good technique. Nice March playing. Strathspey, nicely into the tune with good lively tempo and phrasing. Good technique allowing lovely rhythmic Strathspey playing. Reel, again nicely into the reel . Steady playing at a good tempo. Watch E strikes, make them all the same weight. A lovely well presented msr bowing a solid grasp of what is required in msr playing.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sarah Keir 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Craig-n-darroch, John Roy Stewart, Alick C McGregor Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes quite well set. Drones slightly out at start. Chanter well set. March very well played and phrased. Showing a good understanding of what is required in 2/4 March playing. Watch the movement High A -F-E doubling throughout the tune, cut the F more. This will help keep the phrasing consistent. Strathspey , again tune well phrased at a steady tempo. Reel, nicely into the reel, steady tempo, well phrased reel. Overall a very well presented MSR showing a good understanding of what is required for the 3 component elements. Great potential.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Diego Barquet 🇲🇽 Place: 4 Tunes: Carradale Bay, Susan MacLeod, The Blackberry Bush Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes. Nice pipe well set. March, good steady March playing nice tempo with good technique throughout. Watch 3rd part don't come of the low A too early, slightly cut too much. Check music for last part, there is no second time. Strathspey, nicely into Strathspey tempo good. Very technically demanding tune and due to this slowing in 3rd part. Overall phrasing ok. Reel, nicely into reel lively tempo maintained throughout. Watch 3td part coming across on the round side compared to the rest of of the tune. A well played MSR.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Dugald MacColl’s Farewell to France Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Drones slightly out at start. Pipe sounds strong. March, good lively tempo technique good phrasing good throughout. Watch C Doublings the full movement needs to be heard especially at the ends of the parts. A number of chokes throughout the tune. Strathspey, tempo good tempo ok, chokes again. Phrasing on round side, more emphasis is required on the strong beat. Better phrasing 3rd part to the end of the tune. Reel, well into reel, appear to be struggling slightly with the pipe. Again hikes in the tune. Phrasing and technique ok. Well put together MSR. An easier pipe will help your playing which over is good.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban/ The Shepherd's Crook/ Mrs. MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok, sweet chanter, drones slightly out at start. March quite well played and phrased. Technique ok. Check music for the second time in the second part. Not normally played. Again in last part check music , no D throw in last line. Strathspey, tune played quite well, more emphasis required in the Strong + medium beats in the tune. Reel, try and break straight into the reel, the start of the tune with the long High G did not work. Again check the music setting, notes starting the parts are different from the original score. Overall you have a good idea of what is required but check tune settings .
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: PM Bob Brown’s Farewell to Ballochbuie, The Shepherd’s Crook, Kalabachan Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes quite well set. Sweet chanter. Drones slightly out towards end of performance. March, Good tempo, technique ok, tune quite well phrased. Watch movements to C, some slight crossing noises when moving to C throughout the tune. Strathspey; tempo good for this tune, again technique ok some phrasing issues, phrasing quite round in places. More emphasis needed on strong beat. Some slips throughout the tune. Reel again tempo ok technique ok slightly round in presentation, more emphasis needed on strong beat,
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Carswell, Highland Harry & Willie Cummins Rant Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Well balanced. Chanter chirping from top to bottom hand on occasions. March, good tempo well-phrased overall slightly slowing at the beginning of part 2. Coming across slightly erratic at part ends. Watch crossing noises 3rd part B-D. Slightly untidy playing last part last time through. Strathspey, well into Strathspey, watch taorlauths, need to hear and play the full movement. Technique and phrasing ok. Tempo good for this tune. Reel nicely into reel, tempo good more consistent in your playing here. Technique ok, chirps coming through when closing the hanger top to bottom hand.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Florian Brechmann 🇩🇪 Tunes: Donald Maclean´s Farewell to Oban, Caledonian Canal, The Sound of Sleat Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Good pipe well set well balanced good projection. March played at a good steady tempo. Tune overall well phrased and played. Technique solid good strong fingering. Minor point last part. Cut the F more from high A this will help with the phrasing . Strathspey again good technique. Phrasing slightly square . More emphasis needed on the strong + medium beats. Reel slightly quick into the tune, tempo overall on the fast side. More emphasis needed on the strong beat. 3rd part to the end was very square. Overall a well presented MSR.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Alan Dodd’s Farewell to Scotland, Captain Colin Campbell, Rejected Suitor Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes lovely well balanced pipe. Great balance chanter to drones. Overall phrasing ok. In 1st and 2nd parts, over pointing the strong note ever so slightly which is causing the tune to sound slightly stilted. March better in 3rd and 4th parts. Slight choke. Strathspey, good tempo, slightly square in presentation. Really focus on the strong + medium beats, this will help with phrasing. Reel, Nicely into reel, tempo a bit careful, compared to the Strathspey. Tune overall well phrased, technique solid. Overall a well presented MSR. Pipe maybe on the hard side for solos. Consider making the chanter slightly easier which will help.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lyn Vanos 🇦🇺 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes out at start. Top hand on chanter flat on High G +A. March, tempo ok, phrasing is ok. Check the tune setting for the 2nd part last line of the part. Technique is ok overall. Some taurlauths not clear, need to hear the full movement. Strathspey, tempo nice for this tune. Tune well phrased overall, again watch taurlauth movement. Some doublings tight throughout. Reel, watch the break, don't extend the last note of the Strathspey as long, Tune played ok tempo overall was consistent. Slight slip last part. Overall MSR is ok.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Neill Hannah 🇦🇺 Tunes: John MacMillan of Barra, Captain Colin Campbell, Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Lovely pipe well balanced instrument nice sweet chanter, March, quite well phrased overall, some technique, slightly on the open side. Watch crossing noises 3rd part C to F doubling. Strathspey, good tempo for this tune. Tune overall quite well phrased, watch crossing noises 3rd part B-D-B-F Reel, nicely into the reel tempo good, watch GDE on B at the end of the line, need to hear all 3 grace notes. Overall a well structured MSR showing a good understanding of what is required.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sid Baker 🇨🇦 Tunes: Glen Caladh Castle/Duncan Johnstone's Strathspey/Lexi McAskill Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipe well set. Chanter sounds on the strong side. March, tune overall well phrased. Tune played at a good steady tempo. Technique overall ok. Slight chokes in 3rd part. Strathspey, nice tempo, tune well controlled, tune overall well phrased and played. Technique is ok, again slight chokes. Reel, nicely into the reel. Watch the crossing noises D-E. Last part slightly round. Try and get the strikes in quicker which will help with the phrasing And timing. Overall you have a good understanding of what is required in MSR playing.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Tina Falconer 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major Byng M. Wright, Captain Colin Campbell, Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Chanter slightly high pitched for my taste. Drones slightly out at start of the tune. March, tempo ok technique ok, phrasing slightly erratic 3rd and 4th parts need more emphasis on the strong beat i in the bar. Strathspey, the presentation of this tune was very round, you need more emphasis on the strong and medium beats throughout the tune. Tempo ok and overall technique ok. Reel again very round need more emphasis on the strong beat. Tempo ok. Keep practicing.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Duke of Roxeburghe's Farewell to The Blackmount Forest, Lady Loudon, Bessie McIntyre Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Drones out at start. Pipe overall ok. Slightly sharp on High A + G. Pipe sounds on the strong side. March, steady tempo, phrasing overall ok and technique is good. Slightly square in phrasing 3rd part, cut the Low A more from E + F. Strathspey, very straight presentation. More emphasis on strong and medium beats required. Better from the 3rd part onwards. Reel, well into reel, slip 2nd part. Phrasing ok tempo good for this tune. Overall MSR was ok.
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Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban, The Caledonian Canal, Alick C. McGregor Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: A very well set musical sounding pipe. Lovely balance drones to chanter. March, lovely March playing, good steady tempo maintained throughout, technique good overall, phrasing excellent. Watch some C doublings slightly tight. Strathspey, nicely into Strathspey, good tempo for this tune. Good technique and again excellent phrasing. Reel, nicely into reel tempo for me slightly on the cautious side, however tune well played and phrased. Slowing in third part very slightly. Overall a very well presented MSR on a lovely pipe,
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Alan Dodd's Farewell to Scotland, Highland Harry, Captain Lochlan MacPhail Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Sound on the strong side. Quite well set. Chanter slightly flat on the bottom hand. March, good steady tempo throughout. Tune very well phrased with good technique. Nice March playing. Strathspey, nicely into the tune with good lively tempo and phrasing. Good technique allowing lovely rhythmic Strathspey playing. Reel, again nicely into the reel . Steady playing at a good tempo. Watch E strikes, make them all the same weight. A lovely well presented msr bowing a solid grasp of what is required in msr playing.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sarah Keir 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Craig-n-darroch, John Roy Stewart, Alick C McGregor Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes quite well set. Drones slightly out at start. Chanter well set. March very well played and phrased. Showing a good understanding of what is required in 2/4 March playing. Watch the movement High A -F-E doubling throughout the tune, cut the F more. This will help keep the phrasing consistent. Strathspey , again tune well phrased at a steady tempo. Reel, nicely into the reel, steady tempo, well phrased reel. Overall a very well presented MSR showing a good understanding of what is required for the 3 component elements. Great potential.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Diego Barquet 🇲🇽 Place: 4 Tunes: Carradale Bay, Susan MacLeod, The Blackberry Bush Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes. Nice pipe well set. March, good steady March playing nice tempo with good technique throughout. Watch 3rd part don't come of the low A too early, slightly cut too much. Check music for last part, there is no second time. Strathspey, nicely into Strathspey tempo good. Very technically demanding tune and due to this slowing in 3rd part. Overall phrasing ok. Reel, nicely into reel lively tempo maintained throughout. Watch 3td part coming across on the round side compared to the rest of of the tune. A well played MSR.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Dugald MacColl’s Farewell to France Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Drones slightly out at start. Pipe sounds strong. March, good lively tempo technique good phrasing good throughout. Watch C Doublings the full movement needs to be heard especially at the ends of the parts. A number of chokes throughout the tune. Strathspey, tempo good tempo ok, chokes again. Phrasing on round side, more emphasis is required on the strong beat. Better phrasing 3rd part to the end of the tune. Reel, well into reel, appear to be struggling slightly with the pipe. Again hikes in the tune. Phrasing and technique ok. Well put together MSR. An easier pipe will help your playing which over is good.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban/ The Shepherd's Crook/ Mrs. MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok, sweet chanter, drones slightly out at start. March quite well played and phrased. Technique ok. Check music for the second time in the second part. Not normally played. Again in last part check music , no D throw in last line. Strathspey, tune played quite well, more emphasis required in the Strong + medium beats in the tune. Reel, try and break straight into the reel, the start of the tune with the long High G did not work. Again check the music setting, notes starting the parts are different from the original score. Overall you have a good idea of what is required but check tune settings .
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: PM Bob Brown’s Farewell to Ballochbuie, The Shepherd’s Crook, Kalabachan Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes quite well set. Sweet chanter. Drones slightly out towards end of performance. March, Good tempo, technique ok, tune quite well phrased. Watch movements to C, some slight crossing noises when moving to C throughout the tune. Strathspey; tempo good for this tune, again technique ok some phrasing issues, phrasing quite round in places. More emphasis needed on strong beat. Some slips throughout the tune. Reel again tempo ok technique ok slightly round in presentation, more emphasis needed on strong beat,
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Captain Carswell, Highland Harry & Willie Cummins Rant Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Well balanced. Chanter chirping from top to bottom hand on occasions. March, good tempo well-phrased overall slightly slowing at the beginning of part 2. Coming across slightly erratic at part ends. Watch crossing noises 3rd part B-D. Slightly untidy playing last part last time through. Strathspey, well into Strathspey, watch taorlauths, need to hear and play the full movement. Technique and phrasing ok. Tempo good for this tune. Reel nicely into reel, tempo good more consistent in your playing here. Technique ok, chirps coming through when closing the hanger top to bottom hand.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Florian Brechmann 🇩🇪 Tunes: Donald Maclean´s Farewell to Oban, Caledonian Canal, The Sound of Sleat Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Good pipe well set well balanced good projection. March played at a good steady tempo. Tune overall well phrased and played. Technique solid good strong fingering. Minor point last part. Cut the F more from high A this will help with the phrasing . Strathspey again good technique. Phrasing slightly square . More emphasis needed on the strong + medium beats. Reel slightly quick into the tune, tempo overall on the fast side. More emphasis needed on the strong beat. 3rd part to the end was very square. Overall a well presented MSR.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Alan Dodd’s Farewell to Scotland, Captain Colin Campbell, Rejected Suitor Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes lovely well balanced pipe. Great balance chanter to drones. Overall phrasing ok. In 1st and 2nd parts, over pointing the strong note ever so slightly which is causing the tune to sound slightly stilted. March better in 3rd and 4th parts. Slight choke. Strathspey, good tempo, slightly square in presentation. Really focus on the strong + medium beats, this will help with phrasing. Reel, Nicely into reel, tempo a bit careful, compared to the Strathspey. Tune overall well phrased, technique solid. Overall a well presented MSR. Pipe maybe on the hard side for solos. Consider making the chanter slightly easier which will help.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Lyn Vanos 🇦🇺 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes out at start. Top hand on chanter flat on High G +A. March, tempo ok, phrasing is ok. Check the tune setting for the 2nd part last line of the part. Technique is ok overall. Some taurlauths not clear, need to hear the full movement. Strathspey, tempo nice for this tune. Tune well phrased overall, again watch taurlauth movement. Some doublings tight throughout. Reel, watch the break, don't extend the last note of the Strathspey as long, Tune played ok tempo overall was consistent. Slight slip last part. Overall MSR is ok.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Neill Hannah 🇦🇺 Tunes: John MacMillan of Barra, Captain Colin Campbell, Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Lovely pipe well balanced instrument nice sweet chanter, March, quite well phrased overall, some technique, slightly on the open side. Watch crossing noises 3rd part C to F doubling. Strathspey, good tempo for this tune. Tune overall quite well phrased, watch crossing noises 3rd part B-D-B-F Reel, nicely into the reel tempo good, watch GDE on B at the end of the line, need to hear all 3 grace notes. Overall a well structured MSR showing a good understanding of what is required.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Sid Baker 🇨🇦 Tunes: Glen Caladh Castle/Duncan Johnstone's Strathspey/Lexi McAskill Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipe well set. Chanter sounds on the strong side. March, tune overall well phrased. Tune played at a good steady tempo. Technique overall ok. Slight chokes in 3rd part. Strathspey, nice tempo, tune well controlled, tune overall well phrased and played. Technique is ok, again slight chokes. Reel, nicely into the reel. Watch the crossing noises D-E. Last part slightly round. Try and get the strikes in quicker which will help with the phrasing And timing. Overall you have a good understanding of what is required in MSR playing.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Tina Falconer 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major Byng M. Wright, Captain Colin Campbell, Captain Lachlan MacPhail of Tiree Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Chanter slightly high pitched for my taste. Drones slightly out at start of the tune. March, tempo ok technique ok, phrasing slightly erratic 3rd and 4th parts need more emphasis on the strong beat i in the bar. Strathspey, the presentation of this tune was very round, you need more emphasis on the strong and medium beats throughout the tune. Tempo ok and overall technique ok. Reel again very round need more emphasis on the strong beat. Tempo ok. Keep practicing.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) A
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Duke of Roxeburghe's Farewell to The Blackmount Forest, Lady Loudon, Bessie McIntyre Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Drones out at start. Pipe overall ok. Slightly sharp on High A + G. Pipe sounds on the strong side. March, steady tempo, phrasing overall ok and technique is good. Slightly square in phrasing 3rd part, cut the Low A more from E + F. Strathspey, very straight presentation. More emphasis on strong and medium beats required. Better from the 3rd part onwards. Reel, well into reel, slip 2nd part. Phrasing ok tempo good for this tune. Overall MSR was ok.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Noah Mittwer 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Mrs. John MacColl, Caledonian Canal, Colonel Macleod Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good, relaxed 2/4 tempo. Just a bit overly deliberate on the B before the D throw that begins measure 4. You could omit the D grace note on the B to help you be able to shorten the B as much as the rest of your 1/32 notes. Good expression but slow it down to sort out the technical concerns mentioned below. Strong expression at a good pace in the strathspey. Clipping the High G-F-E runs a bit, just relax them. Excellent break to the reel and good playing through to the end. Instrument: Beautiful tone! One squeal in the strathspey. Technique: Catch C to E in measure 2 of part 1. Untidy D throw in measure 5 of part 1. Light E doubling in the ending phrase. Missed doublings in ending phrase on repeat as well. Good grips. Crossing noises in part 2 of the march, and D throw issues. Low A to C crossing noise in part 3. A few tight E doublings in the strathspey. Some crossings in the last part of the reel. Summary: Great playing overall, Noah. Your musical expression and approach is very good here, in all three tunes. I would slow the march down for now as there are a lot of technical misses in that difficult tune. Great bagpipe, and the highlight of this performance for me. Definitely an above-grade-level instrument! Your technique could be where you see your biggest improvements. It's solid, but inconsistent in the march in particular, with a handful of missed doublings and crossing noises. Keep at it!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Pipe Major Manson At Clachantrushal, Shepard's Crook, Captain Lachlan McPhail of Tiree Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Great, lively tempo to the march. You could get a bit more downbeat expression throughout. The final measure of each part is hesitant. Really cut that C down to Low A as if the C were a 1/32 note, with a clear Low G grace note. Rushed entry into the Strathspey. Hold the final Low A in the march for a full beat (it's only written as an 1/8 note because there's a pickup at the beginning). Excellent strathspey playing. Hesitant ending to the strathspey, especially holding the penultimate beat. Driving reel! The pickup note to the final two-measure phrase should be a C, not an E as you played (the last note of measure 6 in part 4 of the reel). Instrument: Excellent tuning! Very good bagpipe for this grade. Technique: Strong and clear overall. You aren't always the Low G grace note in measure 8 of each part in the march. Missed the G grace note in the tachum in measure 2 of part 4. False fingering E after Low G in the strathspey. High-G-F-E run in 4th part is a bit untidy. A couple crossing noises in the final line of the strathspey. False fingering High G after High A in the strathspey. Missed E strike in the first part of the reel. Missed High A strike in part 4, measure 1, and a flubbed final birl. Summary: Great playing here, Kevin. In the march, try to cut the C in the final measure throughout, without missing the Low G grace note down to Low A. Very good strathspey and reel playing! Both tune transitions could be improved. Aim for smooth and seamless. Excellent instrument. You have strong technique overall. Watch the false fingering that's happening here and there throughout.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: John MacColl's March to Kilbowie Cottage, Kristie McCallman's Favorite, The Blackberry Bush Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Great tempo for this 2/4 march. You could swell the downbeats a bit more for better expression, particularly the first downbeat of each two-measure phrase. Excellent tempo and control in the strathspey. Reel is a bit fast for technical consistency. Also, I would start the reel under-tempo with no pause at the end of the strathspey for a solo-style transition. Check the B before the D throw that begins measure 7 of part 3 in the reel. Instrument: Excellent instrument set-up and control overall. F# is tending sharp at times. Technique: Missing E doublings in the march. E to High A crossing noises. Out-of-sync grace notes in second-to-last measure of part 2, first time through. Slight loss of technical clarity here and there throughout the march. Some light embellishments in the strathspey, 80% of the way there. I would try to open up most of your technique for more consistency. A few sloppy tachums in the reel and a missed F doubling. Summary: Very strong playing here, Stevie. Your 2/4 march was at an excellent tempo but I would try to get more solo-style expression into it by elongating the downbeat vs. the upbeat, at least on the first downbeat of each two-measure phrase if not every downbeat. Nice Strathspey! I would slow the reel down a couple clicks and work on a more seamless segue between the two dance tunes. Phenomenal instrument for this grade! I really enjoyed listening. Your biggest area to improve would be your technique. You have strong technique but are missing things and losing clarity here and there. I would try to open/thicken-up all of your technique, but particularly your E doublings. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber, Caledonian Canal & Jock Wilson's Ball Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Fast tempo for a solo 2/4 march, even for one of the easier and simpler style 2/4 march such as this. Better tempo for the Strathspey but still fast for this grade. Just a bit clipped with some of the runs-of-three on the top hand in part 2. When transitioning to the reel, I would recommend pausing not at the end of the strathspey (like a pipe band) but instead hitting the reel on the next beat and easing into the tempo of the reel gradually. Some over-expression in the reel, drawing out the downbeats more than the upbeats as you might do in a 2/4 march. Instrument: Resonant and well-set bagpipe! Drones not totally locked with Low A. Technique: Missed B doubling in part 3 of the march. Losing some technical clarity in part 3 of the strathspey. Some B strikes in the reel aren't fully closing to Low G. A couple untidy tachums in part 3 and a crossing in part 4. Summary: Nice playing overall, Chris. I think you could slow your tempo down for solo playing like this, particularly with the march. Nice strathspey! Let the reel flow along more by giving more consideration to the upbeat and not letting downbeats swell. Great bagpipe overall! A few minor technical issues mentioned above, but very good technique overall. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Lee McLeod 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Colin Thompson, Highland Harry, Sound of Sleet Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Excellent musicality throughout the march and strathspey. Great reel as well, though you're starting to rush in part 3. However, there are a lot of small crossing noises and catches that necessitate a slower tempo until you can get the technique sorted. Instrument: Great bagpipe. Well-set drones and chanter. Technique: A few slight crossing noises in the march. Missed D doubling and sloppy tachum in part 2 of the march. The last tachum, B to Low G, of the first line of each part has out-of-sync gracing at times. More crossings in part 4. Flubbed birl going to the second ending. Untidy D throw in measure 2 of the strathspey. Make sure to get a clear initial Low G in your grip which begins part 2, both lines. Same with the D throw from short Es: make sure the initial Low G comes through clearly. Just more catches and crossings in the reel. Summary: Very musical playing on an excellent bagpipe, Lee. Work on slower tempi and more open technique to make it easier to get rid of the crossings and technical issues mentioned above. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorrator Bridge, Major David Manson Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: No pipe-band attack necessary for solo competition but nicely executed all the same. Solid expression in the march with an effective transition to the strathspey. Nice, relaxed tempo in the strathspey. Instead of adding a beat at the end of the strathspey, a more solo-style break would be to hit the reel on the very next beat but start under-tempo, easing up to the desired tempo. Solid tempo and overall control in the reel, but I'd recommend playing it a little slower so as to fully dial in the technique. Instrument: Drones not in tune but chanter is well-set. Wee chirp in part 3 of the march. Technique: Low A to C crossing in measure 1. False fingering High G and F, leaving your ring finger closed when descending from high A in measure 3. Great strike clarity! Missed C doubling to end part 2. Missed C strike in part 4. The C-to-Low A double tachums in the strathspey could be smoother, more even. Think of it as a G-D-E pattern, rather than a C doubling followed by an E grace note, which tends to make the C doubling bit too tight. C to E crossing in part 1 of the reel. Catch going into line 2 of part 2 in the reel. False fingering some short C's in the reel, leaving the little finger open. A couple note slips in the final phrase of the reel. Summary: A lot of potential here, Kael. You're on the right track with this MSR. There are a few things that you could change to make it more solo rather than band-style. Attack, transitions, and overall slower tempi. Work to get your drones closer in tune with the Low A. This is probably the biggest improvement you could make to this good performance. Some untidiness in places throughout along with some false fingering, as mentioned above. Slow the tempi down a bit and really focus in on any technical issues as it is foundational to being able to play this music confidently. You've got a bright future in piping; keep at it!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Iron Division; The Lad that Wears the Plaid; The BlackBerry Bush. Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Nice 2/4 tempo. You could try to get more downbeat expression throughout, particularly at the beginning of the two-measure phrases (i.e. elongate the High A which begins measure) 3) and also at the beginning of measure 8 throughout. Overheld the High G in measure 3 of part 3 both times (practice it with a metronome double-timing). Really hold out the first beat of every measure in the strathspey. For example, the first F of measure 1 & 3 could be longer. Just watch that you aren't overcutting short notes in the reel and causing technical issues as a result. Relax the tempi in this set until the technique is totally dialed in. Instrument: Drones tuned well together but not totally locked with Low A. Well-set chanter overall. B is sharp. Choke in part 3. Choke and squeal in part 2 of the strathspey. Technique: E to High A crossing noise in measure 3 of the march, part 1, and elsewhere. Open up Low G's in B taorluaths for more clarity. Watch that you don't get a small E before your E doublings from F. The G grace note down should be the first thing. Losing some technical clarity in the strathspey and reel. Don't cut short notes more than you are able to cleanly articulate. For good solo playing, you can round things out a bit but the playing has to be clean technically. Summary: Solid set, Carsten. You've got a great musical feel for these tunes, but slow them down until you can work out the technical issues. Work to get the drones locked in with Low A. They aren't too far away. Solid chanter sound and some good technique. Open your technique up for a bit more consistency. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Tunes: Inverness Gathering, Struan Robertson, Lexy McAskill Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Check the setting of this march as you are playing unusual grace notes, such as an E grace note on the downbeat of beat 2 in measure 3 of part 1. Just a bit too fast for a clean technical delivery of this difficult tune, same with the strathspey. Strong reel! Instrument: Drones not locked with Low A to start. Well-set chanter intervals overall. Technique: Light C doublings and D strikes. Crossing in measure 3 of part 2 of the march. D to E crossing in part 3. Strong birls, except hesitating from Low G. G grace notes aren't consistently audible in the strathspey. Watch the E crossing noise/syncing issue when playing E doublings from F. Watch E strikes and crossing noises in part 4 of the reel. Summary: Nice playing overall, David. I think the march and strathspey here are particularly difficult for this grade and you would do well to slow them down for more technical confidence. I really enjoyed the reel. You've got the makings of a great bagpipe, just work to get the drones dialed in with Low A. Some light, nearly-there technique and crossings are going to necessitate slower and more-open playing until you can gain clarity and consistency. It's not far off! Well done.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: David McLernon 🏴 Tunes: Millbank Cottage, Caledonian Society of London, Sound of Sleat Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You are clipping the High A pickup note and giving too much time to the last note of each part. Double timing doesn't seem helpful in this instance. Work it with a metronome. You are pretty steady until the end of each line. The strathspey also needs metronome attention. Make sure to play the right notes in measure 4 of part 3. Some wrong notes in the reel as well. Instrument: Drones are set flat to the chanter. Work on steady pressure control! Technique: This a tricky march for this grade! I would recommend something easier (there are a lot of good 4 part marches that are mainly 1/8 note rhythms, rather than the dotted 1/16 and 1/32 rhythms predominant here). Slow it down at any rate. A lot of crossings throughout the strathspey. Again, this is a challenging tune often heard in professional contests. I'd slow the reel down as well! Summary: Slow everything down, David. And, honestly, I'd recommend easier tunes. Work with a metronome to help with steadiness. Use a tuner to help not just tuning but steady pressure control. By playing slower and opening up your technique, you'll be able to improve your technique and get rid of the crossing noises and untidiness. Good effort here and keep at it!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Father John Macmillan of Barra, Highland Harry, Alec C Macgregor Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Nice tempo and drive to the march. Effective transition to the strathspey. Solid playing, though slow down the tempo to help your technique. In the reel you are overdoing the downbeats, swelling them. This is very effective in solo 2/4 march playing, but in the reel you want to give more value to the upbeat than you are, with an even downbeat/upbeat. Instrument: Great drone tuning. Well-set chanter as well. You are sagging the pressure in measure 8 in the march on the long Low A. A few chokes in the reel. Technique: E strike in part 2 not clear. Some F doublings aren't coming through clearly either. Nice tachums. Low-A-C-E untidy in measure 2 of part 4. Open up B and grip going into part 2 of the strathspey as that is sloppy. Crossing in part 3 of the strathspey. Leaving out a lot of upbeat G grace notes in the reel. Summary: Nice set of tunes, Hart. I really like the march and the strathspey. I feel your reel is too heavy on the downbeats in places and you are losing lift and forward drive. Great bagpipe! Just watch the chokes. Quite a few little untidy bits, crossings, catches and the like that you want to sort out by slowing down your tempi and opening up your technique. Best of luck this season!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Jess Jeffery 🇦🇺 Tunes: Allan Dodd's Farewell to Scotland, Erica's Strathspey, Alick C MacGregor Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: I would slow the march down slightly so that you can give a bit more downbeat emphasis throughout. I'd also recommend starting it under-tempo and then easing into your tempo in the first measure. Playing an incorrect connecting note in part 3 at the end of measure 1. It should be a D but you're playing an E. Nice expression in this strathspey. Sometimes crushing D-E-F runs too much, just relax the D and E a bit. Hesitant break to the reel. Slow the reel down until you have more technical control. The ending of part 3 is over-cut. Rushing the last line. Instrument: Drones set closely together but not locked in with the Low A. F# is sharp, otherwise well-set chanter. Choke at beginning of the reel. Technique: C to E crossing noises throughout the march. Some grace notes out-of-sync with melody notes in measure 4 off and on throughout the tune. Honestly, a less technical march will give you less to have to deal with as you do have strong technique overall. Alternatively, take it slower so that you can display more consistent technique. Crossing in strathspey, part 1. Some technical issues throughout the reel, just slow it down for more control. Summary: A lot of good things happening here, Jess. I think slower tempi will help you both with musical and technical control. Your instrument is solid but the drones weren't in tune with Low A. I think slowing down the tempi while you also open up your technique will really help this. They are definitely tricky tunes and harder than what is typically played at this grade level. Loads of potential. Good luck this season!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kathryn McEwan 🏴 Tunes: John MacFadyen of Melfort, Maggie Cameron, The Rejected Suitor Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good tempo for the march, but needs to be slower for the technique to come through cleanly. Nice transitions and overall expression! Just slow the tempi down to help with the technique. Instrument: Drones close but not locked. Nice warm chanter sound. Wee squeal/chirp here and there. High G is sharp. Technique: Tricky birls from B and C need to be opened up, or just avoid tunes with this. C to E crossing. Open up E doublings from F. "Double tachums" in the strathspey should be opened up, getting a clear and even G-D-E rhythm, rather than a tight C doubling followed by an E grace note. Same things in the reel. Generally good, but birls from B are sticking out. Summary: These are really tough tunes for this grade level, Kathryn. For confident competition performances, I think you want to find tunes that flatter your strengths rather than expose your weaknesses, which I feel these do to a degree. You've got a lot of great technique, but I would say your birls from B and C are untidy and the march and the reel have a decent amount of those birls. In the strathspey, you want to work on double tachums. If you stick it out with these tunes for competitions, I'd definitely recommend playing them slower. You've got the musicality, just work to get the technique too. Solid bagpipe, just work to get the drones closer in tune. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Kelly MacColl, Struan Robertson, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Appropriate tempo for the 2/4 but I wouldn't take it any slower. Great strathspey tempo and control. Played a wrong note at the end of the strathspey and then went back to fix it. Too bad! False start into the reel with extra notes? Just finish the strathspey out on F and go right into the F doubling in measure one of the reel, or play a High A pick-up, but don't play the held High A and cut High G pickup thing you did here. I almost feel like you submitted the wrong video. If performing, ignore the mistake and keep going. Definitely don't rewind to fix something in the middle of a performance. Nice relaxed pace and control in the reel. Hold out the High A doubling in measure 2 of part 5. Losing a bit of control in the final line. Instrument: Drones are very well-set together but aren't totally locked with Low A. Excellent chanter sound and tuning! High A is prone to scratchiness. Technique: Some indistinct birls from B in part 2 of the march. Low A to C crossing noise in part 4 ending phrase. A few crossing noises in part 2 of the strathspey. Regained control in part 3. Lost some poise in part 4. Great technique in the reel. Some crossings in part 4. Summary: Really well-played, Ken! A shame about doubling-back to fix the mistake in the strathspey or you would have been in the list for sure. You've got a nice, relaxed (but not boring) feel to these tunes. Definitely work to get a more seamless segue from Strathspey to Reel. Great bagpipe. Losing technical clarity in a few places as mentioned, but playing very well overall. Keep it going!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: Miss Elspeth Campbell, Peter Hunt, Alan Minty Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good expression in the first two-measure phrase but then rushing through the measure 3-4 phrase. Some metronome work with the upbeat will help steady the ship. Speeding up as you go in this march. Slow start to the strathspey but then starting to rush in measure 2. Erratic tempo (though generally increasing) will also be helped with some metronome work. The reel also needs to be slowed down a lot to help even it out. Instrument: Drones are in tune with each other but are flat to the Low A (making the Low A sound sharp). You are likely underblowing when you are tuning and increasing your pressure to where it should be when you play your tunes. Work to blow your Low A out fully when tuning and that will help you get the drones more accurate. High G is sharp. Squeal in the strathspey. Technique: Strong technique that is falling apart as the tempo increases. Summary: Solid effort, Laura. Work with a metronome with each of these tunes. You might try 55 bpm (with an upbeat), 100 bpm, and 70 bpm (with an upbeat) to start. This will help slow these down and steady them out. You can start to increase the tempo again once they are stabilized. Nice bagpipe, just make sure that you don't tune it flat because you are underblowing. I can tell you have really good technique but it's just not keeping up with the really fast tempo.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Iron Division, Olivia's Fancy, Scotsville Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Nice march playing followed by a good strathspey as well. Watch the tendency to rush the third bar throughout. Hesitant break to the reel. Instrument: Windy day! Solid drone tuning. Technique: Nice clean E doublings from F. Birls a little ahead of the beat. Missed F doubling in part 2. Untidy D throw as well. Don't overcut the short C in measure 1 of part 3 or it almost gets swallowed by the D grace note. Make sure to start all D throws with a Low G (not D grace note) and finish it with a C. They just need to be opened up until you get consistency. Same comment as above in the reel, losing these short C's to E. Slow down the reel for a more technically poised delivery. Summary: Nice march playing, Steve. I would slow down you strathspey and reel and work your strathspey in particular with a metronome to steady it out. Solid instrument but I would try to get some type of windscreen or something if recording outside in blustery conditions like this. A lot of strong technique here. Work on D throws in particular, along with the Low A-C-E combinations that appear throughout this set. Well done.
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Competitor: Noah Mittwer 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Mrs. John MacColl, Caledonian Canal, Colonel Macleod Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good, relaxed 2/4 tempo. Just a bit overly deliberate on the B before the D throw that begins measure 4. You could omit the D grace note on the B to help you be able to shorten the B as much as the rest of your 1/32 notes. Good expression but slow it down to sort out the technical concerns mentioned below. Strong expression at a good pace in the strathspey. Clipping the High G-F-E runs a bit, just relax them. Excellent break to the reel and good playing through to the end. Instrument: Beautiful tone! One squeal in the strathspey. Technique: Catch C to E in measure 2 of part 1. Untidy D throw in measure 5 of part 1. Light E doubling in the ending phrase. Missed doublings in ending phrase on repeat as well. Good grips. Crossing noises in part 2 of the march, and D throw issues. Low A to C crossing noise in part 3. A few tight E doublings in the strathspey. Some crossings in the last part of the reel. Summary: Great playing overall, Noah. Your musical expression and approach is very good here, in all three tunes. I would slow the march down for now as there are a lot of technical misses in that difficult tune. Great bagpipe, and the highlight of this performance for me. Definitely an above-grade-level instrument! Your technique could be where you see your biggest improvements. It's solid, but inconsistent in the march in particular, with a handful of missed doublings and crossing noises. Keep at it!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Pipe Major Manson At Clachantrushal, Shepard's Crook, Captain Lachlan McPhail of Tiree Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Great, lively tempo to the march. You could get a bit more downbeat expression throughout. The final measure of each part is hesitant. Really cut that C down to Low A as if the C were a 1/32 note, with a clear Low G grace note. Rushed entry into the Strathspey. Hold the final Low A in the march for a full beat (it's only written as an 1/8 note because there's a pickup at the beginning). Excellent strathspey playing. Hesitant ending to the strathspey, especially holding the penultimate beat. Driving reel! The pickup note to the final two-measure phrase should be a C, not an E as you played (the last note of measure 6 in part 4 of the reel). Instrument: Excellent tuning! Very good bagpipe for this grade. Technique: Strong and clear overall. You aren't always the Low G grace note in measure 8 of each part in the march. Missed the G grace note in the tachum in measure 2 of part 4. False fingering E after Low G in the strathspey. High-G-F-E run in 4th part is a bit untidy. A couple crossing noises in the final line of the strathspey. False fingering High G after High A in the strathspey. Missed E strike in the first part of the reel. Missed High A strike in part 4, measure 1, and a flubbed final birl. Summary: Great playing here, Kevin. In the march, try to cut the C in the final measure throughout, without missing the Low G grace note down to Low A. Very good strathspey and reel playing! Both tune transitions could be improved. Aim for smooth and seamless. Excellent instrument. You have strong technique overall. Watch the false fingering that's happening here and there throughout.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: John MacColl's March to Kilbowie Cottage, Kristie McCallman's Favorite, The Blackberry Bush Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Great tempo for this 2/4 march. You could swell the downbeats a bit more for better expression, particularly the first downbeat of each two-measure phrase. Excellent tempo and control in the strathspey. Reel is a bit fast for technical consistency. Also, I would start the reel under-tempo with no pause at the end of the strathspey for a solo-style transition. Check the B before the D throw that begins measure 7 of part 3 in the reel. Instrument: Excellent instrument set-up and control overall. F# is tending sharp at times. Technique: Missing E doublings in the march. E to High A crossing noises. Out-of-sync grace notes in second-to-last measure of part 2, first time through. Slight loss of technical clarity here and there throughout the march. Some light embellishments in the strathspey, 80% of the way there. I would try to open up most of your technique for more consistency. A few sloppy tachums in the reel and a missed F doubling. Summary: Very strong playing here, Stevie. Your 2/4 march was at an excellent tempo but I would try to get more solo-style expression into it by elongating the downbeat vs. the upbeat, at least on the first downbeat of each two-measure phrase if not every downbeat. Nice Strathspey! I would slow the reel down a couple clicks and work on a more seamless segue between the two dance tunes. Phenomenal instrument for this grade! I really enjoyed listening. Your biggest area to improve would be your technique. You have strong technique but are missing things and losing clarity here and there. I would try to open/thicken-up all of your technique, but particularly your E doublings. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber, Caledonian Canal & Jock Wilson's Ball Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Fast tempo for a solo 2/4 march, even for one of the easier and simpler style 2/4 march such as this. Better tempo for the Strathspey but still fast for this grade. Just a bit clipped with some of the runs-of-three on the top hand in part 2. When transitioning to the reel, I would recommend pausing not at the end of the strathspey (like a pipe band) but instead hitting the reel on the next beat and easing into the tempo of the reel gradually. Some over-expression in the reel, drawing out the downbeats more than the upbeats as you might do in a 2/4 march. Instrument: Resonant and well-set bagpipe! Drones not totally locked with Low A. Technique: Missed B doubling in part 3 of the march. Losing some technical clarity in part 3 of the strathspey. Some B strikes in the reel aren't fully closing to Low G. A couple untidy tachums in part 3 and a crossing in part 4. Summary: Nice playing overall, Chris. I think you could slow your tempo down for solo playing like this, particularly with the march. Nice strathspey! Let the reel flow along more by giving more consideration to the upbeat and not letting downbeats swell. Great bagpipe overall! A few minor technical issues mentioned above, but very good technique overall. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Lee McLeod 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Colin Thompson, Highland Harry, Sound of Sleet Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Excellent musicality throughout the march and strathspey. Great reel as well, though you're starting to rush in part 3. However, there are a lot of small crossing noises and catches that necessitate a slower tempo until you can get the technique sorted. Instrument: Great bagpipe. Well-set drones and chanter. Technique: A few slight crossing noises in the march. Missed D doubling and sloppy tachum in part 2 of the march. The last tachum, B to Low G, of the first line of each part has out-of-sync gracing at times. More crossings in part 4. Flubbed birl going to the second ending. Untidy D throw in measure 2 of the strathspey. Make sure to get a clear initial Low G in your grip which begins part 2, both lines. Same with the D throw from short Es: make sure the initial Low G comes through clearly. Just more catches and crossings in the reel. Summary: Very musical playing on an excellent bagpipe, Lee. Work on slower tempi and more open technique to make it easier to get rid of the crossings and technical issues mentioned above. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorrator Bridge, Major David Manson Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: No pipe-band attack necessary for solo competition but nicely executed all the same. Solid expression in the march with an effective transition to the strathspey. Nice, relaxed tempo in the strathspey. Instead of adding a beat at the end of the strathspey, a more solo-style break would be to hit the reel on the very next beat but start under-tempo, easing up to the desired tempo. Solid tempo and overall control in the reel, but I'd recommend playing it a little slower so as to fully dial in the technique. Instrument: Drones not in tune but chanter is well-set. Wee chirp in part 3 of the march. Technique: Low A to C crossing in measure 1. False fingering High G and F, leaving your ring finger closed when descending from high A in measure 3. Great strike clarity! Missed C doubling to end part 2. Missed C strike in part 4. The C-to-Low A double tachums in the strathspey could be smoother, more even. Think of it as a G-D-E pattern, rather than a C doubling followed by an E grace note, which tends to make the C doubling bit too tight. C to E crossing in part 1 of the reel. Catch going into line 2 of part 2 in the reel. False fingering some short C's in the reel, leaving the little finger open. A couple note slips in the final phrase of the reel. Summary: A lot of potential here, Kael. You're on the right track with this MSR. There are a few things that you could change to make it more solo rather than band-style. Attack, transitions, and overall slower tempi. Work to get your drones closer in tune with the Low A. This is probably the biggest improvement you could make to this good performance. Some untidiness in places throughout along with some false fingering, as mentioned above. Slow the tempi down a bit and really focus in on any technical issues as it is foundational to being able to play this music confidently. You've got a bright future in piping; keep at it!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Iron Division; The Lad that Wears the Plaid; The BlackBerry Bush. Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Nice 2/4 tempo. You could try to get more downbeat expression throughout, particularly at the beginning of the two-measure phrases (i.e. elongate the High A which begins measure) 3) and also at the beginning of measure 8 throughout. Overheld the High G in measure 3 of part 3 both times (practice it with a metronome double-timing). Really hold out the first beat of every measure in the strathspey. For example, the first F of measure 1 & 3 could be longer. Just watch that you aren't overcutting short notes in the reel and causing technical issues as a result. Relax the tempi in this set until the technique is totally dialed in. Instrument: Drones tuned well together but not totally locked with Low A. Well-set chanter overall. B is sharp. Choke in part 3. Choke and squeal in part 2 of the strathspey. Technique: E to High A crossing noise in measure 3 of the march, part 1, and elsewhere. Open up Low G's in B taorluaths for more clarity. Watch that you don't get a small E before your E doublings from F. The G grace note down should be the first thing. Losing some technical clarity in the strathspey and reel. Don't cut short notes more than you are able to cleanly articulate. For good solo playing, you can round things out a bit but the playing has to be clean technically. Summary: Solid set, Carsten. You've got a great musical feel for these tunes, but slow them down until you can work out the technical issues. Work to get the drones locked in with Low A. They aren't too far away. Solid chanter sound and some good technique. Open your technique up for a bit more consistency. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Tunes: Inverness Gathering, Struan Robertson, Lexy McAskill Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Check the setting of this march as you are playing unusual grace notes, such as an E grace note on the downbeat of beat 2 in measure 3 of part 1. Just a bit too fast for a clean technical delivery of this difficult tune, same with the strathspey. Strong reel! Instrument: Drones not locked with Low A to start. Well-set chanter intervals overall. Technique: Light C doublings and D strikes. Crossing in measure 3 of part 2 of the march. D to E crossing in part 3. Strong birls, except hesitating from Low G. G grace notes aren't consistently audible in the strathspey. Watch the E crossing noise/syncing issue when playing E doublings from F. Watch E strikes and crossing noises in part 4 of the reel. Summary: Nice playing overall, David. I think the march and strathspey here are particularly difficult for this grade and you would do well to slow them down for more technical confidence. I really enjoyed the reel. You've got the makings of a great bagpipe, just work to get the drones dialed in with Low A. Some light, nearly-there technique and crossings are going to necessitate slower and more-open playing until you can gain clarity and consistency. It's not far off! Well done.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: David McLernon 🏴 Tunes: Millbank Cottage, Caledonian Society of London, Sound of Sleat Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: You are clipping the High A pickup note and giving too much time to the last note of each part. Double timing doesn't seem helpful in this instance. Work it with a metronome. You are pretty steady until the end of each line. The strathspey also needs metronome attention. Make sure to play the right notes in measure 4 of part 3. Some wrong notes in the reel as well. Instrument: Drones are set flat to the chanter. Work on steady pressure control! Technique: This a tricky march for this grade! I would recommend something easier (there are a lot of good 4 part marches that are mainly 1/8 note rhythms, rather than the dotted 1/16 and 1/32 rhythms predominant here). Slow it down at any rate. A lot of crossings throughout the strathspey. Again, this is a challenging tune often heard in professional contests. I'd slow the reel down as well! Summary: Slow everything down, David. And, honestly, I'd recommend easier tunes. Work with a metronome to help with steadiness. Use a tuner to help not just tuning but steady pressure control. By playing slower and opening up your technique, you'll be able to improve your technique and get rid of the crossing noises and untidiness. Good effort here and keep at it!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Father John Macmillan of Barra, Highland Harry, Alec C Macgregor Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Nice tempo and drive to the march. Effective transition to the strathspey. Solid playing, though slow down the tempo to help your technique. In the reel you are overdoing the downbeats, swelling them. This is very effective in solo 2/4 march playing, but in the reel you want to give more value to the upbeat than you are, with an even downbeat/upbeat. Instrument: Great drone tuning. Well-set chanter as well. You are sagging the pressure in measure 8 in the march on the long Low A. A few chokes in the reel. Technique: E strike in part 2 not clear. Some F doublings aren't coming through clearly either. Nice tachums. Low-A-C-E untidy in measure 2 of part 4. Open up B and grip going into part 2 of the strathspey as that is sloppy. Crossing in part 3 of the strathspey. Leaving out a lot of upbeat G grace notes in the reel. Summary: Nice set of tunes, Hart. I really like the march and the strathspey. I feel your reel is too heavy on the downbeats in places and you are losing lift and forward drive. Great bagpipe! Just watch the chokes. Quite a few little untidy bits, crossings, catches and the like that you want to sort out by slowing down your tempi and opening up your technique. Best of luck this season!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Jess Jeffery 🇦🇺 Tunes: Allan Dodd's Farewell to Scotland, Erica's Strathspey, Alick C MacGregor Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: I would slow the march down slightly so that you can give a bit more downbeat emphasis throughout. I'd also recommend starting it under-tempo and then easing into your tempo in the first measure. Playing an incorrect connecting note in part 3 at the end of measure 1. It should be a D but you're playing an E. Nice expression in this strathspey. Sometimes crushing D-E-F runs too much, just relax the D and E a bit. Hesitant break to the reel. Slow the reel down until you have more technical control. The ending of part 3 is over-cut. Rushing the last line. Instrument: Drones set closely together but not locked in with the Low A. F# is sharp, otherwise well-set chanter. Choke at beginning of the reel. Technique: C to E crossing noises throughout the march. Some grace notes out-of-sync with melody notes in measure 4 off and on throughout the tune. Honestly, a less technical march will give you less to have to deal with as you do have strong technique overall. Alternatively, take it slower so that you can display more consistent technique. Crossing in strathspey, part 1. Some technical issues throughout the reel, just slow it down for more control. Summary: A lot of good things happening here, Jess. I think slower tempi will help you both with musical and technical control. Your instrument is solid but the drones weren't in tune with Low A. I think slowing down the tempi while you also open up your technique will really help this. They are definitely tricky tunes and harder than what is typically played at this grade level. Loads of potential. Good luck this season!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Kathryn McEwan 🏴 Tunes: John MacFadyen of Melfort, Maggie Cameron, The Rejected Suitor Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good tempo for the march, but needs to be slower for the technique to come through cleanly. Nice transitions and overall expression! Just slow the tempi down to help with the technique. Instrument: Drones close but not locked. Nice warm chanter sound. Wee squeal/chirp here and there. High G is sharp. Technique: Tricky birls from B and C need to be opened up, or just avoid tunes with this. C to E crossing. Open up E doublings from F. "Double tachums" in the strathspey should be opened up, getting a clear and even G-D-E rhythm, rather than a tight C doubling followed by an E grace note. Same things in the reel. Generally good, but birls from B are sticking out. Summary: These are really tough tunes for this grade level, Kathryn. For confident competition performances, I think you want to find tunes that flatter your strengths rather than expose your weaknesses, which I feel these do to a degree. You've got a lot of great technique, but I would say your birls from B and C are untidy and the march and the reel have a decent amount of those birls. In the strathspey, you want to work on double tachums. If you stick it out with these tunes for competitions, I'd definitely recommend playing them slower. You've got the musicality, just work to get the technique too. Solid bagpipe, just work to get the drones closer in tune. Well done!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Kelly MacColl, Struan Robertson, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Appropriate tempo for the 2/4 but I wouldn't take it any slower. Great strathspey tempo and control. Played a wrong note at the end of the strathspey and then went back to fix it. Too bad! False start into the reel with extra notes? Just finish the strathspey out on F and go right into the F doubling in measure one of the reel, or play a High A pick-up, but don't play the held High A and cut High G pickup thing you did here. I almost feel like you submitted the wrong video. If performing, ignore the mistake and keep going. Definitely don't rewind to fix something in the middle of a performance. Nice relaxed pace and control in the reel. Hold out the High A doubling in measure 2 of part 5. Losing a bit of control in the final line. Instrument: Drones are very well-set together but aren't totally locked with Low A. Excellent chanter sound and tuning! High A is prone to scratchiness. Technique: Some indistinct birls from B in part 2 of the march. Low A to C crossing noise in part 4 ending phrase. A few crossing noises in part 2 of the strathspey. Regained control in part 3. Lost some poise in part 4. Great technique in the reel. Some crossings in part 4. Summary: Really well-played, Ken! A shame about doubling-back to fix the mistake in the strathspey or you would have been in the list for sure. You've got a nice, relaxed (but not boring) feel to these tunes. Definitely work to get a more seamless segue from Strathspey to Reel. Great bagpipe. Losing technical clarity in a few places as mentioned, but playing very well overall. Keep it going!
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: Miss Elspeth Campbell, Peter Hunt, Alan Minty Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Good expression in the first two-measure phrase but then rushing through the measure 3-4 phrase. Some metronome work with the upbeat will help steady the ship. Speeding up as you go in this march. Slow start to the strathspey but then starting to rush in measure 2. Erratic tempo (though generally increasing) will also be helped with some metronome work. The reel also needs to be slowed down a lot to help even it out. Instrument: Drones are in tune with each other but are flat to the Low A (making the Low A sound sharp). You are likely underblowing when you are tuning and increasing your pressure to where it should be when you play your tunes. Work to blow your Low A out fully when tuning and that will help you get the drones more accurate. High G is sharp. Squeal in the strathspey. Technique: Strong technique that is falling apart as the tempo increases. Summary: Solid effort, Laura. Work with a metronome with each of these tunes. You might try 55 bpm (with an upbeat), 100 bpm, and 70 bpm (with an upbeat) to start. This will help slow these down and steady them out. You can start to increase the tempo again once they are stabilized. Nice bagpipe, just make sure that you don't tune it flat because you are underblowing. I can tell you have really good technique but it's just not keeping up with the really fast tempo.
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Event 16. Grade 3 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts) B
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Iron Division, Olivia's Fancy, Scotsville Judge: Nick Hudson Judge's Comments: Music: Nice march playing followed by a good strathspey as well. Watch the tendency to rush the third bar throughout. Hesitant break to the reel. Instrument: Windy day! Solid drone tuning. Technique: Nice clean E doublings from F. Birls a little ahead of the beat. Missed F doubling in part 2. Untidy D throw as well. Don't overcut the short C in measure 1 of part 3 or it almost gets swallowed by the D grace note. Make sure to start all D throws with a Low G (not D grace note) and finish it with a C. They just need to be opened up until you get consistency. Same comment as above in the reel, losing these short C's to E. Slow down the reel for a more technically poised delivery. Summary: Nice march playing, Steve. I would slow down you strathspey and reel and work your strathspey in particular with a metronome to steady it out. Solid instrument but I would try to get some type of windscreen or something if recording outside in blustery conditions like this. A lot of strong technique here. Work on D throws in particular, along with the Low A-C-E combinations that appear throughout this set. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Bruce Gandy's Farewell to The Iron Horse Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Excellent pipe. Steady tempo, and good flow for the most part — could be a bit more fluid in some places — you're cutting the middle note of some groups of three a bit aggressively. Maybe rather than focusing on holding the dotted note, think about the third eighth note in each beat, and make sure it is ALWAYS in the same place, then work backward (make sure the middle note is crystal clear, and that tells you how long to hold the dot). Technically strong, just a few little fluffy bits. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Fleek 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Nice pipe. Well set, well blown. Steady tempo and good handle on the compound time rhythm for the most part. Make sure you don't lose track of where the third eighth note lands when you get a quarter note eighth note combo. Good clarity of fingering. Steady performance — well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Lily Christie Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Well set pipe — drones really quite close but not completely locked. Steady tempo and lively rhythm with good attention to phrasing. Technique coming out quite well. Consistent all through. I enjoyed this.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald McLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Well set pipe, blown well for the most part — just some slight ups and downs on high G and high A. Steady tempo, and a good handle on compound time rhythm, but be careful not to overcut the middle note at times (eg E D HG — the D will be more clear if it isn't so cut). Good technique. Well played.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: PM Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe well set, though drones slightly high to the chanter — maybe blowing harder while tuning? Steady tempo and a good handle on the compound time rhythm. Technically quite good. A couple of slightly sticky birls. Solid and consistent all through — well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lee McLeod 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Donald McLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Well set pipe. Good swing and initial pace to this tune. Be careful not to overcut the little E before strikes in part three. Killer birls in part 4. Not always crystal clear going from the low A to the High A though. Steady performance, good technique. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Barrie McLeod 🇨🇦 Tunes: Dundee City Police Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Top hand fairly flat — maybe sink the reed a little bit for better balance? Drones close but not quite locked. Steady tempo, and good flow for the most part — just the odd place where you slip out of the bouncy compound time rhythm — e.g., F HA LA in part four almost even. Some technique coming out clearly, but other places a bit untidy — main thing here is consistency. Steady tempo start to finish.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: P/M Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set fairly well at the start but not quite locked in. Make sure that bag feels really firm at all times — you're getting minor fluctuations in pressure here and there. Good tempo and flow. Drones moving by part three and low A rising. Consistent approach to the compound time rhythm. Technically fairly good with only a few little misses. Getting a bit tight at the very end, cutting the middle notes of groups of three a bit severely. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Miss Ishabel T MacDonald Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set — just watch minor fluctuations in bag pressure, especially a slight relaxing on long notes at the end of lines. Most of your beats show good compound time rhythm, but you do slip out of it here and there, usually because of trying to get technique in clearly — for example the E strikes in part four. Drones moving a bit by the end. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Chanter nicely balances, but drones not quite settled together. Steady tempo, good handle of the compound time rhythm. Some dropped technique but much coming out clearly. Lots of D grace notes missing or missed in C doublings — maybe gripping a bit hard with bottom hand? Lots of musical control all through. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Edon Abbot 🇦🇺 Tunes: Cameron MacFadyen Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Lovely pipe. Steady tempo, though pushing ahead at times a bit — make as much use of the long notes as you can — for example the low A starting bar 7 of each part. Good hands — a few slightly fuzzy bits but clear for the most part. Good handle on the compound time rhythm, just losing it a bit in those places where you come off the dotted note a bit eagerly. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Man from Skye Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set well at the start. Steady tempo. Good compound time rhythm for the most part, but at times slipping out of it a bit by not holding the dots quite enough here and there — like starting bar three of parts three and four. Technique fairly good for the most part — a few fluffy moments but nothing too big. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set fairly well. G grace notes a quite squeaky on low A to start. Watch clarity of fingering going from cut Ds to B — sometimes rolling down a bit. Steady tempo and a good handle on compound time rhythm, though at times overcutting the middle cut note a bit severely. Execution mostly clear, but that D to B transition could use some attention. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Pipe Major Sam Scott Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set and well blown — some mid range notes a bit on the sharp side. Steady tempo, but the flow is a little erratic at times. It sounds like you're paying a great deal of attention to the heaviness of the down beat, but not always feeling the lift from the timing of the third eighth note in each beat. Whether or not that eighth note is articulated, it is important to feel where it is. That gives you the bouncy liveliness that is so distinctive in Scottish 6/8 marches. It also tells you exactly how long to hold the stressed downbeat notes. At times you're holding a bit too long, which means you have to sacrifice some of that important final element of the groups of three. Strong technique.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jess Jeffery 🇦🇺 Tunes: John D Burgess Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Drones set well together, but a little higher than the chanter. Maybe you tuned with more pressure than while performing? Not quite settled pipe. Steady tempo and good handle on the compound time rhythm. Some sags in bag pressure. Technically quite good. Could increase tempo a little bit for more liveliness? Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: PM Sam Scott Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Chanter set well except B and low A are quite flat — drones not tuned together. Steady tempo and good understanding of the compound time rhythm. Technically quite good, though grips a bit inconsistent in the last part — you could probably open these up a bit. Main thing would be to get the pipe a bit more refined. I can hear from your frustration at the end that you were upset about the squeaky grip — sure, it happened, but the main thing is the tuning of the pipe.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kathryn McEwan 🏴 Tunes: John MacColl's Farewell to the Scottish Horse Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set, though drones a little higher than low A and not quite locked. Good flow, and lots of control of this compound time rhythm. Some cut C to E a little aggressive in places, but very good in others — sometimes a tiny bit late opening the E getting a little fluffy sound — still better than a crossing noise! Not all tachums as clear as each other — just minor inconsistencies — same with birls (some great, some less tidy). Solid flow all through. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe close but not quite locked in — your low A is sharp, which makes getting the drones just right very difficult! Drones not locked in together. A few spots where you're pushing forward in tempo by part two and three — esp. bar three in part three. Good hands — clear technique. Just watch the fluctuations in your tempo, mostly — hold back on the big notes! Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lisa Notman 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dornoch Highland Gathering Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set fairly well, though some small changes in pressure here and there. Good flow and lively tempo. Be careful not to clip the cuts before strikes too much — disrupt the flow a little, but also makes it more likely to miss strikes (a number of these dropped, particularly C). Most of the technique came through clearly, though, with just some light fingering in places. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Margaret Imler 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dornoch Highland Gathering Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Fairly well set pipe, just watch a bit of sagginess on low A at the end of parts. A reserved tempo, but appropriate for the technique. Good clarity and definition of the technique. Minor hesitation part two. Some unconventional grace noting in part three going into bar two. The next step to more clarity along with a bit more liveliness would be to get a little more consistent in the size of grace notes — some a bit big, meaning you can't yet tighten up some of the technique to allow a bit more tempo. I'd say that's the next step — try to get all grace notes consistently a bit smaller without losing any projection. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Lovely pipe (though high G a bit sharp). Solid tempo — a bit reserved, but steady and consistent. Watch out for E doublings that come from E — you're playing the grace notes in reverse order! Pinkie is coming up a bit early at the end of your grips from C to E at times, but otherwise strong technique. You've got good hands — definitely fix those E doublings from E! Steady performance.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Tunes: Fairview Cottage Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Drones well set — chanter quite good though a bit flat on F and some Cs (maybe the pinkie not in the right spot always on these?). Good hands, but some funny birls, and sometimes early birls. Steady tempo and a good handle on the compound time rhythm. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sally Craik 🇳🇿 Tunes: PM Bill Boyle Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Drones not quite settled and not quite in with the chanter from the start. Good pace — lively! At times cutting the third eighth note in some groups of three — that's where you get the lift and bounce. You're getting it most times, but sometimes if you over-stress a down beat, you end up having to cut this one, losing a bit of the bouncy flow. Good technique. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Hugh Ferguson Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Chanter fairly good but a bit sharp on top — drones set a bit flat to it though. That fan is really chopping up your sound! A couple of chokes. Steady tempo and a consistent approach to the compound time rhythm. Make sure your pinkie doesn't come up early at the end of grips. Technically fairly good — just a few little fluffy bits. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sid Baker 🇨🇦 Tunes: Waiting for the Skating Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Very steady drones, tuned very well. Top hand of the chanter a bit sharp — maybe add a wrap of hemp to get better balance bottom to top? Steady tempo. A few moments of slightly untidy fingering but clear for the most part. Some groups of three a bit loose — could get a bit more bounce to the compound rhythm by holding dots just a tad longer and cutting the middle note a little — tough in this tune with those grace notes on the third eighth notes! Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Invergordon Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set, though drones not quite locked. Steady tempo. Make sure you're D grace note in D throws doesn't happen on the way to the low G. Mostly locked into a good compound flow, but occasionally slipping out of it by overholding the dot and having to take time away from the third eighth note from a group of three, and that's where your 6/8 bounce comes from -—making that third eighth note always happen in the same place, whether or not it is articulated. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set. Watch for some surges in pressure at times — seems to be connected to doublings — maybe you're a bit tense, and as you squeeze for a doubling your arm/body tenses, creating a bit of a surge. Steady and consistent tempo — a bit slow but well controlled. Rhythmically strong for the most part — just a few places where you slip out of rhythm but nothing consistently out of place! Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to avoid the tonal surges — any sudden movements or tensing will come across in the sound. Aim for smooth and fluid control of the bag.
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Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Bruce Gandy's Farewell to The Iron Horse Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Excellent pipe. Steady tempo, and good flow for the most part — could be a bit more fluid in some places — you're cutting the middle note of some groups of three a bit aggressively. Maybe rather than focusing on holding the dotted note, think about the third eighth note in each beat, and make sure it is ALWAYS in the same place, then work backward (make sure the middle note is crystal clear, and that tells you how long to hold the dot). Technically strong, just a few little fluffy bits. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Fleek 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Nice pipe. Well set, well blown. Steady tempo and good handle on the compound time rhythm for the most part. Make sure you don't lose track of where the third eighth note lands when you get a quarter note eighth note combo. Good clarity of fingering. Steady performance — well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Lily Christie Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Well set pipe — drones really quite close but not completely locked. Steady tempo and lively rhythm with good attention to phrasing. Technique coming out quite well. Consistent all through. I enjoyed this.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald McLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Well set pipe, blown well for the most part — just some slight ups and downs on high G and high A. Steady tempo, and a good handle on compound time rhythm, but be careful not to overcut the middle note at times (eg E D HG — the D will be more clear if it isn't so cut). Good technique. Well played.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: PM Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe well set, though drones slightly high to the chanter — maybe blowing harder while tuning? Steady tempo and a good handle on the compound time rhythm. Technically quite good. A couple of slightly sticky birls. Solid and consistent all through — well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lee McLeod 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Donald McLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Well set pipe. Good swing and initial pace to this tune. Be careful not to overcut the little E before strikes in part three. Killer birls in part 4. Not always crystal clear going from the low A to the High A though. Steady performance, good technique. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Barrie McLeod 🇨🇦 Tunes: Dundee City Police Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Top hand fairly flat — maybe sink the reed a little bit for better balance? Drones close but not quite locked. Steady tempo, and good flow for the most part — just the odd place where you slip out of the bouncy compound time rhythm — e.g., F HA LA in part four almost even. Some technique coming out clearly, but other places a bit untidy — main thing here is consistency. Steady tempo start to finish.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: P/M Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set fairly well at the start but not quite locked in. Make sure that bag feels really firm at all times — you're getting minor fluctuations in pressure here and there. Good tempo and flow. Drones moving by part three and low A rising. Consistent approach to the compound time rhythm. Technically fairly good with only a few little misses. Getting a bit tight at the very end, cutting the middle notes of groups of three a bit severely. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Miss Ishabel T MacDonald Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set — just watch minor fluctuations in bag pressure, especially a slight relaxing on long notes at the end of lines. Most of your beats show good compound time rhythm, but you do slip out of it here and there, usually because of trying to get technique in clearly — for example the E strikes in part four. Drones moving a bit by the end. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Chanter nicely balances, but drones not quite settled together. Steady tempo, good handle of the compound time rhythm. Some dropped technique but much coming out clearly. Lots of D grace notes missing or missed in C doublings — maybe gripping a bit hard with bottom hand? Lots of musical control all through. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Edon Abbot 🇦🇺 Tunes: Cameron MacFadyen Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Lovely pipe. Steady tempo, though pushing ahead at times a bit — make as much use of the long notes as you can — for example the low A starting bar 7 of each part. Good hands — a few slightly fuzzy bits but clear for the most part. Good handle on the compound time rhythm, just losing it a bit in those places where you come off the dotted note a bit eagerly. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Man from Skye Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set well at the start. Steady tempo. Good compound time rhythm for the most part, but at times slipping out of it a bit by not holding the dots quite enough here and there — like starting bar three of parts three and four. Technique fairly good for the most part — a few fluffy moments but nothing too big. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald Maclean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set fairly well. G grace notes a quite squeaky on low A to start. Watch clarity of fingering going from cut Ds to B — sometimes rolling down a bit. Steady tempo and a good handle on compound time rhythm, though at times overcutting the middle cut note a bit severely. Execution mostly clear, but that D to B transition could use some attention. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Pipe Major Sam Scott Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set and well blown — some mid range notes a bit on the sharp side. Steady tempo, but the flow is a little erratic at times. It sounds like you're paying a great deal of attention to the heaviness of the down beat, but not always feeling the lift from the timing of the third eighth note in each beat. Whether or not that eighth note is articulated, it is important to feel where it is. That gives you the bouncy liveliness that is so distinctive in Scottish 6/8 marches. It also tells you exactly how long to hold the stressed downbeat notes. At times you're holding a bit too long, which means you have to sacrifice some of that important final element of the groups of three. Strong technique.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jess Jeffery 🇦🇺 Tunes: John D Burgess Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Drones set well together, but a little higher than the chanter. Maybe you tuned with more pressure than while performing? Not quite settled pipe. Steady tempo and good handle on the compound time rhythm. Some sags in bag pressure. Technically quite good. Could increase tempo a little bit for more liveliness? Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: PM Sam Scott Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Chanter set well except B and low A are quite flat — drones not tuned together. Steady tempo and good understanding of the compound time rhythm. Technically quite good, though grips a bit inconsistent in the last part — you could probably open these up a bit. Main thing would be to get the pipe a bit more refined. I can hear from your frustration at the end that you were upset about the squeaky grip — sure, it happened, but the main thing is the tuning of the pipe.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kathryn McEwan 🏴 Tunes: John MacColl's Farewell to the Scottish Horse Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set, though drones a little higher than low A and not quite locked. Good flow, and lots of control of this compound time rhythm. Some cut C to E a little aggressive in places, but very good in others — sometimes a tiny bit late opening the E getting a little fluffy sound — still better than a crossing noise! Not all tachums as clear as each other — just minor inconsistencies — same with birls (some great, some less tidy). Solid flow all through. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe close but not quite locked in — your low A is sharp, which makes getting the drones just right very difficult! Drones not locked in together. A few spots where you're pushing forward in tempo by part two and three — esp. bar three in part three. Good hands — clear technique. Just watch the fluctuations in your tempo, mostly — hold back on the big notes! Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lisa Notman 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dornoch Highland Gathering Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe set fairly well, though some small changes in pressure here and there. Good flow and lively tempo. Be careful not to clip the cuts before strikes too much — disrupt the flow a little, but also makes it more likely to miss strikes (a number of these dropped, particularly C). Most of the technique came through clearly, though, with just some light fingering in places. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Margaret Imler 🇺🇸 Tunes: Dornoch Highland Gathering Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Fairly well set pipe, just watch a bit of sagginess on low A at the end of parts. A reserved tempo, but appropriate for the technique. Good clarity and definition of the technique. Minor hesitation part two. Some unconventional grace noting in part three going into bar two. The next step to more clarity along with a bit more liveliness would be to get a little more consistent in the size of grace notes — some a bit big, meaning you can't yet tighten up some of the technique to allow a bit more tempo. I'd say that's the next step — try to get all grace notes consistently a bit smaller without losing any projection. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Lovely pipe (though high G a bit sharp). Solid tempo — a bit reserved, but steady and consistent. Watch out for E doublings that come from E — you're playing the grace notes in reverse order! Pinkie is coming up a bit early at the end of your grips from C to E at times, but otherwise strong technique. You've got good hands — definitely fix those E doublings from E! Steady performance.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Tunes: Fairview Cottage Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Drones well set — chanter quite good though a bit flat on F and some Cs (maybe the pinkie not in the right spot always on these?). Good hands, but some funny birls, and sometimes early birls. Steady tempo and a good handle on the compound time rhythm. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sally Craik 🇳🇿 Tunes: PM Bill Boyle Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Drones not quite settled and not quite in with the chanter from the start. Good pace — lively! At times cutting the third eighth note in some groups of three — that's where you get the lift and bounce. You're getting it most times, but sometimes if you over-stress a down beat, you end up having to cut this one, losing a bit of the bouncy flow. Good technique. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Hugh Ferguson Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Chanter fairly good but a bit sharp on top — drones set a bit flat to it though. That fan is really chopping up your sound! A couple of chokes. Steady tempo and a consistent approach to the compound time rhythm. Make sure your pinkie doesn't come up early at the end of grips. Technically fairly good — just a few little fluffy bits. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sid Baker 🇨🇦 Tunes: Waiting for the Skating Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Very steady drones, tuned very well. Top hand of the chanter a bit sharp — maybe add a wrap of hemp to get better balance bottom to top? Steady tempo. A few moments of slightly untidy fingering but clear for the most part. Some groups of three a bit loose — could get a bit more bounce to the compound rhythm by holding dots just a tad longer and cutting the middle note a little — tough in this tune with those grace notes on the third eighth notes! Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Invergordon Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set, though drones not quite locked. Steady tempo. Make sure you're D grace note in D throws doesn't happen on the way to the low G. Mostly locked into a good compound flow, but occasionally slipping out of it by overholding the dot and having to take time away from the third eighth note from a group of three, and that's where your 6/8 bounce comes from -—making that third eighth note always happen in the same place, whether or not it is articulated. Well done.
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Event 17. Grade 3 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: James MacHattie Judge's Comments: Pipe fairly well set. Watch for some surges in pressure at times — seems to be connected to doublings — maybe you're a bit tense, and as you squeeze for a doubling your arm/body tenses, creating a bit of a surge. Steady and consistent tempo — a bit slow but well controlled. Rhythmically strong for the most part — just a few places where you slip out of rhythm but nothing consistently out of place! Try to stay relaxed in your upper body to avoid the tonal surges — any sudden movements or tensing will come across in the sound. Aim for smooth and fluid control of the bag.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Donnie MacGregor Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Love drones and chanter — great! Great uplift to the tune. Great technique — well-embedded in the tune. The final bar is a little rushed, wait for the beat before the strike. Double check your setting of the tune as well (4th part). Although this has super technique, try to lift the G finger grace note a little higher to achieve maximum clarity. On the whole this was a great performance — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — lovely and full, well tuned at the start. E and F slightly flat. Make sure you fully blow out the high A when tuning. Great start to the tune with great technique, a few crossing noises here and there however. Great G-D-Es too. Great expression as well — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Edon Abbot 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Troy's Wedding Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — lovely and full however the D is slightly flat. Nice lively playing here, which is great. Try to keep it all in control however, wait for the beat. Also, at times there could have been some better expression. Great third part. On the whole a wonderful performance, well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Diego Barquet 🇲🇽 Place: 4 Tunes: Paddy's Leather Breeches Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Good although they could be a little closer together in their tuning. Good tempo at the start though there were a few points of rushing at times. The G-D-E on C-A-A were a little rushed and clipped. Technically sound — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Reece Doherty Place: 5 Tunes: Allan MacPherson of Moss Park Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — lovely full chanter, though the drones could have been a little better tuned to each other. A great start to the tune with great musicality and lovely technical execution. Tune progressing nicely, though the pipes are slightly distracting at this point. On the whole great playing and good clarity — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Cutting Bracken Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Lovely drones, top hand a little sharp. Try to ease into the tune here. A lovely a tempo though. A few crossing noises here and there. 4th part G-D-Es are a little rushed as well. Generally a very nice musical performance with a few minor inaccuracies at times. Well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Barrie McLeod 🇨🇦 Tunes: Nelson Mandela's Welcome to Glasgow Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Could be slightly better tuned to the chanter The tune had a lovely tempo here though it could be a little brighter to enhance the emotional impact of the tune. Technically sound as well, however the grace notes could be better embedded in the melody. Overall a great attempt at a hard tune.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Cane Reed Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — the drones were slightly flat to the chanter. F slightly flat too. Lovely tempo here with decent technique, though I felt it could be slightly better embedded in the melody. A couple of misses here and there as well. A wee choke at the end perhaps? On the whole a lovely musical performance — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Turf Lodge Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Not bad but could be better tuned to the drones. The tempo here is nice but could be slightly brighter. Technically sound, however the rodin and birl are a little crushed at times at the ends of the parts. Similarly there are few points of stop/start throughout the tune — try and keep everything flowing along as best as you can. on the whole, well played.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Tunes: Alan MacPherson, Mosspark Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Chanter is lovely and full. the drones were good at by the end of the first line which is good. A good start to the tune with a nice tempo, though it could be a little brighter. Technically very good though I feel you could be lifting the G grace note finger a little higher at times. Similarly, crossing noises are coming through at times. On the whole this was very nice — well done,
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Curlew Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Lovely sound though they could be slightly closer to the chanter. A musical start to the tune with decent application of technique. The grace notes and embellishments are all fine however there are a number of crossing noises throughout the tune which are a little distracting and bring the overall impact down a little. Musically this was very enjoyable. On the whole, a great entry with a few minor inaccuracies.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Tunes: Alan MacPherson of Mosspark Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Good drones — lovely bright chanter sound as well. F slightly flat Musically a little square, but a nice tempo. First two parts were very good however there were a few crossing noises are evident in the 3rd and 4th parts. Technically sound, though the grace notes could be slightly better embedded in the melody of the tune. On the whole this was a nice performance with a few inaccuracies. There is much potential here — keep up the good work
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — good drones here, chanter could be slightly brighter. The tune had a lovely tempo here though it could be a little brighter to enhance the emotional impact of the tune. Technically sound as well however the grace notes could be better embedded in the melody: at times the technical execution was very good but at other times it could have been more solid. On the whole, a lovely performance with much potential.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Judge’s Dilemma Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Try to ease into the tune a little more here. On the whole a lovely tempo here. For the most part the technique here is great but at times the clarity was lost a little; try to get the G grace note finger lifted a little higher. Similarly there were a few crossing noises. Also, there were a few hesitations here and there. Pipes — ok but could be slightly better tuned. On the whole this was a great attempt at a tricky tune. Well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: Paddy's Leather Breeches Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Drones could have been closer to the chanter here. Chanter was nice and full however. For solo piping, try to ease into the tune a little more rather than starting the selected tempo. However this was a lovely tempo with good technique at times. There were a few crossing notes at times and one or two points of rushing. On the whole, very well played.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Jimmy McGregor Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Fairly well in tune, F slightly flat. Began to drift as the tune went on. A decent tempo here, though it improved. Lovely, crisp technique here which is well embedded into the melody. I felt the tempo could be brighter in order to increase the emotional impact. Similarly on a musical part, it felt slightly square. On the whole a great, enjoyable performance — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: I Laid a Herring in Salt Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — when blown well they sound great but the unsteady blowing was distracting. Good start to the tune, a decent tempo however it felt a little stop-start at times. The third part was much better. Technically sound however the rodin and birl at the end of the parts were a little crushed. This was a good crack at a tricky tune — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lisa Notman 🇺🇸 Tunes: Joshua James Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — They could have been slightly more in tune at the start. Make sure you also blow through the reed to get the maximum tone from it. A lovely bright tempo here which was very enjoyable. For the most part the technique was fairly clear but sometimes inaccurate. Make sure it's all consistent. The first part was a little shaky but the tune improved leaps and bounds after that. On the whole a great effort at a tricky tune.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Margaret Imler 🇺🇸 Tunes: Barbara's Jig Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — The drones are slightly out from each other. Lovely full chanter though the top hand is a little sharp. Musically very enjoyable with a bright tempo. First two are lovely and flowy. After that there were a few crossing noises here and there which disturbed the flow of the tune a little. Technically sound though try to get the technique slightly more embedded in the melody. On the whole, a great attempt at this tune — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Fleek 🇺🇸 Tunes: Banjo Breakdown Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Good for the most part — the top hand was a little sharp and the drones did not fully hold. Good tempo here, enjoyable with good expression. Technically sound as well, though the G finger could be lifted a tad higher to get maximum clarity, it was catching every now and again. The fingers at times seem a little heavy. A few crossing noises here and there. On the whole this was a most enjoyable performance — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Jig of Slurs Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — A little out with the chanter but the chanter is nice and full. The top hand is hand is a little of tune. Good start to the tune, try to ease into it a little more. Technically sound, however there are a number of crossing noises coming through throughout. Generally speaking, the first two parts were very good but there was a lack of control in the second two parts: try to get this up to the same level of execution as the first part. On the whole, great job, well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Could be slightly better but slightly flat, fairly nice chanter. Good musical lift with a good tempo. Technically good, however try to embed the technique into the melody a little better. Very few crossing noises which is great! On the whole an enjoyable performance P.S. Playing outside is always great however the wind was being picked up quite heavily on the mic and was distracting from the performance at times, hearing the drones wasn't easy.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: Stewart Chisholm's Walkabout Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Could be a little closer to the chanter, all 3 were slightly out with each other. The tune could be a little faster in tempo, however there is good expression throughout. Technically great though there were a few crossing noises at times. A wee slip was a little distracting as well. On the whole a very enjoyable performance — well done!
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Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Donnie MacGregor Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Love drones and chanter — great! Great uplift to the tune. Great technique — well-embedded in the tune. The final bar is a little rushed, wait for the beat before the strike. Double check your setting of the tune as well (4th part). Although this has super technique, try to lift the G finger grace note a little higher to achieve maximum clarity. On the whole this was a great performance — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — lovely and full, well tuned at the start. E and F slightly flat. Make sure you fully blow out the high A when tuning. Great start to the tune with great technique, a few crossing noises here and there however. Great G-D-Es too. Great expression as well — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Edon Abbot 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Troy's Wedding Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — lovely and full however the D is slightly flat. Nice lively playing here, which is great. Try to keep it all in control however, wait for the beat. Also, at times there could have been some better expression. Great third part. On the whole a wonderful performance, well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Diego Barquet 🇲🇽 Place: 4 Tunes: Paddy's Leather Breeches Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Good although they could be a little closer together in their tuning. Good tempo at the start though there were a few points of rushing at times. The G-D-E on C-A-A were a little rushed and clipped. Technically sound — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Reece Doherty Place: 5 Tunes: Allan MacPherson of Moss Park Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — lovely full chanter, though the drones could have been a little better tuned to each other. A great start to the tune with great musicality and lovely technical execution. Tune progressing nicely, though the pipes are slightly distracting at this point. On the whole great playing and good clarity — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Cutting Bracken Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Lovely drones, top hand a little sharp. Try to ease into the tune here. A lovely a tempo though. A few crossing noises here and there. 4th part G-D-Es are a little rushed as well. Generally a very nice musical performance with a few minor inaccuracies at times. Well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Barrie McLeod 🇨🇦 Tunes: Nelson Mandela's Welcome to Glasgow Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Could be slightly better tuned to the chanter The tune had a lovely tempo here though it could be a little brighter to enhance the emotional impact of the tune. Technically sound as well, however the grace notes could be better embedded in the melody. Overall a great attempt at a hard tune.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Cane Reed Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — the drones were slightly flat to the chanter. F slightly flat too. Lovely tempo here with decent technique, though I felt it could be slightly better embedded in the melody. A couple of misses here and there as well. A wee choke at the end perhaps? On the whole a lovely musical performance — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Turf Lodge Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Not bad but could be better tuned to the drones. The tempo here is nice but could be slightly brighter. Technically sound, however the rodin and birl are a little crushed at times at the ends of the parts. Similarly there are few points of stop/start throughout the tune — try and keep everything flowing along as best as you can. on the whole, well played.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Tunes: Alan MacPherson, Mosspark Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Chanter is lovely and full. the drones were good at by the end of the first line which is good. A good start to the tune with a nice tempo, though it could be a little brighter. Technically very good though I feel you could be lifting the G grace note finger a little higher at times. Similarly, crossing noises are coming through at times. On the whole this was very nice — well done,
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Curlew Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Lovely sound though they could be slightly closer to the chanter. A musical start to the tune with decent application of technique. The grace notes and embellishments are all fine however there are a number of crossing noises throughout the tune which are a little distracting and bring the overall impact down a little. Musically this was very enjoyable. On the whole, a great entry with a few minor inaccuracies.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Tunes: Alan MacPherson of Mosspark Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Good drones — lovely bright chanter sound as well. F slightly flat Musically a little square, but a nice tempo. First two parts were very good however there were a few crossing noises are evident in the 3rd and 4th parts. Technically sound, though the grace notes could be slightly better embedded in the melody of the tune. On the whole this was a nice performance with a few inaccuracies. There is much potential here — keep up the good work
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — good drones here, chanter could be slightly brighter. The tune had a lovely tempo here though it could be a little brighter to enhance the emotional impact of the tune. Technically sound as well however the grace notes could be better embedded in the melody: at times the technical execution was very good but at other times it could have been more solid. On the whole, a lovely performance with much potential.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Judge’s Dilemma Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Try to ease into the tune a little more here. On the whole a lovely tempo here. For the most part the technique here is great but at times the clarity was lost a little; try to get the G grace note finger lifted a little higher. Similarly there were a few crossing noises. Also, there were a few hesitations here and there. Pipes — ok but could be slightly better tuned. On the whole this was a great attempt at a tricky tune. Well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: Paddy's Leather Breeches Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Drones could have been closer to the chanter here. Chanter was nice and full however. For solo piping, try to ease into the tune a little more rather than starting the selected tempo. However this was a lovely tempo with good technique at times. There were a few crossing notes at times and one or two points of rushing. On the whole, very well played.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Jimmy McGregor Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Fairly well in tune, F slightly flat. Began to drift as the tune went on. A decent tempo here, though it improved. Lovely, crisp technique here which is well embedded into the melody. I felt the tempo could be brighter in order to increase the emotional impact. Similarly on a musical part, it felt slightly square. On the whole a great, enjoyable performance — well done!
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: I Laid a Herring in Salt Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — when blown well they sound great but the unsteady blowing was distracting. Good start to the tune, a decent tempo however it felt a little stop-start at times. The third part was much better. Technically sound however the rodin and birl at the end of the parts were a little crushed. This was a good crack at a tricky tune — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lisa Notman 🇺🇸 Tunes: Joshua James Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — They could have been slightly more in tune at the start. Make sure you also blow through the reed to get the maximum tone from it. A lovely bright tempo here which was very enjoyable. For the most part the technique was fairly clear but sometimes inaccurate. Make sure it's all consistent. The first part was a little shaky but the tune improved leaps and bounds after that. On the whole a great effort at a tricky tune.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Margaret Imler 🇺🇸 Tunes: Barbara's Jig Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — The drones are slightly out from each other. Lovely full chanter though the top hand is a little sharp. Musically very enjoyable with a bright tempo. First two are lovely and flowy. After that there were a few crossing noises here and there which disturbed the flow of the tune a little. Technically sound though try to get the technique slightly more embedded in the melody. On the whole, a great attempt at this tune — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Fleek 🇺🇸 Tunes: Banjo Breakdown Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Good for the most part — the top hand was a little sharp and the drones did not fully hold. Good tempo here, enjoyable with good expression. Technically sound as well, though the G finger could be lifted a tad higher to get maximum clarity, it was catching every now and again. The fingers at times seem a little heavy. A few crossing noises here and there. On the whole this was a most enjoyable performance — well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Jig of Slurs Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — A little out with the chanter but the chanter is nice and full. The top hand is hand is a little of tune. Good start to the tune, try to ease into it a little more. Technically sound, however there are a number of crossing noises coming through throughout. Generally speaking, the first two parts were very good but there was a lack of control in the second two parts: try to get this up to the same level of execution as the first part. On the whole, great job, well done.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Could be slightly better but slightly flat, fairly nice chanter. Good musical lift with a good tempo. Technically good, however try to embed the technique into the melody a little better. Very few crossing noises which is great! On the whole an enjoyable performance P.S. Playing outside is always great however the wind was being picked up quite heavily on the mic and was distracting from the performance at times, hearing the drones wasn't easy.
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Event 18. Grade 3 Piping - Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: Stewart Chisholm's Walkabout Judge: John Dew Judge's Comments: Pipes — Could be a little closer to the chanter, all 3 were slightly out with each other. The tune could be a little faster in tempo, however there is good expression throughout. Technically great though there were a few crossing noises at times. A wee slip was a little distracting as well. On the whole a very enjoyable performance — well done!
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Fleek 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Unknown Name Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. If anything, you're getting slightly stuck on the Low A before the edree in first part. Good job with the rest of the tune. Nice A Machs in last part. Enjoyed your performance.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Rhonda Blair Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Drones well tuned, good job. Intonation issues with F quite flat. HG and HA also not quite on. Good tempo into HP. Nice accurate finger work. Great B shakes in 3rd part. Wee catch in the 4th part. Some terrific playing throughout. Good job.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Crossing the Minch Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Pipes tuned well. Chanter just a touch flat on F. Wee catch to HG in second part. Some slight rushing in 3rd part. Good bottom hand work in 4th part. Well played, well done.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The man from Skye Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice controlled tempo, bagpipe tuned pretty well, just a slight waver in the drones. Lovely chanter. E strikes could be a touch thicker. Small catch in third part, tiny chirp. B strike in fourth not landing. Tidy performance overall, good control. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Ceilidh Lines Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Introduction a bit quick, some small catches in the first phrase of the tune. Losing timing at the end of the second phrase – felt like you missed a note or skipped a beat. Much better in second part, 3rd & 4th parts good. Good bagpipe. Tempo on bright side. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Rusty the Salmon Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice positive start into the tune. Good rhythm. Birl end of second part not quite accurate. Some slight crossing noises on the bottom hand in 4th part. Bagpipe pretty good – a wee bit lower in pitch to the majority of the grade. Could sweeten the sound a bit. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Rathven Market Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice tempo. Pipes close but not quite locked in. Birl a little inaccurate. You're slowing down in the last phrase of each part to play the bubbly movement. Be careful not to fall off the beat. Enjoyed your tune, keep up the good work.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Tempo a little laboured. Some catches in first part. Small error end of second. Start of third just falling behind the beat. Missed E strike. 4th High A strike missed first time. A little untidy second time through the last part.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Diego Barquet 🇲🇽 Tunes: Train Journey North Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Some very slight catches in the second part C to E. Not all the C and D shakes landing in the 3rd & 4th parts. Playing pretty well for most part, just a few bits of playing around the beat. Could certainly be a bit more accurate with your phrasing & expression. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Edon Abbot 🇦🇺 Tunes: Crossing the Minch Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good intro, nice tempo. Some intonation issues on F & HG evident. Watch the accuracy of D doub, C to D with HG grace note, just rushing this. Second part B shakes a bit rushed, third part also. Birls in 4th a little indistinctive. Enjoyed the slight variation in 4th. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Train Journey North Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Steady tempo. Big catch LA to D first bar unfortunate and in repeat. Second part good, small catch C to E. Good shakes in the 3rd. Error start of 4th part. Some small catches in 4th part also.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald Macleod Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Well tuned bagpipe. Excellent tempo. Some slight inaccuracies on bottom hand. Catches to E in second part. Birl not quite clinical enough. Some finger slips in fourth, Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joe Moore 🏴 Tunes: The Train Journey North Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Some crossing noises coming out, especially second time through first part. E doubs quite tight. Good job of the D shakes. Slight squeal end of 2nd part. A little untidy second time through last part. Some technical imperfections on the bottom hand. Pipes pretty close, little bit of a waver. Some intonation issues on C .Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lucy Cassidy Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tune selection. Tempo a bit too slow for a solo hornpipe, would like to hear more of the nautical swing. Birls from C could be more accurate, tricky I know! Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: Piper's Controversy Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Hornpipe tempo just a little slow. Good clean fingers and technique. Bagpipe not quite locked on Low A from start . Some slight rushing in 3rd part. Good finish. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Winnipeg Forger Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Like this tune – one of Don Bradford's best! Not quite how I recall it was written however! Linking note error in first part, second phrase, Third part some wrong notes coming through, also 4th part note errors.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tina Falconer 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Irish Washerwoman Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Tempo a little slow for a competition hornpipe. Rhythm jumping around a little in the 3rd & 4th parts. Wee error going into the 4th. Pipes close bit not quite locked in. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lucy Cassidy Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Bagpipe not quite locked in from start the Bass drone in particular. Some intonation issues evident. Watch crossing noises up to HG from LG. Some untidy fingering in the 3rd & 4th parts and a few little mistakes.
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Competitor: Matthew Fleek 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Unknown Name Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. If anything, you're getting slightly stuck on the Low A before the edree in first part. Good job with the rest of the tune. Nice A Machs in last part. Enjoyed your performance.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Rhonda Blair Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Drones well tuned, good job. Intonation issues with F quite flat. HG and HA also not quite on. Good tempo into HP. Nice accurate finger work. Great B shakes in 3rd part. Wee catch in the 4th part. Some terrific playing throughout. Good job.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Crossing the Minch Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Pipes tuned well. Chanter just a touch flat on F. Wee catch to HG in second part. Some slight rushing in 3rd part. Good bottom hand work in 4th part. Well played, well done.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The man from Skye Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice controlled tempo, bagpipe tuned pretty well, just a slight waver in the drones. Lovely chanter. E strikes could be a touch thicker. Small catch in third part, tiny chirp. B strike in fourth not landing. Tidy performance overall, good control. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Ceilidh Lines Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Introduction a bit quick, some small catches in the first phrase of the tune. Losing timing at the end of the second phrase – felt like you missed a note or skipped a beat. Much better in second part, 3rd & 4th parts good. Good bagpipe. Tempo on bright side. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Rusty the Salmon Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice positive start into the tune. Good rhythm. Birl end of second part not quite accurate. Some slight crossing noises on the bottom hand in 4th part. Bagpipe pretty good – a wee bit lower in pitch to the majority of the grade. Could sweeten the sound a bit. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Rathven Market Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Nice tempo. Pipes close but not quite locked in. Birl a little inaccurate. You're slowing down in the last phrase of each part to play the bubbly movement. Be careful not to fall off the beat. Enjoyed your tune, keep up the good work.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Tempo a little laboured. Some catches in first part. Small error end of second. Start of third just falling behind the beat. Missed E strike. 4th High A strike missed first time. A little untidy second time through the last part.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Diego Barquet 🇲🇽 Tunes: Train Journey North Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Some very slight catches in the second part C to E. Not all the C and D shakes landing in the 3rd & 4th parts. Playing pretty well for most part, just a few bits of playing around the beat. Could certainly be a bit more accurate with your phrasing & expression. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Edon Abbot 🇦🇺 Tunes: Crossing the Minch Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good intro, nice tempo. Some intonation issues on F & HG evident. Watch the accuracy of D doub, C to D with HG grace note, just rushing this. Second part B shakes a bit rushed, third part also. Birls in 4th a little indistinctive. Enjoyed the slight variation in 4th. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Train Journey North Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Steady tempo. Big catch LA to D first bar unfortunate and in repeat. Second part good, small catch C to E. Good shakes in the 3rd. Error start of 4th part. Some small catches in 4th part also.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hart Greenwood 🇺🇸 Tunes: Donald Macleod Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Well tuned bagpipe. Excellent tempo. Some slight inaccuracies on bottom hand. Catches to E in second part. Birl not quite clinical enough. Some finger slips in fourth, Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joe Moore 🏴 Tunes: The Train Journey North Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Some crossing noises coming out, especially second time through first part. E doubs quite tight. Good job of the D shakes. Slight squeal end of 2nd part. A little untidy second time through last part. Some technical imperfections on the bottom hand. Pipes pretty close, little bit of a waver. Some intonation issues on C .Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lucy Cassidy Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tune selection. Tempo a bit too slow for a solo hornpipe, would like to hear more of the nautical swing. Birls from C could be more accurate, tricky I know! Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: Piper's Controversy Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Hornpipe tempo just a little slow. Good clean fingers and technique. Bagpipe not quite locked on Low A from start . Some slight rushing in 3rd part. Good finish. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Winnipeg Forger Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Good tempo. Like this tune – one of Don Bradford's best! Not quite how I recall it was written however! Linking note error in first part, second phrase, Third part some wrong notes coming through, also 4th part note errors.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tina Falconer 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Irish Washerwoman Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Tempo a little slow for a competition hornpipe. Rhythm jumping around a little in the 3rd & 4th parts. Wee error going into the 4th. Pipes close bit not quite locked in. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 19. Grade 3 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lucy Cassidy Judge: Stuart Easton Judge's Comments: Bagpipe not quite locked in from start the Bass drone in particular. Some intonation issues evident. Watch crossing noises up to HG from LG. Some untidy fingering in the 3rd & 4th parts and a few little mistakes.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Lee McLeod 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Lament for Mary McLeod Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: A member of the MacLeod clan plays this timeless masterpiece — what a treat. Ground was on the fast side for me, just take the tempo back a little please, that would be my suggestion. Otherwise well played. The last phrase could be a lot slower and try and inject as emotion there as possible. Var 1. Ditto comments re: tempo, you can milk the emotion here, and then let rip in the Doubling. And double the comments on the last phrase. This is one of the most beautiful phrases in the whole repertoire. Relax and enjoy. Doubling very nice. T Singling — you "fell in" here from the end of the previous variation. Slow the last bar of Variation 1 and dwell on the first low A of the T variation — what a difference that would make. I again thought the Singling was brisk for my liking. Same comments re: last phrase Doubling lovely — but because the same speed as Singling you lost the drama a bit. C — singling — same comments as above. When I was taught this tune, Var 1 Singling, T singling, and C Singling were all the same speed and same pointing. That holds back the tension in the tune, and the Doublings can be the relaxed flowing bit. Your Doublings are excellent, but the Singlings are letting you down. Have a listen to some of the classic recordings — maybe you have done so. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=lament-for-mary-macleod You will hear Donald MacPherson (you'll need to be a Piobaireachd Society member but it is cheap to join). He does have a brisk Ground, but long cadences which allow the tune room to breathe. And the last phrase is a classic example of how to slow at this point. Variation one has amazing long cadences, which hold back the speed until the Doubling, and so on. In the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWtnndzhy3E the tune is played at the Silver Chanter at the speed which I think hits the spot. It's a matter of opinion, I realise. Fingering overall good and pipes great — the best of the day.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Clan Cambell's Gathering Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Ray, this was a good tune, boldly presented on a strong bagpipe. The only note slightly out of tune was the E which does need checking out when playing Clan Campbells' Gathering! The Ground was great — spot on. In the Thumb variation I would spend more time on the three notes which have the high A in them — E-low A-high A (or E-B-high A). Just relax and slide up to the high A and back down. In the phrase with a B in in it, the whole thing felt rushed. Listen back and you will see what I mean. The next variation was super — really well played. In the T and C singlings, you can rest a little longer on the E after the Grip — so-called Cadence E note. You are coming off it a bit too early for me. Then when you get to the Doublings, you can let rip as you did — they were both very well played. Good job all round, just that E slightly flat I think which let you down — certainly not quite right, obvious from the start.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ray Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Great to hear one of the classic tunes with no T or C variations being submitted — I think more people should do this, I have competed in the past with similar tunes and it allows these great tunes to get out there. There are other settings of the tune (Colin MacRae of Invereenat) but I prefer what you played. Ground — great, I liked the last bar in particular — at this point in tune you can milk the short notes and use as much expression as possible — you could you do even more here, especially with the B before the hiharin - lean on that too if you can. Good job. Thumb — nice high A sound. It's a small point but I noticed it in the Ground too — leave more time for the E note on the cadence to B in the last bar of line 1 and 2. Listen back and you'll hear that you are "falling off" the E on to the B. Var 2 — very nice, same comment on the B of the last bar in lines 1 and 2 — take your time. Ground at the end was even better than the start — very musical. Pipes good in the main, lovely high A.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Kathryn McEwan 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Kathryn. You started this tune just right for me, with a measured Ground which was very very musical. Great. The Doubling of the Ground was perhaps too much a contrast at this stage of the tune — try and capture the beauty of the Ground without the cadences — that is the only difference, from the Ground, if you follow me. Don't be tempted to speed up the notes written as quavers in the score, at this point. Var 1. Perfect. I thought this was the highlight of the tune. Tripling — good start but after a while the tripling movement got a bit "tight" and you lost the sound of the 3 grace notes — each one needs to be heard. C variation, good control and tempo, I had to listen to this a few times over to work out what was wrong with the movement — it's a subtle thing, but it is how high you lift your E and F fingers for all the edre movements — that will transform this part of the tune. You are concentrating on making "grace notes" on low A for the edre movement when there should be lots of the note E throughout. Also playing the normal C movement on E and F there is not enough low G in the movement — look at your fingers in the vid and you will see the pinkie hardly touches the chanter. I wish I could send you a video of what I mean! Maybe ask your teacher for some feedback as this is holding you back slightly in what is otherwise very thoughtful piobaireachd playing. Pipes nice at the start though drifted a little.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The MacIntosh's Banner Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Thanks for selecting this seldom heard piece, a favourite tune of my pal (and now CPA President) Derek Midgley. Ground was nice — you started rather briskly and settled into a more lyrical style in the 2nd line — listen back and you will hear what I mean. As you did the same in Var 1 Singling which started briskly and then settled. I preferred the more measured style at the end of Ground and Var 1 Singling — try and get that feel to the beginning of these sections also? T and C variations, very musical, tempo bang on. A few missed movements here and there, don't worry too much about that. But they did keep you out of the top of the list of players today, so some work over the winter on the practice chanter would pay off. Pipes nice, not quite locked in but not distracting.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Piper's Warning To His Master Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi there Kevin. The Ground of this tune was very well played and so was Variation 1. Your high G is letting you down a lot - such a difficult note to tune, but you will need to do that - I wasn't happy myself until I found a chanter that sorted it. Note that the D in bar 3 of the Ground has G grace note — you are playing an E grace note here. In Variation 1, you did some nice phrasing and showing line ends, just don't overdo it! T variation was the highlight for me — very good use of cadences and contrast. C variation also very good — keep practising the movement at that speed as you have all the grace notes perfect. Once you have played about ten million crunluaths they begin to speed up and flow by themselves, so just let it happen. I'm serious about that high G (and the F too, which was flat) — if you had sorted that, you would be high in the prizelist with this tune, today.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Allan Kerr 🇨🇦 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Allan. This was good playing in the main but at the outset can I make one wee comment? You tune up or check the drone sound for a few secs at the outset with flying fingers, and it doesn't settle you nor the listener! I had to be the told this myself by my teacher, and I made up a slow tuning phrse which I have stuck to since — could be a good habit for you. The Ground was good. You could pause a little at the end of each phrase to good effect. See recordings below. Variation 1 was really really good, got that perfect, both Singling and Doubling. T and C variation good in the main but you are rushing the cadence movements in the Singlings, both E-C-A and E-B-A, and I suggest you spend more time on the E and lots more time on the C (or B) notes. Listen to recordings to guide you. The old pipers spent a lot of time on the cadences, and then didn't have to do much in the Doublings except play the notes at the same speed (with no cadences). The C movement is coming on nicely, fingers very clear, and I suggest you keep on playing it at this speed — as I said to another piper today, after several million C movements, you fingers will speed up and play them without thinking about it. Takes a few years! As for recordings, I suggest join the Piob Soc if you are not a member (easy to do on the web) and then go to the link below. Donald MacLeod plays the Ground in his usual bold style — more briskly than many play nowadays, which is interesting. But hear what he does with the cadences in Ground and especially the T and C variations. Lots of time on those notes- in fact more time than many would allow nowadays — a modern judging panel might think he is "overdoing it" but it is so lovely, and if you played that style of cadence — or at least thought about it, it would transform the tune for you. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=glengarrys-lament
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Barrie McLeod 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Glen is Mine Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: I liked the speed of the Ground, in fact it could be even more poised and stately, as this is a tune with many variations so room to speed up then. Var 1. Very nice — for me the highlight of the tune. Var 2. Could be quicker at this point. Var 3. Definitely should be quicker now. The key thing with these variations is to gradually build up the tension and then slow a little for the L variation, where you can gradually pick it up again. L nice tempo here. There is something wrong with the chanter here, as the low G note is not sounding for some reason. Same comment for the T and C variations. Ask your tutor or someone who knows about reeds to sort that, as it would make a big difference to all these variations. . I hope your cameraperson got better — what a cough!
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Tunes: Struan Robertson's Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Craig, when you struck your pipes I was really impressed, this was the best bagpipe sound I heard so far today. Lovely. And you had nailed the high G problem, too. Pipes drifted a bit at the end but were not distracting Ground — poised and dramatic, really good job. T Singling again poised and very enjoyable. I was looking forward to the rest of the tune to see what you would do with it. I was a bit puzzled about what you did in lines 2 and 3 — the usual method in a brebach T variation is either to play it "up" or "down." You started out playing it "down" in line 1 and in line 2 and 3 you reversed it and started playing "up." This means, for example, that bar 2 in line 1 (which is repeated in line 2) was played differently throughout. This didn't make musical sense to me. I reckon you should pick how you want to play that variation, and stick to it throughout. By the way if you do decide to play it "down" then the last low G in each line can be long in the Doubling — you are cutting up to the B there. C singling — good. Doubling also good, really good fingering. You are pausing at the end of the lines (on the low A note) a little too long in the Doubling . . . just roll onto the next line naturally — see recordings below which will show pipers demonstrating that for you Let's point you towards some recordings of the tune. here's Bruce Gandy playing the T variation "down" all the way through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYsgPgR_nng And here's Donald MacLeod playing it "up": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF-p72C1uZ4 As I say, pick your style and stick to it. You play lines 2 and 3 nicely "up" already, so maybe all you need to do it alter the first line to be "up" assuming you like that. Myself, I like it "down" as per Bruce Gandy, but it's the players preference.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: The Munro’s Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi there Damien. I think this is the first time I have heard this tune in a competition. What a nice piece of music. The Ground was very nicely played — very musical. In bar two you are starting with a D grace note — my version (the Piob Soc Collection book 11) has a G grace note here. To my knowledge the tune is not in the Kilberry as you stated in your entry so just checking we are talking about the same setting. Angus MacKay has a G grace note here in his book. The only other comments I could make about the Ground were 1) the pause on the high A in line 1 was just a little overdone and 2) you really speeded up in line 3, this is actually the time to slow down and make the most of these last few bars which are so lovely to play. Var 1 was too brisk for me. Don't cut the short notes so much, plenty of time to speed up later. Your holding of the E in each phrase, the one before the end of the phrase, didn't really work musically — if you are going to hold any note long, make it the last note of each phrase (e.g. in phrase 2, the F). T variation - nice. C variation — your C fosgailte movement needs some attention as we are not hearing the note in the middle of it — which is of course the theme note, so is important. Get the practice chanter out and slow it right down, you have the ability to do this as you have good fingers. When you returned to the Ground you were belting along at high speed through that — this part of the tune is not officially "judged" but if you want to get a rounded performance try and have a stately Ground at the end, as you did at the outset.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Dave Reynolds 🇺🇸 Tunes: Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Nice to hear this lovely old tune in competition. Note you put forward (in writing) the name of the tune as Duncan MacRae from the Kilberry book and then played the Piob Soc Book 16 tune which is very closely related. I think you were playing the William Ross setting. Doesn't matter to me either way, but could confuse a judge in future so pick your name and setting and stick to it! Ground — lovely. Great phrasing and line ends. Thumb — again very nice. The last phrase — in both Ground and Var 1, could have more expression and freedom — this is the coda to the tune and can be very "free" and come across more musically than you had done it. Just let go here and let the music breathe. Variation 2 — I also liked your approach to this variation. There was a wee fumble in there in line 2 as you know. Same comment about last bar. Leumluath — good in the main, are you playing the Ross setting? If so the last bar of this variation is tricky to remember as it is not the same as the previous variations. I loved the "redundant low A" here and was really looking forward to this variation so was very sad when you broke down. Could you keep this tune in your repertoire and work on it? There's lots of potential there. Pipes very nice indeed.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Too long in this condition Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Eric, this was a good presentation of this classic tune. Ground well played generally with good attention to the upper hand fingerwork. The only comment I would make is that you are rushing the phrases a bit — dwell on the last note of each bar, especially every second bar, and you'll get it. This is particularly important for the low A notes at the end of each second bar - they are cadence notes and need a good pause to show the listener where the phrase end is. When you come back to the Ground of the tune, you came belting off the low A in bar 2 very quickly — listen back and you will hear that. You are tending to emphasise the the note before the T movement, and hop off the other notes. This is most noticeable in the Doubling of the Ground, where you hop off all the F and high A notes early. Confusingly they are written as quavers in the text but meant to be long notes. Var 1 Singling good — the Doubling was really good, absolutely nailed it with lots of musicality. Good job here. C variations — good in the main. There were times in the Singling where you would come off the low A of the cadence at the end of a phrase — listen back and you will see, same as in the Ground. Just rest there for a tiny bit and that will sort this section of the tune for you. The C fosgailte movement needs a little bit of work — you are rushing it a bit, so that the middle note (a theme note) is not heard. Pipes drifted a little but not distracting.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Company's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Fin. What a nice bagpipe you were playing as the video started. I'm not in charge of the stewarding here — but I think Jori likes you to state your name and the name of the contest, and then strike up — just for the next time. Ground excellent and so was Var 1 Singling. I'd be inclined to move the tempo on for the Doubling, which was a bit slow for me. You can then slow for the Tripling or for the T Variation as you see fit. Tripling also good. In the T variation, you are playing a D grace note on some of the theme notes — the C and B, at times — I could hear it and went back and looked carefully at the fingers. I think this is because the preceding two Variations have a D grace note at this point. C variation also very nice — good playing overall.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: Little Prince You Are My Choice Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: It was a treat to hear this tune, which I have never heard played in competition. The drones were out at the start which was a pity, but goodness knows how to tune them, in the setting where you played. Maybe have a think about that for the next time? Ground was nicely played. You could make more of the 2 bar phrase pattern, with a wee pause at the end of each phrase (but don't overdo it). T variation was the highlight of the tune for me - here the cadences helped you with the phrasing, though you could pause even more in my opinion on the low A notes at the end of each phrase. The T doubling was OK but you were losing some of the low G notes in the T movement here — just play them slow as you did in the Singling and the tune will come together fine. Same comments for the C Singling and Doubling, again using more phrasing in the Singling and keeping the 2 low G notes audible — if you look at the video carefully you will see your pinkie finger is hardly on the low G hole for very long at all, and it really needs to be. Get the practice chanter out and nail that movement if you can. Best wishes for the next contest. I realise some people have difficulty finding a venue to play or have to play at work etc.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Jess Jeffery 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mackintosh's Lament (Kilberry) Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Well Jess I was very impressed that you put forward this tune which is really very hard to play for lots of reasons. It's hard on the bagpipe, being longish, and in the difficult key of D. Your bagpipe started well, and drifted a little. The tune is also hard to memorise! Ground was nice and musical. I have only 2 suggestions here: 1) in the penultimate bar there is a B grip and this leads to the F note (with a dare movement on it). You are really rushing off the B, and this is the only time you do this so it stands out. 2) on the B echo beats, take your time on the Cadence E and D grace note before it. It sounds rushed here. Var Singling and Doubling were on the slow side but musical. I'll signpost some recordings at the bottom of this note, which show the speed I think sounds nice, and you can think about that. Note that in the Doubling, The last note of each line is a low A not B. You can be steaming along with the tempo at the end here, then slow down for the T variation. T Singling — very nice. You've got the swing of the tune here. There were a couple of wee fumbles but don't worry about. that. Doubling of the T variation was the highlight of the tune for me. Good job here — but note the last note being low A not B as for Variation 1 Doubling. C variation, also good in the main. You could relax in the C Doubling and go for it - you were holding back in the tempo there and at this point in the tune the whole thing can flow along at quite a speed if you can do it (and I think you can - shame about the breakdown, better luck next time). I like these recordings, which you have to be a Piob Soc member to access, but it is easy and cheap to do that. For me, Robert Reid really nails it — super playing, and not many of us could play like that now, to be honest. I think a T movement of that speed would now be considered too quick, but interesting to see how the old pipers did it, so to speak. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=macintoshs-lament
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Joe Moore 🏴 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello again Joe, I well remember seeing you play in the Archie Kenneth Quaich a few months ago, I think in the same room. Nice sound from the pipes, then and now. The Ground was a bit rushed for me. The tempo was more suited to the Doubling of the Ground, and having belted along in the Ground, there was not much room for contrast in the Doubling. Even the Doubling was lacking some of the poise that the tune requires at this early stage. Having heard the first part of the tune I was expecting the later variations to race along and indeed they did! Variation 1 gradually got faster throughout and so did the Tripling. You have got good fingers and could make so much more of this if there was more space between the notes. C variation is the climax of the piece and I enjoyed that. But there was still a feeling that you were running for the finish line. I know you are a Piob Soc member so go onto the website and listen to the recordings there. They are historical and some need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but John MacDonald of Inverness plays this tune at the link below and I think it's lovely. Donald MacLeod also plays it elsewhere on the site, and he's generally a very fast piob player — but listen to the poise he puts into Var 1 and the Tripling. There are other players out there who could advise you on the tempo. If you got that right, you'd be in the prize list with certainty, as pipes and fingers are really promising. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=little-spree-2
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lament for Donald of Laggan Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: This is one of the most difficult Grounds to get across to the listener as it is irregular. You nearly managed it, but there was some rushed notes here and there which took away from the drama and sadness of the piece. Have a listen back and you will hear that after the double echo on F (bar 3) you are very quickly onto the next note — and this is more noticeable in line 2 where you come onto bar 2 early, again after a double echo beat on F. Maybe the key thing to do is let these parts of the tune "breathe." I have to declare a prior interest, in that I played this tune in competition as taught by Tom Speirs, who can be heard playing it on the Piob Soc website on the link below. You need to be a Piob Soc member to listen but it's cheap and easy to join and get the benefit of these recordings. He puts a lot of pause and emotion into the Ground, more than most people do nowadays. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=donald-of-laggan-lament-for T singling would have the same comments. All going well, but rushing off the theme notes, onto the T movement. This was most noticeable in the Doubling, where (if you listen back) you will see that your low A is at times longer than the theme notes before the T movement. The low A is a long note in this tune, but not as long as the theme notes. In the Singling, you could benefit from looking at the Kilberry if you have a copy, as he suggests a big pause on the E or F notes of the cadences in both T and C singlings. This is something you really should try — listen to the recordings too, as they show pipers of the past doing that. C doubling nice — in fact the best part of the tune for me. Don't worry about the wee fumble. I hope you will carry on competing with this piece, which is rightly one of the great tunes, and take my comments in the spirit of constructive criticism.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi Laura, The Little Spree is a good choice of tune as it is so lovely and yet you can get it under the belt quite easily. I think you have it under the belt and the next step is to look for the beauty in the tune. For me, this is in the Ground and its Doubling, where you can make a lot more pauses on some of the notes. The main place for you to this, are the quavers before the edre and hodro movements. The Doubling of the Ground showed that you were really rushing on to these movements — just wait on the second quaver, and the whole thing will flow much better. Have a listen back to this section of the tune and you will see what I mean. In Var 1 you were too "hold and cut" in the light music style. This is difficult to explain without some recordings to listen to — more on that, later. The Tripling variation was also a bit rushed, and if you just slowed the whole thing down, it would be easier to play, and much more enjoyable for you. Ditto the C variation, you were really steaming along here — and many pipers do that in this tune, but it is not needed. Spend some time on the crunluath fosgailte movement on the practice chanter and slow it right down to get all the notes sounding clearly. I suggest you join the Piob Soc — it is easy and cheap to do so on the website — then go onto the tunes part of the site and listen to the recordings there. They are historical and some need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but John MacDonald of Inverness plays this tune at the link below and I think it's lovely. Donald MacLeod also plays it elsewhere on the site, and he's generally a very fast piob player — but listen to the poise he puts into Var 1 and the Tripling. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=little-spree-2
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Laura Stott 🇨🇦 Tunes: Queen Elizabeth the Second's Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Thanks for putting in this tune which as you point out is a classic of Callum's and the reason he triumphs with it is partly his bagpipe. Yours was not quite in tune at the outset so don't be afraid to tune drones in front of the camera — in fact it's a good discipline to do that. Ground — nice. You could make more of the pauses at the end of phrases? They are not written as pauses in the music but learning the tune in phrases and then playing it like that for the listener is another good habit. T singling — same comments about phrase endings, and line ends, just let the tune breathe at that point. Doubling good, one fumble in line 1 as you know, don't worry about that, we all do them. C singling — this was pretty good. Doubling was well controlled. The C movement could do with more low G in there. Most people concentrate on the top hand, when the lower hand is where the strength of the movement lies. Overall a good stab at this tricky tune and my main comment would be on the drone tuning — take some more time over that and it would transform your playing
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Lyn Vanos 🇦🇺 Tunes: Catherine's Lament (Piobaireachd Society) Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello there Lyn. This was a good stab at this tune which is more difficult than it looks. However there are a couple of things you could do to improve the whole tune. The Ground was well played but the short notes were at times very short - have a listen back and you'll see what I mean. When you get the Cadence notes that go to B (i.e., in Bar 2 of the Ground) lean a little on the E before the B, that will set you up for note that follows. In other wards "waiting" for the B emphasises its importance. Var 1 Singling was rather quick for me and more of the speed of the Doubling - I thought the Doubling was the right speed (though you did speed it up quite a bit - you got a bit lost in the music and that might have put you off.) Overall the message would be to slow the Singling so you can enjoy the Doubling and then slow for the T variation - which you did very nicely. T variation was nicely played — good and steady. The C variation was more tricky for you as you are getting your fingers round the C movement, but keep practising it at this speed and it will come good in the end. Going back to the Ground, you played this better at the end of the tune. If you want to hear a good example of teaching of the tune, try Donald MacLeod on the web (see link below). He makes good use of the short notes, e.g. the last low A in bar 1 of the Ground. Playing along to his singing is a good habit, or even better, singing along with him. When you can sing a tune right, you can play it . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chh1mXb31wY
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Noah Mittwer 🇺🇸 Tunes: Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Noah, what a good performance of this tune. Pipes lovely. And you got the drama of the Ground just right. If you could hold on to the E notes even longer, that would also work. Sadly you got lost in lines 2 and 3 of the Ground. If you had not, you would have been close to winning this contest. Var 1. Very good indeed. It's not quite the way I play it, but very musical. C variation. A bold variation. For me the two low G notes could have more space, especially in the Singling. I think of this variation as a traditional brebach (i.e. the two G notes are played as quavers) but the way you played it was striking and effective and many people do it that way. Did you know you missed the last low A of the C doubling? I point this out in case you have memorised it wrong, for the next time. If you are interested in the recordings of the tune, join the Piob Soc (it's easy and cheap to do so) and then look the tune up — many recordings exist. My favourite is John MacFadyen, but that's a matter of taste. It's at this link: https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/a-f?tune=flame-of-wrath-for-patrick-caogach
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Tunes: Hector MacLean’s Warning Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: A bold start and I liked that. The comment I would make on the Ground, is that the drama can still be achieved with speed you are playing it, but a wee pause at the end of each phrase would add more shape to the this part of the tune. And certainly you need to pause at the end of the Ground before plunging in Var 1. Var 1 was however really well played — good job. T variations very good especially the Doubling. As in the Ground, there would be merit in making more of the end of the phrases in the Singling — just dwell on those long low G notes at the end of the Donald Mor rundown. C variations — exactly same comments as T variations. There were couple of squeaks and fumbles but don't worry about that. You'll benefit more from looking at the shape of the Ground and Singlings as I mention above — if you get them right, this will be a real winning tune for you. Pipes were nicely tuned but looks like you need a new chanter reed, or blow a bit easier?
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Sam. This tune started very well, with a lovely bagpipe sound. The bagpipe was slightly too strong for the microphone, in fact. The Ground was bold and musical. One could say that the run up to high A was a bit brisk compared to the rest of the Ground — maybe relax there and don't the high G to oblivion. Variation 1. was the highlight of the tune for me. Beautifully phrased. A couple of missed movements. T variation - Singling excellent as above — following on nicely. Doubling — one or two wrong notes which was real pity — check the music and see if you can nail Bar 2 of this variation — you are getting the low A and C mixed up at times. C variations also good and no wrong notes though you did miss a cadence in the last line of the C Singling. Doubling really good. Sam, if you can memorise this tune better it will be a winner for you, as you have great fingers and a good bagpipe, and buckets of musicality. Is the chanter too hard for you? I think a quieter instrument would work better on the recording — I had to buy a special mike myself for online contests.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Sarah Keir 🏴 Tunes: Struan Robertson’s Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi there Sarah, I loved the setting for your playing. Nice settled tempo to the Ground, really lovely. Drones not quite in tune which was a pity, and the high G is such a difficult note to tune — I wasn't happy with mine for years until I found a chanter that sorted it. Yours was flat — did the tape slip? T variations — these were the highlight of the tune for me. Good fingering here and contrast between the Singling and Doubling. Great. C variations — also well-fingered in the main, and you have really got the "swing" of the brebach. Good job. I think you could have a wee look at the Crunluath movement on the practice chanter, I couldn't quite work out where the problem with that was: I think you are missing the 2 low Gs which are the basis of the movement — the top hand looks OK. Sarah, this was a very musical performance and sadly the pipes let you down a good bit. Have a think about that. Returning to the venue, was there cold air rising off the river? If so change your venue or (even better) stay on the same spot while you tune up for a few mins and let the pipes settle. It can be a problem for the bagpipe, playing near water, but is a lovely thing to do.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lament for the Rowan Tree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: This was good playing overall. Ground nice — if a little "straight" although the notes on the page in some bars are written as crotchets, they should not all be the same length. If you hear Donald MacLeod playing this tune on the web on the practice chanter, there is a tiny pause on each of the C notes at the end of the bars. It's very subtle, and you will note that Donald himself played piobaireachd much faster than we do nowadays (which is interesting in itself). I just think you should consider that, when playing. Variation 1 and its Doubling were the highlights for me, Lovely use of the tempo here. T variation also very musical. Some movements lacked the two low Gs which are the basis of the movement, and when you listen back to the C variation you will hear (and see — look at your pinkie) that you are hardly playing low G at all. Maybe work on that for the future, as that single fact kept you out of the prize-list here. Pipes were nice, and golly it was windy out there! Hope that did not affect your fingers, a lot of pipers can be troubled by a cold wind.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Groat Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: This was a boldly presented Groat which is essential in this lower hand masterpiece. Pipes very nice at the start and held quite well. Good phrasing in the Ground. This continued in Var 1. Singling, which I enjoyed very much. You missed a half bar in line 2 of that variation, as you probably know. The Doubling of Var. 1 was very clipped, and I think you could hold back your fingers here, to good effect. T variation — same comments as Var 1, Singling nice but you just got a bit excited in the Doubling which lacked poise as a result — and when you went into C Doubling there was thus too much decrease in tempo. C — perfect tempo of Singling and Doubling. Good fingering in the main, only a couple of misses. As mentioned above, if you had held back the doublings of Var 1 and T variation a little, this would have fitted much better together as a complete piece of music. You've got great fingers and (with a bit more poise as mentioned above) you will be able to win contests with this tune
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Ground — nice flow here. There could be more pause at the end of each phrase? It's a subtle thing but does help. Var 1. — one or two wee fumbles as you know in the Singling. Doubling could be more of a contrast with the Singling, that takes a bit of practice. Ask your teacher how to be best achieve that. T — nice movements, getting them right, which is more important than being "clippy" so keep that going. Doubling could be faster in the long run, just keep practising it. C — ditto. Good movements and steady fingers. You got a bit lost in the Singling but don't worry about that. Doubling — good, but you were a bit tired, are the pipes a bit hard for you? Anyway well done for getting this performance to the end and pipes were nicely tuned but blowing could be steadier (see my comments re: strength of the pipes)
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Competitor: Lee McLeod 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Lament for Mary McLeod Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: A member of the MacLeod clan plays this timeless masterpiece — what a treat. Ground was on the fast side for me, just take the tempo back a little please, that would be my suggestion. Otherwise well played. The last phrase could be a lot slower and try and inject as emotion there as possible. Var 1. Ditto comments re: tempo, you can milk the emotion here, and then let rip in the Doubling. And double the comments on the last phrase. This is one of the most beautiful phrases in the whole repertoire. Relax and enjoy. Doubling very nice. T Singling — you "fell in" here from the end of the previous variation. Slow the last bar of Variation 1 and dwell on the first low A of the T variation — what a difference that would make. I again thought the Singling was brisk for my liking. Same comments re: last phrase Doubling lovely — but because the same speed as Singling you lost the drama a bit. C — singling — same comments as above. When I was taught this tune, Var 1 Singling, T singling, and C Singling were all the same speed and same pointing. That holds back the tension in the tune, and the Doublings can be the relaxed flowing bit. Your Doublings are excellent, but the Singlings are letting you down. Have a listen to some of the classic recordings — maybe you have done so. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=lament-for-mary-macleod You will hear Donald MacPherson (you'll need to be a Piobaireachd Society member but it is cheap to join). He does have a brisk Ground, but long cadences which allow the tune room to breathe. And the last phrase is a classic example of how to slow at this point. Variation one has amazing long cadences, which hold back the speed until the Doubling, and so on. In the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWtnndzhy3E the tune is played at the Silver Chanter at the speed which I think hits the spot. It's a matter of opinion, I realise. Fingering overall good and pipes great — the best of the day.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ray Cai 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Clan Cambell's Gathering Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Ray, this was a good tune, boldly presented on a strong bagpipe. The only note slightly out of tune was the E which does need checking out when playing Clan Campbells' Gathering! The Ground was great — spot on. In the Thumb variation I would spend more time on the three notes which have the high A in them — E-low A-high A (or E-B-high A). Just relax and slide up to the high A and back down. In the phrase with a B in in it, the whole thing felt rushed. Listen back and you will see what I mean. The next variation was super — really well played. In the T and C singlings, you can rest a little longer on the E after the Grip — so-called Cadence E note. You are coming off it a bit too early for me. Then when you get to the Doublings, you can let rip as you did — they were both very well played. Good job all round, just that E slightly flat I think which let you down — certainly not quite right, obvious from the start.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ray Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Great to hear one of the classic tunes with no T or C variations being submitted — I think more people should do this, I have competed in the past with similar tunes and it allows these great tunes to get out there. There are other settings of the tune (Colin MacRae of Invereenat) but I prefer what you played. Ground — great, I liked the last bar in particular — at this point in tune you can milk the short notes and use as much expression as possible — you could you do even more here, especially with the B before the hiharin - lean on that too if you can. Good job. Thumb — nice high A sound. It's a small point but I noticed it in the Ground too — leave more time for the E note on the cadence to B in the last bar of line 1 and 2. Listen back and you'll hear that you are "falling off" the E on to the B. Var 2 — very nice, same comment on the B of the last bar in lines 1 and 2 — take your time. Ground at the end was even better than the start — very musical. Pipes good in the main, lovely high A.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Kathryn McEwan 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Kathryn. You started this tune just right for me, with a measured Ground which was very very musical. Great. The Doubling of the Ground was perhaps too much a contrast at this stage of the tune — try and capture the beauty of the Ground without the cadences — that is the only difference, from the Ground, if you follow me. Don't be tempted to speed up the notes written as quavers in the score, at this point. Var 1. Perfect. I thought this was the highlight of the tune. Tripling — good start but after a while the tripling movement got a bit "tight" and you lost the sound of the 3 grace notes — each one needs to be heard. C variation, good control and tempo, I had to listen to this a few times over to work out what was wrong with the movement — it's a subtle thing, but it is how high you lift your E and F fingers for all the edre movements — that will transform this part of the tune. You are concentrating on making "grace notes" on low A for the edre movement when there should be lots of the note E throughout. Also playing the normal C movement on E and F there is not enough low G in the movement — look at your fingers in the vid and you will see the pinkie hardly touches the chanter. I wish I could send you a video of what I mean! Maybe ask your teacher for some feedback as this is holding you back slightly in what is otherwise very thoughtful piobaireachd playing. Pipes nice at the start though drifted a little.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The MacIntosh's Banner Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Thanks for selecting this seldom heard piece, a favourite tune of my pal (and now CPA President) Derek Midgley. Ground was nice — you started rather briskly and settled into a more lyrical style in the 2nd line — listen back and you will hear what I mean. As you did the same in Var 1 Singling which started briskly and then settled. I preferred the more measured style at the end of Ground and Var 1 Singling — try and get that feel to the beginning of these sections also? T and C variations, very musical, tempo bang on. A few missed movements here and there, don't worry too much about that. But they did keep you out of the top of the list of players today, so some work over the winter on the practice chanter would pay off. Pipes nice, not quite locked in but not distracting.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Kevin Carothers 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Piper's Warning To His Master Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi there Kevin. The Ground of this tune was very well played and so was Variation 1. Your high G is letting you down a lot - such a difficult note to tune, but you will need to do that - I wasn't happy myself until I found a chanter that sorted it. Note that the D in bar 3 of the Ground has G grace note — you are playing an E grace note here. In Variation 1, you did some nice phrasing and showing line ends, just don't overdo it! T variation was the highlight for me — very good use of cadences and contrast. C variation also very good — keep practising the movement at that speed as you have all the grace notes perfect. Once you have played about ten million crunluaths they begin to speed up and flow by themselves, so just let it happen. I'm serious about that high G (and the F too, which was flat) — if you had sorted that, you would be high in the prizelist with this tune, today.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Allan Kerr 🇨🇦 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Allan. This was good playing in the main but at the outset can I make one wee comment? You tune up or check the drone sound for a few secs at the outset with flying fingers, and it doesn't settle you nor the listener! I had to be the told this myself by my teacher, and I made up a slow tuning phrse which I have stuck to since — could be a good habit for you. The Ground was good. You could pause a little at the end of each phrase to good effect. See recordings below. Variation 1 was really really good, got that perfect, both Singling and Doubling. T and C variation good in the main but you are rushing the cadence movements in the Singlings, both E-C-A and E-B-A, and I suggest you spend more time on the E and lots more time on the C (or B) notes. Listen to recordings to guide you. The old pipers spent a lot of time on the cadences, and then didn't have to do much in the Doublings except play the notes at the same speed (with no cadences). The C movement is coming on nicely, fingers very clear, and I suggest you keep on playing it at this speed — as I said to another piper today, after several million C movements, you fingers will speed up and play them without thinking about it. Takes a few years! As for recordings, I suggest join the Piob Soc if you are not a member (easy to do on the web) and then go to the link below. Donald MacLeod plays the Ground in his usual bold style — more briskly than many play nowadays, which is interesting. But hear what he does with the cadences in Ground and especially the T and C variations. Lots of time on those notes- in fact more time than many would allow nowadays — a modern judging panel might think he is "overdoing it" but it is so lovely, and if you played that style of cadence — or at least thought about it, it would transform the tune for you. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=glengarrys-lament
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Barrie McLeod 🇨🇦 Tunes: The Glen is Mine Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: I liked the speed of the Ground, in fact it could be even more poised and stately, as this is a tune with many variations so room to speed up then. Var 1. Very nice — for me the highlight of the tune. Var 2. Could be quicker at this point. Var 3. Definitely should be quicker now. The key thing with these variations is to gradually build up the tension and then slow a little for the L variation, where you can gradually pick it up again. L nice tempo here. There is something wrong with the chanter here, as the low G note is not sounding for some reason. Same comment for the T and C variations. Ask your tutor or someone who knows about reeds to sort that, as it would make a big difference to all these variations. . I hope your cameraperson got better — what a cough!
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Tunes: Struan Robertson's Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Craig, when you struck your pipes I was really impressed, this was the best bagpipe sound I heard so far today. Lovely. And you had nailed the high G problem, too. Pipes drifted a bit at the end but were not distracting Ground — poised and dramatic, really good job. T Singling again poised and very enjoyable. I was looking forward to the rest of the tune to see what you would do with it. I was a bit puzzled about what you did in lines 2 and 3 — the usual method in a brebach T variation is either to play it "up" or "down." You started out playing it "down" in line 1 and in line 2 and 3 you reversed it and started playing "up." This means, for example, that bar 2 in line 1 (which is repeated in line 2) was played differently throughout. This didn't make musical sense to me. I reckon you should pick how you want to play that variation, and stick to it throughout. By the way if you do decide to play it "down" then the last low G in each line can be long in the Doubling — you are cutting up to the B there. C singling — good. Doubling also good, really good fingering. You are pausing at the end of the lines (on the low A note) a little too long in the Doubling . . . just roll onto the next line naturally — see recordings below which will show pipers demonstrating that for you Let's point you towards some recordings of the tune. here's Bruce Gandy playing the T variation "down" all the way through. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYsgPgR_nng And here's Donald MacLeod playing it "up": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF-p72C1uZ4 As I say, pick your style and stick to it. You play lines 2 and 3 nicely "up" already, so maybe all you need to do it alter the first line to be "up" assuming you like that. Myself, I like it "down" as per Bruce Gandy, but it's the players preference.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: The Munro’s Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi there Damien. I think this is the first time I have heard this tune in a competition. What a nice piece of music. The Ground was very nicely played — very musical. In bar two you are starting with a D grace note — my version (the Piob Soc Collection book 11) has a G grace note here. To my knowledge the tune is not in the Kilberry as you stated in your entry so just checking we are talking about the same setting. Angus MacKay has a G grace note here in his book. The only other comments I could make about the Ground were 1) the pause on the high A in line 1 was just a little overdone and 2) you really speeded up in line 3, this is actually the time to slow down and make the most of these last few bars which are so lovely to play. Var 1 was too brisk for me. Don't cut the short notes so much, plenty of time to speed up later. Your holding of the E in each phrase, the one before the end of the phrase, didn't really work musically — if you are going to hold any note long, make it the last note of each phrase (e.g. in phrase 2, the F). T variation - nice. C variation — your C fosgailte movement needs some attention as we are not hearing the note in the middle of it — which is of course the theme note, so is important. Get the practice chanter out and slow it right down, you have the ability to do this as you have good fingers. When you returned to the Ground you were belting along at high speed through that — this part of the tune is not officially "judged" but if you want to get a rounded performance try and have a stately Ground at the end, as you did at the outset.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Dave Reynolds 🇺🇸 Tunes: Duncan MacRae of Kintail's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Nice to hear this lovely old tune in competition. Note you put forward (in writing) the name of the tune as Duncan MacRae from the Kilberry book and then played the Piob Soc Book 16 tune which is very closely related. I think you were playing the William Ross setting. Doesn't matter to me either way, but could confuse a judge in future so pick your name and setting and stick to it! Ground — lovely. Great phrasing and line ends. Thumb — again very nice. The last phrase — in both Ground and Var 1, could have more expression and freedom — this is the coda to the tune and can be very "free" and come across more musically than you had done it. Just let go here and let the music breathe. Variation 2 — I also liked your approach to this variation. There was a wee fumble in there in line 2 as you know. Same comment about last bar. Leumluath — good in the main, are you playing the Ross setting? If so the last bar of this variation is tricky to remember as it is not the same as the previous variations. I loved the "redundant low A" here and was really looking forward to this variation so was very sad when you broke down. Could you keep this tune in your repertoire and work on it? There's lots of potential there. Pipes very nice indeed.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Eric Sparklin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Too long in this condition Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Eric, this was a good presentation of this classic tune. Ground well played generally with good attention to the upper hand fingerwork. The only comment I would make is that you are rushing the phrases a bit — dwell on the last note of each bar, especially every second bar, and you'll get it. This is particularly important for the low A notes at the end of each second bar - they are cadence notes and need a good pause to show the listener where the phrase end is. When you come back to the Ground of the tune, you came belting off the low A in bar 2 very quickly — listen back and you will hear that. You are tending to emphasise the the note before the T movement, and hop off the other notes. This is most noticeable in the Doubling of the Ground, where you hop off all the F and high A notes early. Confusingly they are written as quavers in the text but meant to be long notes. Var 1 Singling good — the Doubling was really good, absolutely nailed it with lots of musicality. Good job here. C variations — good in the main. There were times in the Singling where you would come off the low A of the cadence at the end of a phrase — listen back and you will see, same as in the Ground. Just rest there for a tiny bit and that will sort this section of the tune for you. The C fosgailte movement needs a little bit of work — you are rushing it a bit, so that the middle note (a theme note) is not heard. Pipes drifted a little but not distracting.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Fin Parsons 🇦🇺 Tunes: The Company's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Fin. What a nice bagpipe you were playing as the video started. I'm not in charge of the stewarding here — but I think Jori likes you to state your name and the name of the contest, and then strike up — just for the next time. Ground excellent and so was Var 1 Singling. I'd be inclined to move the tempo on for the Doubling, which was a bit slow for me. You can then slow for the Tripling or for the T Variation as you see fit. Tripling also good. In the T variation, you are playing a D grace note on some of the theme notes — the C and B, at times — I could hear it and went back and looked carefully at the fingers. I think this is because the preceding two Variations have a D grace note at this point. C variation also very nice — good playing overall.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Gerrard McStubi 🇺🇸 Tunes: Little Prince You Are My Choice Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: It was a treat to hear this tune, which I have never heard played in competition. The drones were out at the start which was a pity, but goodness knows how to tune them, in the setting where you played. Maybe have a think about that for the next time? Ground was nicely played. You could make more of the 2 bar phrase pattern, with a wee pause at the end of each phrase (but don't overdo it). T variation was the highlight of the tune for me - here the cadences helped you with the phrasing, though you could pause even more in my opinion on the low A notes at the end of each phrase. The T doubling was OK but you were losing some of the low G notes in the T movement here — just play them slow as you did in the Singling and the tune will come together fine. Same comments for the C Singling and Doubling, again using more phrasing in the Singling and keeping the 2 low G notes audible — if you look at the video carefully you will see your pinkie finger is hardly on the low G hole for very long at all, and it really needs to be. Get the practice chanter out and nail that movement if you can. Best wishes for the next contest. I realise some people have difficulty finding a venue to play or have to play at work etc.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Jess Jeffery 🇦🇺 Tunes: Mackintosh's Lament (Kilberry) Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Well Jess I was very impressed that you put forward this tune which is really very hard to play for lots of reasons. It's hard on the bagpipe, being longish, and in the difficult key of D. Your bagpipe started well, and drifted a little. The tune is also hard to memorise! Ground was nice and musical. I have only 2 suggestions here: 1) in the penultimate bar there is a B grip and this leads to the F note (with a dare movement on it). You are really rushing off the B, and this is the only time you do this so it stands out. 2) on the B echo beats, take your time on the Cadence E and D grace note before it. It sounds rushed here. Var Singling and Doubling were on the slow side but musical. I'll signpost some recordings at the bottom of this note, which show the speed I think sounds nice, and you can think about that. Note that in the Doubling, The last note of each line is a low A not B. You can be steaming along with the tempo at the end here, then slow down for the T variation. T Singling — very nice. You've got the swing of the tune here. There were a couple of wee fumbles but don't worry about. that. Doubling of the T variation was the highlight of the tune for me. Good job here — but note the last note being low A not B as for Variation 1 Doubling. C variation, also good in the main. You could relax in the C Doubling and go for it - you were holding back in the tempo there and at this point in the tune the whole thing can flow along at quite a speed if you can do it (and I think you can - shame about the breakdown, better luck next time). I like these recordings, which you have to be a Piob Soc member to access, but it is easy and cheap to do that. For me, Robert Reid really nails it — super playing, and not many of us could play like that now, to be honest. I think a T movement of that speed would now be considered too quick, but interesting to see how the old pipers did it, so to speak. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=macintoshs-lament
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Joe Moore 🏴 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello again Joe, I well remember seeing you play in the Archie Kenneth Quaich a few months ago, I think in the same room. Nice sound from the pipes, then and now. The Ground was a bit rushed for me. The tempo was more suited to the Doubling of the Ground, and having belted along in the Ground, there was not much room for contrast in the Doubling. Even the Doubling was lacking some of the poise that the tune requires at this early stage. Having heard the first part of the tune I was expecting the later variations to race along and indeed they did! Variation 1 gradually got faster throughout and so did the Tripling. You have got good fingers and could make so much more of this if there was more space between the notes. C variation is the climax of the piece and I enjoyed that. But there was still a feeling that you were running for the finish line. I know you are a Piob Soc member so go onto the website and listen to the recordings there. They are historical and some need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but John MacDonald of Inverness plays this tune at the link below and I think it's lovely. Donald MacLeod also plays it elsewhere on the site, and he's generally a very fast piob player — but listen to the poise he puts into Var 1 and the Tripling. There are other players out there who could advise you on the tempo. If you got that right, you'd be in the prize list with certainty, as pipes and fingers are really promising. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=little-spree-2
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ken Maclean 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lament for Donald of Laggan Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: This is one of the most difficult Grounds to get across to the listener as it is irregular. You nearly managed it, but there was some rushed notes here and there which took away from the drama and sadness of the piece. Have a listen back and you will hear that after the double echo on F (bar 3) you are very quickly onto the next note — and this is more noticeable in line 2 where you come onto bar 2 early, again after a double echo beat on F. Maybe the key thing to do is let these parts of the tune "breathe." I have to declare a prior interest, in that I played this tune in competition as taught by Tom Speirs, who can be heard playing it on the Piob Soc website on the link below. You need to be a Piob Soc member to listen but it's cheap and easy to join and get the benefit of these recordings. He puts a lot of pause and emotion into the Ground, more than most people do nowadays. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=donald-of-laggan-lament-for T singling would have the same comments. All going well, but rushing off the theme notes, onto the T movement. This was most noticeable in the Doubling, where (if you listen back) you will see that your low A is at times longer than the theme notes before the T movement. The low A is a long note in this tune, but not as long as the theme notes. In the Singling, you could benefit from looking at the Kilberry if you have a copy, as he suggests a big pause on the E or F notes of the cadences in both T and C singlings. This is something you really should try — listen to the recordings too, as they show pipers of the past doing that. C doubling nice — in fact the best part of the tune for me. Don't worry about the wee fumble. I hope you will carry on competing with this piece, which is rightly one of the great tunes, and take my comments in the spirit of constructive criticism.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Laura McEwan 🏴 Tunes: The Little Spree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi Laura, The Little Spree is a good choice of tune as it is so lovely and yet you can get it under the belt quite easily. I think you have it under the belt and the next step is to look for the beauty in the tune. For me, this is in the Ground and its Doubling, where you can make a lot more pauses on some of the notes. The main place for you to this, are the quavers before the edre and hodro movements. The Doubling of the Ground showed that you were really rushing on to these movements — just wait on the second quaver, and the whole thing will flow much better. Have a listen back to this section of the tune and you will see what I mean. In Var 1 you were too "hold and cut" in the light music style. This is difficult to explain without some recordings to listen to — more on that, later. The Tripling variation was also a bit rushed, and if you just slowed the whole thing down, it would be easier to play, and much more enjoyable for you. Ditto the C variation, you were really steaming along here — and many pipers do that in this tune, but it is not needed. Spend some time on the crunluath fosgailte movement on the practice chanter and slow it right down to get all the notes sounding clearly. I suggest you join the Piob Soc — it is easy and cheap to do so on the website — then go onto the tunes part of the site and listen to the recordings there. They are historical and some need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but John MacDonald of Inverness plays this tune at the link below and I think it's lovely. Donald MacLeod also plays it elsewhere on the site, and he's generally a very fast piob player — but listen to the poise he puts into Var 1 and the Tripling. https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/g-m?tune=little-spree-2
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Laura Stott 🇨🇦 Tunes: Queen Elizabeth the Second's Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Thanks for putting in this tune which as you point out is a classic of Callum's and the reason he triumphs with it is partly his bagpipe. Yours was not quite in tune at the outset so don't be afraid to tune drones in front of the camera — in fact it's a good discipline to do that. Ground — nice. You could make more of the pauses at the end of phrases? They are not written as pauses in the music but learning the tune in phrases and then playing it like that for the listener is another good habit. T singling — same comments about phrase endings, and line ends, just let the tune breathe at that point. Doubling good, one fumble in line 1 as you know, don't worry about that, we all do them. C singling — this was pretty good. Doubling was well controlled. The C movement could do with more low G in there. Most people concentrate on the top hand, when the lower hand is where the strength of the movement lies. Overall a good stab at this tricky tune and my main comment would be on the drone tuning — take some more time over that and it would transform your playing
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Lyn Vanos 🇦🇺 Tunes: Catherine's Lament (Piobaireachd Society) Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello there Lyn. This was a good stab at this tune which is more difficult than it looks. However there are a couple of things you could do to improve the whole tune. The Ground was well played but the short notes were at times very short - have a listen back and you'll see what I mean. When you get the Cadence notes that go to B (i.e., in Bar 2 of the Ground) lean a little on the E before the B, that will set you up for note that follows. In other wards "waiting" for the B emphasises its importance. Var 1 Singling was rather quick for me and more of the speed of the Doubling - I thought the Doubling was the right speed (though you did speed it up quite a bit - you got a bit lost in the music and that might have put you off.) Overall the message would be to slow the Singling so you can enjoy the Doubling and then slow for the T variation - which you did very nicely. T variation was nicely played — good and steady. The C variation was more tricky for you as you are getting your fingers round the C movement, but keep practising it at this speed and it will come good in the end. Going back to the Ground, you played this better at the end of the tune. If you want to hear a good example of teaching of the tune, try Donald MacLeod on the web (see link below). He makes good use of the short notes, e.g. the last low A in bar 1 of the Ground. Playing along to his singing is a good habit, or even better, singing along with him. When you can sing a tune right, you can play it . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chh1mXb31wY
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Noah Mittwer 🇺🇸 Tunes: Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Noah, what a good performance of this tune. Pipes lovely. And you got the drama of the Ground just right. If you could hold on to the E notes even longer, that would also work. Sadly you got lost in lines 2 and 3 of the Ground. If you had not, you would have been close to winning this contest. Var 1. Very good indeed. It's not quite the way I play it, but very musical. C variation. A bold variation. For me the two low G notes could have more space, especially in the Singling. I think of this variation as a traditional brebach (i.e. the two G notes are played as quavers) but the way you played it was striking and effective and many people do it that way. Did you know you missed the last low A of the C doubling? I point this out in case you have memorised it wrong, for the next time. If you are interested in the recordings of the tune, join the Piob Soc (it's easy and cheap to do so) and then look the tune up — many recordings exist. My favourite is John MacFadyen, but that's a matter of taste. It's at this link: https://www.piobaireachd.co.uk/library/tunes-index/a-f?tune=flame-of-wrath-for-patrick-caogach
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Tunes: Hector MacLean’s Warning Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: A bold start and I liked that. The comment I would make on the Ground, is that the drama can still be achieved with speed you are playing it, but a wee pause at the end of each phrase would add more shape to the this part of the tune. And certainly you need to pause at the end of the Ground before plunging in Var 1. Var 1 was however really well played — good job. T variations very good especially the Doubling. As in the Ground, there would be merit in making more of the end of the phrases in the Singling — just dwell on those long low G notes at the end of the Donald Mor rundown. C variations — exactly same comments as T variations. There were couple of squeaks and fumbles but don't worry about that. You'll benefit more from looking at the shape of the Ground and Singlings as I mention above — if you get them right, this will be a real winning tune for you. Pipes were nicely tuned but looks like you need a new chanter reed, or blow a bit easier?
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Sam Wiley 🇺🇸 Tunes: Cabar Feidh Gu Brath Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hello Sam. This tune started very well, with a lovely bagpipe sound. The bagpipe was slightly too strong for the microphone, in fact. The Ground was bold and musical. One could say that the run up to high A was a bit brisk compared to the rest of the Ground — maybe relax there and don't the high G to oblivion. Variation 1. was the highlight of the tune for me. Beautifully phrased. A couple of missed movements. T variation - Singling excellent as above — following on nicely. Doubling — one or two wrong notes which was real pity — check the music and see if you can nail Bar 2 of this variation — you are getting the low A and C mixed up at times. C variations also good and no wrong notes though you did miss a cadence in the last line of the C Singling. Doubling really good. Sam, if you can memorise this tune better it will be a winner for you, as you have great fingers and a good bagpipe, and buckets of musicality. Is the chanter too hard for you? I think a quieter instrument would work better on the recording — I had to buy a special mike myself for online contests.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Sarah Keir 🏴 Tunes: Struan Robertson’s Salute Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Hi there Sarah, I loved the setting for your playing. Nice settled tempo to the Ground, really lovely. Drones not quite in tune which was a pity, and the high G is such a difficult note to tune — I wasn't happy with mine for years until I found a chanter that sorted it. Yours was flat — did the tape slip? T variations — these were the highlight of the tune for me. Good fingering here and contrast between the Singling and Doubling. Great. C variations — also well-fingered in the main, and you have really got the "swing" of the brebach. Good job. I think you could have a wee look at the Crunluath movement on the practice chanter, I couldn't quite work out where the problem with that was: I think you are missing the 2 low Gs which are the basis of the movement — the top hand looks OK. Sarah, this was a very musical performance and sadly the pipes let you down a good bit. Have a think about that. Returning to the venue, was there cold air rising off the river? If so change your venue or (even better) stay on the same spot while you tune up for a few mins and let the pipes settle. It can be a problem for the bagpipe, playing near water, but is a lovely thing to do.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Steve Coontz 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lament for the Rowan Tree Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: This was good playing overall. Ground nice — if a little "straight" although the notes on the page in some bars are written as crotchets, they should not all be the same length. If you hear Donald MacLeod playing this tune on the web on the practice chanter, there is a tiny pause on each of the C notes at the end of the bars. It's very subtle, and you will note that Donald himself played piobaireachd much faster than we do nowadays (which is interesting in itself). I just think you should consider that, when playing. Variation 1 and its Doubling were the highlights for me, Lovely use of the tempo here. T variation also very musical. Some movements lacked the two low Gs which are the basis of the movement, and when you listen back to the C variation you will hear (and see — look at your pinkie) that you are hardly playing low G at all. Maybe work on that for the future, as that single fact kept you out of the prize-list here. Pipes were nice, and golly it was windy out there! Hope that did not affect your fingers, a lot of pipers can be troubled by a cold wind.
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Stevie Hyde 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Groat Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: This was a boldly presented Groat which is essential in this lower hand masterpiece. Pipes very nice at the start and held quite well. Good phrasing in the Ground. This continued in Var 1. Singling, which I enjoyed very much. You missed a half bar in line 2 of that variation, as you probably know. The Doubling of Var. 1 was very clipped, and I think you could hold back your fingers here, to good effect. T variation — same comments as Var 1, Singling nice but you just got a bit excited in the Doubling which lacked poise as a result — and when you went into C Doubling there was thus too much decrease in tempo. C — perfect tempo of Singling and Doubling. Good fingering in the main, only a couple of misses. As mentioned above, if you had held back the doublings of Var 1 and T variation a little, this would have fitted much better together as a complete piece of music. You've got great fingers and (with a bit more poise as mentioned above) you will be able to win contests with this tune
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Event 20. Grade 3 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Vickie Gray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Glengarry's Lament Judge: Peter McCalister Judge's Comments: Ground — nice flow here. There could be more pause at the end of each phrase? It's a subtle thing but does help. Var 1. — one or two wee fumbles as you know in the Singling. Doubling could be more of a contrast with the Singling, that takes a bit of practice. Ask your teacher how to be best achieve that. T — nice movements, getting them right, which is more important than being "clippy" so keep that going. Doubling could be faster in the long run, just keep practising it. C — ditto. Good movements and steady fingers. You got a bit lost in the Singling but don't worry about that. Doubling — good, but you were a bit tired, are the pipes a bit hard for you? Anyway well done for getting this performance to the end and pipes were nicely tuned but blowing could be steadier (see my comments re: strength of the pipes)
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Campbell, Thank you for your MSR submission. A nice full sheep harmonic coming through. Nice pipe overall. M — 70 bpm a very nice 2/4 March idiom . Good contrast. S — 107 bpm Idiom ok, however D throw is thick, work to "get through it" and keep it musical. Wee choke. R — Dot/cut evident here. Nice tune. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: David Ross, The Piper's Bonnet, Thompson's Dirk Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Jean-Sebastien and thank you for your submission for the MSR. Pipes are absolutely boomin here, well set and blown. Love the Trews ! M — 63 bpm and this is a good tempo. You are playing with some reservations in the march and not fully embracing the 2/4 idiom at times. Let it go a wee bit and let the flow of the music drive it. Metronome can help here. S — 114 bpm a very good tempo with VG idiom. Contrast is good as well. One small miss. R — 76 bpm VG dot/cut and off beats are bang on. Confident in this tune ! Thank you David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eala Niamh McElhinney 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: The Lochaber Gathering, The Shepherds Crook, The Cockerel in the Creel Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Eala and thank you for this MSR. A nice first impression with a good drone strike ! Pipes ok, however evident at end that high G is quite sharp. Otherwise well blown pipe. M — 63 bpm and played as a 2/4 should be played. Tempo, phrasing, all good. Have a look at your D Taor movement for correct grace notes (I think you are playing a D instead of B). S — 114 bpm and again well played. Good contrast, however could pull out B more and consistently as this repeats often. Don't undervalue this. R — 74 bpm played very well. Good use of off beats here — musical. High G is distracting here with so many in this tune. Thank you, a nice set. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Reece Doherty Place: 4 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrusal, Maggie Cameron, The Grey Bob Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Reece, thank you for your MSR submission. Pipes are set well and have a nice harmonic. Work towards getting your drones even closer for full effect. M — 61 bpm is good and can be effective here, however you will need just a wee bit more "snap and commitment" to play here. Quite good and on the right track musically. Short notes good. S — 115 is top shelf however you are playing this well. Watch blowing on D and high G. Danceable. R — 72BPM with a good dot cut feel here. Watch your off beats are not early. Wee wobble tempo wise to start. Make sure you commit. Also watch blowing high G to end. Thank you David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lauren McMillan 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Balkan Hills, Mrs. Margaret MacKenzie, and The Kilt is my Delight (4 part Duncan Johnson setting) Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Lauren, thank you for your MSR submission. Well stated at the start with your settings etc. This is very helpful. Good strike in and pipe OK, high A is sharp here. M — 56 bpm with 2/4 idiom evident. You could use some more snap and contrast here to give this tune a wee bit more life. S — 114 bpm Spey idiom evident. Good contrast here, watch for early birl placement. Wait wait wait. R — 77 bpm Good dot, cut here with a nice musical reel. Tune of the set with lots of snap and confidence coming through. Thank you, David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: The Conundrum, Lady Campbell of Longsdale, Lieutenant Colonel DJS Murray Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Christopher, thank you for your MSR submission. A very well set and blown pipe here from start to finish. 62 bpm here is a good tempo, however this tune needs more snap and contrast with the idiom. S — 108 bpm Good spey with good idiom here. Better contrast with good bottom hand work. Watch that your D throws are not too thick taking away from the timing. R — 73BPM and a good dot-cut. Musical and confident. Off beats are early at times, work with a metronome to control this. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Dugald B MacNeil, Caledonian Society of London, Thomson’s Dirk Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Jack, thank you for your MSR submission. Drones out at start however improved during march and were pleasing to end. Chanter well balanced, watch blowing on D in reel. M — 65BPM this is a good tempo. Work towards a more musical flow as at times you are over phrased. Good short notes. Bottom hand B tachum could be cleaned up with exercises. S — 127BPM this is a wee bit fast for a Spey. 114BPM would be my max and usually around 110 is the sweet spot This Spey is coming through round and rushed at this tempo. Work with a metronome for full effect. R — 77 BPM and coming through OK musically here. A few chokes. However this is the best tune of your set. Thank you again, keep at it. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, The Bob of Fettercairn, Dolina MacKay Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Mary, thank you for your submission of your MSR. A very nice pipe, well set and blown. M — 63 bpm with an ok 2/4 idiom. Some contrast is needed here to really pull out the music. Some over holding and under holding at times. Work with a metronome to eliminate this push pull. S — 111 bpm Good idiom and good bottom hand work here. Choke. D throw not fully complimenting the feel here. R — 73 bpm a nice tempo and decent reel feel. Some work here on some bottom hand exercises will help strengthen the hands. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Tunes: Father John MacMillan of Barra, Dornie Ferrie, Alick C. MacGregor Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Michael, thank you for your MSR submission. A nicely set and blown pipe at the start. M — 70bpm some more 2/4 idiom coming through here is required for musicality. Snap those phrases. Left foot pulse. S — 118 bpm Good idiom here. Work on bottom hand exercises to strengthen your movements. R — 68. Good dot cut here. A few slips and chokes distracted from this performance. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Tunes: Donald MacLellan of Rothesay/Duncan Lamont/Fiona MacLeod Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Raul, thank you for your MSR submission. Work on your first impression with a solid strike in of the bag. All drones sounding nicely. Chanter and drones are ok here. Lovely setting. M — 70 bpm here and quite a good tempo. However some phrasing issues here and early to movements. Work with a metronome to acquire good 2/4 idiom and phrasing. S — 137 bpm is just too fast to have any pulse and strathspey idiom. This is quite round and needs structure. R — 86 bpm while this is presented quite musically as a round reel, a more pointed presentation is more traditional for MSR playing. You have played a nice round reel however. Thank you, David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Tunes: Tommy MacDonald of Barguillean, Dornie Ferry, Fiona MacLeod Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Ron and thank you for your submission of your MSR. A very nice strike in to a pleasing, well blown pipe. M — 59 bpm good tempo. Contrast and snap is needed here to show full commitment to 2/4 idiom. B Taor a wee bit early. S — 100 bpm idiom is coming through choppy here. Try not to over hold the E in end phrase. R — 71 bpm good dot-cut here and quite musical. Small slip. Watch for crossing notes throughout and work towards eliminating those with exercises. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tim Hutchinson 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Taking of Beaumont Hamel, Highland Harry, Bessy McIntyre Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Tim and thank you for your MSR submission. A very nice pipe, well set and blown, start to finish. M —64 bpm and a good tempo. Good short notes, could use a bit more snap overall to give more contrast. S — Good musical idiom here. Bottom hand exercises to strengthen those movements. This is a nice danceable tune. R — 72 bpm. Good dot/cut here. Small slip? Thank you. David.
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Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Campbell, Thank you for your MSR submission. A nice full sheep harmonic coming through. Nice pipe overall. M — 70 bpm a very nice 2/4 March idiom . Good contrast. S — 107 bpm Idiom ok, however D throw is thick, work to "get through it" and keep it musical. Wee choke. R — Dot/cut evident here. Nice tune. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: David Ross, The Piper's Bonnet, Thompson's Dirk Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Jean-Sebastien and thank you for your submission for the MSR. Pipes are absolutely boomin here, well set and blown. Love the Trews ! M — 63 bpm and this is a good tempo. You are playing with some reservations in the march and not fully embracing the 2/4 idiom at times. Let it go a wee bit and let the flow of the music drive it. Metronome can help here. S — 114 bpm a very good tempo with VG idiom. Contrast is good as well. One small miss. R — 76 bpm VG dot/cut and off beats are bang on. Confident in this tune ! Thank you David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eala Niamh McElhinney 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: The Lochaber Gathering, The Shepherds Crook, The Cockerel in the Creel Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Eala and thank you for this MSR. A nice first impression with a good drone strike ! Pipes ok, however evident at end that high G is quite sharp. Otherwise well blown pipe. M — 63 bpm and played as a 2/4 should be played. Tempo, phrasing, all good. Have a look at your D Taor movement for correct grace notes (I think you are playing a D instead of B). S — 114 bpm and again well played. Good contrast, however could pull out B more and consistently as this repeats often. Don't undervalue this. R — 74 bpm played very well. Good use of off beats here — musical. High G is distracting here with so many in this tune. Thank you, a nice set. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Reece Doherty Place: 4 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrusal, Maggie Cameron, The Grey Bob Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Reece, thank you for your MSR submission. Pipes are set well and have a nice harmonic. Work towards getting your drones even closer for full effect. M — 61 bpm is good and can be effective here, however you will need just a wee bit more "snap and commitment" to play here. Quite good and on the right track musically. Short notes good. S — 115 is top shelf however you are playing this well. Watch blowing on D and high G. Danceable. R — 72BPM with a good dot cut feel here. Watch your off beats are not early. Wee wobble tempo wise to start. Make sure you commit. Also watch blowing high G to end. Thank you David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Lauren McMillan 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Balkan Hills, Mrs. Margaret MacKenzie, and The Kilt is my Delight (4 part Duncan Johnson setting) Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Lauren, thank you for your MSR submission. Well stated at the start with your settings etc. This is very helpful. Good strike in and pipe OK, high A is sharp here. M — 56 bpm with 2/4 idiom evident. You could use some more snap and contrast here to give this tune a wee bit more life. S — 114 bpm Spey idiom evident. Good contrast here, watch for early birl placement. Wait wait wait. R — 77 bpm Good dot, cut here with a nice musical reel. Tune of the set with lots of snap and confidence coming through. Thank you, David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: The Conundrum, Lady Campbell of Longsdale, Lieutenant Colonel DJS Murray Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Christopher, thank you for your MSR submission. A very well set and blown pipe here from start to finish. 62 bpm here is a good tempo, however this tune needs more snap and contrast with the idiom. S — 108 bpm Good spey with good idiom here. Better contrast with good bottom hand work. Watch that your D throws are not too thick taking away from the timing. R — 73BPM and a good dot-cut. Musical and confident. Off beats are early at times, work with a metronome to control this. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Dugald B MacNeil, Caledonian Society of London, Thomson’s Dirk Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Jack, thank you for your MSR submission. Drones out at start however improved during march and were pleasing to end. Chanter well balanced, watch blowing on D in reel. M — 65BPM this is a good tempo. Work towards a more musical flow as at times you are over phrased. Good short notes. Bottom hand B tachum could be cleaned up with exercises. S — 127BPM this is a wee bit fast for a Spey. 114BPM would be my max and usually around 110 is the sweet spot This Spey is coming through round and rushed at this tempo. Work with a metronome for full effect. R — 77 BPM and coming through OK musically here. A few chokes. However this is the best tune of your set. Thank you again, keep at it. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, The Bob of Fettercairn, Dolina MacKay Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Mary, thank you for your submission of your MSR. A very nice pipe, well set and blown. M — 63 bpm with an ok 2/4 idiom. Some contrast is needed here to really pull out the music. Some over holding and under holding at times. Work with a metronome to eliminate this push pull. S — 111 bpm Good idiom and good bottom hand work here. Choke. D throw not fully complimenting the feel here. R — 73 bpm a nice tempo and decent reel feel. Some work here on some bottom hand exercises will help strengthen the hands. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Tunes: Father John MacMillan of Barra, Dornie Ferrie, Alick C. MacGregor Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Michael, thank you for your MSR submission. A nicely set and blown pipe at the start. M — 70bpm some more 2/4 idiom coming through here is required for musicality. Snap those phrases. Left foot pulse. S — 118 bpm Good idiom here. Work on bottom hand exercises to strengthen your movements. R — 68. Good dot cut here. A few slips and chokes distracted from this performance. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Tunes: Donald MacLellan of Rothesay/Duncan Lamont/Fiona MacLeod Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Raul, thank you for your MSR submission. Work on your first impression with a solid strike in of the bag. All drones sounding nicely. Chanter and drones are ok here. Lovely setting. M — 70 bpm here and quite a good tempo. However some phrasing issues here and early to movements. Work with a metronome to acquire good 2/4 idiom and phrasing. S — 137 bpm is just too fast to have any pulse and strathspey idiom. This is quite round and needs structure. R — 86 bpm while this is presented quite musically as a round reel, a more pointed presentation is more traditional for MSR playing. You have played a nice round reel however. Thank you, David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Tunes: Tommy MacDonald of Barguillean, Dornie Ferry, Fiona MacLeod Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Ron and thank you for your submission of your MSR. A very nice strike in to a pleasing, well blown pipe. M — 59 bpm good tempo. Contrast and snap is needed here to show full commitment to 2/4 idiom. B Taor a wee bit early. S — 100 bpm idiom is coming through choppy here. Try not to over hold the E in end phrase. R — 71 bpm good dot-cut here and quite musical. Small slip. Watch for crossing notes throughout and work towards eliminating those with exercises. Thank you. David.
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Event 21. Grade 2 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tim Hutchinson 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Taking of Beaumont Hamel, Highland Harry, Bessy McIntyre Judge: David Hilder Judge's Comments: Hello Tim and thank you for your MSR submission. A very nice pipe, well set and blown, start to finish. M —64 bpm and a good tempo. Good short notes, could use a bit more snap overall to give more contrast. S — Good musical idiom here. Bottom hand exercises to strengthen those movements. This is a nice danceable tune. R — 72 bpm. Good dot/cut here. Small slip? Thank you. David.
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Inspector Donald Campbell of Ness, Alan Macpherson of Mosspark Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Campbell, very solid set! Your recording is a wee bit distorted but your pipes are well set up here. Drones could be smoother and more precise but they are pleasant. Your tunes are under control but also have forward momentum and excitement. Wee choke in 2nd part of Alan Macpherson. The quality of your technique is strong overall. I wonder if you would find more fluidity in your playing and more ease of execution if you experimented with relaxing your hands somewhat; might be something to try as you develop your playing from this point. Impressive performance! Thanks. Keep it up!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Brae Riach, Beth Lyall Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Jean-Sebastien, very strong performance. I appreciated your refined bagpipe sound. You are getting a great smoothness from your drones and your chanter is solid and well-balanced. I would suggest going for a rounder approach to your jigs overall, particularly with Brae Riach. I think you will find you get a stronger drive throughout the tunes if you keep them fairly even but with a subtle pulse on each beat. It is coming across more pointed in some phrases which feels a bit stilted from a listening point of view. You are showing strong technique here! Tremendous potential! Keep up the great work. Thank you.
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Curlew, Troy's Wedding Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Christopher, well played! This was a great balance of control/poise with drive/excitement. Your pipe sounds solid. Keep working on absolute steadiness in blowing as there were some small pitch fluctuations that could be heard as you went. Your jigs were well-controlled but lively. Watch that you play dotted quarters to their full value consistently (one place to pay attention to is the first part of the Curlew). Be very precise to establish the pulse and tempo of the tune. Your technique is very clean and precise. Especially good work with the last part of Troy's Wedding. Enjoyed this. Keep up the great work!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Jig of Slurs, Judge's Dilemma Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, enjoyed your set! Your pipes sound nice and smooth and your chanter is well balanced and tuned. You had a nice poised start and then brought the tempo up which shows good control. The second part of Jig of Slurs is a tough one; keep working on integrating those F and E doublings so that they can fit smoothly into the jig rhythms. You're nearly there. Little bit untidy at starts of phrases in Judge's Dilemma 3rd part; be sure to hear the F clearly before the E doubling each time (unless you are trying to play a trill on F but it was hard to determine from your recording). Really good work, Matthew. Keep it up!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Arnold Edwards 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Donnie MacGregor/Cork Hill Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Arnold, you are showing good control in this set. Your drones are fantastic- they are so well-tuned and steady. Excellent work with this. Your chanter is a bit sharp on D and high G. Some untidiness here and there with fingerwork; keep refining part 3-4 of Donnie MacGregor and part 2 of Cork Hill. I would say your set starts a bit on the slow side but you build some momentum as you go. Always better to err on the side of being more in control rather than frantic. Eventually, when you are ready, I would up the tempo to get a bit more drive here. You have worked hard here and it shows. Nice performance.
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Paddy's leather breeches/ The seagull Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Raul, nice sprightly tempo! Try to keep a bit of a pulse on beat notes to prevent your tune from becoming rambly or getting away from you in places (more so in The Seagull). Your drones are quite well tuned but the chanter sounds a bit on the sharp side on F, high G, high A. Watch your grace note placement and keep it precise. One spot to refine for grace note precision is in part 2 of the Seagull. Be sure that your C doublings start on the beat and that the grace notes are separated. I enjoyed the momentum and excitement in your playing. Just be sure to have clarity of the technique as well. Keep up the good work!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Elliott 🇦🇺 Tunes: John Paterson's Mare, The Curlew Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Charlie, really enjoyed your pipe sound. Well done with this. Your tunes feel well-controlled for the most part. You have good consistency with the GDE movements through John Paterson's Mare. Next step is to try to keep the momentum during the long GDE sections of this tune. Also, keep building consistency with the ending line of each part as the tidiness is not yet 100%. I felt like you lost a bit of tempo at the start of The Curlew. It is always a fine balance in a jig to have control and drive at the same time but you are on the right track! Little untidy coming up to the end of your performance but you held on. Lots of good work here; keep it up! Thanks.
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Tunes: Archie Beag, Donald McKillop Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Michael, nice tunes! I feel like your tempo was a bit fast here and pulling it back slightly would benefit your expression and technique for these tunes. I can tell that you have strong hands and a good sense of the music but it was hard to keep control at this tempo. Your pipes sound good but your high A is a bit thin. Keep working on consistently executing the birl. In addition, be sure to blow your pipe fully throughout the performance to decrease the risk for chokes. You have great potential! Keep up the good work!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Tunes: Pipe Major Joe Wilson, Pipe Major John MacDonald’s Exercise Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Ron, loved your tune choices! Your bagpipe is well set up and tuned. Your execution is crisp and clean generally, but occasionally you can hear slight crossing notes when changing from C to E. As you began your second jig, the tune started to become more pointed and that feel lasted through to the end of the set. I would try to keep the same style that you started with and go for a more round, driving jig for both tunes. A bit of a pulse is good, but when it starts to feel dot-cut it has lost a bit of momentum. All the best! Keep up the great work.
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Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Inspector Donald Campbell of Ness, Alan Macpherson of Mosspark Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Campbell, very solid set! Your recording is a wee bit distorted but your pipes are well set up here. Drones could be smoother and more precise but they are pleasant. Your tunes are under control but also have forward momentum and excitement. Wee choke in 2nd part of Alan Macpherson. The quality of your technique is strong overall. I wonder if you would find more fluidity in your playing and more ease of execution if you experimented with relaxing your hands somewhat; might be something to try as you develop your playing from this point. Impressive performance! Thanks. Keep it up!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Brae Riach, Beth Lyall Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Jean-Sebastien, very strong performance. I appreciated your refined bagpipe sound. You are getting a great smoothness from your drones and your chanter is solid and well-balanced. I would suggest going for a rounder approach to your jigs overall, particularly with Brae Riach. I think you will find you get a stronger drive throughout the tunes if you keep them fairly even but with a subtle pulse on each beat. It is coming across more pointed in some phrases which feels a bit stilted from a listening point of view. You are showing strong technique here! Tremendous potential! Keep up the great work. Thank you.
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Curlew, Troy's Wedding Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Christopher, well played! This was a great balance of control/poise with drive/excitement. Your pipe sounds solid. Keep working on absolute steadiness in blowing as there were some small pitch fluctuations that could be heard as you went. Your jigs were well-controlled but lively. Watch that you play dotted quarters to their full value consistently (one place to pay attention to is the first part of the Curlew). Be very precise to establish the pulse and tempo of the tune. Your technique is very clean and precise. Especially good work with the last part of Troy's Wedding. Enjoyed this. Keep up the great work!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Matthew Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Jig of Slurs, Judge's Dilemma Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Matthew, enjoyed your set! Your pipes sound nice and smooth and your chanter is well balanced and tuned. You had a nice poised start and then brought the tempo up which shows good control. The second part of Jig of Slurs is a tough one; keep working on integrating those F and E doublings so that they can fit smoothly into the jig rhythms. You're nearly there. Little bit untidy at starts of phrases in Judge's Dilemma 3rd part; be sure to hear the F clearly before the E doubling each time (unless you are trying to play a trill on F but it was hard to determine from your recording). Really good work, Matthew. Keep it up!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Arnold Edwards 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Donnie MacGregor/Cork Hill Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Arnold, you are showing good control in this set. Your drones are fantastic- they are so well-tuned and steady. Excellent work with this. Your chanter is a bit sharp on D and high G. Some untidiness here and there with fingerwork; keep refining part 3-4 of Donnie MacGregor and part 2 of Cork Hill. I would say your set starts a bit on the slow side but you build some momentum as you go. Always better to err on the side of being more in control rather than frantic. Eventually, when you are ready, I would up the tempo to get a bit more drive here. You have worked hard here and it shows. Nice performance.
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Paddy's leather breeches/ The seagull Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Raul, nice sprightly tempo! Try to keep a bit of a pulse on beat notes to prevent your tune from becoming rambly or getting away from you in places (more so in The Seagull). Your drones are quite well tuned but the chanter sounds a bit on the sharp side on F, high G, high A. Watch your grace note placement and keep it precise. One spot to refine for grace note precision is in part 2 of the Seagull. Be sure that your C doublings start on the beat and that the grace notes are separated. I enjoyed the momentum and excitement in your playing. Just be sure to have clarity of the technique as well. Keep up the good work!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Elliott 🇦🇺 Tunes: John Paterson's Mare, The Curlew Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Charlie, really enjoyed your pipe sound. Well done with this. Your tunes feel well-controlled for the most part. You have good consistency with the GDE movements through John Paterson's Mare. Next step is to try to keep the momentum during the long GDE sections of this tune. Also, keep building consistency with the ending line of each part as the tidiness is not yet 100%. I felt like you lost a bit of tempo at the start of The Curlew. It is always a fine balance in a jig to have control and drive at the same time but you are on the right track! Little untidy coming up to the end of your performance but you held on. Lots of good work here; keep it up! Thanks.
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Tunes: Archie Beag, Donald McKillop Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Michael, nice tunes! I feel like your tempo was a bit fast here and pulling it back slightly would benefit your expression and technique for these tunes. I can tell that you have strong hands and a good sense of the music but it was hard to keep control at this tempo. Your pipes sound good but your high A is a bit thin. Keep working on consistently executing the birl. In addition, be sure to blow your pipe fully throughout the performance to decrease the risk for chokes. You have great potential! Keep up the good work!
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Event 22. Grade 2 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Tunes: Pipe Major Joe Wilson, Pipe Major John MacDonald’s Exercise Judge: Dani Brin Millar Judge's Comments: Hi Ron, loved your tune choices! Your bagpipe is well set up and tuned. Your execution is crisp and clean generally, but occasionally you can hear slight crossing notes when changing from C to E. As you began your second jig, the tune started to become more pointed and that feel lasted through to the end of the set. I would try to keep the same style that you started with and go for a more round, driving jig for both tunes. A bit of a pulse is good, but when it starts to feel dot-cut it has lost a bit of momentum. All the best! Keep up the great work.
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Imogen Akers 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Dr. Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Imogen. Nice pipe. Strong chanter sound. Blowing is strong and confident. It's a very windy area there! Tempo is appropriate and well sustained. Nice rhythmic technique evident. Nice and tidy. Could loosen E doublings slightly for full effect. wee catch C to E P4. Confident musical delivery with good understanding of compound time. Nice one! Thanks! - SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Dovecote Park Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Christopher. Thanks for this. A nice pipe — well set and blown. Nice Dovecote Park Nice musical delivery. Good understanding of compound time, with thoughtful extensions and well appointed short notes. Technical delivery is tidy, rhythmic and consistent throughout. Watch 1/2 E doublings from High A at ending phrases for clarity. Noticing you head is down while playing . . . you're playing really well — head up and be proud of this performance. Well done! Thanks, SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Dr. Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Campbell. Nice efforts here. Pipe Well set and blown. Tempo Appropriate and sustained here. Technique is rhythmic and tidy throughout. Nice musical efforts here with compound time evident in most area. Watch P 3 for undervalued 1/4 notes. C*-D. C*-A. Otherwise a good performance. Thanks SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Ballochyle Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Jean — thank you for this. Pipe well set and blown. Tempo appropriate and well sustained. Technique is rhythmic and tidy. Couple missed E taps. Wee bobble P4. Overall a nice confident compound feel with nice weight on themals. Nice job. Nice trews !
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Pipe Tutor Gary Davies Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Michael Thanks for this. Nice efforts here Pipe set is ok, chanter unbalanced and flat on top hand. Technique is rhythmic and strong. Nice D strikes and grips esp. Musical delivery is fairly consistent with good compound delivery. Aim for a wee bit more time on themal beat notes for full effect. Tempo is brisk and sustained. Thanks SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Major John MacLellan Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Ron. Thanks for this. Nice creative practice space . . . a good choice. Nice Pipe. Well Set. Blowing is consistent. Tempo is appropriate and well sustained.. Nice rhythmic technique throughout. Compound feel is somewhat evident here — could be improved my leaning more heavily on beat notes and cutting the short notes slightly more. Really aim to feel the extension for full effect. 3rd part is rounding out in the A-D-F. HA-F-D passage. Consistent effort throughout. Thank you!
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Arnold Edwards 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Booths of Comrie Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Arnold. Thanks for this. Lovely pipe set. Well blown. Lovely drone rumble on the bag strike. Technical delivery — although complete — is slightly lacking rhythm — meaning doublings are very open. Work on snapping them in just a wee bit more, thus allowing for more time* on the notes themselves. Musical delivery is coming along . . . but to achieve full compound time lean into those beat notes with a bit more weight. P3 was the best part today. Watch the final cut off for smooth final tone component. Just a slight over squeeze on the bag. Thanks! - SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Pipe Sergeant John Barclay Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Jack. Thanks for this. Your pipe is beautifully set up and blown with good confidence. A few wee catches A C E and A D F are evident. Quite nice technique and rhythmic doublings. A nice tempo and well sustained. *Overall the tune has slight choppy feel. The compound time needed for a great 6/8 is partly evident . . . and then lacking in spots. In most cases, you are arriving at the beat notes (early) while your foot is in mid air. Try to increase your awareness on this to gain improvement. Wait until the foot is down for precise placement. For full compound time expression, extend those themal notes a shade longer for full effect. Best of luck! SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Mary Thanks for this — good effort here. Tempo is slightly slow and a shade cautious, yet sustained throughout. Try to increase tempo for full effect Pipe is well set and blown' Technique is rhythmic and well placed. Nice birls. Watch D to High G for wee catches. D throws are slightly inconsistent is presence. Aim for a strong light movement. The musical delivery has a nice compound feel. Watch to not round off where the technique is more demanding. For ex. P2, High A to E taps. Thanks SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Tunes: Dominic McGowan Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Raul. Thanks for this. What beautiful setting in the forest. Pipe is OK. Drones are slightly wavering. Appropriate tempo and sustained. Compound time is partly evident in this 6/8 tune. Aim to inject more dot and cut overall for full effect. Extend those held notes a wee bit more. You are about 70% there. There is inconsistent technical delivery in the ending phrases, on last B notes. Some doubling are lacking rhythm because they are slightly to open. Aim to snap up the doublings a wee bit and let the strong notes have the emphasis. Good Luck!
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Competitor: Imogen Akers 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Dr. Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Imogen. Nice pipe. Strong chanter sound. Blowing is strong and confident. It's a very windy area there! Tempo is appropriate and well sustained. Nice rhythmic technique evident. Nice and tidy. Could loosen E doublings slightly for full effect. wee catch C to E P4. Confident musical delivery with good understanding of compound time. Nice one! Thanks! - SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Dovecote Park Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Christopher. Thanks for this. A nice pipe — well set and blown. Nice Dovecote Park Nice musical delivery. Good understanding of compound time, with thoughtful extensions and well appointed short notes. Technical delivery is tidy, rhythmic and consistent throughout. Watch 1/2 E doublings from High A at ending phrases for clarity. Noticing you head is down while playing . . . you're playing really well — head up and be proud of this performance. Well done! Thanks, SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Dr. Ross's 50th Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Campbell. Nice efforts here. Pipe Well set and blown. Tempo Appropriate and sustained here. Technique is rhythmic and tidy throughout. Nice musical efforts here with compound time evident in most area. Watch P 3 for undervalued 1/4 notes. C*-D. C*-A. Otherwise a good performance. Thanks SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Ballochyle Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Jean — thank you for this. Pipe well set and blown. Tempo appropriate and well sustained. Technique is rhythmic and tidy. Couple missed E taps. Wee bobble P4. Overall a nice confident compound feel with nice weight on themals. Nice job. Nice trews !
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Pipe Tutor Gary Davies Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Michael Thanks for this. Nice efforts here Pipe set is ok, chanter unbalanced and flat on top hand. Technique is rhythmic and strong. Nice D strikes and grips esp. Musical delivery is fairly consistent with good compound delivery. Aim for a wee bit more time on themal beat notes for full effect. Tempo is brisk and sustained. Thanks SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Place: 6 Tunes: Major John MacLellan Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Ron. Thanks for this. Nice creative practice space . . . a good choice. Nice Pipe. Well Set. Blowing is consistent. Tempo is appropriate and well sustained.. Nice rhythmic technique throughout. Compound feel is somewhat evident here — could be improved my leaning more heavily on beat notes and cutting the short notes slightly more. Really aim to feel the extension for full effect. 3rd part is rounding out in the A-D-F. HA-F-D passage. Consistent effort throughout. Thank you!
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Arnold Edwards 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Booths of Comrie Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Arnold. Thanks for this. Lovely pipe set. Well blown. Lovely drone rumble on the bag strike. Technical delivery — although complete — is slightly lacking rhythm — meaning doublings are very open. Work on snapping them in just a wee bit more, thus allowing for more time* on the notes themselves. Musical delivery is coming along . . . but to achieve full compound time lean into those beat notes with a bit more weight. P3 was the best part today. Watch the final cut off for smooth final tone component. Just a slight over squeeze on the bag. Thanks! - SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Tunes: Pipe Sergeant John Barclay Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Jack. Thanks for this. Your pipe is beautifully set up and blown with good confidence. A few wee catches A C E and A D F are evident. Quite nice technique and rhythmic doublings. A nice tempo and well sustained. *Overall the tune has slight choppy feel. The compound time needed for a great 6/8 is partly evident . . . and then lacking in spots. In most cases, you are arriving at the beat notes (early) while your foot is in mid air. Try to increase your awareness on this to gain improvement. Wait until the foot is down for precise placement. For full compound time expression, extend those themal notes a shade longer for full effect. Best of luck! SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Tunes: Pipe Major Donald MacLean of Lewis Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Mary Thanks for this — good effort here. Tempo is slightly slow and a shade cautious, yet sustained throughout. Try to increase tempo for full effect Pipe is well set and blown' Technique is rhythmic and well placed. Nice birls. Watch D to High G for wee catches. D throws are slightly inconsistent is presence. Aim for a strong light movement. The musical delivery has a nice compound feel. Watch to not round off where the technique is more demanding. For ex. P2, High A to E taps. Thanks SH
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Event 23. Grade 2 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Tunes: Dominic McGowan Judge: Shaunna Hilder Judge's Comments: Hi Raul. Thanks for this. What beautiful setting in the forest. Pipe is OK. Drones are slightly wavering. Appropriate tempo and sustained. Compound time is partly evident in this 6/8 tune. Aim to inject more dot and cut overall for full effect. Extend those held notes a wee bit more. You are about 70% there. There is inconsistent technical delivery in the ending phrases, on last B notes. Some doubling are lacking rhythm because they are slightly to open. Aim to snap up the doublings a wee bit and let the strong notes have the emphasis. Good Luck!
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Pipe Major George Allan Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Very nice and resonant pipe Jean-Sébastien. Tone — stable and harmonic bagpipe. Well balanced drones and chanter. Technique — Very good fingerwork and control, slight cross-over 3rd pt. Expression — Good pace and lift, could come up a touch in tempo, but still good. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Train Journey North Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice assertive playing here Campbell. Tone — Nice projection from chanter, drones not 100%. Technique — Very good fingerwork throughout. Expression — nice pace, swing and lift to this tune Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Collin Mackay Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice swing to this Christopher. Tone — Drones note quite 100%, high G flat, F sharp. Some unsteady blowing. Technique — Good finger work throughout Expression — played with nice lift and swing. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The Man from Skye Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice play Mary. Tone — Drones not 100%, chanter ok. Technique — nice technique. Good treatment of the short notes. Some tightness on E doublings in 4th part. A couple of slips pt4. Expression — tempo a bit down, but steady. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice tune Ron, it could use a slight bump in tempo. Tone — pipe is resonating well, high G and A a bit flat, and drones not 100% with chanter. Technique — All fingerwork coming across nicely, a very slight stumble 4th part repeat, and some crossing noises to the end. Expression — steady tempo, and good swing — could be played with a bit more aggression. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: P.M. George Allan Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice assertive start to this. Drones nice Raul. Tone — Drones nice and together. Chanter ok. Technique — E doublings could have a bit more separation note to note. Squeal 4th part. Hands a bit loose, and not fully articulating the technique. Some crossing noises pt 3. Expression — Nice rhythm and brisk pace. Could use a bit more pulsing on first E of 3rd pt. The tune could benefit from a slight stronger pulsing on the down beats, which a slightly slower tempo may help. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Tunes: Crossing the Minch Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice drone sound Michael. Several chokes throughout, wrong note 4th pt. Tone — chanter sound is projecting well on the bottom hand but a bit thin on top, with a flat F and high G. Technique — mostly good throughout. Expression — steady pace, and good lift but could use a bit more tempo. Well done.
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Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Pipe Major George Allan Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Very nice and resonant pipe Jean-Sébastien. Tone — stable and harmonic bagpipe. Well balanced drones and chanter. Technique — Very good fingerwork and control, slight cross-over 3rd pt. Expression — Good pace and lift, could come up a touch in tempo, but still good. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Campbell Wilson 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Train Journey North Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice assertive playing here Campbell. Tone — Nice projection from chanter, drones not 100%. Technique — Very good fingerwork throughout. Expression — nice pace, swing and lift to this tune Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Collin Mackay Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice swing to this Christopher. Tone — Drones note quite 100%, high G flat, F sharp. Some unsteady blowing. Technique — Good finger work throughout Expression — played with nice lift and swing. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The Man from Skye Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice play Mary. Tone — Drones not 100%, chanter ok. Technique — nice technique. Good treatment of the short notes. Some tightness on E doublings in 4th part. A couple of slips pt4. Expression — tempo a bit down, but steady. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ron J. Graham 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice tune Ron, it could use a slight bump in tempo. Tone — pipe is resonating well, high G and A a bit flat, and drones not 100% with chanter. Technique — All fingerwork coming across nicely, a very slight stumble 4th part repeat, and some crossing noises to the end. Expression — steady tempo, and good swing — could be played with a bit more aggression. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Raúl Peinado 🇪🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: P.M. George Allan Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice assertive start to this. Drones nice Raul. Tone — Drones nice and together. Chanter ok. Technique — E doublings could have a bit more separation note to note. Squeal 4th part. Hands a bit loose, and not fully articulating the technique. Some crossing noises pt 3. Expression — Nice rhythm and brisk pace. Could use a bit more pulsing on first E of 3rd pt. The tune could benefit from a slight stronger pulsing on the down beats, which a slightly slower tempo may help. Well done.
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Event 24. Grade 2 Piping - Hornpipe (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michael Jeanrenaud 🇿🇦 Tunes: Crossing the Minch Judge: Sean McKeown Judge's Comments: Nice drone sound Michael. Several chokes throughout, wrong note 4th pt. Tone — chanter sound is projecting well on the bottom hand but a bit thin on top, with a flat F and high G. Technique — mostly good throughout. Expression — steady pace, and good lift but could use a bit more tempo. Well done.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Battle Of Auldearn #1 https://youtu.be/aEy0D29zuXs Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very musical start to the tune Ground well paced and executed. V1: Nicely timed and good use of HAs V1D: Nicely played here good change of tempo for doubling V2: Nicely played. cadences well handled V2D: Very good TS: Good timing and tempo good movements TD: Very nice CS: Good movements in the main, the odd one not 100%. Good timing and use of theme notes. CD: Nice tempo and use of theme notes CAM: Good tempo and importantly control at that tempo. Bagpipe, drones good but not always locked in totally . . . but pleasant to listen to..
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Craig McKenzie 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: MacLeod's Controversy Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nicely executed ground and I felt you had the timing pretty much right. Slightly lingered on some of the longer notes here and there which might have held back progression through the phrase. Taorluath and Crunluath variations were played well and timed well, good tempos throughout them. One or two D Ts and Cs not precise. overall a good tune and well handled. Pipe very nice. Couple of tiny note errors as if you went to the wrong note then corrected yourself.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Arnold Edwards 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Too Long in this Condition Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Lovely timing. Couple of loose movements edres from HA Ground Doubling: nice change of pace. Couple of loose taorluath movements. Nice timing V2S: Very nicely timed V2D: Very good here CS: a couple of loose edres but nicely timed CD: dare movements sometimes not totally accurate. Nicely timed Pipe nice. Timing nice, just a few bits of execution not quite 100% precise. Nice music.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Eala Niamh McElhinney 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: The Massacre of Glencoe Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Very well paced and timed ground. Thumb: Nice change of tempo. Nicely timed. TS: Good timing and sense of the theme notes. Cadences well played. Good T movements. TD: Good change of pace and phrasing well. CS: Opening line maybe press a bit harder on theme notes. Error 3rd phrase L1. Very good C movements. CD: Very well controlled and executed. CAM: Very composed and executed. I enjoyed the tune very much. I think the pipe wasn't your best friend, some work needed getting it steady and tuned a little better. Pity about error in the CS.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Bernhard Cohnen 🇨🇭 Place: 5 Tunes: Corrienessan's Salute Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Lovely expression and tempo and execution. V1S: Nicely timed and very good tempo. V1D: Nice tempo progression and very clear fingering. TS: Very good full rhythmical T movements. One or two might be a bit deliberate. Nicely timed TD: Nicely timed although the movements could a shade smaller here. CS: Full movements maybe slightly deliberate but better to be accurate. Choke. Nicely timed. CD: Nice steady finish. Deliberate with movements but accurate. Nicely timed tune, the pipes were steady. The movements will quicken up in time if not forced. Very accurate. Otherwise well played tune, couple of small chokes. Watch the Low G grace notes are not too quick.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Lauren McMillan 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Isabel MacKay Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Nicely timed if a little careful at times with some of the movements eg hiharin but they were accurate which is important. Thumb: A little brighter tempo here. Nicely played again work on hiharin to make it crisper. V2: Good tempo. Well timed. TS: A bit too slow and deliberate. Good T movements. TD: Very good playing here, good tempo and bright and strong. CS: Like the TS the variation a bit too slow. CD: Much better tempo. I feel the two in between movements were could be a bit fuller to get a fuller rhythm here. Some missed movements Pipes: Chanter well set but drones were not really locked in from the start and drifted a little.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Charlie Elliott 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lament for Mary MacLeod Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice tempo in ground. Timing good. Cutting the low G grace notes a bit too much. Couldn't hear them in line 2. Chirp on LA. Note error Line 2 played C cadence instead of B. Some hiharins not accurately timed. V1S: nicely timed again low G grace notes too quick. Blowing unsteady here. V1D a bit of a waltzy feel. TS nicely timed. Fingering not always accurate and catches TD Nice tempo but would want to hold the note before movement a shade more. CHOKE CS Nice bright timing here but tending to be short on the note before movement. Blowing unsteady. CD a little rushed off the note before the movement. Some imprecise movements.
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Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Battle Of Auldearn #1 https://youtu.be/aEy0D29zuXs Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Very musical start to the tune Ground well paced and executed. V1: Nicely timed and good use of HAs V1D: Nicely played here good change of tempo for doubling V2: Nicely played. cadences well handled V2D: Very good TS: Good timing and tempo good movements TD: Very nice CS: Good movements in the main, the odd one not 100%. Good timing and use of theme notes. CD: Nice tempo and use of theme notes CAM: Good tempo and importantly control at that tempo. Bagpipe, drones good but not always locked in totally . . . but pleasant to listen to..
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Craig McKenzie 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: MacLeod's Controversy Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nicely executed ground and I felt you had the timing pretty much right. Slightly lingered on some of the longer notes here and there which might have held back progression through the phrase. Taorluath and Crunluath variations were played well and timed well, good tempos throughout them. One or two D Ts and Cs not precise. overall a good tune and well handled. Pipe very nice. Couple of tiny note errors as if you went to the wrong note then corrected yourself.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Arnold Edwards 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Too Long in this Condition Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Lovely timing. Couple of loose movements edres from HA Ground Doubling: nice change of pace. Couple of loose taorluath movements. Nice timing V2S: Very nicely timed V2D: Very good here CS: a couple of loose edres but nicely timed CD: dare movements sometimes not totally accurate. Nicely timed Pipe nice. Timing nice, just a few bits of execution not quite 100% precise. Nice music.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Eala Niamh McElhinney 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: The Massacre of Glencoe Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Very well paced and timed ground. Thumb: Nice change of tempo. Nicely timed. TS: Good timing and sense of the theme notes. Cadences well played. Good T movements. TD: Good change of pace and phrasing well. CS: Opening line maybe press a bit harder on theme notes. Error 3rd phrase L1. Very good C movements. CD: Very well controlled and executed. CAM: Very composed and executed. I enjoyed the tune very much. I think the pipe wasn't your best friend, some work needed getting it steady and tuned a little better. Pity about error in the CS.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Bernhard Cohnen 🇨🇭 Place: 5 Tunes: Corrienessan's Salute Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Lovely expression and tempo and execution. V1S: Nicely timed and very good tempo. V1D: Nice tempo progression and very clear fingering. TS: Very good full rhythmical T movements. One or two might be a bit deliberate. Nicely timed TD: Nicely timed although the movements could a shade smaller here. CS: Full movements maybe slightly deliberate but better to be accurate. Choke. Nicely timed. CD: Nice steady finish. Deliberate with movements but accurate. Nicely timed tune, the pipes were steady. The movements will quicken up in time if not forced. Very accurate. Otherwise well played tune, couple of small chokes. Watch the Low G grace notes are not too quick.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Lauren McMillan 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Isabel MacKay Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Ground: Nicely timed if a little careful at times with some of the movements eg hiharin but they were accurate which is important. Thumb: A little brighter tempo here. Nicely played again work on hiharin to make it crisper. V2: Good tempo. Well timed. TS: A bit too slow and deliberate. Good T movements. TD: Very good playing here, good tempo and bright and strong. CS: Like the TS the variation a bit too slow. CD: Much better tempo. I feel the two in between movements were could be a bit fuller to get a fuller rhythm here. Some missed movements Pipes: Chanter well set but drones were not really locked in from the start and drifted a little.
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Event 25. Grade 2 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Charlie Elliott 🇦🇺 Tunes: Lament for Mary MacLeod Judge: William McCallum Judge's Comments: Nice tempo in ground. Timing good. Cutting the low G grace notes a bit too much. Couldn't hear them in line 2. Chirp on LA. Note error Line 2 played C cadence instead of B. Some hiharins not accurately timed. V1S: nicely timed again low G grace notes too quick. Blowing unsteady here. V1D a bit of a waltzy feel. TS nicely timed. Fingering not always accurate and catches TD Nice tempo but would want to hold the note before movement a shade more. CHOKE CS Nice bright timing here but tending to be short on the note before movement. Blowing unsteady. CD a little rushed off the note before the movement. Some imprecise movements.
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Allan Dodd's Farewell to Scotland, The Bob of Fettercairn (Arr. J. Wilson), The Sheepwife Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice 2. Nice 3. Nice 4. Nice Overall nice uptake to March throughout . . . maybe a bit more B prior to the strikes at the ends of the lines for more pronounced articulation. Strathspey: 1. Nice 2. Nice 3. Nice 4. Nice 5. Nice watch you don't crush runs from High A down 6. Nice Reel: 1. Good into Reel and tempo well established 2. Nice 3. Nice 4. Nice 5. Nice 6. Nice Overall: A very poised and professional sounding MSR played with lots of confidence and musicality. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tam McGirr 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: The Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band, Lady Louden, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice tempo established 2. slightly underblown High G at start of the 2nd 3. Lovely 4. slightly short B before the D throw in first time through. Lots of drive here . . . well played! Strathspey: 1. Good into Strathspey 2. Solid 3. Solid - great drive 4. A little dirty to start 4th but settled Good playing and drive here Reel: 1. Good into the Reel 2. Great rhythm 3. Slight loss of control in 4th part Overall: Very enjoyable MSR played with lots of poise and drive. Top hand of the chanter a little "keen" and required accurate pressure to bring out the quality. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gord Wallace 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Glenfinnan Highland Gathering, Dornie Ferry, Sandy Cameron Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Good a bit round going to the C doublings 2. Light birl at end of the part first time through. 3. Good 4. Good stuff Overall pretty good march that has lots of drive Strathspey: 1. Good 2. Good 3. Good 4. Good Nice touch here in Strathspey playing with light hands but watch you don't push beats causing some roundness as was evident above as well. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel and tempo established well 2. Good 3. Good 4. Good Solid Reel Overall: A very enjoyable MSR and a pretty good instrument. A shade round in passages in March and Strathspey but accurate technique! Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eddie Boland 🇮🇪 Place: 4 Tunes: Inveran, Arniston Castle, Col DJS Murray Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice tempo established right from the start. 2. a little more length on the F at the end of the first bar before as early to the offbeat in a couple of places here. 3. okay 4. light F doublings in the first bar coming down from the High G Good drive in the March but a little "edgy" driving right through Strathspey: 1. A little more on the first E doubling to start to establish the expression 2. birl from B a little pushed (really relax here which will give you more whip) and too short before the D throws. 3. C doublings at part endings a little too open 4. okay Reel: 1. Good into the Reel. Good playing 2. Good 3. Beginning to push the beat here 4. Pushed in delivery especially going into bar 5 . . . wait for the short F Overall: A solid MSR played with lots of drive on a nice instrument. Comments above focus on not pushing the offbeat mostly which will just sit everything back into a nice steady rhythm where your technique will be much happier utilizing the time and space necessary. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tristan Mitchell 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrushal, Maggie Cameron, Drumlithie Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice start to March with lots of drive. Pipe coming across a bit muffled making it difficult to hear chanter intonation as I there sounded like a small catch going from the Low A, Short C to F in first part. 2. okay 3. okay but would like a little more length on the C's and B's before the Taorluaths down to Low A 4. okay but would like to hear a little more High A before the High A Strikes as coming across clipped. Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey and nice tempo 2. B before the D throw at the part ending too short 3. Same as above 4. Slight squeak High A to Low A Nice lift and pulse on delivery. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel 2. a little catch on the bottom hand near part ending. 3. okay 4. nice Nicely played reel in terms of rhythm and drive. Overall: Nicely played MSR on a decent bagpipe solid from start to finish and other than chirps pretty good quality. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Mrs. John McColl, John Roy Stewart, Thompson's Dirk Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice tempo established right from the start. C Tacchums not 100%; B and C doublings a little light at the part endings. 2. a little more length at phrase ending following the tacchum waiting for the B to start the 2nd phrase just for more poise. 3. a little clipped here and some slight crossing noises popping through first time through. 4. good here. Good drive in the March but could use a little more offbeat awareness to smooth you out a bit yet gain poise. Strathspey: 1. Cut the short D before the B strikes in bar 3 2. Round but consistent and nice playing here regardless 3. missing the E grace notes down 4. a little laboured with the runs at the end of the tune Reel: 1. losing the rhythm toward of the part but nice tempo 2. a bit laboured going to the E strikes. 3. okay but not sure notes are correct here? 4. good Overall: Pretty solid MSR on a nice bagpipe. A little round and pushed at the start and in places as mentioned above. A little metronome work with focus on the offbeat will lock you into consistent and steady rhythms.
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Tunes: Major Manson of Clachantrushal (P/M Donald MacLean), Lumphanan (Douglas A. Will), Alick C. MacGregor (G.S. MacLennan) Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Aggressive start and slightly pushed. Watch the ending you are jumping to the short C that leads to the E. 2. okay 3. More on the C's and Bs before the Taorluaths to keep you in the rhythm as coming across pushed. 4. Again a little pushed in bar 3 and part endings. Strathspey: 1. A loss of clarity in bar 2? 2. okay 3. okay 4. okay Throughout the tune in Bar 2 I am not sure if there is some open technique that is inhibiting the flow of the music but it sounded pushed and out of rhythm. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel and aggressive tempo 2. Staying in rhythm better here. 3. okay 4. okay Good Reel playing!! Overall: Good MSR on a solid instrument. I felt the March and Strathspey were pushed with the comment of bar 2 detracting from overall presentation. Great Reel Playing and you have enough drive just need to sit it back and put everything into consistent rhythm. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: John MacDonald of Glencoe; Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch; Willie Cummings Rant. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. nice aggressive tempo. Would like to see a little more pulse on the short C up to the E in bar 1. 2. choke in 2nd part 3. in the line endings the B doublings are coming across as light throughout. 4. okay Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey — light B doubling to end first time through first part but better on repeat. 2. pushed the birl at the end of the part but good doubling work here but ensure you can here the E grace note to complete the C doubling run downs. 3. okay 4. okay Reel: 1. Aggressive tempo for the Reel but controlled okay 2. okay 3. okay 4. okay Overall: Nice MSR on a bagpipe that was okay but drones not locked together nor on with the Low A detracting from overall quality of sound. Playing pretty well but some pushed playing causing some inaccurate passages. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy; Susan MacLeod; Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. aggressive tempo and coming across pushed here especially with the B tacchums at the line ending. Also some small catches and crossing noises popping out. 2. same as above 3. again just way too much drive at the line ending to allow you the time to even play the Low A before the B tacchum. 4. okay March pushed feel Strathspey: 1. good into the Strathspey. Missed E doubling and some hesitation following 2. not clean to the E doubling at the start. 3. Solid birls in third part. 4. pushed double C in bar 1 and then really pushed the 2nd time ending at the end of the tune. The right idea but still pushed. Reel: 1. abrupt into the Reel but more control here to start. 2. some little misses with the strikes. 3. okay 4. not clean in the bar 3 5. missing strikes here with the loss of rhythm pushing beats more now 6. same Overall: A good MSR on a nice instrument. You just need to set things back into a nice consistent rhythm which will most likely fix most of the comments above. Pushing the beat creates tension and it is here that the misses start to happen. You have excellent hands just relax and get some metronome time in to really establish the offbeat to provide you with the necessary time to play the embellishments. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Caledonian Society of London, The Rejected Suitor Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Good driving tempo established but watch you keep in the rhythm as there is some pushing creeping in with offbeat treatment (ie. High A, short F to the E doubling . . . too much F squaring out passage). 2. Good 3. pushing off the B taorluaths too early down to the Low A 4. Slightly pushed here off the F before the E strikes Overall slightly pushed on delivery but lots of drive. Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey — again a little pushed here 2. Pushed at ending phrase 3. okay 4. More on first High A to hold you in the pocket Reel: 1. abrupt entry to Reel and aggressive tempo with pushed feel here. 2. okay but still a little pushed 3. okay 4. okay Overall: Nice MSR on a decent instrument with a sharp F. You have excellent hands and I felt that you were a little bit on edge throughout the performance. You can just sit everything back a touch and lock you into the "Pocket." Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Tunes: Doctor E.G. MacKinnon, Lady Louden, The Sheepwife Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Good 2. A little long on the B following the bubbly note getting down to the Low G on the offbeat. 3. Okay 4. Okay A little too long on the B following the bubbly note going down to the Low G on the offbeat. Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey - aggressive 2. okay 3. Weak C doubling in 3rd 4. okay Overall pretty good here. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel and aggressive tempo to start. 2. Heavy hands in the 2nd part 3. Okay 4. Better here with hands being more free 5. Okay 6. Okay Maybe a tad pushed here in the 2nd part which again creates a frantic feel being pulled out of the rhythm. Overall: Pretty solid MSR on a nice bagpipe with a tendency to push in spots creating a loss of rhythm and poise but lots of drive throughout. Well done!
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Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Allan Dodd's Farewell to Scotland, The Bob of Fettercairn (Arr. J. Wilson), The Sheepwife Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice 2. Nice 3. Nice 4. Nice Overall nice uptake to March throughout . . . maybe a bit more B prior to the strikes at the ends of the lines for more pronounced articulation. Strathspey: 1. Nice 2. Nice 3. Nice 4. Nice 5. Nice watch you don't crush runs from High A down 6. Nice Reel: 1. Good into Reel and tempo well established 2. Nice 3. Nice 4. Nice 5. Nice 6. Nice Overall: A very poised and professional sounding MSR played with lots of confidence and musicality. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tam McGirr 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: The Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band, Lady Louden, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice tempo established 2. slightly underblown High G at start of the 2nd 3. Lovely 4. slightly short B before the D throw in first time through. Lots of drive here . . . well played! Strathspey: 1. Good into Strathspey 2. Solid 3. Solid - great drive 4. A little dirty to start 4th but settled Good playing and drive here Reel: 1. Good into the Reel 2. Great rhythm 3. Slight loss of control in 4th part Overall: Very enjoyable MSR played with lots of poise and drive. Top hand of the chanter a little "keen" and required accurate pressure to bring out the quality. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gord Wallace 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Glenfinnan Highland Gathering, Dornie Ferry, Sandy Cameron Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Good a bit round going to the C doublings 2. Light birl at end of the part first time through. 3. Good 4. Good stuff Overall pretty good march that has lots of drive Strathspey: 1. Good 2. Good 3. Good 4. Good Nice touch here in Strathspey playing with light hands but watch you don't push beats causing some roundness as was evident above as well. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel and tempo established well 2. Good 3. Good 4. Good Solid Reel Overall: A very enjoyable MSR and a pretty good instrument. A shade round in passages in March and Strathspey but accurate technique! Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eddie Boland 🇮🇪 Place: 4 Tunes: Inveran, Arniston Castle, Col DJS Murray Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice tempo established right from the start. 2. a little more length on the F at the end of the first bar before as early to the offbeat in a couple of places here. 3. okay 4. light F doublings in the first bar coming down from the High G Good drive in the March but a little "edgy" driving right through Strathspey: 1. A little more on the first E doubling to start to establish the expression 2. birl from B a little pushed (really relax here which will give you more whip) and too short before the D throws. 3. C doublings at part endings a little too open 4. okay Reel: 1. Good into the Reel. Good playing 2. Good 3. Beginning to push the beat here 4. Pushed in delivery especially going into bar 5 . . . wait for the short F Overall: A solid MSR played with lots of drive on a nice instrument. Comments above focus on not pushing the offbeat mostly which will just sit everything back into a nice steady rhythm where your technique will be much happier utilizing the time and space necessary. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Tristan Mitchell 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrushal, Maggie Cameron, Drumlithie Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice start to March with lots of drive. Pipe coming across a bit muffled making it difficult to hear chanter intonation as I there sounded like a small catch going from the Low A, Short C to F in first part. 2. okay 3. okay but would like a little more length on the C's and B's before the Taorluaths down to Low A 4. okay but would like to hear a little more High A before the High A Strikes as coming across clipped. Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey and nice tempo 2. B before the D throw at the part ending too short 3. Same as above 4. Slight squeak High A to Low A Nice lift and pulse on delivery. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel 2. a little catch on the bottom hand near part ending. 3. okay 4. nice Nicely played reel in terms of rhythm and drive. Overall: Nicely played MSR on a decent bagpipe solid from start to finish and other than chirps pretty good quality. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Mrs. John McColl, John Roy Stewart, Thompson's Dirk Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Nice tempo established right from the start. C Tacchums not 100%; B and C doublings a little light at the part endings. 2. a little more length at phrase ending following the tacchum waiting for the B to start the 2nd phrase just for more poise. 3. a little clipped here and some slight crossing noises popping through first time through. 4. good here. Good drive in the March but could use a little more offbeat awareness to smooth you out a bit yet gain poise. Strathspey: 1. Cut the short D before the B strikes in bar 3 2. Round but consistent and nice playing here regardless 3. missing the E grace notes down 4. a little laboured with the runs at the end of the tune Reel: 1. losing the rhythm toward of the part but nice tempo 2. a bit laboured going to the E strikes. 3. okay but not sure notes are correct here? 4. good Overall: Pretty solid MSR on a nice bagpipe. A little round and pushed at the start and in places as mentioned above. A little metronome work with focus on the offbeat will lock you into consistent and steady rhythms.
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Tunes: Major Manson of Clachantrushal (P/M Donald MacLean), Lumphanan (Douglas A. Will), Alick C. MacGregor (G.S. MacLennan) Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Aggressive start and slightly pushed. Watch the ending you are jumping to the short C that leads to the E. 2. okay 3. More on the C's and Bs before the Taorluaths to keep you in the rhythm as coming across pushed. 4. Again a little pushed in bar 3 and part endings. Strathspey: 1. A loss of clarity in bar 2? 2. okay 3. okay 4. okay Throughout the tune in Bar 2 I am not sure if there is some open technique that is inhibiting the flow of the music but it sounded pushed and out of rhythm. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel and aggressive tempo 2. Staying in rhythm better here. 3. okay 4. okay Good Reel playing!! Overall: Good MSR on a solid instrument. I felt the March and Strathspey were pushed with the comment of bar 2 detracting from overall presentation. Great Reel Playing and you have enough drive just need to sit it back and put everything into consistent rhythm. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: John MacDonald of Glencoe; Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch; Willie Cummings Rant. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. nice aggressive tempo. Would like to see a little more pulse on the short C up to the E in bar 1. 2. choke in 2nd part 3. in the line endings the B doublings are coming across as light throughout. 4. okay Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey — light B doubling to end first time through first part but better on repeat. 2. pushed the birl at the end of the part but good doubling work here but ensure you can here the E grace note to complete the C doubling run downs. 3. okay 4. okay Reel: 1. Aggressive tempo for the Reel but controlled okay 2. okay 3. okay 4. okay Overall: Nice MSR on a bagpipe that was okay but drones not locked together nor on with the Low A detracting from overall quality of sound. Playing pretty well but some pushed playing causing some inaccurate passages. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy; Susan MacLeod; Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. aggressive tempo and coming across pushed here especially with the B tacchums at the line ending. Also some small catches and crossing noises popping out. 2. same as above 3. again just way too much drive at the line ending to allow you the time to even play the Low A before the B tacchum. 4. okay March pushed feel Strathspey: 1. good into the Strathspey. Missed E doubling and some hesitation following 2. not clean to the E doubling at the start. 3. Solid birls in third part. 4. pushed double C in bar 1 and then really pushed the 2nd time ending at the end of the tune. The right idea but still pushed. Reel: 1. abrupt into the Reel but more control here to start. 2. some little misses with the strikes. 3. okay 4. not clean in the bar 3 5. missing strikes here with the loss of rhythm pushing beats more now 6. same Overall: A good MSR on a nice instrument. You just need to set things back into a nice consistent rhythm which will most likely fix most of the comments above. Pushing the beat creates tension and it is here that the misses start to happen. You have excellent hands just relax and get some metronome time in to really establish the offbeat to provide you with the necessary time to play the embellishments. Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Tunes: Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Caledonian Society of London, The Rejected Suitor Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Good driving tempo established but watch you keep in the rhythm as there is some pushing creeping in with offbeat treatment (ie. High A, short F to the E doubling . . . too much F squaring out passage). 2. Good 3. pushing off the B taorluaths too early down to the Low A 4. Slightly pushed here off the F before the E strikes Overall slightly pushed on delivery but lots of drive. Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey — again a little pushed here 2. Pushed at ending phrase 3. okay 4. More on first High A to hold you in the pocket Reel: 1. abrupt entry to Reel and aggressive tempo with pushed feel here. 2. okay but still a little pushed 3. okay 4. okay Overall: Nice MSR on a decent instrument with a sharp F. You have excellent hands and I felt that you were a little bit on edge throughout the performance. You can just sit everything back a touch and lock you into the "Pocket." Well done!
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Event 26. Grade 1 Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Tunes: Doctor E.G. MacKinnon, Lady Louden, The Sheepwife Judge: Ian K. MacDonald Judge's Comments: March: 1. Good 2. A little long on the B following the bubbly note getting down to the Low G on the offbeat. 3. Okay 4. Okay A little too long on the B following the bubbly note going down to the Low G on the offbeat. Strathspey: 1. Good into the Strathspey - aggressive 2. okay 3. Weak C doubling in 3rd 4. okay Overall pretty good here. Reel: 1. Good into the Reel and aggressive tempo to start. 2. Heavy hands in the 2nd part 3. Okay 4. Better here with hands being more free 5. Okay 6. Okay Maybe a tad pushed here in the 2nd part which again creates a frantic feel being pulled out of the rhythm. Overall: Pretty solid MSR on a nice bagpipe with a tendency to push in spots creating a loss of rhythm and poise but lots of drive throughout. Well done!
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: The Geese in the Bog, Callum Moffat's Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Joe, thanks for your entry. Beautiful bagpipe from outset, love the high G. Strong rhythmical playing with great technique, very musical. Wonder if timing of part ending D strike in the second tune is sometimes inconsistent? (a minor observation) Really enjoyed this, thanks.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Old Wife at the Mill Dust, St. Ninian’s Parish Centre Ceilidh Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Trevor, thanks for entering, nice pipes, nice entry to set. Rhythmical jig playing, tight grip 3rd, missed throw on D 5th, nice to St Ninians, wee miss part 2, occasionally birl interrupts flow in 3rd/4th parts (minor). Very enjoyable set of tunes, well done.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 3 Tunes: Alan MacPherson Of Mosspark, D.W Donald (John Lee) Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Brieuc, well tuned pipe, rhythmical jig interpretation, tidy hands, wee miss end of 2nd part, not always blowing out top hand. DW Donald, nice tune, make sure technique always 100% to get the most out of this, (D throw etc). Strong tunes, mostly well handled, some minor technical blemishes.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gord Wallace 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Old Wife of the Milldust and Micheal McDonald Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Gord, thanks for the recording, nice pipe well tuned drones, C interval not correct however. Musical playing from the getgo, some chirps in Old Wife distract later in tune, hands tightening in Michael McDonald. Led to several misses and catches, 3rd and 4th parts. Overall solid set of tunes, chirps and technical blemishes distracted at times.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Alan MacPherson of Mosspark, Turf Lodge Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Ryan, thanks for sending in this entry. Nice pipes from outset, I am not familiar with the setting of Alan Macpherson, 1st part — E for C? However this aside nice jig rhythm and expression. Wee catch 4th part, Turf lodge 1st part D strikes not always convincing, losing a little composure in 3rd part and again on the repeat of the 4th part. However this was an enjoyable set of tunes overall, thanks.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Drew James McIntosh, Over to Uist Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Charlie thanks for your entry. Well tuned drones, flattish F. Technique pretty good, just wonder if musical flow is sometimes inconsistent, crossing noises distract into Over to Uist, some surging in blowing 3rd part, and again crossing noises distract in 4th part. Still a pretty good set nonetheless, thanks for the listen.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Hens March; Cork Hill. Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Friedrich, thanks for the entry. Hen's march one of the all time great tunes. Wee choke in first part, some underblowing evident. That third part is a real test, watch those B taps, consistency is the key. In Cork Hill try to balance those GDE's to make for more of a jig lilt, crossing noises 2nd, missed strikes 3rd, again blowing issues late in the performance and hint of rushing to the end. Lots of good bits, just work on consistency of GDE, strikes etc. and a bit more attention to the sound you're generating would help lift the overall impression, thanks.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Jig of Slurs; The Curlew. Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Jurgen, a couple of classic jigs there. Drones not 100% in tune from outset, flattish top hand. Good jig rhythm and tempo, technical misses in parts 2 and 3. Wee pause and error 3rd, ok to Curlew, slight break in time, underblowing at times, loss of control 3rd part, speeding up. Losing composure 4th. Pretty good, watch your blowing pressure/tone which altered as you went on. Thanks for the listen.
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Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: The Geese in the Bog, Callum Moffat's Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Joe, thanks for your entry. Beautiful bagpipe from outset, love the high G. Strong rhythmical playing with great technique, very musical. Wonder if timing of part ending D strike in the second tune is sometimes inconsistent? (a minor observation) Really enjoyed this, thanks.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Old Wife at the Mill Dust, St. Ninian’s Parish Centre Ceilidh Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Trevor, thanks for entering, nice pipes, nice entry to set. Rhythmical jig playing, tight grip 3rd, missed throw on D 5th, nice to St Ninians, wee miss part 2, occasionally birl interrupts flow in 3rd/4th parts (minor). Very enjoyable set of tunes, well done.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 3 Tunes: Alan MacPherson Of Mosspark, D.W Donald (John Lee) Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Brieuc, well tuned pipe, rhythmical jig interpretation, tidy hands, wee miss end of 2nd part, not always blowing out top hand. DW Donald, nice tune, make sure technique always 100% to get the most out of this, (D throw etc). Strong tunes, mostly well handled, some minor technical blemishes.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gord Wallace 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Old Wife of the Milldust and Micheal McDonald Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Gord, thanks for the recording, nice pipe well tuned drones, C interval not correct however. Musical playing from the getgo, some chirps in Old Wife distract later in tune, hands tightening in Michael McDonald. Led to several misses and catches, 3rd and 4th parts. Overall solid set of tunes, chirps and technical blemishes distracted at times.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Alan MacPherson of Mosspark, Turf Lodge Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Ryan, thanks for sending in this entry. Nice pipes from outset, I am not familiar with the setting of Alan Macpherson, 1st part — E for C? However this aside nice jig rhythm and expression. Wee catch 4th part, Turf lodge 1st part D strikes not always convincing, losing a little composure in 3rd part and again on the repeat of the 4th part. However this was an enjoyable set of tunes overall, thanks.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Drew James McIntosh, Over to Uist Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Charlie thanks for your entry. Well tuned drones, flattish F. Technique pretty good, just wonder if musical flow is sometimes inconsistent, crossing noises distract into Over to Uist, some surging in blowing 3rd part, and again crossing noises distract in 4th part. Still a pretty good set nonetheless, thanks for the listen.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Hens March; Cork Hill. Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Friedrich, thanks for the entry. Hen's march one of the all time great tunes. Wee choke in first part, some underblowing evident. That third part is a real test, watch those B taps, consistency is the key. In Cork Hill try to balance those GDE's to make for more of a jig lilt, crossing noises 2nd, missed strikes 3rd, again blowing issues late in the performance and hint of rushing to the end. Lots of good bits, just work on consistency of GDE, strikes etc. and a bit more attention to the sound you're generating would help lift the overall impression, thanks.
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Event 27. Grade 1 Piping - Jigs (two jigs each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Jig of Slurs; The Curlew. Judge: Brendon Eade Judge's Comments: Hi Jurgen, a couple of classic jigs there. Drones not 100% in tune from outset, flattish top hand. Good jig rhythm and tempo, technical misses in parts 2 and 3. Wee pause and error 3rd, ok to Curlew, slight break in time, underblowing at times, loss of control 3rd part, speeding up. Losing composure 4th. Pretty good, watch your blowing pressure/tone which altered as you went on. Thanks for the listen.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Cameron MacFadyen Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Joseph and good to have you here today. Tone: A nice pipe sound is evident — full and at a nice pitch. Well balanced. Blowing is nice and solid . . . smooth. Execution: Nice hands. Your E doublings could be opened. Music: Very good 6/8 pulse and feel. Consistent right through tune. Occasional minor jumping off beats and giving the mild impression of ever so slight rushing — but very minor. Overall: A very good tune Joseph. Nicely executed and laid out on a very good instrument.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Martha Hall 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Frank Thomson Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Martha. Good to see you and hear you again today. Tone: A good sound overall. Lovely bass drone. Execution: Strong hands are evident early on. In bar 1 you should really have both a strong C and a strong LA that follows - know what I mean? To me, that is the whole (very cool) tune right there. Try not to jump off the LA. Very good C doublings. Open F doublings a little. Music: 6/8 feel is lacking a little overall. First beats need a stronger accent . Rushing/jumping off these fairly regularly. It is hard to march to a 6/8. I would pull the tempo back even to where you feel it is slow and allow yourself to pulse harder. Then "you got this." Overall: Really good. You can see above where I think the focus could be. You have all else in place for a nice progression. Thanks.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 3 Tunes: Mrs. Lily Christie (Donald Shaw Ramsay) Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Brieuc and welcome here today. Tone: A full sound for sure. Well set. Nice top hand to your chanter. Execution: Good hands. Very natural in appearance and delivery. Music: Very fast overall and rounding off strong beat accents notably. The first beats in note groupings should have stronger accenting. Overall: I really enjoyed this as you have a natural style. But too fast and too much like a band performance. Lacking 6/8 feel/idiom. Thank you for this.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Fairview Cottage Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Trevor and very good to listen to you today. Tone: A beautiful, full sounding instrument. Execution: Pretty good fingers overall. A little bit labored in cutting (e.g., C-E that is throughout). Small catch sounds and a little jerky in some passages. Good taorluaths. Music: Well opened at good pace. Very steady musically and such an important asset to have. Well done. Overall: A very good tune — very steady — and watch smoothness to your music. It comes off as a little unsettled — hard to describe — but work on consistency in delivery of beats . . . steadiness. Thank you.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Mrs MacDougall Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Ryan and thank you for taking part in this event! Tone: A full pipe sound and yet drones are sharp to the chanter. Well balanced. F is very sharp. Execution: Nice fingers. Taorluaths are excellent. Music: A bit pushed. Pretty good music but marred by tempo for me. Too band-like in my opinion. Due to the tempo I find you are rounding off the beats too much. Overall: I really like your natural fingers on the chanter. They look effortless and many do not have this attribute. For me it is sound and music/tempo that needs the most attention. Thank you for this today.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Dr Ross’ 50th Welcome Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Friedrich and welcome to this event. Tone: An okay sound but needs attention. Drones not together with chanter. Main culprit is a sharp bottom hand to the chanter. Then drones need pulling down,. Execution: Strong hands are evident. Watch to open C & E doublings (two strong grace notes). Music: A pretty good 6/8 pulse and feel to your playing. Steady to end. The choke at the end is symbolic of the drones not being pulled down enough to allow you to blow fully. Overall: A good tune Friedrich. I like the feel and mostly your fingers are clear. Most of your attention should be on the instrument. Needs to improve for this grade. Thank you.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Davie's Hall Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Charlie and great to have taking part today! Nice attire young man. Tone: A full rich pipe sound at the start. Chanter is pretty good. Execution: Pretty good fingers. The busy bar 4's are creating a little roadblock to clarity. Keep it open and separate movements as best you can. Music: Nice tempo to start. Watch it is not a little round at times. Be consistent with your pulsing and mainly the time spent on the first beat notes (dotted 1/8's) Overall: A nice tune (literally). Overall pretty solid. I would consider a new chanter reed to split hairs. It seems a bit thin to me on top. Mostly just watch the rushing to and through line one endings. Thanks for this.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gord Wallace 🇨🇦 Tunes: Dr Ross welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Nice to you with us today Gord. Tone: Pipe sound is good and yet some shrillness to chanter and drones not quite settled. Sharpness to top hand, notably E. Execution: Pretty good hands. C & E doublings are okay but could be that wee bit clearer as well. Music: Pretty good 6/8 feel. Tempo is a bit droopy and could use a wee push along. Moments of slight drop in tempo as well — a little kick is going to help you keep it going. Overall: A nice tune Gord thanks. A bit careful in the end and I would address your chanter sound going forward. It could use breadth/fullness. Thanks again.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Iain Jansen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Tomorrow will Follow Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Iain and thanks for taking part today. Tone: A good instrument Iain. Not loving the HA. Shrill/sharp and busy. F is also a hair sharp. Execution: Pretty good finger clarity. Top hand doublings are good but i think could be bigger/clearer still (E/F). Music: Starting well although I feel you could pull back a little in tempo to enjoy the tune even more. A very nice tune by the way — well done. I really like your use of triplets throughout. Quite unique for 6/8 marches and pretty effective I'd say. Overall: Really good. Just pushed is all and watch to pull full note values out on the big notes to force yourself back in delivery. Thanks for this.
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Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Cameron MacFadyen Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Joseph and good to have you here today. Tone: A nice pipe sound is evident — full and at a nice pitch. Well balanced. Blowing is nice and solid . . . smooth. Execution: Nice hands. Your E doublings could be opened. Music: Very good 6/8 pulse and feel. Consistent right through tune. Occasional minor jumping off beats and giving the mild impression of ever so slight rushing — but very minor. Overall: A very good tune Joseph. Nicely executed and laid out on a very good instrument.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Martha Hall 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Frank Thomson Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Martha. Good to see you and hear you again today. Tone: A good sound overall. Lovely bass drone. Execution: Strong hands are evident early on. In bar 1 you should really have both a strong C and a strong LA that follows - know what I mean? To me, that is the whole (very cool) tune right there. Try not to jump off the LA. Very good C doublings. Open F doublings a little. Music: 6/8 feel is lacking a little overall. First beats need a stronger accent . Rushing/jumping off these fairly regularly. It is hard to march to a 6/8. I would pull the tempo back even to where you feel it is slow and allow yourself to pulse harder. Then "you got this." Overall: Really good. You can see above where I think the focus could be. You have all else in place for a nice progression. Thanks.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 3 Tunes: Mrs. Lily Christie (Donald Shaw Ramsay) Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Brieuc and welcome here today. Tone: A full sound for sure. Well set. Nice top hand to your chanter. Execution: Good hands. Very natural in appearance and delivery. Music: Very fast overall and rounding off strong beat accents notably. The first beats in note groupings should have stronger accenting. Overall: I really enjoyed this as you have a natural style. But too fast and too much like a band performance. Lacking 6/8 feel/idiom. Thank you for this.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Fairview Cottage Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Trevor and very good to listen to you today. Tone: A beautiful, full sounding instrument. Execution: Pretty good fingers overall. A little bit labored in cutting (e.g., C-E that is throughout). Small catch sounds and a little jerky in some passages. Good taorluaths. Music: Well opened at good pace. Very steady musically and such an important asset to have. Well done. Overall: A very good tune — very steady — and watch smoothness to your music. It comes off as a little unsettled — hard to describe — but work on consistency in delivery of beats . . . steadiness. Thank you.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Mrs MacDougall Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Ryan and thank you for taking part in this event! Tone: A full pipe sound and yet drones are sharp to the chanter. Well balanced. F is very sharp. Execution: Nice fingers. Taorluaths are excellent. Music: A bit pushed. Pretty good music but marred by tempo for me. Too band-like in my opinion. Due to the tempo I find you are rounding off the beats too much. Overall: I really like your natural fingers on the chanter. They look effortless and many do not have this attribute. For me it is sound and music/tempo that needs the most attention. Thank you for this today.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Dr Ross’ 50th Welcome Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Friedrich and welcome to this event. Tone: An okay sound but needs attention. Drones not together with chanter. Main culprit is a sharp bottom hand to the chanter. Then drones need pulling down,. Execution: Strong hands are evident. Watch to open C & E doublings (two strong grace notes). Music: A pretty good 6/8 pulse and feel to your playing. Steady to end. The choke at the end is symbolic of the drones not being pulled down enough to allow you to blow fully. Overall: A good tune Friedrich. I like the feel and mostly your fingers are clear. Most of your attention should be on the instrument. Needs to improve for this grade. Thank you.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: Davie's Hall Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hi Charlie and great to have taking part today! Nice attire young man. Tone: A full rich pipe sound at the start. Chanter is pretty good. Execution: Pretty good fingers. The busy bar 4's are creating a little roadblock to clarity. Keep it open and separate movements as best you can. Music: Nice tempo to start. Watch it is not a little round at times. Be consistent with your pulsing and mainly the time spent on the first beat notes (dotted 1/8's) Overall: A nice tune (literally). Overall pretty solid. I would consider a new chanter reed to split hairs. It seems a bit thin to me on top. Mostly just watch the rushing to and through line one endings. Thanks for this.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gord Wallace 🇨🇦 Tunes: Dr Ross welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Nice to you with us today Gord. Tone: Pipe sound is good and yet some shrillness to chanter and drones not quite settled. Sharpness to top hand, notably E. Execution: Pretty good hands. C & E doublings are okay but could be that wee bit clearer as well. Music: Pretty good 6/8 feel. Tempo is a bit droopy and could use a wee push along. Moments of slight drop in tempo as well — a little kick is going to help you keep it going. Overall: A nice tune Gord thanks. A bit careful in the end and I would address your chanter sound going forward. It could use breadth/fullness. Thanks again.
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Event 28. Grade 1 Piping - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Iain Jansen 🇦🇺 Tunes: Tomorrow will Follow Judge: Terry Lee Judge's Comments: Hello Iain and thanks for taking part today. Tone: A good instrument Iain. Not loving the HA. Shrill/sharp and busy. F is also a hair sharp. Execution: Pretty good finger clarity. Top hand doublings are good but i think could be bigger/clearer still (E/F). Music: Starting well although I feel you could pull back a little in tempo to enjoy the tune even more. A very nice tune by the way — well done. I really like your use of triplets throughout. Quite unique for 6/8 marches and pretty effective I'd say. Overall: Really good. Just pushed is all and watch to pull full note values out on the big notes to force yourself back in delivery. Thanks for this.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: John MacKenzie's Fancy, Colin Mackay Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: A beautifully rich well set pipe. Lovely balance drones to chanter. Good projection from the chanter but not over powering. Hornpipe 1; lovely lively tempo. Great technique and execution. Phrasing first class. Hornpipe 2; lovely continuous flow into second tune. No deviation in tempo. Tune again phrased perfectly. Great rhythmic technique allowing quality playing. Nice variation of grips in last part. Overall a polished musical performance with rhythmic technique throughout demonstrating a very musical performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Piper’s Controversy, Raigmore Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes well set overall drones on with chanter. Chanter slightly high pitched for my taste, especially the top hand. Hornpipe 1; Good steady tempo, technique good, tune phrased very well with good execution. Hornpipe 2; Well into second tune, slight lift in pace which interrupted the flow from 1st tune to the 2nd tune very slightly. Settled in second part into the tune. Watch E strikes, make them all the same weight. Overall an enjoyable performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Colorado Ladies, Sandy's New Chanter Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes well set overall. Slight flatness coming through from the chanter; however this did not distract the listener when judging the performance. Hornpipe 1; Good tempo, tune very well played and executed. Solid clean fingering and tune well phrased. Hornpipe 2; Nicely into Hornpipe and 2nd tune has a nice variation to the feel off the time signature compared with the 1st tune. Again well phrased with good technique played at a good steady tempo, overall a very enjoyable performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The Man from Skye; Crossing the Minch. Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Drones slightly out at start of the performance. Chanter slightly high pitched for my taste. Hornpipe 1 Good tempo overall phrasing ok. Strikes and grips throughout the tune have to be the same weight which will help with the consistency and phrasing of the tune. Slightly erratic tempo in the last part. Hornpipe 2; well into second tune. Phrasing and technique again were ok. A competent performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 5 Tunes: Black Watch Polka, Lucy Cassidy (trad.) Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes well set overall however sound on the strong side for solo piping. Polka. This tune is a polka not a Hornpipe. I am aware that these can be played in a similar idiom to a pointed Hornpipe , however in my opinion this is not the time signature required at this level. The tune was however well played and phrased with good technique. Hornpipe; Slightly erratic in presentation maybe due to coming into the tune from a polka. Tune phrased ok however the part ending phrases were erratic and round in places. Again, good technique.
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Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: John MacKenzie's Fancy, Colin Mackay Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: A beautifully rich well set pipe. Lovely balance drones to chanter. Good projection from the chanter but not over powering. Hornpipe 1; lovely lively tempo. Great technique and execution. Phrasing first class. Hornpipe 2; lovely continuous flow into second tune. No deviation in tempo. Tune again phrased perfectly. Great rhythmic technique allowing quality playing. Nice variation of grips in last part. Overall a polished musical performance with rhythmic technique throughout demonstrating a very musical performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Piper’s Controversy, Raigmore Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes well set overall drones on with chanter. Chanter slightly high pitched for my taste, especially the top hand. Hornpipe 1; Good steady tempo, technique good, tune phrased very well with good execution. Hornpipe 2; Well into second tune, slight lift in pace which interrupted the flow from 1st tune to the 2nd tune very slightly. Settled in second part into the tune. Watch E strikes, make them all the same weight. Overall an enjoyable performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Colorado Ladies, Sandy's New Chanter Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes well set overall. Slight flatness coming through from the chanter; however this did not distract the listener when judging the performance. Hornpipe 1; Good tempo, tune very well played and executed. Solid clean fingering and tune well phrased. Hornpipe 2; Nicely into Hornpipe and 2nd tune has a nice variation to the feel off the time signature compared with the 1st tune. Again well phrased with good technique played at a good steady tempo, overall a very enjoyable performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The Man from Skye; Crossing the Minch. Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes ok. Drones slightly out at start of the performance. Chanter slightly high pitched for my taste. Hornpipe 1 Good tempo overall phrasing ok. Strikes and grips throughout the tune have to be the same weight which will help with the consistency and phrasing of the tune. Slightly erratic tempo in the last part. Hornpipe 2; well into second tune. Phrasing and technique again were ok. A competent performance.
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Event 29. Grade 1 Piping - Hornpipes (two hornpipes each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 5 Tunes: Black Watch Polka, Lucy Cassidy (trad.) Judge: Gordon McCready Judge's Comments: Pipes well set overall however sound on the strong side for solo piping. Polka. This tune is a polka not a Hornpipe. I am aware that these can be played in a similar idiom to a pointed Hornpipe , however in my opinion this is not the time signature required at this level. The tune was however well played and phrased with good technique. Hornpipe; Slightly erratic in presentation maybe due to coming into the tune from a polka. Tune phrased ok however the part ending phrases were erratic and round in places. Again, good technique.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: MacLeod of Raasay's Salute Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Very nice. First line slow. Phrasing excellent. Var1 — Losing phrasing a tad. Over pushing the tempo. Rushing third line more compared to previous 2. T — Excellent phrasing and use of cadences. Doubling — Pushing phrasing and pulsing too hard. Remember to keep the melody notes clear and precise. Crunluath —Excellent. Very good tune. Well done
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Tristan Mitchell 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Lord Lovat’s Lament Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground- Very good. Var 1 — Slow. More forward motion required here to keep the music interesting and alive. 3RD line straight and lacking expression. Var 2 — Slow here. Push this on. More aggression required. Again. 3rd line too straight. T — A little flat here. Keep it moving even in the singling. Far better in repeat of L1. Doubling — Good. C — overcontrolled, allow this to flow. Cadences sometimes too big. Doubling- VG. Nice tune
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Stephen Ross 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: The Glen is Mine P.S. Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Good. Var 1 — Missed technique. Pace is slow, you can afford to push this more. VAR 2 — Slow at picking up the tempo from previous variation. 2nd and 3rd line excellent. VAR 3 — Hesitant at middle of phrases, allow the phrase to flow more. Lemluath — Good use of the theme notes and maintaining a strong melodic line throughout. Doubling — very good. T — Rushing 2nd half of line2, hold back for a more impactful doubling. C — Very good. Great tune.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Tam McGirr 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: The Lament For The Viscount of Dundee Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Good phrasing and style. High G very flat. Variations — Nicely played with good momentum as you progress through them. Tripling — good. Crunluath — Great timing. Movements a little tight in places, especially in the singling. Good tune. Drone out with Low A at the end.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Lament for Islay Flora MacLeod Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Good. Var 1 — Good. Maintaining a consistent and strong style throughout. T — Steady playing with strong technique. C — Movements a little sticky — let them ripple. D — Good. Pipe — good but could be steadier. Nice tune but perhaps a little easy for this level?
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Eddie Boland 🇮🇪 Place: 6 Tunes: Sir James Mcdonald of the Isles Lament Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Nicely presented. Excellent phrasing. Cadence movements lacking length on the E. Var 1 —- Over controlled here, allow this to flow. T — Too rigid. Allow this to flow more naturally. D taorluath not always consistent. C — Better here. Movements tight — allow more ripple. Pipes nice. Good tune.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: The MacFarlane's Gathering Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Pipes fairly well set at start. Ground — Playing incorrect cadences at start, missing D grace notes. Musically played, slowing down in the 2nd and 3rd line. Var 1 — Taorlauth movements too tight and interrupting flow of tune. Opening them up will produce a more natural flow. Playing groups of 4 very well, extremely effective. T — Slow. Keep the pace going. Movements lacking Low G. Small note error. Doubling — Allow this to flow more. Movements tight here also. C — very good. Nice tune
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Tunes: A Flame of Wrath for Patrick Caogach Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Fairly well set out. Losing phrase endings throughout. Hiharin movements very loose. Var 1 — Very quick in to this variation. Doubling — Nice drive. Consistent phrase/timing throughout. Crunluath — Over crushing Low G,D grace note on Low G for my liking. Double echoes loose, more definition required between the 2 strikes. Rushing off theme notes. D — Very good.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Sid Baker 🇨🇦 Tunes: The MacKay's short tune Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Pipes not fully settled. Ground — Hesitant playing throughout ground. Try to flow through the phrases more. This will help produce a more musical performance. T — Nice playing. Overcutting the Es in the cadences for my liking. Doubling — Rushing throughout this variation. More control required. C — Hold theme notes. This will help maintain a strong melodic line. Doubling — G grace notes not always sounding clear when playing the open B doubling throughout. Nice tune
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Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: MacLeod of Raasay's Salute Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Very nice. First line slow. Phrasing excellent. Var1 — Losing phrasing a tad. Over pushing the tempo. Rushing third line more compared to previous 2. T — Excellent phrasing and use of cadences. Doubling — Pushing phrasing and pulsing too hard. Remember to keep the melody notes clear and precise. Crunluath —Excellent. Very good tune. Well done
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Tristan Mitchell 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Lord Lovat’s Lament Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground- Very good. Var 1 — Slow. More forward motion required here to keep the music interesting and alive. 3RD line straight and lacking expression. Var 2 — Slow here. Push this on. More aggression required. Again. 3rd line too straight. T — A little flat here. Keep it moving even in the singling. Far better in repeat of L1. Doubling — Good. C — overcontrolled, allow this to flow. Cadences sometimes too big. Doubling- VG. Nice tune
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Stephen Ross 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: The Glen is Mine P.S. Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Good. Var 1 — Missed technique. Pace is slow, you can afford to push this more. VAR 2 — Slow at picking up the tempo from previous variation. 2nd and 3rd line excellent. VAR 3 — Hesitant at middle of phrases, allow the phrase to flow more. Lemluath — Good use of the theme notes and maintaining a strong melodic line throughout. Doubling — very good. T — Rushing 2nd half of line2, hold back for a more impactful doubling. C — Very good. Great tune.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Tam McGirr 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: The Lament For The Viscount of Dundee Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Good phrasing and style. High G very flat. Variations — Nicely played with good momentum as you progress through them. Tripling — good. Crunluath — Great timing. Movements a little tight in places, especially in the singling. Good tune. Drone out with Low A at the end.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Trevor DeMass 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Lament for Islay Flora MacLeod Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Good. Var 1 — Good. Maintaining a consistent and strong style throughout. T — Steady playing with strong technique. C — Movements a little sticky — let them ripple. D — Good. Pipe — good but could be steadier. Nice tune but perhaps a little easy for this level?
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Eddie Boland 🇮🇪 Place: 6 Tunes: Sir James Mcdonald of the Isles Lament Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Nicely presented. Excellent phrasing. Cadence movements lacking length on the E. Var 1 —- Over controlled here, allow this to flow. T — Too rigid. Allow this to flow more naturally. D taorluath not always consistent. C — Better here. Movements tight — allow more ripple. Pipes nice. Good tune.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Tunes: The MacFarlane's Gathering Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Pipes fairly well set at start. Ground — Playing incorrect cadences at start, missing D grace notes. Musically played, slowing down in the 2nd and 3rd line. Var 1 — Taorlauth movements too tight and interrupting flow of tune. Opening them up will produce a more natural flow. Playing groups of 4 very well, extremely effective. T — Slow. Keep the pace going. Movements lacking Low G. Small note error. Doubling — Allow this to flow more. Movements tight here also. C — very good. Nice tune
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ryan Morrison 🇺🇸 Tunes: A Flame of Wrath for Patrick Caogach Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Ground — Fairly well set out. Losing phrase endings throughout. Hiharin movements very loose. Var 1 — Very quick in to this variation. Doubling — Nice drive. Consistent phrase/timing throughout. Crunluath — Over crushing Low G,D grace note on Low G for my liking. Double echoes loose, more definition required between the 2 strikes. Rushing off theme notes. D — Very good.
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Event 30. Grade 1 Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Sid Baker 🇨🇦 Tunes: The MacKay's short tune Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Pipes not fully settled. Ground — Hesitant playing throughout ground. Try to flow through the phrases more. This will help produce a more musical performance. T — Nice playing. Overcutting the Es in the cadences for my liking. Doubling — Rushing throughout this variation. More control required. C — Hold theme notes. This will help maintain a strong melodic line. Doubling — G grace notes not always sounding clear when playing the open B doubling throughout. Nice tune
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Event 31. Any Grade Piping - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 1 Tunes: Laridé Gavotte (breton dance trad.), Beaver Street Studio, Traditional Strathspey, Laird of Drumblair (James Scott Skinner), Devil The Kitchen (W. Ross), O'Reilly's Greyhound (n°712 O'Neil's book), Fransou Menez (arr air. Brieuc Colleter), The Contradiction (arr. jig version : Brieuc Colleter) Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Solid bagpipe sound! Incredible rhythmic control in Breton idiom! Strathspeys fast for this time period, but extremely exciting and round triplets flow well in this way of presenting. Excellent reels, fast and suspenseful, not a safe tempo and you nailed it well, rad! Air was nice, tone excellent, great high A. Transition back to groove was very nice great ending tunes, keeping the drive up here nicely. Great arranging and awesome piping!
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Event 31. Any Grade Piping - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Powerhouse, hornpipe (J. McCarthy); Molly Connell, strathspey (J. Wark); Walter Sammon’s Grandmother, reel (arr. J. Walsh); The Ass in the Graveyard, waltz (T. Tully); The Hag at the Churn, jig (arr. T. Tully); Churnin’ On, jig (D. Clyde); The Sting in the Tail, reel (R. Mathieson) Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice flow and tempo to the first tune! nice syncopation here. Nice phrasing and lift to the strathspey, and nice break to the reel. perhaps a bit more of a pause to get settled for the waltz/air - perhaps it would have kept its flow better, a little rushing here and there again a stable break to jig would help, but jigs are flowing nicely Final tune flowing well, pipes drifting a bit. Very well done. perhaps a few doublings to add where comfortable to juice this up more.
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Event 31. Any Grade Piping - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: Welsh Dragons, Fraser Allisons Jig, Salute to Cap Caval, Stumpie, Trip to Pakistan, Airlie's Big Day, Airlie's New Extensions Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: VIDEO REMOVED
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Competitor: Brieuc Colleter 🇫🇷 Place: 1 Tunes: Laridé Gavotte (breton dance trad.), Beaver Street Studio, Traditional Strathspey, Laird of Drumblair (James Scott Skinner), Devil The Kitchen (W. Ross), O'Reilly's Greyhound (n°712 O'Neil's book), Fransou Menez (arr air. Brieuc Colleter), The Contradiction (arr. jig version : Brieuc Colleter) Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Solid bagpipe sound! Incredible rhythmic control in Breton idiom! Strathspeys fast for this time period, but extremely exciting and round triplets flow well in this way of presenting. Excellent reels, fast and suspenseful, not a safe tempo and you nailed it well, rad! Air was nice, tone excellent, great high A. Transition back to groove was very nice great ending tunes, keeping the drive up here nicely. Great arranging and awesome piping!
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Event 31. Any Grade Piping - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
Competitor: David Brown 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Powerhouse, hornpipe (J. McCarthy); Molly Connell, strathspey (J. Wark); Walter Sammon’s Grandmother, reel (arr. J. Walsh); The Ass in the Graveyard, waltz (T. Tully); The Hag at the Churn, jig (arr. T. Tully); Churnin’ On, jig (D. Clyde); The Sting in the Tail, reel (R. Mathieson) Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: Nice flow and tempo to the first tune! nice syncopation here. Nice phrasing and lift to the strathspey, and nice break to the reel. perhaps a bit more of a pause to get settled for the waltz/air - perhaps it would have kept its flow better, a little rushing here and there again a stable break to jig would help, but jigs are flowing nicely Final tune flowing well, pipes drifting a bit. Very well done. perhaps a few doublings to add where comfortable to juice this up more.
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Event 31. Any Grade Piping - Medley (4-6 Minutes)
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Tunes: Welsh Dragons, Fraser Allisons Jig, Salute to Cap Caval, Stumpie, Trip to Pakistan, Airlie's Big Day, Airlie's New Extensions Judge: Matthew Welch Judge's Comments: VIDEO REMOVED
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Event 33. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 12 years or younger
Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Dr E.G. MacKinnon Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A nice steady performance with good clean fingerwork throughout. F sharp on bagpipe chanter spoiling slightly.
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Event 33. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 12 years or younger
Competitor: Callum Ross 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Craigendarroch Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good tune over all, but played on the brisk side. Some untidy bottom hand work throughout the tune including birls and some crossing noises coming out in the last part of the tune. Good bagpipe.
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Competitor: Abby Long 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Dr E.G. MacKinnon Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A nice steady performance with good clean fingerwork throughout. F sharp on bagpipe chanter spoiling slightly.
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Event 33. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 12 years or younger
Competitor: Callum Ross 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Craigendarroch Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good tune over all, but played on the brisk side. Some untidy bottom hand work throughout the tune including birls and some crossing noises coming out in the last part of the tune. Good bagpipe.
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Event 34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 13 to 14 years
Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Mrs MacDonald of Dunach Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Very musically played Craig, at a bright and steady tempo. I really liked the way you pointed the tune — emphasising the beat notes and separating the phrases. Your technique was mostly clean and consistent with a couple of things to keep working on. I’d suggest trying to make the low G on your D throw a little more obvious so it’s clear. Your high A doubling didn’t always come across so make sure you hit the high A before making the strike. And work on the consistency of your doublings, making sure the two grace notes are nicely separated – practice the one coming down from high A through high G to F which is tough. A lovely sounding pipe too. Well done. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 13 to 14 years
Competitor: Euan McCartan 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Euan. This was a good, lively and steady tempo. There were a couple of areas where notes needed a little more emphasis so you don’t jump ahead of the beat. For example, you were a little early with the B grip at the ends of the first lines – try to get this right on the off beat. And try to hold the High A before the grip in the 3rd part. Your fingerwork was mostly good – clean and strong. Watch out for some of the doublings which were tight and didn’t always coming across clearly or cleanly. Make sure you separate the two grace notes. It was particularly noticeable in the 4th part if you’re listening back to it. Well done Euan. Thanks for the tune. It was good to hear you play.
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Event 34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 13 to 14 years
Competitor: Lewis Stewart 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Craig-n-darroch Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Lewis. You played your march at a nice, steady tempo. You emphasised the beat notes for the most part but watch that you don’t fall off the beat when heading into a tachum (2nd part from C to tachum from B). This was a little rushed and needed more emphasis. The 3rd part was particularly well phrased where you placed the High Gs right on the offbeat. 4th part wasn’t quite as effective where you were slightly ahead of the beat. There were some small bits of technique to work on – make sure you separate the grace notes when coming down from F to an E doubling (end of the first phrase in part 1 and then throughout). I couldn’t hear the E between the G and F grace notes. And some of your cut notes were a little quick and so indistinct. You have a great birl – it came across very clearly. And I loved the Scotland shirt! John McGinn? Thanks for the tune.
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Competitor: Craig Mitchell 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Mrs MacDonald of Dunach Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Very musically played Craig, at a bright and steady tempo. I really liked the way you pointed the tune — emphasising the beat notes and separating the phrases. Your technique was mostly clean and consistent with a couple of things to keep working on. I’d suggest trying to make the low G on your D throw a little more obvious so it’s clear. Your high A doubling didn’t always come across so make sure you hit the high A before making the strike. And work on the consistency of your doublings, making sure the two grace notes are nicely separated – practice the one coming down from high A through high G to F which is tough. A lovely sounding pipe too. Well done. Thanks for the tune.
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Event 34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 13 to 14 years
Competitor: Euan McCartan 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Donald MacLean's Farewell to Oban Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Euan. This was a good, lively and steady tempo. There were a couple of areas where notes needed a little more emphasis so you don’t jump ahead of the beat. For example, you were a little early with the B grip at the ends of the first lines – try to get this right on the off beat. And try to hold the High A before the grip in the 3rd part. Your fingerwork was mostly good – clean and strong. Watch out for some of the doublings which were tight and didn’t always coming across clearly or cleanly. Make sure you separate the two grace notes. It was particularly noticeable in the 4th part if you’re listening back to it. Well done Euan. Thanks for the tune. It was good to hear you play.
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Event 34. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 13 to 14 years
Competitor: Lewis Stewart 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Craig-n-darroch Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Well played Lewis. You played your march at a nice, steady tempo. You emphasised the beat notes for the most part but watch that you don’t fall off the beat when heading into a tachum (2nd part from C to tachum from B). This was a little rushed and needed more emphasis. The 3rd part was particularly well phrased where you placed the High Gs right on the offbeat. 4th part wasn’t quite as effective where you were slightly ahead of the beat. There were some small bits of technique to work on – make sure you separate the grace notes when coming down from F to an E doubling (end of the first phrase in part 1 and then throughout). I couldn’t hear the E between the G and F grace notes. And some of your cut notes were a little quick and so indistinct. You have a great birl – it came across very clearly. And I loved the Scotland shirt! John McGinn? Thanks for the tune.
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Eala Niamh McElhinney 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Major Manson's Farewell to Clachantrushal Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Really nice tempo for this tune! Well chosen, and steady throughout for the most part — perhaps there was just a touch of slowing in the 3rd & 4th parts, but nothing distracting. Excellent execution and embellishments. Your style of playing is quite open - some of the long notes, and in particular the notes that fall on the off-beats, are being sacrificed just a touch in order to keep the tachums and other movements involving short notes very open. One example is the high A in the ending, in the middle of Bar 7, every time — that note could use just a bit more push, but of course the short notes around it would have to be correspondingly shorter. Really good job of a relatively challenging tune — thanks!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Ian MacPhail 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Donald Maclean's Farewell To Oban Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Your tempo is a little slow for this tune — it's obvious that your fingers can handle a slightly higher pace — maybe try to push it up about 4-6 beats per minute? Execution and embellishments are all first-rate. Your phrasing is also very good — nice attention to the upbeats as well as the downbeats. Bottom hand doublings are clear and open — top hand doublings, Es in particularly, a little crushed at times. While it was a bit of a struggle to find the musicality with the tempo where it was, it was nonetheless a very strong and enjoyable performance. Thanks!!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Reece Doherty Place: 3 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrusal Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: I found the tempo of this tune to be a bit draggy overall — I think it would have more musicality and lift it you increased the tempo by about 6 - 8 bpm. Your embellishments are all very clean — good work. The timing in part 3 is a little distracting — you're holding the notes before the taorluaths so long that the rhythm is suffering a bit, sacrificing the up-beats, and slowing the overall tempo of the tune even more. Still, it's very nice to hear this tune played at such a high level of technical expertise and it was an enjoyable performance, even though I found it too slow. Thanks!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: David Ross Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nice tempo off the start, although just a little inconsistent due to your rather pointed style of playing - a lot of the long notes which fall on the off — or "up" beats are being sacrificed for the sake of holding the long notes which are on the down beats. An example of this is long low A at the end of Bar 1 in part 1 (second last note) — it would be written as a dotted 1/16th note — you're not giving it its full value. Really strong and clean execution/embellishments throughout. A few crushed top hand doublings in the 4th part. Small stumble/timing issue going into the last line of the repeat of part 4 — otherwise, a very enjoyable performance on a lovely pipe. Thanks!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: King George V's Army Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: You got off to quite a quick start — this tune could be slowed a little and I think it would clean up some of the little technical issues. Watch out for tiny note errors — for example, at the end of Bar 6 in each of the first two parts, it should be a C before the D throw, and you're playing a B; also, at the end of Bar 7, the short note should be a C, and you're playing a D. Nice strong grips throughout. Small slip toward end of Part 3. You have lots of potential — and I think if you slowed down just a bit, your playing would be much more clean, plus you would find it easier to ensure that all of the grace notes and doublings are completed. Good effort — good potential — slow down just a little. Thanks!
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Competitor: Eala Niamh McElhinney 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Major Manson's Farewell to Clachantrushal Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Really nice tempo for this tune! Well chosen, and steady throughout for the most part — perhaps there was just a touch of slowing in the 3rd & 4th parts, but nothing distracting. Excellent execution and embellishments. Your style of playing is quite open - some of the long notes, and in particular the notes that fall on the off-beats, are being sacrificed just a touch in order to keep the tachums and other movements involving short notes very open. One example is the high A in the ending, in the middle of Bar 7, every time — that note could use just a bit more push, but of course the short notes around it would have to be correspondingly shorter. Really good job of a relatively challenging tune — thanks!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Ian MacPhail 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Donald Maclean's Farewell To Oban Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Your tempo is a little slow for this tune — it's obvious that your fingers can handle a slightly higher pace — maybe try to push it up about 4-6 beats per minute? Execution and embellishments are all first-rate. Your phrasing is also very good — nice attention to the upbeats as well as the downbeats. Bottom hand doublings are clear and open — top hand doublings, Es in particularly, a little crushed at times. While it was a bit of a struggle to find the musicality with the tempo where it was, it was nonetheless a very strong and enjoyable performance. Thanks!!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Reece Doherty Place: 3 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrusal Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: I found the tempo of this tune to be a bit draggy overall — I think it would have more musicality and lift it you increased the tempo by about 6 - 8 bpm. Your embellishments are all very clean — good work. The timing in part 3 is a little distracting — you're holding the notes before the taorluaths so long that the rhythm is suffering a bit, sacrificing the up-beats, and slowing the overall tempo of the tune even more. Still, it's very nice to hear this tune played at such a high level of technical expertise and it was an enjoyable performance, even though I found it too slow. Thanks!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Jean-Sébastien Gamache 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: David Ross Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: Nice tempo off the start, although just a little inconsistent due to your rather pointed style of playing - a lot of the long notes which fall on the off — or "up" beats are being sacrificed for the sake of holding the long notes which are on the down beats. An example of this is long low A at the end of Bar 1 in part 1 (second last note) — it would be written as a dotted 1/16th note — you're not giving it its full value. Really strong and clean execution/embellishments throughout. A few crushed top hand doublings in the 4th part. Small stumble/timing issue going into the last line of the repeat of part 4 — otherwise, a very enjoyable performance on a lovely pipe. Thanks!
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Event 35. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 15 to 17 years
Competitor: Paige Miller 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: King George V's Army Judge: Ann Gray Judge's Comments: You got off to quite a quick start — this tune could be slowed a little and I think it would clean up some of the little technical issues. Watch out for tiny note errors — for example, at the end of Bar 6 in each of the first two parts, it should be a C before the D throw, and you're playing a B; also, at the end of Bar 7, the short note should be a C, and you're playing a D. Nice strong grips throughout. Small slip toward end of Part 3. You have lots of potential — and I think if you slowed down just a bit, your playing would be much more clean, plus you would find it easier to ensure that all of the grace notes and doublings are completed. Good effort — good potential — slow down just a little. Thanks!
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Alasdair Gillies Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Drones not fully in tune at the start. Confident playing with a difficult tune. Nice lift. Technique is quite good. Always look to keep it relaxed and clear. Taorlauths a tad muffled. Good performance.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Lively playing with good musicality. Technique a little weak. Practice trying to hear and deliver clear and precise technique. Losing expression in 3rd and 4th part. Nice performance.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Arthur Bignold Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Nice tempo. A more consistently expressive style required on the beat notes throughout. Technique fairly good but over cutting some of your doublings/fingerwork. Nice performance.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The Highland Wedding Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Brisk tempo but handling it fairly well. Good attempt and maintaining a consistent style throughout. Try to make sure you are playing at a steady tempo- marching may help? Rounding out the last 2 bars of every part. Nice playing. Technique tightening up as you go. Try to stay as relaxed as you can! Well done.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Pipes not fully settled. Brisk tempo and not always precise with the expression. I would recommend marching to this tune and thinking about holding all beat notes more. This will give you a more balanced and controlled performance. Technique tight and requires more definition throughout. Bringing the tempo down will also help significantly.
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Competitor: Nicholas Mathis 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Alasdair Gillies Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Drones not fully in tune at the start. Confident playing with a difficult tune. Nice lift. Technique is quite good. Always look to keep it relaxed and clear. Taorlauths a tad muffled. Good performance.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Kael Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Lively playing with good musicality. Technique a little weak. Practice trying to hear and deliver clear and precise technique. Losing expression in 3rd and 4th part. Nice performance.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Jack Lang 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Arthur Bignold Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Nice tempo. A more consistently expressive style required on the beat notes throughout. Technique fairly good but over cutting some of your doublings/fingerwork. Nice performance.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Friedrich Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: The Highland Wedding Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Brisk tempo but handling it fairly well. Good attempt and maintaining a consistent style throughout. Try to make sure you are playing at a steady tempo- marching may help? Rounding out the last 2 bars of every part. Nice playing. Technique tightening up as you go. Try to stay as relaxed as you can! Well done.
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Event 36. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers age 18 to 20 years
Competitor: Jürgen Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy Judge: Callum Beaumont Judge's Comments: Pipes not fully settled. Brisk tempo and not always precise with the expression. I would recommend marching to this tune and thinking about holding all beat notes more. This will give you a more balanced and controlled performance. Technique tight and requires more definition throughout. Bringing the tempo down will also help significantly.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Parker's Welcome to Perthshire Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Fine bagpipe. Watch end of two-bar phrase — needs to be marked a bit more. Related to this, you are coming off some upbeats a little early. Nice bright tempo, and well executed. Very enjoyable tune.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Tristan Mitchell 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrushal Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: F a little flat, drones could have been set better. 2nd part — need a bit more on the HA before the strike. Crossing noises in 3rd part — interesting setting of the 3rd part. Generally well handled, but some unclear technique. Try to walk naturally in time with the tune, otherwise the visual can be quite distracting to the listener.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Conundrum Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Nice bagpipe — plenty of volume in the drones! Good steady tempo — perhaps could get more expression from the tune — came across pretty straight. A bit more on the first beat each bar and watch upbeats get a bit as well. Well executed.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Donald McClellan of Rothesay Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Drones well set. F a little flat. Generally well played. Technique not always coming out 100% clear. A few crossing noises in the 4th part. Nice tempo and 2/4 March rhythm.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Drones not quite set with LA. Some untidy technique 1st part. You have a tendency to overpoint 1st beats in the two bar phrase which detracts from the 2/4 March rhythm we are trying to achieve. Good solid tempo, and well sustained. Repeat of last part had note errors. Otherwise, generally well handled.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: The Duke of Roxeburghe's Farewell to The Blackmount Forest Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Need a bit more on the first beat of the tune — LG sets the scene. Same for the first beat each bar, especially at the start of each 2-bar phrase. 3rd part especially was just too straight and expressionless for me. Generally well handled. Some unclear technique and passages of untidy fingering. Wee slip 4th part.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering. Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Nice bright tempo. Watch execution of technique — take more care to ensure it comes out correctly (you clearly have the ability!). Wee note miss 2nd part. Drones could be set better together. Need more expression in the tune, too straight and lacking in expression for me. Wee slip 4th part.
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"
Competitor: Joseph Biggs 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Parker's Welcome to Perthshire Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Fine bagpipe. Watch end of two-bar phrase — needs to be marked a bit more. Related to this, you are coming off some upbeats a little early. Nice bright tempo, and well executed. Very enjoyable tune.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Tristan Mitchell 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Major Mansons Farewell to Clachantrushal Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: F a little flat, drones could have been set better. 2nd part — need a bit more on the HA before the strike. Crossing noises in 3rd part — interesting setting of the 3rd part. Generally well handled, but some unclear technique. Try to walk naturally in time with the tune, otherwise the visual can be quite distracting to the listener.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Christopher Johnson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Conundrum Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Nice bagpipe — plenty of volume in the drones! Good steady tempo — perhaps could get more expression from the tune — came across pretty straight. A bit more on the first beat each bar and watch upbeats get a bit as well. Well executed.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Charlie Martin 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Donald McClellan of Rothesay Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Drones well set. F a little flat. Generally well played. Technique not always coming out 100% clear. A few crossing noises in the 4th part. Nice tempo and 2/4 March rhythm.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Mary Thrasher 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Drones not quite set with LA. Some untidy technique 1st part. You have a tendency to overpoint 1st beats in the two bar phrase which detracts from the 2/4 March rhythm we are trying to achieve. Good solid tempo, and well sustained. Repeat of last part had note errors. Otherwise, generally well handled.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Vincent Guinnane 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: The Duke of Roxeburghe's Farewell to The Blackmount Forest Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Need a bit more on the first beat of the tune — LG sets the scene. Same for the first beat each bar, especially at the start of each 2-bar phrase. 3rd part especially was just too straight and expressionless for me. Generally well handled. Some unclear technique and passages of untidy fingering. Wee slip 4th part.
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Event 37. P/M Alasdair Gillies Memorial Challenge 2/4 March - for pipers 21 and older
Competitor: Carsten Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering. Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: Nice bright tempo. Watch execution of technique — take more care to ensure it comes out correctly (you clearly have the ability!). Wee note miss 2nd part. Drones could be set better together. Need more expression in the tune, too straight and lacking in expression for me. Wee slip 4th part.
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"
Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: John Dew 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Climbing Schiehallion The Cameronian Rant Duncan Lamont Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. B end of 2nd phrase each part needs to be marked more. LA after birl end of each of part as well. S. Very relaxed playing, wee hint of a crossing noise 6th part. R. Very nice, great reel rhythm. Lovely bagpipe. Super playing overall John, great stuff.
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" Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ian K. MacDonald 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Rosshire Volunteers / Inverarry Castle / John MacKechnie’s Big Reel Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Rushed through 1st and 3rd phrases a little for me. Coming off some upbeats a little early, especially 1st and 3rd parts. 4th part much better. S. Liked this, very nice playing. R. Very nice reel. Great set overall Ian, very enjoyable listen. Bagpipe well set.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Hogg 🇿🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Miss Elspeth Campbell, Lady Loudon, The Rejected Suitor Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. LA before taorluath end of each part could do with more weight. Nicely played otherwise. S. A little straight 1st part. Better into 2nd part. Good playing here. R. Nicely played. Very enjoyable set Joshua.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Dr. Brendon Eade 🇳🇿 Place: 4 Tunes: John MacColl's March to Kilbowie Cottage, Blair Drummond, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Need to give the 2nd downbeat each bar a little more for my taste. Lively tempo. Came off the odd upbeat a little soon. S. Well handled overall. 5th part a little straight. Wee bit of muffled fingering 6th part. R. Nice tune, just pushing a wee bit for me. Overall good set Brendon. Drones not quite with LA to start, but came in.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Stulpner 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Inveran, Inveraray Castle, Bessie MacIntyre Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Upbeats need more weight. 1st part in particular was unbalanced. Much better in 2nd part. Competently played otherwise. S. Very nice playing here. R. F doublings crushed 1st part. Well played otherwise. Pipe well set, an enjoyable MSR David.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Scott Armstrong 🇳🇿 Place: 6 Tunes: Benderloch Bay Shepherds Crook Lt Col. DJS Murray Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Birl in a little early end of some parts. Watch upbeats, coming off some a little early. Enjoyable tune. S. Competently handled. R. Just need a bit more on the first beats each bar, and especially at the start of the 2-bar phrase. Gave the impression of rushing through the tune. Pipe well set. F maybe a shade flat. Good stuff overall.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: PM Bob Brown’s Farewell to Ballochbuie, The Shepherd’s Crook, Kalabachan Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Good bright tempo. Need to march in time with the music. Unfortunately, too many technical inaccuracies which detracted from the music. S. Odd pausing in this tune, especially 1st and 3rd part. 4th part, well off the music here. Not really strathspey rhythm. R. Better here. Drones not set with LA. Need to focus on basic technical execution Damian, keep it up!!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Graeme Glass 🇳🇿 Tunes: Abercairney Highlanders. Catlodge & Mrs Macpherson of Inveran Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Nice bright tempo. Drones well set. Watch upbeats get the full treatment, you are coming off some a little early. 3rd part a little rushed. Well played otherwise. S. Lively strathspey. Tempo not always 100% consistent. D a little flat. R. A little quick. 4th and 6th parts some slightly untidy fingering. A very enjoyable listen Graeme!!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Williamson 🇺🇸 Tunes: Allan’s Dodd’s Farewell to Scotland; The Piper’s Bonnet; Alick Cameron, Champion Piper Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Watch end of 2-bar phrases, especially 2nd phrase each part. Nice playing. F dbl a little crushed 4th part. S. Last bar 2nd part wrong note — should be a D sq for the 3rd note in the first note group (you played LA as in the first part). Repeat of 3rd part 3rd bar, 3rd note group it is a C sq, not a LA like the 1st time through. Otherwise, nice playing. R. A little bit too dot-cut for me. Pipe well set. Some really nice playing Jack — need to make sure the settings are correct!!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: John Partanen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lady Elsbeth Campbell Donnie Ferry Duncan Lamont Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Some really nice music coming out John. A few wee technical blemishes detracted a little bit. S. A little straight overall. Good tempo. R. Nice reel rhythm. Drones not quite last the distance with LA. An enjoyable listen John.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mark Elliott 🇺🇸 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, Maggie Cameron, Kalabakan Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Some HG grace notes missing from doublings. Good bright tempo. Overall a little straight for me. Some untidy fingering which detracted a bit. S. Much cleaner here. Diving for birl 3rd part a bit early. Enjoyed this. R. Competently played. Nice set overall Mark, got better as you went along!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Murray 🇺🇸 Tunes: P/M John Stewart, Ewe Wi' the Crooked Horn, The Grey Bob Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Need to mark end of 2-bar phrase more. Watch 2nd down beat in the bar, needs a bit as well. Wee glitch 2nd part. Watch upbeats get a bit as well. Competently played, but gave the impression of rushing through the tune. S. 3rd beat could do with more weight (eg LG in first bar etc.). 3rd part much better. A few wee technical inaccuracies. R. No quicker! Again, need to set the tune out in its two bar phrase structure — rushing through the ends of the musical phrase. Well handled overall, and pipe well set. Just think there is much more musicality you could achieve.
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Competitor: John Dew 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Climbing Schiehallion The Cameronian Rant Duncan Lamont Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. B end of 2nd phrase each part needs to be marked more. LA after birl end of each of part as well. S. Very relaxed playing, wee hint of a crossing noise 6th part. R. Very nice, great reel rhythm. Lovely bagpipe. Super playing overall John, great stuff.
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" Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ian K. MacDonald 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Rosshire Volunteers / Inverarry Castle / John MacKechnie’s Big Reel Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Rushed through 1st and 3rd phrases a little for me. Coming off some upbeats a little early, especially 1st and 3rd parts. 4th part much better. S. Liked this, very nice playing. R. Very nice reel. Great set overall Ian, very enjoyable listen. Bagpipe well set.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Hogg 🇿🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Miss Elspeth Campbell, Lady Loudon, The Rejected Suitor Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. LA before taorluath end of each part could do with more weight. Nicely played otherwise. S. A little straight 1st part. Better into 2nd part. Good playing here. R. Nicely played. Very enjoyable set Joshua.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Dr. Brendon Eade 🇳🇿 Place: 4 Tunes: John MacColl's March to Kilbowie Cottage, Blair Drummond, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Need to give the 2nd downbeat each bar a little more for my taste. Lively tempo. Came off the odd upbeat a little soon. S. Well handled overall. 5th part a little straight. Wee bit of muffled fingering 6th part. R. Nice tune, just pushing a wee bit for me. Overall good set Brendon. Drones not quite with LA to start, but came in.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Stulpner 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Inveran, Inveraray Castle, Bessie MacIntyre Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Upbeats need more weight. 1st part in particular was unbalanced. Much better in 2nd part. Competently played otherwise. S. Very nice playing here. R. F doublings crushed 1st part. Well played otherwise. Pipe well set, an enjoyable MSR David.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Scott Armstrong 🇳🇿 Place: 6 Tunes: Benderloch Bay Shepherds Crook Lt Col. DJS Murray Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Birl in a little early end of some parts. Watch upbeats, coming off some a little early. Enjoyable tune. S. Competently handled. R. Just need a bit more on the first beats each bar, and especially at the start of the 2-bar phrase. Gave the impression of rushing through the tune. Pipe well set. F maybe a shade flat. Good stuff overall.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: PM Bob Brown’s Farewell to Ballochbuie, The Shepherd’s Crook, Kalabachan Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Good bright tempo. Need to march in time with the music. Unfortunately, too many technical inaccuracies which detracted from the music. S. Odd pausing in this tune, especially 1st and 3rd part. 4th part, well off the music here. Not really strathspey rhythm. R. Better here. Drones not set with LA. Need to focus on basic technical execution Damian, keep it up!!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Graeme Glass 🇳🇿 Tunes: Abercairney Highlanders. Catlodge & Mrs Macpherson of Inveran Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Nice bright tempo. Drones well set. Watch upbeats get the full treatment, you are coming off some a little early. 3rd part a little rushed. Well played otherwise. S. Lively strathspey. Tempo not always 100% consistent. D a little flat. R. A little quick. 4th and 6th parts some slightly untidy fingering. A very enjoyable listen Graeme!!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Williamson 🇺🇸 Tunes: Allan’s Dodd’s Farewell to Scotland; The Piper’s Bonnet; Alick Cameron, Champion Piper Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Watch end of 2-bar phrases, especially 2nd phrase each part. Nice playing. F dbl a little crushed 4th part. S. Last bar 2nd part wrong note — should be a D sq for the 3rd note in the first note group (you played LA as in the first part). Repeat of 3rd part 3rd bar, 3rd note group it is a C sq, not a LA like the 1st time through. Otherwise, nice playing. R. A little bit too dot-cut for me. Pipe well set. Some really nice playing Jack — need to make sure the settings are correct!!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: John Partanen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Lady Elsbeth Campbell Donnie Ferry Duncan Lamont Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Some really nice music coming out John. A few wee technical blemishes detracted a little bit. S. A little straight overall. Good tempo. R. Nice reel rhythm. Drones not quite last the distance with LA. An enjoyable listen John.
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Mark Elliott 🇺🇸 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, Maggie Cameron, Kalabakan Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Some HG grace notes missing from doublings. Good bright tempo. Overall a little straight for me. Some untidy fingering which detracted a bit. S. Much cleaner here. Diving for birl 3rd part a bit early. Enjoyed this. R. Competently played. Nice set overall Mark, got better as you went along!
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Event 38. Open/Pro - Piping - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Murray 🇺🇸 Tunes: P/M John Stewart, Ewe Wi' the Crooked Horn, The Grey Bob Judge: Greg Wilson Judge's Comments: M. Need to mark end of 2-bar phrase more. Watch 2nd down beat in the bar, needs a bit as well. Wee glitch 2nd part. Watch upbeats get a bit as well. Competently played, but gave the impression of rushing through the tune. S. 3rd beat could do with more weight (eg LG in first bar etc.). 3rd part much better. A few wee technical inaccuracies. R. No quicker! Again, need to set the tune out in its two bar phrase structure — rushing through the ends of the musical phrase. Well handled overall, and pipe well set. Just think there is much more musicality you could achieve.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Dr. Brendon Eade 🇳🇿 Place: 1 Tunes: Stevie's First Bar, Chloe's Passion Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Hornpipe — Well played at a good temp. Birl a little sticky and watch you don’t fall off the ends of the parts by hitting the last B grip early. Very musical playing of the last part in particular. Jig — Great jig playing. Lovely control and ticking along nicely.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ian K. MacDonald 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Beverly’s Choice / The Snuff Wife Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Bright and lively tempos and all the work came across as strong and clear. Great playing. My only minor observation was a slight lack of pointing in the jig where you tended to come off rather than give any emphasis to the beat note. Pipe sounded good although the high A and high G stood out as sharp.
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"Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: John Dew 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone The Lasses that Baffle Us Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Hornpipe — Well played John. A good, bright tempo and you were consistent with your changes in the treatment between round and dot cut although I think musically it works better with one or the other. Jig — I don’t know this tune. Is it one of your own? It was extremely well played given the difficulty of the top hand work. I found the 2nd time of the last part in particular difficult to follow musically – it counted out okay but sounds like a mistake! Great pipe.
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" Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Hogg 🇿🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Colin MacKay, Zeeto the Bubbleman (Jig) Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good playing Joshua. Technique was all loud and clear with only one or two very minor catches in the jig. Your tempos were very slightly on the careful side – it sounded like you were holding it back where I think a beat or two per minute quicker in the hornpipe in particular would give it more life. I haven’t heard that arrangement of Zeeto before but liked it. Great sounding pipe. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Williamson 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Man from Skye, The Grand Central Jig Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Lovely playing Jack. Great tempos and flow to the music with the only exception being the slightly staccato treatment of the low G and B passage in the hornpipe – this stood out as slightly more cut than the rest. There were a couple of minor rough patches in the first part of the jig, otherwise it was all well fingered. Good to hear you play, thanks for the tunes
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Stulpner 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: John MacKenzie's Fancy, The Curlew Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good playing David. Your tempos were good and steady although slightly on the careful side. In the hornpipe. Technique was mostly clear and strong with a small fumble of a GDE in the first part of the jig. The jig tempo was brighter but I think the music could flow a little more. You are ever so slightly quick to the offbeat rather than placing emphasis on the beat note where I think it’s more effective (so D throws in this tune). It sounded quite square. Placement of grace notes was not always precise in first part. Lovely pipe. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone - Turf Lodge Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: You played at a steady tempo, Damian, and controlled it throughout both tunes. It was perhaps a little slower than others in this competition but a good pace for you to focus on making sure you get in all the technique. There were some good things happening in your technique – good, clean and clear doublings, especially on the top hand work (first part of Turf Lodge), and there is some to work on – bottom hand work like D to Low A with a B grace note and a good clear low A before the birls. There were a couple of departures from the score in the hornpipe and take a look at the 2nd time in the 2nd part of the jig. I think it was written to go back to the first part but maybe you have a different setting. Keep working on it. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Graeme Glass 🇳🇿 Tunes: The High Level & Hammer on the Anvil Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Nice and tidy fingerwork here for these tunes that require precision. Well done. You are a little inconsistent in your treatment of the music where you are sometimes round and other times holding and cutting – this is disrupting the flow of both tunes. You had a slight slip in the 3rd part of the hornpipe where you slowed down and the heaviness of your birl in the 4th part meant it wasn’t the same rhythm as the rest of the tune. Try to speed this up. Pipe was bright but very flat on low G which was fairly prominent in the jig. Thanks for the tunes Graeme.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: John Partanen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Maxwells Bonnet, The One Legged Deck Hand Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Both tunes were played at a nice, steady tempo John, which you maintained throughout. In the hornpipe I thought you could emphasise the beat note slightly more, especially when heading into your triplings – you tended to jump off these making them sound slightly rushed and not quite in keeping with the flow you created in the rest of the tune. It was better in the jig. Technique was mostly open and clear although the gracings were not always 100% precise on the theme note. And watch that birl at the end of the parts which sounded like one tap rather than two. Thanks for the tunes John.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Murray 🇺🇸 Tunes: Man From Skye, The Curlew Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Hornpipe — A good, bright tempo although not always consistent — you tended to slightly rush the 2nd phrase played on the bottom hand (1st and 2nd parts) and the E to high G D to E bar in the 2nd last phrase (3rd part). Watch out for the placement of the grace notes on the tachum just before this last phrase – low A to low G – as this wasn’t always 100% accurate. Some slight accuracies with birl. Jig — Very nicely played with good control. Placement of grace notes a little untidy in 1 or 2 spots in the first part otherwise very good technique. Great sounding pipe. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Scott Armstrong 🇳🇿 Tunes: The Wee Man From Skye and Tommy Burke Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: You were consistent in your dot-cut presentation and you kept it moving along although the overall impression is quite staccato and there are some places where you are jumping ahead of the beat/offbeat. Watch the entry notes (B D), the throw on D and birls at the line ends which are ahead of the offbeat. Jig — Well played at a good click. Your treatment here was square in complete contrast to the hornpipe and all sounded very precise if lacking in musical flow. Technique was all strong and clear. Lovely, well set and well tuned pipe
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Competitor: Dr. Brendon Eade 🇳🇿 Place: 1 Tunes: Stevie's First Bar, Chloe's Passion Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Hornpipe — Well played at a good temp. Birl a little sticky and watch you don’t fall off the ends of the parts by hitting the last B grip early. Very musical playing of the last part in particular. Jig — Great jig playing. Lovely control and ticking along nicely.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ian K. MacDonald 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Beverly’s Choice / The Snuff Wife Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Bright and lively tempos and all the work came across as strong and clear. Great playing. My only minor observation was a slight lack of pointing in the jig where you tended to come off rather than give any emphasis to the beat note. Pipe sounded good although the high A and high G stood out as sharp.
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"Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: John Dew 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone The Lasses that Baffle Us Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Hornpipe — Well played John. A good, bright tempo and you were consistent with your changes in the treatment between round and dot cut although I think musically it works better with one or the other. Jig — I don’t know this tune. Is it one of your own? It was extremely well played given the difficulty of the top hand work. I found the 2nd time of the last part in particular difficult to follow musically – it counted out okay but sounds like a mistake! Great pipe.
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" Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Joshua Hogg 🇿🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Colin MacKay, Zeeto the Bubbleman (Jig) Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good playing Joshua. Technique was all loud and clear with only one or two very minor catches in the jig. Your tempos were very slightly on the careful side – it sounded like you were holding it back where I think a beat or two per minute quicker in the hornpipe in particular would give it more life. I haven’t heard that arrangement of Zeeto before but liked it. Great sounding pipe. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Williamson 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Man from Skye, The Grand Central Jig Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Lovely playing Jack. Great tempos and flow to the music with the only exception being the slightly staccato treatment of the low G and B passage in the hornpipe – this stood out as slightly more cut than the rest. There were a couple of minor rough patches in the first part of the jig, otherwise it was all well fingered. Good to hear you play, thanks for the tunes
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Stulpner 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: John MacKenzie's Fancy, The Curlew Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Good playing David. Your tempos were good and steady although slightly on the careful side. In the hornpipe. Technique was mostly clear and strong with a small fumble of a GDE in the first part of the jig. The jig tempo was brighter but I think the music could flow a little more. You are ever so slightly quick to the offbeat rather than placing emphasis on the beat note where I think it’s more effective (so D throws in this tune). It sounded quite square. Placement of grace notes was not always precise in first part. Lovely pipe. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: Duncan Johnstone - Turf Lodge Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: You played at a steady tempo, Damian, and controlled it throughout both tunes. It was perhaps a little slower than others in this competition but a good pace for you to focus on making sure you get in all the technique. There were some good things happening in your technique – good, clean and clear doublings, especially on the top hand work (first part of Turf Lodge), and there is some to work on – bottom hand work like D to Low A with a B grace note and a good clear low A before the birls. There were a couple of departures from the score in the hornpipe and take a look at the 2nd time in the 2nd part of the jig. I think it was written to go back to the first part but maybe you have a different setting. Keep working on it. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Graeme Glass 🇳🇿 Tunes: The High Level & Hammer on the Anvil Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Nice and tidy fingerwork here for these tunes that require precision. Well done. You are a little inconsistent in your treatment of the music where you are sometimes round and other times holding and cutting – this is disrupting the flow of both tunes. You had a slight slip in the 3rd part of the hornpipe where you slowed down and the heaviness of your birl in the 4th part meant it wasn’t the same rhythm as the rest of the tune. Try to speed this up. Pipe was bright but very flat on low G which was fairly prominent in the jig. Thanks for the tunes Graeme.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: John Partanen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Maxwells Bonnet, The One Legged Deck Hand Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Both tunes were played at a nice, steady tempo John, which you maintained throughout. In the hornpipe I thought you could emphasise the beat note slightly more, especially when heading into your triplings – you tended to jump off these making them sound slightly rushed and not quite in keeping with the flow you created in the rest of the tune. It was better in the jig. Technique was mostly open and clear although the gracings were not always 100% precise on the theme note. And watch that birl at the end of the parts which sounded like one tap rather than two. Thanks for the tunes John.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ryan Murray 🇺🇸 Tunes: Man From Skye, The Curlew Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: Hornpipe — A good, bright tempo although not always consistent — you tended to slightly rush the 2nd phrase played on the bottom hand (1st and 2nd parts) and the E to high G D to E bar in the 2nd last phrase (3rd part). Watch out for the placement of the grace notes on the tachum just before this last phrase – low A to low G – as this wasn’t always 100% accurate. Some slight accuracies with birl. Jig — Very nicely played with good control. Placement of grace notes a little untidy in 1 or 2 spots in the first part otherwise very good technique. Great sounding pipe. Thanks for the tunes.
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Event 39. Open/Pro - Piping - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Scott Armstrong 🇳🇿 Tunes: The Wee Man From Skye and Tommy Burke Judge: Iain Speirs Judge's Comments: You were consistent in your dot-cut presentation and you kept it moving along although the overall impression is quite staccato and there are some places where you are jumping ahead of the beat/offbeat. Watch the entry notes (B D), the throw on D and birls at the line ends which are ahead of the offbeat. Jig — Well played at a good click. Your treatment here was square in complete contrast to the hornpipe and all sounded very precise if lacking in musical flow. Technique was all strong and clear. Lovely, well set and well tuned pipe
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Bobby Durning 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Scarce of Fishing Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good tune on a good bagpipe, well done. I would urge caution in your Dithis singling and Doubling, Var III and doubling, and your torluath and Crunluath doublings, which were just a tad on the fast side.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Scott Armstrong 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: The Big Spree Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: An overall good tune. Doubling of Suibhal rushed, as well as the crunlauth variation.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Jack Williamson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart no. 1 Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: This was a good tune overall, but could have been pushed along just a tad brisker. The ground was a wee bit lethargic which is an easy trap to fall into in the tune. I felt also that you can lean more on the main theme notes throughout your crunlauath doubling variation. Good Bagpipe.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Dr. Brendon Eade 🇳🇿 Place: 4 Tunes: The Red Speckled Bull Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Overall this was a good tune. I felt the bagpipe could have been a bit better in tune, however none the less the tune come across boldly. I felt you could have held the Es in the cadential movements throughout the ground a little more, for better effect. And again in Var II. The crunluath singling in comparison to the torluath singling was slightly slower, which distracted a little, something for you to bear in mind for future reference.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Alastair Murray 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Old men of the shells no1 Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good ground but tended to slow down slightly in line 3. Same detail in the thumb var. Var I and II good. Torluath var triplings a bit tight and rushed spoiling slightly, disjointed and not flowing with the music. Crunluath rushed slightly more emphasis required on the main them notes prior to the crunluath movement here.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: John Dew 🏴 Place: 6 Tunes: The Earl of Ross's March Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: I felt you were being overly cautious throughout this tune, in particularly Var II and the doubling, which were a bit on the slow side, with the remainder of the tune followed suit.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: The Munro’s Salute Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A very good effort Damien, you have lots of potential. Keep up the good work, I would hope to see you featuring in future competitions. Well Done.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: David Stulpner 🇦🇺 Tunes: Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Good Ground played briskly, but very round round playing in Var I which spoiled a good start to the tune, and again in the doubling. Better in the crunluath sing variation but rushing here, and again in the doubling.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Graeme Glass 🇳🇿 Tunes: Lord Lovats Lament Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Good Ground, rushing in Var I. Var II could be pulsed musically much better and slowed slightly. both Torluath variations were rushed as were the Cruluath variations. You are tending to snatch at your cruluath movement.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ian K. MacDonald 🇨🇦 Tunes: Lament for the Laird of Anapool Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good start to the tune with a solid ground. however as you progressed through Var I and II, I felt you were snatching throughout, in particular with the little runs. I also felt the Torluath doubling was on the brisk side/rushed a wee bit, with your drones out of tune. and again in the crunluath doubling.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: John Partanen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Clan Campbells Gathering Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Sorry John, I fully understand your thinking in the way you played this tune, but not for competition I'm afraid.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Joshua Hogg 🇿🇦 Tunes: Lord Lovat's Lament Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good start to the tune, with steady playing in the ground. I feel that you could have pulled a lot more music out of this ground though, and with the doubling. holding the dotted notes throughout these two variations with subtlety will help you play this piece of music much better. You started to settle down into a more musical ambiance when you got into rhythm with your torluath and crunluath variations. This was very much a tune of two halves.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Mark Elliott 🇺🇸 Tunes: Ronald MacDonald of Morar's Lament Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: The ground was good but some finger errors coming out here in your Edre movement. Var II you can afford to hold the short notes a bit longer throughout this variation for effect. Note error coming out in the torluath singling. work required on the crunluath movement.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ryan Murray 🇺🇸 Tunes: MacDougall's Gathering Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Double echos in the ground I felt were snatched, a little more weight can be applied here. Torluath variations were rushed as were the crunluath variations which was distracting away from the tune musically. More subtlety can be applied to these variations.
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Competitor: Bobby Durning 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Scarce of Fishing Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good tune on a good bagpipe, well done. I would urge caution in your Dithis singling and Doubling, Var III and doubling, and your torluath and Crunluath doublings, which were just a tad on the fast side.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Scott Armstrong 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: The Big Spree Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: An overall good tune. Doubling of Suibhal rushed, as well as the crunlauth variation.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Jack Williamson 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: MacDonald of Kinlochmoidart no. 1 Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: This was a good tune overall, but could have been pushed along just a tad brisker. The ground was a wee bit lethargic which is an easy trap to fall into in the tune. I felt also that you can lean more on the main theme notes throughout your crunlauath doubling variation. Good Bagpipe.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Dr. Brendon Eade 🇳🇿 Place: 4 Tunes: The Red Speckled Bull Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Overall this was a good tune. I felt the bagpipe could have been a bit better in tune, however none the less the tune come across boldly. I felt you could have held the Es in the cadential movements throughout the ground a little more, for better effect. And again in Var II. The crunluath singling in comparison to the torluath singling was slightly slower, which distracted a little, something for you to bear in mind for future reference.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Alastair Murray 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: Old men of the shells no1 Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good ground but tended to slow down slightly in line 3. Same detail in the thumb var. Var I and II good. Torluath var triplings a bit tight and rushed spoiling slightly, disjointed and not flowing with the music. Crunluath rushed slightly more emphasis required on the main them notes prior to the crunluath movement here.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: John Dew 🏴 Place: 6 Tunes: The Earl of Ross's March Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: I felt you were being overly cautious throughout this tune, in particularly Var II and the doubling, which were a bit on the slow side, with the remainder of the tune followed suit.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Damian Bell 🏴 Tunes: The Munro’s Salute Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A very good effort Damien, you have lots of potential. Keep up the good work, I would hope to see you featuring in future competitions. Well Done.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: David Stulpner 🇦🇺 Tunes: Flame of Wrath for Squinting Patrick Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Good Ground played briskly, but very round round playing in Var I which spoiled a good start to the tune, and again in the doubling. Better in the crunluath sing variation but rushing here, and again in the doubling.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Graeme Glass 🇳🇿 Tunes: Lord Lovats Lament Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Good Ground, rushing in Var I. Var II could be pulsed musically much better and slowed slightly. both Torluath variations were rushed as were the Cruluath variations. You are tending to snatch at your cruluath movement.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ian K. MacDonald 🇨🇦 Tunes: Lament for the Laird of Anapool Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good start to the tune with a solid ground. however as you progressed through Var I and II, I felt you were snatching throughout, in particular with the little runs. I also felt the Torluath doubling was on the brisk side/rushed a wee bit, with your drones out of tune. and again in the crunluath doubling.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: John Partanen 🇺🇸 Tunes: Clan Campbells Gathering Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Sorry John, I fully understand your thinking in the way you played this tune, but not for competition I'm afraid.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Joshua Hogg 🇿🇦 Tunes: Lord Lovat's Lament Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: A good start to the tune, with steady playing in the ground. I feel that you could have pulled a lot more music out of this ground though, and with the doubling. holding the dotted notes throughout these two variations with subtlety will help you play this piece of music much better. You started to settle down into a more musical ambiance when you got into rhythm with your torluath and crunluath variations. This was very much a tune of two halves.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Mark Elliott 🇺🇸 Tunes: Ronald MacDonald of Morar's Lament Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: The ground was good but some finger errors coming out here in your Edre movement. Var II you can afford to hold the short notes a bit longer throughout this variation for effect. Note error coming out in the torluath singling. work required on the crunluath movement.
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Event 40. Open/Pro - Piping - Piobaireachd
Competitor: Ryan Murray 🇺🇸 Tunes: MacDougall's Gathering Judge: Brian Donaldson Judge's Comments: Double echos in the ground I felt were snatched, a little more weight can be applied here. Torluath variations were rushed as were the crunluath variations which was distracting away from the tune musically. More subtlety can be applied to these variations.
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Event 101. Beginner Drum Pad 3/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Dean Wallis 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Green hills of Tyrol Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Slight pulsating of introduction rolls, well set tempo holding throughout the tune. You showed control and accuracy of your rudiments for this level of competition. I was impressed with your flam work and the clarity of your accent rolls throughout the performance. I would like to see you develop the use of your dynamic range; this will certainly add to the enjoyment of the musical presentation. Keep practicing your basic rudiments every time you pick up your sticks, these are the building blocks of a good drummer. This was a very confident performance Dean and I wish you well in your drumming future. Congratulations!
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Event 101. Beginner Drum Pad 3/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Madeleine Sherman 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Green Hills of Tyrol Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls, this was caused by uneven stick height throughout the pulses, however the tempo was steady and held into the tune, this was an excellent temp for this level. The first beat of the tune was on your right foot, this meant that you were on the incorrect foot throughout the tune. The first beat of the tune must start on your left foot. In this case, this was dictated by the piper and therefore not your error. Flam work was inconsistent thought the performance, you must focus on the correct stick height for each hand, this will allow you to have a clean “PLUP” sound for each flam. 2nd time through the last part you had two groups of short buzz work, I am not sure is these were meant to be rolls, if so then the terminal tap was missing on each of these rudiments. Overall this was a steady performance, you showed a good understanding of rudiment control for this level of competition. May I suggest you continue to practice your basic rudiments; this will help raise you to the next level in your drumming career. Congratulations on an enjoyable presentation today.
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Event 101. Beginner Drum Pad 3/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: William McLeod 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Green Hills of Tyrol Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo, slightly uneven pulse work throughout your introduction rolls, first time through the first part you demonstrated well controlled triplet and flam work. On the repeat part, that control was lacking, some roll work failed to deliver the final buzz in the rudiment leaving multiple taps to finish off the roll. In the second part of the tune you had issues exiting your rolls into a triplet, this lacked control and upset the musical flow of the performance, on the repeat time through there was also tempo and control issues, this did have an effect on the musical presentation today. You played an extra 4 bars in the first part, this lead to the confusion at the end of the tune where you dropped a beat then came back in to play the last 4 bars of the repeat of the second part, this is what lead to the rushed ending. You demonstrated in this performance that you have a good knowledge of rudiment structure and are able to control your drum sticks, may I suggest you continue to focus on your basic rudimental work, this is the building blocks of all drum scores and will assist you in reaching the next level of your drumming journey. Congratulations on an enjoyable performance.
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Competitor: Dean Wallis 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Green hills of Tyrol Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Slight pulsating of introduction rolls, well set tempo holding throughout the tune. You showed control and accuracy of your rudiments for this level of competition. I was impressed with your flam work and the clarity of your accent rolls throughout the performance. I would like to see you develop the use of your dynamic range; this will certainly add to the enjoyment of the musical presentation. Keep practicing your basic rudiments every time you pick up your sticks, these are the building blocks of a good drummer. This was a very confident performance Dean and I wish you well in your drumming future. Congratulations!
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Event 101. Beginner Drum Pad 3/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Madeleine Sherman 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Green Hills of Tyrol Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls, this was caused by uneven stick height throughout the pulses, however the tempo was steady and held into the tune, this was an excellent temp for this level. The first beat of the tune was on your right foot, this meant that you were on the incorrect foot throughout the tune. The first beat of the tune must start on your left foot. In this case, this was dictated by the piper and therefore not your error. Flam work was inconsistent thought the performance, you must focus on the correct stick height for each hand, this will allow you to have a clean “PLUP” sound for each flam. 2nd time through the last part you had two groups of short buzz work, I am not sure is these were meant to be rolls, if so then the terminal tap was missing on each of these rudiments. Overall this was a steady performance, you showed a good understanding of rudiment control for this level of competition. May I suggest you continue to practice your basic rudiments; this will help raise you to the next level in your drumming career. Congratulations on an enjoyable presentation today.
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Event 101. Beginner Drum Pad 3/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: William McLeod 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Green Hills of Tyrol Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo, slightly uneven pulse work throughout your introduction rolls, first time through the first part you demonstrated well controlled triplet and flam work. On the repeat part, that control was lacking, some roll work failed to deliver the final buzz in the rudiment leaving multiple taps to finish off the roll. In the second part of the tune you had issues exiting your rolls into a triplet, this lacked control and upset the musical flow of the performance, on the repeat time through there was also tempo and control issues, this did have an effect on the musical presentation today. You played an extra 4 bars in the first part, this lead to the confusion at the end of the tune where you dropped a beat then came back in to play the last 4 bars of the repeat of the second part, this is what lead to the rushed ending. You demonstrated in this performance that you have a good knowledge of rudiment structure and are able to control your drum sticks, may I suggest you continue to focus on your basic rudimental work, this is the building blocks of all drum scores and will assist you in reaching the next level of your drumming journey. Congratulations on an enjoyable performance.
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Event 102. Beginner Drum Pad 4/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: William McLeod 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Scotland the Brave Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: A good standard for beginner drum pad. Things for you to work on: Your arm setup is a bit too tight to your body. Push your elbows away from your body to get the sticks on the 10 o'clock & 2 o'clock position on the drum pad. With your arms being too close to your body your wrists are bending and that is restricting the amount of control you can have over the sticks with your fingers. Make sure you are controlling every note in your triplets and your single groups rudiments. If you need to slow the tempo down in order to do that then that is perfectly fine. Always focus on technique over speed. You're developing a good buzz technique for your rolls but make sure that the quality of buzzes is consistent in sound and volume throughout the rolls. Keep up the good work William!
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Competitor: William McLeod 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Scotland the Brave Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: A good standard for beginner drum pad. Things for you to work on: Your arm setup is a bit too tight to your body. Push your elbows away from your body to get the sticks on the 10 o'clock & 2 o'clock position on the drum pad. With your arms being too close to your body your wrists are bending and that is restricting the amount of control you can have over the sticks with your fingers. Make sure you are controlling every note in your triplets and your single groups rudiments. If you need to slow the tempo down in order to do that then that is perfectly fine. Always focus on technique over speed. You're developing a good buzz technique for your rolls but make sure that the quality of buzzes is consistent in sound and volume throughout the rolls. Keep up the good work William!
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Event 103. Beginner Drum Pad 2/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Dean Wallis 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Teribus Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Confident uptake to march. Rolls timed well, pulses falling nicely within the triplet subdivision. Right hand pulsing a bit heavier than the left, try to smooth this out for a uniform, consistent sound across the introductory roll. Excellent 2/4 march feel from the outset. Great swing, using efficient motions to attack the upbeat. Lots of punch! Love the confidence here. Watch the transition from roll to triplet in the 1st part — roll opening up too much towards the end. In the 2nd part, could work to articulate the taps in the roll movement a bit better. Sounding more like heavy pulses rather than clean taps. Overall, great execution throughout with loads of confidence. Strong fundamentals, playing nicely with your piper as well. Great job. Thanks, Dean!
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Event 103. Beginner Drum Pad 2/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: William McLeod 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding, Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Good uptake to march. Rolls timed well, but watch the placement of your sticks on the pad - sticks drifting around a bit. Try to strike the pad consistently in the middle. It will become more crucial as you transition to the drum, as the snares run across the middle of the head. You'll want to make sure you're consistently in the middle of the snare to ensure a uniform sound through your performance. Nice 2/4 march swing from the outset. Watch the open single movements — some are being played nicely, while others are a bit rushed and not being played in time. Try to get a consistent and relaxed feel to these groupings. Lovely crescendo rolls adding a great deal to the performance! Watch the occasional left-handed flam coming off 'flat' (sticks hitting the pad at the same time). Try to get some space between the grace note and accent note in your flam. Overall, well-rehearsed and nicely executed. Excellent roll dynamic, need to work on relaxing and opening up your single stroke runs. Great job. Thanks, William!
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Competitor: Dean Wallis 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Teribus Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Confident uptake to march. Rolls timed well, pulses falling nicely within the triplet subdivision. Right hand pulsing a bit heavier than the left, try to smooth this out for a uniform, consistent sound across the introductory roll. Excellent 2/4 march feel from the outset. Great swing, using efficient motions to attack the upbeat. Lots of punch! Love the confidence here. Watch the transition from roll to triplet in the 1st part — roll opening up too much towards the end. In the 2nd part, could work to articulate the taps in the roll movement a bit better. Sounding more like heavy pulses rather than clean taps. Overall, great execution throughout with loads of confidence. Strong fundamentals, playing nicely with your piper as well. Great job. Thanks, Dean!
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Event 103. Beginner Drum Pad 2/4 March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: William McLeod 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding, Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Good uptake to march. Rolls timed well, but watch the placement of your sticks on the pad - sticks drifting around a bit. Try to strike the pad consistently in the middle. It will become more crucial as you transition to the drum, as the snares run across the middle of the head. You'll want to make sure you're consistently in the middle of the snare to ensure a uniform sound through your performance. Nice 2/4 march swing from the outset. Watch the open single movements — some are being played nicely, while others are a bit rushed and not being played in time. Try to get a consistent and relaxed feel to these groupings. Lovely crescendo rolls adding a great deal to the performance! Watch the occasional left-handed flam coming off 'flat' (sticks hitting the pad at the same time). Try to get some space between the grace note and accent note in your flam. Overall, well-rehearsed and nicely executed. Excellent roll dynamic, need to work on relaxing and opening up your single stroke runs. Great job. Thanks, William!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Matthews 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding, Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. You're generating a very nice, smooth, and consistent roll sound. First roll perhaps a touch heavy on the top end, second roll perfect. Very tidy execution of some well-constructed material. Single runs open and consistent, great stuff. Nice dynamic flow with the 13 stroke rolls in the second part. Again, lovely roll texture here. Hand-to-hand flam execution in bars 7 & 8 very nice, flam quality is excellent. 3rd and 4th parts a bit flat in terms of dynamics — could find a few opportunities to drop the volume down, or really go for it on the top end. Not much to pick apart in terms of execution here, so the main area of improvement would be creating a dynamic map for the performance and injecting some energy and excitement in that way. Overall, very enjoyable! Well-rehearsed and superb execution of all phrases. Work on identifying some dynamic opportunities, and you'd likely be ready to 'level up' into grade 4. Well done! Thanks, Jack!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Brewer 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Lovely introductory rolls! Well-metered, smooth, and controlled. I love this choice of tempo. Relaxed and in full control the whole way. Drum sounds great. Nice swing from the outset. Bars 7 & 8 ending phrase superb. Great composition — creating a nice ensemble effect. Locked in with the phrasing and expression of the piping. Tidy execution of open work in 2nd part. Watch your roll-to-single transitions in the 3rd part. Rolls pulses opening up prior to the singles, creating a muddled sound. Try to keep the pulses low and intense as played elsewhere in the performance (i.e. introductory rolls). Great spacing and control in 4th. Again, lovely setting. Overall, a well-rehearsed and confidently executed performance. A couple things to tidy up in the 3rd part, but otherwise very impressive. Thanks, Christine!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michelle Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. You're generating a very nice, smooth, and consistent roll sound. Drum lacking a crisp snare sound, not doing your rolls justice. Try to get both top and bottom snares in better contact with the heads. Nice uptake to march. Excellent control, good choice of tempo. Blending well with the pipes, creating a true ensemble effect in this performance. Nice upswing in bars 7 & 8, good left-hand engagement to get the kick to the upbeat. A very nice composition complimenting the melody quite well. Impressive flam execution throughout, great spacing and consistent sound between hands. 5 stroke roll execution in 3rd and 4th parts a bit open, could get a bit more speed/energy/intensity into these pulses, especially on the short/cut 5 stroke rolls. 3rd part coming off a bit flat in terms of dynamics — could likely find an opportunity to add some dynamic variety within the roll movements in this part (i.e. dropping out the volume, crescendo, etc.). Overall, very enjoyable! Well-rehearsed and superb execution of all phrases. Work on identifying some dynamic opportunities, and you'd likely be ready to 'level up' into grade 4. Well done! Thanks, Michelle!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Callum Mitchell 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing, The Taking of Beaumont Hammel Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well-timed, however pulses too strong and short. Need to relax the hands a bit, open up the pulses, and try to smooth out the roll so the individual pulses aren't as audible. That said, sub-dividing well within the triplet framework. Nice uptake to march, good upswing and dynamic from the outset. Excellent composition, blending well with pipes. Great support from piper. Watch your right hand accented flams, consistently coming off as flat/choked, in that the sticks are landing at the same time. Try to create some space between the grace note (low hand) and accent note (high hand) in terms of height, volume, and timing to create a more open sound. Great dynamic flow in the 4th part! Nice punch, superb phrasing and execution with the pipes. Overall, a very well-rehearsed and polished musical performance. Locked in with your piper, creating a true ensemble effect. Watch some of the flam execution, and continue to work towards a softer, smoother, more consistent roll sound. Great job. Thanks, Callum!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Owen Wood 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Street Beats Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls very nice, crashing into the second roll a bit, but otherwise great subdivision and smooth pulsing. Great uptake to march, good choice of tempo. Coming off very relaxed and in control. Watch right-hand flam execution — the grace note is often times getting muddled with the previous left-hand stroke. Work on left hand thumb control to create the appropriate spacing between these notes. Great lift into 2nd part, up kick on the left-hand accents in bars 2 & 6 very nice. Good dynamic flow into the 3rd part, nice crescendo. Well-planned dynamic map for this piece. Watch the roll passage in the 3rd part — pulses opening up too much as volume increases. Try to keep the roll volume down until the end of the crescendo. Experiment with different roll pulse durations and intensities, as you can get roll volume while still maintaining a closed sound. Again, great dynamic flow in the 4th part. Lots of punch and confidence. A very nice performance, strong fundamentals. Work on controlling your roll executing, and keeping a closed sound at different volumes. Nicely done! Thanks, Owen!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Fogarty 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Marie’s Wedding and The Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Confident update to march. Crashing into the introductory rolls a bit — take a touch of the volume off the beginning of the roll for a smooth, consistent sound. Be sure that you're playing a full 25 stroke roll as well, I think you may be a pulse or two short. Playing the full 25 will generate a smoother, fuller sound. Good 2/4 swing from the outset. Love the hand-to-hand flam execution in bars 7 & 8, great lift. 1st part well executed. Open work tidy and metered well. 2nd part a bit flat, seems like a missed opportunity with the roll passages. Try to find some dynamic opportunities with this piece – a crescendo on the 13 stroke rolls in the 2nd part would add a great deal to this performance! 3rd and 4th very nice. Good hand-to-hand roll work in 4th. Great execution of open work throughout. Watch your 7 stroke rolls (right to left). Sometimes opening up at the end, missing the last right-hand pulse. This is common, try to ensure you're getting all three pulses executed. Overall, a very strong, well-rehearsed, and well-executed performance. Thanks, Chris!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Alyssa Allegretti 🇺🇸 Tunes: The 79ths Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well-timed, however pulses too strong and short. Need to relax the hands a bit, open up the pulses, and try to smooth out the roll so the individual pulses aren't as audible. That said, sub-dividing well within the triplet framework. Nice choice of tempo — relaxed and in control through the entire performance. March coming off a bit round or square — need to find the underlying dot/cut swing and ensure all phrases are falling within that framework. Open work tidy and well executed. Drag weights a bit heavy, try to soften the dead stroke for a more subtle sound. Getting ahead of the pipes in the 3rd part. Work to control the underlying triplet subdivision of those roll movements to ensure proper spacing. Overall, some very nice fundamentals and lots of potential. Continue to work on opening up and relaxing your hands to produce a smoother more consistent roll sound. Well done. Thanks, Alyssa!
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Competitor: Jack Matthews 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Mairi's Wedding, Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. You're generating a very nice, smooth, and consistent roll sound. First roll perhaps a touch heavy on the top end, second roll perfect. Very tidy execution of some well-constructed material. Single runs open and consistent, great stuff. Nice dynamic flow with the 13 stroke rolls in the second part. Again, lovely roll texture here. Hand-to-hand flam execution in bars 7 & 8 very nice, flam quality is excellent. 3rd and 4th parts a bit flat in terms of dynamics — could find a few opportunities to drop the volume down, or really go for it on the top end. Not much to pick apart in terms of execution here, so the main area of improvement would be creating a dynamic map for the performance and injecting some energy and excitement in that way. Overall, very enjoyable! Well-rehearsed and superb execution of all phrases. Work on identifying some dynamic opportunities, and you'd likely be ready to 'level up' into grade 4. Well done! Thanks, Jack!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Brewer 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Lovely introductory rolls! Well-metered, smooth, and controlled. I love this choice of tempo. Relaxed and in full control the whole way. Drum sounds great. Nice swing from the outset. Bars 7 & 8 ending phrase superb. Great composition — creating a nice ensemble effect. Locked in with the phrasing and expression of the piping. Tidy execution of open work in 2nd part. Watch your roll-to-single transitions in the 3rd part. Rolls pulses opening up prior to the singles, creating a muddled sound. Try to keep the pulses low and intense as played elsewhere in the performance (i.e. introductory rolls). Great spacing and control in 4th. Again, lovely setting. Overall, a well-rehearsed and confidently executed performance. A couple things to tidy up in the 3rd part, but otherwise very impressive. Thanks, Christine!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michelle Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. You're generating a very nice, smooth, and consistent roll sound. Drum lacking a crisp snare sound, not doing your rolls justice. Try to get both top and bottom snares in better contact with the heads. Nice uptake to march. Excellent control, good choice of tempo. Blending well with the pipes, creating a true ensemble effect in this performance. Nice upswing in bars 7 & 8, good left-hand engagement to get the kick to the upbeat. A very nice composition complimenting the melody quite well. Impressive flam execution throughout, great spacing and consistent sound between hands. 5 stroke roll execution in 3rd and 4th parts a bit open, could get a bit more speed/energy/intensity into these pulses, especially on the short/cut 5 stroke rolls. 3rd part coming off a bit flat in terms of dynamics — could likely find an opportunity to add some dynamic variety within the roll movements in this part (i.e. dropping out the volume, crescendo, etc.). Overall, very enjoyable! Well-rehearsed and superb execution of all phrases. Work on identifying some dynamic opportunities, and you'd likely be ready to 'level up' into grade 4. Well done! Thanks, Michelle!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Callum Mitchell 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing, The Taking of Beaumont Hammel Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well-timed, however pulses too strong and short. Need to relax the hands a bit, open up the pulses, and try to smooth out the roll so the individual pulses aren't as audible. That said, sub-dividing well within the triplet framework. Nice uptake to march, good upswing and dynamic from the outset. Excellent composition, blending well with pipes. Great support from piper. Watch your right hand accented flams, consistently coming off as flat/choked, in that the sticks are landing at the same time. Try to create some space between the grace note (low hand) and accent note (high hand) in terms of height, volume, and timing to create a more open sound. Great dynamic flow in the 4th part! Nice punch, superb phrasing and execution with the pipes. Overall, a very well-rehearsed and polished musical performance. Locked in with your piper, creating a true ensemble effect. Watch some of the flam execution, and continue to work towards a softer, smoother, more consistent roll sound. Great job. Thanks, Callum!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Owen Wood 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: Street Beats Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls very nice, crashing into the second roll a bit, but otherwise great subdivision and smooth pulsing. Great uptake to march, good choice of tempo. Coming off very relaxed and in control. Watch right-hand flam execution — the grace note is often times getting muddled with the previous left-hand stroke. Work on left hand thumb control to create the appropriate spacing between these notes. Great lift into 2nd part, up kick on the left-hand accents in bars 2 & 6 very nice. Good dynamic flow into the 3rd part, nice crescendo. Well-planned dynamic map for this piece. Watch the roll passage in the 3rd part — pulses opening up too much as volume increases. Try to keep the roll volume down until the end of the crescendo. Experiment with different roll pulse durations and intensities, as you can get roll volume while still maintaining a closed sound. Again, great dynamic flow in the 4th part. Lots of punch and confidence. A very nice performance, strong fundamentals. Work on controlling your roll executing, and keeping a closed sound at different volumes. Nicely done! Thanks, Owen!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Fogarty 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Marie’s Wedding and The Barren Rocks of Aden Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Confident update to march. Crashing into the introductory rolls a bit — take a touch of the volume off the beginning of the roll for a smooth, consistent sound. Be sure that you're playing a full 25 stroke roll as well, I think you may be a pulse or two short. Playing the full 25 will generate a smoother, fuller sound. Good 2/4 swing from the outset. Love the hand-to-hand flam execution in bars 7 & 8, great lift. 1st part well executed. Open work tidy and metered well. 2nd part a bit flat, seems like a missed opportunity with the roll passages. Try to find some dynamic opportunities with this piece – a crescendo on the 13 stroke rolls in the 2nd part would add a great deal to this performance! 3rd and 4th very nice. Good hand-to-hand roll work in 4th. Great execution of open work throughout. Watch your 7 stroke rolls (right to left). Sometimes opening up at the end, missing the last right-hand pulse. This is common, try to ensure you're getting all three pulses executed. Overall, a very strong, well-rehearsed, and well-executed performance. Thanks, Chris!
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Event 104. Grade 5 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Alyssa Allegretti 🇺🇸 Tunes: The 79ths Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well-timed, however pulses too strong and short. Need to relax the hands a bit, open up the pulses, and try to smooth out the roll so the individual pulses aren't as audible. That said, sub-dividing well within the triplet framework. Nice choice of tempo — relaxed and in control through the entire performance. March coming off a bit round or square — need to find the underlying dot/cut swing and ensure all phrases are falling within that framework. Open work tidy and well executed. Drag weights a bit heavy, try to soften the dead stroke for a more subtle sound. Getting ahead of the pipes in the 3rd part. Work to control the underlying triplet subdivision of those roll movements to ensure proper spacing. Overall, some very nice fundamentals and lots of potential. Continue to work on opening up and relaxing your hands to produce a smoother more consistent roll sound. Well done. Thanks, Alyssa!
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Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jack Matthews 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: 51st Highland Division, MacPhail of Bunessan Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Well maintained tempo throughout. Good technique shown. The only thing I can critique for you to work on is pushing your left elbow out a bit further from your body to match the position of your right elbow. Other than that everything looks good. You have a tendency to rush through your single stroke groups (fives and sixes). Great performance. Keep up the excellent work Jack.
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Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michelle Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Scotland the Brave, Old Rustick Bridge Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good technique shown with regards to arm position and stick position on the drum.. Good control of the tempo throughout Scotland the Brave. Flams are a bit too open. Try and tighten up the sound of your flams and make sure the grace note for each flam is closer to the drum. Good technique and sound coming from your roll movements. Losing a bit of control and clarity of rudiments in Old Rustic Bridge. Pay careful attention to your dot and cut rudiments or phrases and make sure you are controlling them as well as you are in Scotland the Brave. Well done Michelle and keep up the good work.
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Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Brewer 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Jack's Welcome Home Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are good but you have a tendency to separate the last tap of the roll from the buzzes. Work on getting your roll to be one continuous sound instead of separating the elements. Good control shown in first two parts of the march. Losing control and clarity of the drag movements in the 3rd part. Slight loss of control of the roll movements in the 4th part. Good right hand technique. In terms of your left hand technique, work on loosening up your grip. You are not allowing the stick bounce naturally as you are putting too much pressure on it with your thumb. This will also help you with the control and clarity of your single stroke rudiments. Keep up the good work Christine.
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Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Fogarty 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: The 51st Highland Division and Macphail of Bunessan Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: The tempo you are playing at is a bit quick and this is affecting the control and clarity of your rudiments. It feels as if you are trying to put more buzzes into your rolls than what is required. Work on slowing down the speed of your rolls. Your right hand is a bit more dominant (louder) throughout your performance. Try to even out the weight of your singles and get more control of the sticks with your fingers and not the movement of your arms. Work on getting the grace notes of your flams closer to the drum. Your elbows are a bit too close to your body. In order to get your sticks in the correct position (10 o'clock & 2 o'clock) on the drum make sure you push your elbows out and away from your body. Make sure your arm, wrist and stick are in line with one another and that your wrists are bending Well done Chris. Keep it up and keep working on the points above.
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Competitor: Jack Matthews 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: 51st Highland Division, MacPhail of Bunessan Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Well maintained tempo throughout. Good technique shown. The only thing I can critique for you to work on is pushing your left elbow out a bit further from your body to match the position of your right elbow. Other than that everything looks good. You have a tendency to rush through your single stroke groups (fives and sixes). Great performance. Keep up the excellent work Jack.
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Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michelle Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Scotland the Brave, Old Rustick Bridge Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good technique shown with regards to arm position and stick position on the drum.. Good control of the tempo throughout Scotland the Brave. Flams are a bit too open. Try and tighten up the sound of your flams and make sure the grace note for each flam is closer to the drum. Good technique and sound coming from your roll movements. Losing a bit of control and clarity of rudiments in Old Rustic Bridge. Pay careful attention to your dot and cut rudiments or phrases and make sure you are controlling them as well as you are in Scotland the Brave. Well done Michelle and keep up the good work.
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Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Brewer 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: Jack's Welcome Home Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are good but you have a tendency to separate the last tap of the roll from the buzzes. Work on getting your roll to be one continuous sound instead of separating the elements. Good control shown in first two parts of the march. Losing control and clarity of the drag movements in the 3rd part. Slight loss of control of the roll movements in the 4th part. Good right hand technique. In terms of your left hand technique, work on loosening up your grip. You are not allowing the stick bounce naturally as you are putting too much pressure on it with your thumb. This will also help you with the control and clarity of your single stroke rudiments. Keep up the good work Christine.
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Event 105. Grade 5 Side Drumming 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Fogarty 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: The 51st Highland Division and Macphail of Bunessan Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: The tempo you are playing at is a bit quick and this is affecting the control and clarity of your rudiments. It feels as if you are trying to put more buzzes into your rolls than what is required. Work on slowing down the speed of your rolls. Your right hand is a bit more dominant (louder) throughout your performance. Try to even out the weight of your singles and get more control of the sticks with your fingers and not the movement of your arms. Work on getting the grace notes of your flams closer to the drum. Your elbows are a bit too close to your body. In order to get your sticks in the correct position (10 o'clock & 2 o'clock) on the drum make sure you push your elbows out and away from your body. Make sure your arm, wrist and stick are in line with one another and that your wrists are bending Well done Chris. Keep it up and keep working on the points above.
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Michelle Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: PM Sam Scott Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Solid uptake to march, introductory rolls well executed but drum lacking snare response. Very nice 6/8 swing from the outset, maintaining well through the entire performance. Blending very well with pipes. Watch the 5 stroke roll execution in bar 7 ending phrase, not consistently generating quality pulses. Better execution of 5 stroke rolls in 3rd part. Try to get this sound consistently in the ending phrases as well. Nice upswing in 4th part. Strong finish. Very enjoyable performance. Thanks, Michelle!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Brewer 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Glendaruel Highlanders Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Nice relaxed uptake to march. Introductory rolls running too long, a couple extra pulses being played and throwing off the timing a bit. Very nice drum sound. Good use of cut/dot groupings to align with melody, score well constructed. Watch the consistency in the spacing of these movements, sometimes being more open than others. Listen to how the pipes are expressing the cut/dot embellishments, and try to mirror that. Nice spacing in the 3rd, relaxed and controlled, phrases landing well pipes. A couple mudded passages in terms of execution in the 2nd and 4th parts, otherwise a very polished presentation overall. Thanks, Christine!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Dean Wallis 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Lily Christie Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Good introductory rolls, nice drum sound. Lively tempo, good energy. Executing well in 1st and 2nd parts, but slightly round at times. Need to pronounce the dot/cut 6/8 swing more. Some trouble in bars 1 & 2 of the 3rd part, roll phrase not aligning with the pipes, timing not 100%. Tempo perhaps a bit quick for this trickier part. 4th part excellent, lovely roll sound coming through and good dynamic flow. Overall, a very polished performance. Could take the tempo down a touch to focus on achieving the desired 6/8 swing. Thanks, Dean!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Callum Mitchell 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: Cock o' the North Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed, but very pulsed. Try to work on softening the pulse for a smooth, consistent sound. 1st part quite good, nice 6/8 feel, however things rounding out in the 2nd part in bars 1 & 2. Need to maintain the dot/cut swing through this phrase better, stretching out the 5 stroke rolls on the beat. Nice dynamic flow in the 3rd, slightly improved roll quality here. Nice cut-dot execution in the last part, playing well with pipes here. Good ensemble effect throughout the performance. Thanks, Callum!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Fogarty 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Dr Ross’s Fiftieth Welcome to The Argyllshire Gathering Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Nice uptake to march, good timing and tempo. Drum lacking snare response. Thin and hollow sounding, need to ensure good snare contact with both top and bottom heads. Good 6/8 feel in 1st part. 2nd part rounding out considerably. 5 stroke roll phrasing not falling within dot/cut subdivision (bars 1 and 5). Work towards maintaining a good swing through all your phrases. Good control in 3rd, better execution of 6/8 idiom here. Good dynamic flow in 4th. Flam work a bit heavy and monotone, fixated on only the downbeats. Need to find some opportunities to accent the upbeat. Well executed on the whole, need to maintain 6/8 swing better through the entire performance. Thanks, Chris!
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Competitor: Michelle Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: PM Sam Scott Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Solid uptake to march, introductory rolls well executed but drum lacking snare response. Very nice 6/8 swing from the outset, maintaining well through the entire performance. Blending very well with pipes. Watch the 5 stroke roll execution in bar 7 ending phrase, not consistently generating quality pulses. Better execution of 5 stroke rolls in 3rd part. Try to get this sound consistently in the ending phrases as well. Nice upswing in 4th part. Strong finish. Very enjoyable performance. Thanks, Michelle!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Brewer 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Glendaruel Highlanders Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Nice relaxed uptake to march. Introductory rolls running too long, a couple extra pulses being played and throwing off the timing a bit. Very nice drum sound. Good use of cut/dot groupings to align with melody, score well constructed. Watch the consistency in the spacing of these movements, sometimes being more open than others. Listen to how the pipes are expressing the cut/dot embellishments, and try to mirror that. Nice spacing in the 3rd, relaxed and controlled, phrases landing well pipes. A couple mudded passages in terms of execution in the 2nd and 4th parts, otherwise a very polished presentation overall. Thanks, Christine!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Dean Wallis 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: Lily Christie Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Good introductory rolls, nice drum sound. Lively tempo, good energy. Executing well in 1st and 2nd parts, but slightly round at times. Need to pronounce the dot/cut 6/8 swing more. Some trouble in bars 1 & 2 of the 3rd part, roll phrase not aligning with the pipes, timing not 100%. Tempo perhaps a bit quick for this trickier part. 4th part excellent, lovely roll sound coming through and good dynamic flow. Overall, a very polished performance. Could take the tempo down a touch to focus on achieving the desired 6/8 swing. Thanks, Dean!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Callum Mitchell 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: Cock o' the North Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed, but very pulsed. Try to work on softening the pulse for a smooth, consistent sound. 1st part quite good, nice 6/8 feel, however things rounding out in the 2nd part in bars 1 & 2. Need to maintain the dot/cut swing through this phrase better, stretching out the 5 stroke rolls on the beat. Nice dynamic flow in the 3rd, slightly improved roll quality here. Nice cut-dot execution in the last part, playing well with pipes here. Good ensemble effect throughout the performance. Thanks, Callum!
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Event 106. Grade 5 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Chris Fogarty 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Dr Ross’s Fiftieth Welcome to The Argyllshire Gathering Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Nice uptake to march, good timing and tempo. Drum lacking snare response. Thin and hollow sounding, need to ensure good snare contact with both top and bottom heads. Good 6/8 feel in 1st part. 2nd part rounding out considerably. 5 stroke roll phrasing not falling within dot/cut subdivision (bars 1 and 5). Work towards maintaining a good swing through all your phrases. Good control in 3rd, better execution of 6/8 idiom here. Good dynamic flow in 4th. Flam work a bit heavy and monotone, fixated on only the downbeats. Need to find some opportunities to accent the upbeat. Well executed on the whole, need to maintain 6/8 swing better through the entire performance. Thanks, Chris!
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Event 107. Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders, Bonnie Dundee Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Slight pulsating of introduction rolls, tempo dropped entering the 1st part, you must continue to drive the tempo. The anacrusis into both tunes are not being played accurately to the written note, this influences the musical flow of the tune. 4th part dotted crotchet accent rolls came through clean, however the roll itself was inconsistent in sound for the duration of the written length, I suspect you became tight in the hands as you increased the crescendo. I would like to see a greater use of your dynamic range, both tunes lacked the highs and lows to add to the enjoyment of the drum score. Overall this was a clean performance, you showed great rudiment control for this level of competition. May I suggest you continue to practice your basic rudiments; this will help raise you to the next level in your drumming career. Congratulations Christopher on an enjoyable performance today.
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Event 107. Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jim Calderwood 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Uneven pulses throughout your introduction rolls, this was caused by a tight right hand. Tempo well set, however without a piper you tended to slow down on certain rudiments to allow them to be played cleanly throughout the performance. 3rd & 4th parts, there was a slight inaccuracy of rudiments at the end of each line, not giving the notes their correct value lost that musical flow. Your flam and single work were well controlled, I would like to see you work on a greater use of your dynamic range, especially the lower end as this was lacking from your performance today. You demonstrated in this performance that you have a good knowledge of rudiment structure and compound time. May I suggest you continue to focus on your basic rudimental work, this is the building blocks of all drum scores and will assist you in reaching the next level of your drumming journey. Congratulations Jim on an enjoyable performance.
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Event 107. Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Dylan Buller 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: 6/8, massed bands Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls, you are also leaving your right stick resting on the drum head while playing the terminal tap on the left, this does have a slight effect on the sound, you will need to work on lifting your right stick off the drum head to allow the left terminal tap a clean head to strike. Excellent tempo for your ability, this allowed you to showcase your skills on the drum. The first bar in part one sounded like you were playing in simple time, this is a common problem with drummers, you must focus on that compound rhythm from the very first tap of the tune, once into the tune you were able to demonstrate your understanding of compound time. The tempo fluctuated in the 3rd part while playing the drag rudiments, your flams also were very tight/closed. 4th part long roll work suffered from uneven pulses; you must work on each stick producing the same buzz sound when moving from hand to hand. There was an inconsistency with the sound of your flams, I would like to see you focus on playing these with the correct stick height of each stick. i.e. one high, one low, this will allow each flam to have a clean “PLUP” sound adding to the clarity of the rudiment. Overall this was an enjoyable presentation from you Dylan, I would like to see you continue to focus on your basic rudiments, this will assist you in moving your performance to the next level.
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Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders, Bonnie Dundee Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Slight pulsating of introduction rolls, tempo dropped entering the 1st part, you must continue to drive the tempo. The anacrusis into both tunes are not being played accurately to the written note, this influences the musical flow of the tune. 4th part dotted crotchet accent rolls came through clean, however the roll itself was inconsistent in sound for the duration of the written length, I suspect you became tight in the hands as you increased the crescendo. I would like to see a greater use of your dynamic range, both tunes lacked the highs and lows to add to the enjoyment of the drum score. Overall this was a clean performance, you showed great rudiment control for this level of competition. May I suggest you continue to practice your basic rudiments; this will help raise you to the next level in your drumming career. Congratulations Christopher on an enjoyable performance today.
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Event 107. Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jim Calderwood 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Farewell to the Creeks Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Uneven pulses throughout your introduction rolls, this was caused by a tight right hand. Tempo well set, however without a piper you tended to slow down on certain rudiments to allow them to be played cleanly throughout the performance. 3rd & 4th parts, there was a slight inaccuracy of rudiments at the end of each line, not giving the notes their correct value lost that musical flow. Your flam and single work were well controlled, I would like to see you work on a greater use of your dynamic range, especially the lower end as this was lacking from your performance today. You demonstrated in this performance that you have a good knowledge of rudiment structure and compound time. May I suggest you continue to focus on your basic rudimental work, this is the building blocks of all drum scores and will assist you in reaching the next level of your drumming journey. Congratulations Jim on an enjoyable performance.
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Event 107. Grade 4 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Dylan Buller 🏴 Place: 3 Tunes: 6/8, massed bands Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls, you are also leaving your right stick resting on the drum head while playing the terminal tap on the left, this does have a slight effect on the sound, you will need to work on lifting your right stick off the drum head to allow the left terminal tap a clean head to strike. Excellent tempo for your ability, this allowed you to showcase your skills on the drum. The first bar in part one sounded like you were playing in simple time, this is a common problem with drummers, you must focus on that compound rhythm from the very first tap of the tune, once into the tune you were able to demonstrate your understanding of compound time. The tempo fluctuated in the 3rd part while playing the drag rudiments, your flams also were very tight/closed. 4th part long roll work suffered from uneven pulses; you must work on each stick producing the same buzz sound when moving from hand to hand. There was an inconsistency with the sound of your flams, I would like to see you focus on playing these with the correct stick height of each stick. i.e. one high, one low, this will allow each flam to have a clean “PLUP” sound adding to the clarity of the rudiment. Overall this was an enjoyable presentation from you Dylan, I would like to see you continue to focus on your basic rudiments, this will assist you in moving your performance to the next level.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: 79th Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: A fair intro. You are slightly behind the beat at the start of the 1st part. Accentation to the melody is effective. Single fives at the ending bar are slightly too closed, you could relax on these which would help. Light and shade evident in the last part, especially. Well played overall showing good control . Well played!
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sennett 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Rolls starting on the heavy side. Good uptake to march though. Nice use of light and shade 2nd and 3rd parts. Ending bar sounds mechanical, mainly due to the single five being played with every beat having the same weight. This is a theme throughout , so try to start the 5 off with a bit more finesse. Overall a lot of good work on show, work on the single fives to add more flow to your play.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jim Calderwood 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Haughs of Cromdale Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls of good quality, however the top snare on the drum sounds very choked. It's a pity that you have no melody to accompany you, maybe something you can rectify in the future. You show a good technique in most of your playing. Watch the ending bar each time, it sounds laboured and slightly out of time. Some passages in openwork seem to slow down, just needs a bit more fluency. Overall well played and you have a very good roll quality which is to be commended at this level.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gabrialle Pereira 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Good intro. Keeping a steady tempo in the 1st part. Sounded like a rimshot, but may be the recording. Playing well overall, however the melody is hard to hear, especially as the parts get a bit busier. You have a good technique and show promise if you keep up the hard work. Look at your video next time, as your drum was quite loud and didn't display light and shade as well as it might. Well played.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Steve Rogers 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Men of Argyll Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls a bit pulsey, it's important to work on achieving a smoother roll. Watch flams in 1st part, both sticks hitting at the same time making a thin sound. Losing integration with melody in the 3rd part. Single work (5) could be a little stronger in parts but overall a good show.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jennifer Mak 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Rolls could be a bit smoother. Side drum sounds quite flat overall. First 2 parts handled well. 3rd part losing integration with the melody. Some open work in the last part is not as clean as it should be. Good show overall.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are quite open and could be smoother. Try and not press the sticks down too much and you will find a more relaxed sound. Keeping tempo with the melody all through. Try and loosen on the grip on the left hand as its restricting the natural motion of the stick. Again work on your rolls to loosen things up, and this will help you greatly. Well done
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nicole Hibbet 🇦🇺 Tunes: Men of Argyll Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls could be smoother. Playing well overall, just watch your single runs as they are not coming over as clearly as they should. Good control of 3rd part. Slight loss of concentration towards the end of 4th part unfortunately. You have a natural looking grip and good technique — keep up the good work.
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Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: 79th Farewell to Gibraltar Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: A fair intro. You are slightly behind the beat at the start of the 1st part. Accentation to the melody is effective. Single fives at the ending bar are slightly too closed, you could relax on these which would help. Light and shade evident in the last part, especially. Well played overall showing good control . Well played!
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Eric Sennett 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Captain Norman Orr Ewing Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Rolls starting on the heavy side. Good uptake to march though. Nice use of light and shade 2nd and 3rd parts. Ending bar sounds mechanical, mainly due to the single five being played with every beat having the same weight. This is a theme throughout , so try to start the 5 off with a bit more finesse. Overall a lot of good work on show, work on the single fives to add more flow to your play.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jim Calderwood 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: The Haughs of Cromdale Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls of good quality, however the top snare on the drum sounds very choked. It's a pity that you have no melody to accompany you, maybe something you can rectify in the future. You show a good technique in most of your playing. Watch the ending bar each time, it sounds laboured and slightly out of time. Some passages in openwork seem to slow down, just needs a bit more fluency. Overall well played and you have a very good roll quality which is to be commended at this level.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gabrialle Pereira 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Good intro. Keeping a steady tempo in the 1st part. Sounded like a rimshot, but may be the recording. Playing well overall, however the melody is hard to hear, especially as the parts get a bit busier. You have a good technique and show promise if you keep up the hard work. Look at your video next time, as your drum was quite loud and didn't display light and shade as well as it might. Well played.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Steve Rogers 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Men of Argyll Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls a bit pulsey, it's important to work on achieving a smoother roll. Watch flams in 1st part, both sticks hitting at the same time making a thin sound. Losing integration with melody in the 3rd part. Single work (5) could be a little stronger in parts but overall a good show.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jennifer Mak 🇦🇺 Place: 6 Tunes: Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Rolls could be a bit smoother. Side drum sounds quite flat overall. First 2 parts handled well. 3rd part losing integration with the melody. Some open work in the last part is not as clean as it should be. Good show overall.
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Christiansen 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are quite open and could be smoother. Try and not press the sticks down too much and you will find a more relaxed sound. Keeping tempo with the melody all through. Try and loosen on the grip on the left hand as its restricting the natural motion of the stick. Again work on your rolls to loosen things up, and this will help you greatly. Well done
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Event 108. Grade 4 Side Drumming 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nicole Hibbet 🇦🇺 Tunes: Men of Argyll Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls could be smoother. Playing well overall, just watch your single runs as they are not coming over as clearly as they should. Good control of 3rd part. Slight loss of concentration towards the end of 4th part unfortunately. You have a natural looking grip and good technique — keep up the good work.
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Event 109. Grade 4 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Brest St Marc, Kesh Jig Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good left hand technique. Flam sound not consistent. You have a tendency to open the flam up a bit too much in places. Slight loss of control in your single movements in 2nd part of Brest St. Marc. Flafla flam technique from bar 2 into bar 3 in the first part of the Kesh jig needs work. Slightly loss of the triplet feel in the Kesh jig. A good performance overall but I'd like to see you put a bit more power into your playing. The various aspects I've mentioned above are being caused by playing too lightly on the drum. Good work Christopher. Keep it up.
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Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Brest St Marc, Kesh Jig Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good left hand technique. Flam sound not consistent. You have a tendency to open the flam up a bit too much in places. Slight loss of control in your single movements in 2nd part of Brest St. Marc. Flafla flam technique from bar 2 into bar 3 in the first part of the Kesh jig needs work. Slightly loss of the triplet feel in the Kesh jig. A good performance overall but I'd like to see you put a bit more power into your playing. The various aspects I've mentioned above are being caused by playing too lightly on the drum. Good work Christopher. Keep it up.
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Jacob (Jake) Markus 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Conundrum, the Doune of Invernochty, Arnish Light Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well executed — relaxed and controlled. Very nice. March: confident uptake to march, superb 5 stroke roll execution. Using some lovely motions to generate strong two bar phrasing. Excellent punch and dynamic flow, executing clearly at all volumes. Playing a bit off the snare at times, effecting sound of the drum slightly. 3rd part excellent, great light and shade. Superb flam execution throughout — showing off several different textures and approaches, nice to see. Spey: good break, nice patience, listening and control here. Spey idiom coming through clearly in terms of expression and dynamic. Reel: a touch ahead of the pipes at the outset here, back on track by the 2nd part. Effective dynamic approach in the 3rd, strong finish. Overall a very smooth, well executed, polished performance. Lots of thought went into the dynamic map here. Effective compositions making for an enjoyable ensemble presentation. Thanks, Jake!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ceana Fleury 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Young MacGregor, O'er the Bows to Ballindalloch/Louden's Bonnie Woods and Braes, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well executed — great sounding drum, crisp snare response. March: first flam quite flat, both times through the 1st part. Need to create some separation between the grace note and accent note. Nice swing from the outset with superb dynamic flow — showing off a very impressive range of volume, quality execution at all levels. Very nice composition, blending well with pipes. Watch drag weights in the 3rd part, a touch heavy, single execution suffering as well. 4th part fantastic, great roll dynamic. Spey: good transition, good patience and listening. Again, superb roll dynamic helping to punch out some very nice phrasing. Simple and effective scoring. Reel: confident entry to reel, impressive playing here. Gravitating nicely to the upbeat. Fully in control here. Effective application of motions, handing moving efficiently, generating a robust sound from the drum. Overall, a very enjoyable musical presentation. Thanks, Ceana!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #110 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed, pulses a bit crushed, could open up a touch. March: great uptake and good swing from the outset. Well though out dynamic map, very effective. Drag fives have a tendency to be a bit abrupt and rushed, try to relax the execution for a more open and metered sound. Playing nicely to the upbeat throughout. Superb execution of all open work, rolls just a touch stiff. Could relax the hands a bit and go for a softer, smoother sound. Losing swing a bit in the 4th part, bars 5 & 6. Spey: strong break, watch your 5 stroke roll execution, a bit thin sounding, need to ensure both pulses are being played with good intensity. Good phrasing throughout in terms of dynamic and expression. Short/cut 5's particularly problematic. Watch the weights on the 4th beat of the bar, especially on triplet groupings. Reel: controlled entry to reel, good swing here. Impressive execution of open work again. Drags a bit heavy, try to soften these up. Lovely windmill movements, great flam spacing. Overall a very enjoyable performance. Some stiff roll execution at times, but great fundamentals and loads of potential. Thanks, Ethan!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Vivienca Luong 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Well executed introductory rolls, good intensity. March: strong uptake to march, lively tempo. Confident playing with lots of lift. Excellent composition. Grooving well with the pipes in 1st and 2nd parts, starting to clip the phrase endings a touch in the 3rd, getting ahead here. Losing a bit of clarity on the soft stretches in the 4th part, try to articulate clearly at all volumes. Spey: excellent transition, superb patience and control. Executing the spey idiom quite well from the outset and throughout. Great dynamic flow, punching out all of the key phrase markers, lining up nicely with melody. Nice application of motions to achieve the S w m w feel. Reel: good break, flowing well through the first two parts. Execution deteriorating a bit in the 3rd, and jumping ahead again in the 4th. Overall, strong fundamentals and a very musical presentation. Some ensemble gaps, but the Spey in particular was locked in and quite impressive. Thanks, Vivienca!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Carter Green 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The Young MacGregor, Maggie Cameron, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed, crashing into first roll a bit. March: nice uptake to march, good listening and patience, swinging well with pipes through the 1st and 2nd parts. Starting to fall behind the melody a bit into the 3rd. Overall clean execution in the March, some tasty open work and good punch coming through. Spey: good break, some muddled execution in the 1st and falling behind the melody again here. Watch your 5 stroke roll execution, a bit thin sounding, need to ensure both pulses are being played with good intensity. Very nice cut-dot execution in 4th part, meshing nicely with pipes. Reel: good transition, very nice groove here. Relaxed, playing towards the back end of the beat but consistent and effective. Lots of confidence here, smooth execution. Superb reel playing. Overall, a very enjoyable performance. Some ensemble gaps in the March and Spey, but a very strong finish. Thanks, Carter!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Robert Perry 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Clan McColl, The Ewe with the Broken Horn, Caber Feidh Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. Nice tempo, good energy. March: strong execution from the outset, nice composition blending well with pipes. Getting to the upbeat consistently, great swing. Good variety of roll dynamic on display, although the open work seems a bit timid at times. Could use a bit more on the top end to help punch out some 2 bar phrases. 3rd part excellent, nice use of cut/dot movements, aligning nicely with melody. Spey: good break. Execution feels a bit stiff here, rounding off some of the phrases and not getting a consistent dot/cut feel. Improving through the tune, last part quite good, holding on to the downbeats longer and getting a better Spey feel as a result. Reel: break spot on. Nice control, spacing, and phrasing. Relaxed and in control the entire performance. Watch timing of triplet rolls, falling behind the beat. Thanks, Robert!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Pipe Major Willie Grey's Farewell to the Glasgow Police, Mac an Irish, The Blackberry Bush Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Well timed and executed introductory rolls. Smooth sound, very nice. March: well controlled from the outset, enjoyed the relaxed tempo. Drag fives have a tendency to be a bit abrupt and rushed, try to relax the execution for a more open and metered sound. Great composition, flowing nicely with melody. A touch heavy on triplet passages at time, taking away from the natural swing of the score. Spey: nice transition. Good tension and release here, using motions effectively to achieve the desired Spey expression. Reel: quite flat here. Integrating some highs and lows would add to overall musical presentation. You might benefit from a pointed (dot & cut) reel as opposed to a rounded reel such as this. Thanks, Christopher!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Colin Peters 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber, Caledonian Canal, Jock Wilson's Ball Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Good uptake to march, although a slightly uneven pulse to introductory roll. Lively tempo, good energy. March: executing well in the 1st part, some timing issues in the 2nd. Syncopated passages not aligning perfectly with the melody. Good lift in 3rd, nice roll dynamic, getting to the upbeats nicely and in time. Spey: good listening and patience here, well controlled. A bit flat in terms of dynamic flow, would like to hear you de-emphasize the volume on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th beats of each bar more consistently. Spey idiom not coming through. Reel: excellent break, good playing here through the 1st and 2nd parts. Some muddled execution in 3rd and 4th, not releasing from the roll passages cleanly into the single work. Ending not spot on. A nice presentation overall. Thanks, Colin!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Nathan Vander Leest 🇺🇸 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, Maggie Cameron and MacKay from Skye Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. March: shaky entry to the march, not spot on with pipes. Good recovery into repeat of 1st part. Settling nicely into the 2nd part, blending better with pipes here, good upswing and some very nice execution of open work. 4th part, excellent, lovely composition here. Spey: good break. Consistently jumping ahead of the pipes, need to pull it back and relax the phrasing and execution. Composition quite triplet heavy, not hearing the Spey dot/cut idiom coming through. Reel: another good transition. 1st part excellent, however getting well ahead of the pipes again in 3rd, ending not spot on. Overall some very good stretches, but need to focus on aligning your playing with the melody a bit better. Thanks, Nathan!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stuart Walker 🏴 Tunes: Hills of Perth, Dornie Ferry and Brown Haired Maid Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Nicely executed introductory rolls. Very smooth, nice sounding drum. Crisp snare response. March: nice swing from the outset, playing well with pipes. Great energy in the 3rd part, love this! Nice dynamic flow, really creating some excitement in the performance. Lots of contrast in parts 3 and 4, could find some opportunities in parts 1 and 2. Spey. good break, watch 5 stroke roll execution, not generating two quality pulses particularly on the cut/short 5s. Getting head of pipes in 3rd, 4th part quite triplet dominant, losing the dot-cut Spey feel towards the end. Reel: nice transition, superb dynamic flow here. Some impressive rudimental playing in the 3rd, but losing the swing in bars 1 and 2 a bit. Try to maintain the underlying dot-cut feel through both complex and simple phrases. Very enjoyable performance. Thanks, Stuart!
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Competitor: Jacob (Jake) Markus 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: The Conundrum, the Doune of Invernochty, Arnish Light Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well executed — relaxed and controlled. Very nice. March: confident uptake to march, superb 5 stroke roll execution. Using some lovely motions to generate strong two bar phrasing. Excellent punch and dynamic flow, executing clearly at all volumes. Playing a bit off the snare at times, effecting sound of the drum slightly. 3rd part excellent, great light and shade. Superb flam execution throughout — showing off several different textures and approaches, nice to see. Spey: good break, nice patience, listening and control here. Spey idiom coming through clearly in terms of expression and dynamic. Reel: a touch ahead of the pipes at the outset here, back on track by the 2nd part. Effective dynamic approach in the 3rd, strong finish. Overall a very smooth, well executed, polished performance. Lots of thought went into the dynamic map here. Effective compositions making for an enjoyable ensemble presentation. Thanks, Jake!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ceana Fleury 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: The Young MacGregor, O'er the Bows to Ballindalloch/Louden's Bonnie Woods and Braes, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well executed — great sounding drum, crisp snare response. March: first flam quite flat, both times through the 1st part. Need to create some separation between the grace note and accent note. Nice swing from the outset with superb dynamic flow — showing off a very impressive range of volume, quality execution at all levels. Very nice composition, blending well with pipes. Watch drag weights in the 3rd part, a touch heavy, single execution suffering as well. 4th part fantastic, great roll dynamic. Spey: good transition, good patience and listening. Again, superb roll dynamic helping to punch out some very nice phrasing. Simple and effective scoring. Reel: confident entry to reel, impressive playing here. Gravitating nicely to the upbeat. Fully in control here. Effective application of motions, handing moving efficiently, generating a robust sound from the drum. Overall, a very enjoyable musical presentation. Thanks, Ceana!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #110 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed, pulses a bit crushed, could open up a touch. March: great uptake and good swing from the outset. Well though out dynamic map, very effective. Drag fives have a tendency to be a bit abrupt and rushed, try to relax the execution for a more open and metered sound. Playing nicely to the upbeat throughout. Superb execution of all open work, rolls just a touch stiff. Could relax the hands a bit and go for a softer, smoother sound. Losing swing a bit in the 4th part, bars 5 & 6. Spey: strong break, watch your 5 stroke roll execution, a bit thin sounding, need to ensure both pulses are being played with good intensity. Good phrasing throughout in terms of dynamic and expression. Short/cut 5's particularly problematic. Watch the weights on the 4th beat of the bar, especially on triplet groupings. Reel: controlled entry to reel, good swing here. Impressive execution of open work again. Drags a bit heavy, try to soften these up. Lovely windmill movements, great flam spacing. Overall a very enjoyable performance. Some stiff roll execution at times, but great fundamentals and loads of potential. Thanks, Ethan!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Vivienca Luong 🇦🇺 Place: 4 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Well executed introductory rolls, good intensity. March: strong uptake to march, lively tempo. Confident playing with lots of lift. Excellent composition. Grooving well with the pipes in 1st and 2nd parts, starting to clip the phrase endings a touch in the 3rd, getting ahead here. Losing a bit of clarity on the soft stretches in the 4th part, try to articulate clearly at all volumes. Spey: excellent transition, superb patience and control. Executing the spey idiom quite well from the outset and throughout. Great dynamic flow, punching out all of the key phrase markers, lining up nicely with melody. Nice application of motions to achieve the S w m w feel. Reel: good break, flowing well through the first two parts. Execution deteriorating a bit in the 3rd, and jumping ahead again in the 4th. Overall, strong fundamentals and a very musical presentation. Some ensemble gaps, but the Spey in particular was locked in and quite impressive. Thanks, Vivienca!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Carter Green 🇨🇦 Place: 5 Tunes: The Young MacGregor, Maggie Cameron, Willie Murray's Reel Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed, crashing into first roll a bit. March: nice uptake to march, good listening and patience, swinging well with pipes through the 1st and 2nd parts. Starting to fall behind the melody a bit into the 3rd. Overall clean execution in the March, some tasty open work and good punch coming through. Spey: good break, some muddled execution in the 1st and falling behind the melody again here. Watch your 5 stroke roll execution, a bit thin sounding, need to ensure both pulses are being played with good intensity. Very nice cut-dot execution in 4th part, meshing nicely with pipes. Reel: good transition, very nice groove here. Relaxed, playing towards the back end of the beat but consistent and effective. Lots of confidence here, smooth execution. Superb reel playing. Overall, a very enjoyable performance. Some ensemble gaps in the March and Spey, but a very strong finish. Thanks, Carter!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Robert Perry 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Clan McColl, The Ewe with the Broken Horn, Caber Feidh Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. Nice tempo, good energy. March: strong execution from the outset, nice composition blending well with pipes. Getting to the upbeat consistently, great swing. Good variety of roll dynamic on display, although the open work seems a bit timid at times. Could use a bit more on the top end to help punch out some 2 bar phrases. 3rd part excellent, nice use of cut/dot movements, aligning nicely with melody. Spey: good break. Execution feels a bit stiff here, rounding off some of the phrases and not getting a consistent dot/cut feel. Improving through the tune, last part quite good, holding on to the downbeats longer and getting a better Spey feel as a result. Reel: break spot on. Nice control, spacing, and phrasing. Relaxed and in control the entire performance. Watch timing of triplet rolls, falling behind the beat. Thanks, Robert!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Tunes: Pipe Major Willie Grey's Farewell to the Glasgow Police, Mac an Irish, The Blackberry Bush Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Well timed and executed introductory rolls. Smooth sound, very nice. March: well controlled from the outset, enjoyed the relaxed tempo. Drag fives have a tendency to be a bit abrupt and rushed, try to relax the execution for a more open and metered sound. Great composition, flowing nicely with melody. A touch heavy on triplet passages at time, taking away from the natural swing of the score. Spey: nice transition. Good tension and release here, using motions effectively to achieve the desired Spey expression. Reel: quite flat here. Integrating some highs and lows would add to overall musical presentation. You might benefit from a pointed (dot & cut) reel as opposed to a rounded reel such as this. Thanks, Christopher!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Colin Peters 🇦🇺 Tunes: Prince Charles' Welcome to Lochaber, Caledonian Canal, Jock Wilson's Ball Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Good uptake to march, although a slightly uneven pulse to introductory roll. Lively tempo, good energy. March: executing well in the 1st part, some timing issues in the 2nd. Syncopated passages not aligning perfectly with the melody. Good lift in 3rd, nice roll dynamic, getting to the upbeats nicely and in time. Spey: good listening and patience here, well controlled. A bit flat in terms of dynamic flow, would like to hear you de-emphasize the volume on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th beats of each bar more consistently. Spey idiom not coming through. Reel: excellent break, good playing here through the 1st and 2nd parts. Some muddled execution in 3rd and 4th, not releasing from the roll passages cleanly into the single work. Ending not spot on. A nice presentation overall. Thanks, Colin!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Nathan Vander Leest 🇺🇸 Tunes: Arthur Bignold of Lochrosque, Maggie Cameron and MacKay from Skye Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Introductory rolls well timed and executed. March: shaky entry to the march, not spot on with pipes. Good recovery into repeat of 1st part. Settling nicely into the 2nd part, blending better with pipes here, good upswing and some very nice execution of open work. 4th part, excellent, lovely composition here. Spey: good break. Consistently jumping ahead of the pipes, need to pull it back and relax the phrasing and execution. Composition quite triplet heavy, not hearing the Spey dot/cut idiom coming through. Reel: another good transition. 1st part excellent, however getting well ahead of the pipes again in 3rd, ending not spot on. Overall some very good stretches, but need to focus on aligning your playing with the melody a bit better. Thanks, Nathan!
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Event 110. Grade 3 Side Drumming March Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Stuart Walker 🏴 Tunes: Hills of Perth, Dornie Ferry and Brown Haired Maid Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Nicely executed introductory rolls. Very smooth, nice sounding drum. Crisp snare response. March: nice swing from the outset, playing well with pipes. Great energy in the 3rd part, love this! Nice dynamic flow, really creating some excitement in the performance. Lots of contrast in parts 3 and 4, could find some opportunities in parts 1 and 2. Spey. good break, watch 5 stroke roll execution, not generating two quality pulses particularly on the cut/short 5s. Getting head of pipes in 3rd, 4th part quite triplet dominant, losing the dot-cut Spey feel towards the end. Reel: nice transition, superb dynamic flow here. Some impressive rudimental playing in the 3rd, but losing the swing in bars 1 and 2 a bit. Try to maintain the underlying dot-cut feel through both complex and simple phrases. Very enjoyable performance. Thanks, Stuart!
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Carter Green 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Jean Mauchline Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo, introduction rolls had a tap between 1st & 2nd roll. You showed good rudiment control, I would like to see you work on joining your rudiments together to improve your phrasing in compound time, this would certainly add to the accuracy to the melody, you tend to fluctuate playing behind and then in front of the beat note. You also demonstrated your ability to play within your natural dynamic range, never overstriking the drum and control at the lower end, this certainly added to the enjoyment of your performance. This was a confidence performance Carter, I would like to wish you well as you continue on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ceana Fleury 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Hot Punch, The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls. Left hand stick remains on the drumhead when the right stick plays terminal tap of roll, this does influence the sound coming off the drum. The anacrusis to opening tune was not accurate, once into the tune you were able to maintain the basic pulse and subdivision of notes. I would like to see you use the lower end of your dynamic range, this would certainly add more emotion to the performance and help with phrasing. During your longer rolls you leave your final buzz stick resting on the drum prior to the terminal tap, the same issue as the introduction rolls, this seems to be a habit, this is one I had for a time, some focused practice will eliminate this issue. The occasional short roll failed to finish with a clean tap, they just tend faded out. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Ceana, and I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jacob (Jake) Markus 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Muckin' a Georgie's Byre, Bonnie Dundee Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo, I felt you just dropped off behind the beat as you entered the tune and it lacked the drive required to bring the score to life, in saying that, it was a confident performance with some well controlled rudiments. 2nd and 3rd part – great use of dynamics, some timing issues with accent roll movement but well phrased. 4th part the longer runs subdividing the triplet lacked the metrical accent and didn’t add to the presentation of the written drum score Great flam work throughout especially your flam rolls, very consistent and clean. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Jacob, and I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nathan Vander Leest 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo Nathan, your introduction rolls had a slight pulsating sound coming through, this was due to a different height of buzz from each stick. I would have liked to see more drive throughout the performance your rudiments were clean however they just floated around the beat note lacking accuracy to the metrical accent. You showed your full dynamic range, this certainly added to the enjoyment of your performance. 3rd part suffered some inaccurate playing, loosing clarity and accuracy of rudiments. 4th part triplet runs with flams, you just need to push these out a little quicker and don’t let the flame hold your momentum back. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Nathan, and I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 5 Tunes: Event #111 Tune Names: Kirkwall Bay, Dornoch Highland Gathering. Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Confident introduction, however, the tempo dropped as you entered the tune. I felt you paused between rudiments to show the accuracy of your playing, but lacking a melody to play along with did upset your phrasing, effecting the basic pulse and subdivision of notes. 2nd part accent roll work felt forced as you neared the end of the second beat, try and relax the grip while creating more volume. I would like to see you relax your left hand during your short roll work, this would allow for a fuller sound to be produced, this was most evident in the 4th part, there were also some timing issues in this part. You demonstrated in this performance that you have a good knowledge of rudiment structure and are able to control your drum sticks, may I suggest you continue to focus on your basic rudimental work, this is the building blocks of all drum scores and will assist you in reaching your goals. This was a confidence performance Ethan, I would like to wish you well as you continue on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Robert Perry 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Glendaruel Highlanders Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Introduction rolls had a slight pulsating sound coming through, uneven pressure during buzzes between each stick. I felt you followed the melody and at times slightly behind the beat, I would like to see you on the beat and drive the score/performance. Your rudiment work is very clean however when joining them into phrases they don’t always flow musically. You used a good range of dynamics adding to the enjoyment of the written score. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Robert, and I wish you well on your drumming journey. P.S. Loved the drumming room!
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Competitor: Carter Green 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Jean Mauchline Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo, introduction rolls had a tap between 1st & 2nd roll. You showed good rudiment control, I would like to see you work on joining your rudiments together to improve your phrasing in compound time, this would certainly add to the accuracy to the melody, you tend to fluctuate playing behind and then in front of the beat note. You also demonstrated your ability to play within your natural dynamic range, never overstriking the drum and control at the lower end, this certainly added to the enjoyment of your performance. This was a confidence performance Carter, I would like to wish you well as you continue on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ceana Fleury 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Hot Punch, The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls. Left hand stick remains on the drumhead when the right stick plays terminal tap of roll, this does influence the sound coming off the drum. The anacrusis to opening tune was not accurate, once into the tune you were able to maintain the basic pulse and subdivision of notes. I would like to see you use the lower end of your dynamic range, this would certainly add more emotion to the performance and help with phrasing. During your longer rolls you leave your final buzz stick resting on the drum prior to the terminal tap, the same issue as the introduction rolls, this seems to be a habit, this is one I had for a time, some focused practice will eliminate this issue. The occasional short roll failed to finish with a clean tap, they just tend faded out. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Ceana, and I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Jacob (Jake) Markus 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Muckin' a Georgie's Byre, Bonnie Dundee Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo, I felt you just dropped off behind the beat as you entered the tune and it lacked the drive required to bring the score to life, in saying that, it was a confident performance with some well controlled rudiments. 2nd and 3rd part – great use of dynamics, some timing issues with accent roll movement but well phrased. 4th part the longer runs subdividing the triplet lacked the metrical accent and didn’t add to the presentation of the written drum score Great flam work throughout especially your flam rolls, very consistent and clean. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Jacob, and I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nathan Vander Leest 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Angus MacKinnon Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well set tempo Nathan, your introduction rolls had a slight pulsating sound coming through, this was due to a different height of buzz from each stick. I would have liked to see more drive throughout the performance your rudiments were clean however they just floated around the beat note lacking accuracy to the metrical accent. You showed your full dynamic range, this certainly added to the enjoyment of your performance. 3rd part suffered some inaccurate playing, loosing clarity and accuracy of rudiments. 4th part triplet runs with flams, you just need to push these out a little quicker and don’t let the flame hold your momentum back. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Nathan, and I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 5 Tunes: Event #111 Tune Names: Kirkwall Bay, Dornoch Highland Gathering. Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Confident introduction, however, the tempo dropped as you entered the tune. I felt you paused between rudiments to show the accuracy of your playing, but lacking a melody to play along with did upset your phrasing, effecting the basic pulse and subdivision of notes. 2nd part accent roll work felt forced as you neared the end of the second beat, try and relax the grip while creating more volume. I would like to see you relax your left hand during your short roll work, this would allow for a fuller sound to be produced, this was most evident in the 4th part, there were also some timing issues in this part. You demonstrated in this performance that you have a good knowledge of rudiment structure and are able to control your drum sticks, may I suggest you continue to focus on your basic rudimental work, this is the building blocks of all drum scores and will assist you in reaching your goals. This was a confidence performance Ethan, I would like to wish you well as you continue on your drumming journey.
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Event 111. Grade 3 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Robert Perry 🇺🇸 Place: 6 Tunes: Glendaruel Highlanders Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Introduction rolls had a slight pulsating sound coming through, uneven pressure during buzzes between each stick. I felt you followed the melody and at times slightly behind the beat, I would like to see you on the beat and drive the score/performance. Your rudiment work is very clean however when joining them into phrases they don’t always flow musically. You used a good range of dynamics adding to the enjoyment of the written score. I would like to thank you for an enjoyable and confident performance to day Robert, and I wish you well on your drumming journey. P.S. Loved the drumming room!
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Carter Green 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Minnie Hynd, The Whistling Postman Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Some very good playing in your first jig but you lost a bit of composure, control and clarity in the second jig. Good use of dynamics throughout. Great roll and flam technique but drags and drag rudiments in the 2nd jig are not as clean and controlled as they should be. Work on opening up your single stroke rudiments as you have a tendancy to slightly rush through them. Overall a very good performance with only minor issues to fix. Keep up the excellent work Carter.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ceana Fleury 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Hammer on the Anvil, The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Great roll technique throughout. Flams are a bit open which is affecting the rudiments around them. Lapses in control and clarity coming through throughout the Kesh jig. Overall a nice set of jigs to listen to. Work on your flam technique to tightening up the sound and execution. Keep up the good work Ceana.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Adam Stoneman 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Settled into triplet jig feel in the 2nd time through the 1st part. Execution of singles in 2nd part a bit rushed and uneven. Paradiddle at beginning of 3rd part not controlled and lacking clarity. Slowing down in 3rd part. Lacking dynamics throughout. Nice bit of flair at the end. Work on being more definite in the execution of your rudiments in relation to the triplets in each bar of the jig. Keep up the great work Adam.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Brest St Marc, Kesh Jig Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good left hand technique. Flam sound not consistent. You have a tendancy to open the flam up a bit too much in places. Slight loss of control in your single movements in 2nd part of Brest St Marc. Flafla flam technique from bar 2 into bar 3 in the first part of the Kesh jig needs work. Slightly loss of the triplet feel in the Kesh jig. A good performance overall but I'd like to see you put a bit more power into your playing. The various aspects where you are losing control or clarity are being caused by playing too lightly on the drum. Be definite with your rudiments.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Liam Twamley 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Overall the the jig got better and more confident as you went along. You executed the rudiments well but lacked the dynamic range needed in the first 2 parts. The main aspect that you will need to work on is getting some more weight behind your flams and your drags. This will give you more punch in your playing. Technique wise your right hand is pretty good but your left hand is relying more on arm or wrist movement to play the music rather than finger control of the stick. Keep up the good work Liam.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Stuart Walker 🏴 Place: 6 Tunes: Mauchline Jig circa 2007 Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good uptake to the tempo set. Good control in first time through first part but lost a bit of the flow going into the repeat. Tempo speeding up slightly going into 4th part. Playing coming across as very mechanical and lacking dynamics. I would suggest slowing the tempo down a bit to extract more musicality out of the music. While you have good control of the rudiments you'll need to work on the clarity and consistency of how they come across in a musical sense. You will also need to incorporate more dynamics/light & shade into your playing to make it less mechanical. Keep up the good work Stuart.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Colin Peters 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Very nice flam technique. Losing consistency in the sound quality of the buzzes in the roll movements in the 4th part Overall playing felt slightly disjointed and didn't flow with the triplet feel of the jig. Work on relaxing your playing and opening up your rudiments to create a better flow in the music. Keep up the good work Colin.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Tunes: Event #112 Tune Names: The Booner Jig, Jim Wards Jig. Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: The tempo is too quick and that negatively affected your control and clarity throughout your performance. You did a great job to maintain that tempo but it was too quick for you. Slight slip in 2nd part of 1st jig. Great job in controlling your singles in the 2nd part of Jim Wards Jig. Overall the speed issue really affected your performance and it looked and sounded like you were really struggling to play the scores at that speed. Work on consistently hitting the same tempo when practicing for a solo contest and set a tempo that will not adversely affect your technique. Keep up the good work Ethan.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nathan Vander Leest 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Curlew Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good left hand technique. Work on relaxing your right hand technique. At the moment you are clamping down on the stick which is restricting the movement of the stick and the speed at which you can play. You rushed ahead of piping in the 3rd part. This is due to playing your single stroke rudiments too quickly. Open these up and work on the evenness. Also work on slowing the tempo down that you are playing at. Technique should always be prioritized over speed and should never be sacrificed. Slow the tempo down to a point where you can control even tap and buzz within the music. Keep up the good work Nathan.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Robert Perry 🇺🇸 Tunes: Inspector Donald Campbell Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Flowing nicely with the piping. Lacking dynamics throughout. Good triplet feel coming across. Single stroke and double stroke rudiments are coming across as very mechanical. Work on getting more finger control with your sticks instead of your wrists and arms controlling them. Overall a nice performance but lacking a bit a fluidity in the execution of some rudiments. Keep up the good work Robert.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vivienca Luong 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Playing is slightly disjointed overall and not flowing smoothly with the piping. You are losing clarity in your single stroke rudiments by not controlling every note and making sure they are evenly placed. Speeding up in the 3rd part and you were having to compensate to get back into sync with the piping which disrupted the flow of the music. Good control of the roll movement in the 4th part. Performance lacked dynamics throughout. You are really confident playing on a drum, which is excellent to see, but you will need to work on opening your playing up and really focus on getting that triplet/jig timing to come through. Keep up the good work Vivienca.
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Competitor: Carter Green 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Minnie Hynd, The Whistling Postman Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Some very good playing in your first jig but you lost a bit of composure, control and clarity in the second jig. Good use of dynamics throughout. Great roll and flam technique but drags and drag rudiments in the 2nd jig are not as clean and controlled as they should be. Work on opening up your single stroke rudiments as you have a tendancy to slightly rush through them. Overall a very good performance with only minor issues to fix. Keep up the excellent work Carter.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ceana Fleury 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Hammer on the Anvil, The Rock and the Wee Pickle Tow Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Great roll technique throughout. Flams are a bit open which is affecting the rudiments around them. Lapses in control and clarity coming through throughout the Kesh jig. Overall a nice set of jigs to listen to. Work on your flam technique to tightening up the sound and execution. Keep up the good work Ceana.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Adam Stoneman 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Settled into triplet jig feel in the 2nd time through the 1st part. Execution of singles in 2nd part a bit rushed and uneven. Paradiddle at beginning of 3rd part not controlled and lacking clarity. Slowing down in 3rd part. Lacking dynamics throughout. Nice bit of flair at the end. Work on being more definite in the execution of your rudiments in relation to the triplets in each bar of the jig. Keep up the great work Adam.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christopher Murray 🇨🇦 Place: 4 Tunes: Brest St Marc, Kesh Jig Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good left hand technique. Flam sound not consistent. You have a tendancy to open the flam up a bit too much in places. Slight loss of control in your single movements in 2nd part of Brest St Marc. Flafla flam technique from bar 2 into bar 3 in the first part of the Kesh jig needs work. Slightly loss of the triplet feel in the Kesh jig. A good performance overall but I'd like to see you put a bit more power into your playing. The various aspects where you are losing control or clarity are being caused by playing too lightly on the drum. Be definite with your rudiments.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Liam Twamley 🇦🇺 Place: 5 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Overall the the jig got better and more confident as you went along. You executed the rudiments well but lacked the dynamic range needed in the first 2 parts. The main aspect that you will need to work on is getting some more weight behind your flams and your drags. This will give you more punch in your playing. Technique wise your right hand is pretty good but your left hand is relying more on arm or wrist movement to play the music rather than finger control of the stick. Keep up the good work Liam.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Stuart Walker 🏴 Place: 6 Tunes: Mauchline Jig circa 2007 Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good uptake to the tempo set. Good control in first time through first part but lost a bit of the flow going into the repeat. Tempo speeding up slightly going into 4th part. Playing coming across as very mechanical and lacking dynamics. I would suggest slowing the tempo down a bit to extract more musicality out of the music. While you have good control of the rudiments you'll need to work on the clarity and consistency of how they come across in a musical sense. You will also need to incorporate more dynamics/light & shade into your playing to make it less mechanical. Keep up the good work Stuart.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Colin Peters 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Very nice flam technique. Losing consistency in the sound quality of the buzzes in the roll movements in the 4th part Overall playing felt slightly disjointed and didn't flow with the triplet feel of the jig. Work on relaxing your playing and opening up your rudiments to create a better flow in the music. Keep up the good work Colin.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Tunes: Event #112 Tune Names: The Booner Jig, Jim Wards Jig. Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: The tempo is too quick and that negatively affected your control and clarity throughout your performance. You did a great job to maintain that tempo but it was too quick for you. Slight slip in 2nd part of 1st jig. Great job in controlling your singles in the 2nd part of Jim Wards Jig. Overall the speed issue really affected your performance and it looked and sounded like you were really struggling to play the scores at that speed. Work on consistently hitting the same tempo when practicing for a solo contest and set a tempo that will not adversely affect your technique. Keep up the good work Ethan.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Nathan Vander Leest 🇺🇸 Tunes: The Curlew Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good left hand technique. Work on relaxing your right hand technique. At the moment you are clamping down on the stick which is restricting the movement of the stick and the speed at which you can play. You rushed ahead of piping in the 3rd part. This is due to playing your single stroke rudiments too quickly. Open these up and work on the evenness. Also work on slowing the tempo down that you are playing at. Technique should always be prioritized over speed and should never be sacrificed. Slow the tempo down to a point where you can control even tap and buzz within the music. Keep up the good work Nathan.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Robert Perry 🇺🇸 Tunes: Inspector Donald Campbell Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Flowing nicely with the piping. Lacking dynamics throughout. Good triplet feel coming across. Single stroke and double stroke rudiments are coming across as very mechanical. Work on getting more finger control with your sticks instead of your wrists and arms controlling them. Overall a nice performance but lacking a bit a fluidity in the execution of some rudiments. Keep up the good work Robert.
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Event 112. Grade 3 Side Drumming Jig (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Vivienca Luong 🇦🇺 Tunes: Atholl Highlanders Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Playing is slightly disjointed overall and not flowing smoothly with the piping. You are losing clarity in your single stroke rudiments by not controlling every note and making sure they are evenly placed. Speeding up in the 3rd part and you were having to compensate to get back into sync with the piping which disrupted the flow of the music. Good control of the roll movement in the 4th part. Performance lacked dynamics throughout. You are really confident playing on a drum, which is excellent to see, but you will need to work on opening your playing up and really focus on getting that triplet/jig timing to come through. Keep up the good work Vivienca.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Links of Forth, Maggie Cameron, John McKegney Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Confident introduction, well set tempo with plenty of drive throughout the March. I would like to see a greater control at the lower end of your dynamic range, I felt your doubles lacked clarity when played with the weight taken out of them. Inconsistent flam work, very tight at times. Strathspey – well set tempo, you tend to play at the back end of the beat note, it felt like you are chasing the melody. You showed a good understanding of the strathspey idiom, providing plenty of lift, excellent. Reel – Clean break and solid tempo. You played this with confidence and with plenty of light and shade. Congratulations Hollie on a very confident and enjoyable performance, these were a high standard of drum scores performed excellently. I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Aditya J. Vasudevan 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: March-The Ross-Shire Volunteers; Strathspey- Dora MacLeod; Reel- The Smith of Chilliechasse Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well controlled with confident introduction rolls on a well set up instrument. March – Tempo slightly down but held throughout, you displayed good rudimental control. I felt more work could be done on your expression, at times it felt like it was lacking control and rudiments just came across as flat or loud in volume, other times you seemed to have mastered the use of your natural dynamic range. You had a slight slip prior to the break into the strathspey. Strathspey – Break not together with piper, tended to play slightly behind the melody throughout the full score. Nice open rudiments, I would have liked to see more work at the lower end of your dynamic range. You had a nice strong pulse coming through the score. Reel – solid tempo, again I feel you are just following the melody rather then driving the performance. Your roll work is excellent, you displayed a high level of musicality, but some phrasing lacked consistency within the overall performance. Congratulations on an excellent presentation today Aditya, I wish you well on your pipe band drumming journey.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #113 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Confident introduction, tempo unsteady at times during 1st part, the lack of a piper has contributed to this. You tended to overstrike your big accents, trying to give the impression of a large dynamic range, could I suggest working on the lower end of this range to increase the scope of soft and loud throughout the score, this would show more control and help bring out the emotion to your performance. Strathspey — accurate break, a good use of light and shade throughout, at times you had some phrasing issue resulting in a tempo shift throughout the tune. Reel – Nice tempo shift from strathspey, 1st part lacked expression, and at times lacked musical flow. You left hand stayed low for most of the reel, resulting in a loss of rudiment clarity, as the tune went on, your accuracy faded. Try and keep rudiments open, lift your sticks to let the sound out, this does not mean slowing the tempo down. It felt like you were listening to a recording and were fighting with the tempo, this tends to happen when not using a piper in your performance.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hugh MacCallum 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: Pipe Major Jim Christie of Wick, Caberfeidh, Alick C. MacGregor Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Introduction slightly on the slower side of a March, tempo maintained into 1st part. I would like to see you open up your rudiments, more height from your sticks would assist, rudiments lacked clarity, sounding almost muffled at times, lacking accuracy from beat to beat, this did cause some phrasing issues throughout the March. It almost felt like you were fighting with the tempo with the pipe recording. Strathspey – Tempo slightly fast for you and this score. More SWMW would also help with the presentation of the music. Reel – transition was rushed and remained too fast for you, this resulted in a lack of clarity and musical flow. Hugh, I felt the tempos weren’t right for you today, it felt rushed and just lacked the musical flow that I was looking for with these tunes. It is difficult to play to a recording as you can’t see the variation in tempos, the breaks are just that little bit more difficult. Can I suggest you continue to work on your basic rudiments, this should be a regular part of your practice routine and will definitely help move you to the next level.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 5 Tunes: Event #113 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls, tempo inconsistent and lacking clarity in 1st part of March. March – I would like to see you focus on phrasing, as you moved through the drum score you need to be able to join these together with accuracy and expression, unfortunately today this lacked the musical flow required. It almost felt like you were fighting a recording for a steady tempo. Strathspey – You could feel the strong pulse coming through the score, rolls felt forced and uneven in texture, again some timing issues. Reel – lacked dynamics and didn’t flow as the written score intended. I felt that you were fighting tempos all the way through this performance, possibly the scores were just that little bit beyond you at this tempo for this stage in your drumming career. You show a lot of potential and have a good understanding of rudiments in pipe band drumming. Ethan, I look forward in seeing you develop your natural talent and progress in the pipe band drumming arena.
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Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Links of Forth, Maggie Cameron, John McKegney Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Confident introduction, well set tempo with plenty of drive throughout the March. I would like to see a greater control at the lower end of your dynamic range, I felt your doubles lacked clarity when played with the weight taken out of them. Inconsistent flam work, very tight at times. Strathspey – well set tempo, you tend to play at the back end of the beat note, it felt like you are chasing the melody. You showed a good understanding of the strathspey idiom, providing plenty of lift, excellent. Reel – Clean break and solid tempo. You played this with confidence and with plenty of light and shade. Congratulations Hollie on a very confident and enjoyable performance, these were a high standard of drum scores performed excellently. I wish you well on your drumming journey.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Aditya J. Vasudevan 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: March-The Ross-Shire Volunteers; Strathspey- Dora MacLeod; Reel- The Smith of Chilliechasse Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Well controlled with confident introduction rolls on a well set up instrument. March – Tempo slightly down but held throughout, you displayed good rudimental control. I felt more work could be done on your expression, at times it felt like it was lacking control and rudiments just came across as flat or loud in volume, other times you seemed to have mastered the use of your natural dynamic range. You had a slight slip prior to the break into the strathspey. Strathspey – Break not together with piper, tended to play slightly behind the melody throughout the full score. Nice open rudiments, I would have liked to see more work at the lower end of your dynamic range. You had a nice strong pulse coming through the score. Reel – solid tempo, again I feel you are just following the melody rather then driving the performance. Your roll work is excellent, you displayed a high level of musicality, but some phrasing lacked consistency within the overall performance. Congratulations on an excellent presentation today Aditya, I wish you well on your pipe band drumming journey.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #113 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Confident introduction, tempo unsteady at times during 1st part, the lack of a piper has contributed to this. You tended to overstrike your big accents, trying to give the impression of a large dynamic range, could I suggest working on the lower end of this range to increase the scope of soft and loud throughout the score, this would show more control and help bring out the emotion to your performance. Strathspey — accurate break, a good use of light and shade throughout, at times you had some phrasing issue resulting in a tempo shift throughout the tune. Reel – Nice tempo shift from strathspey, 1st part lacked expression, and at times lacked musical flow. You left hand stayed low for most of the reel, resulting in a loss of rudiment clarity, as the tune went on, your accuracy faded. Try and keep rudiments open, lift your sticks to let the sound out, this does not mean slowing the tempo down. It felt like you were listening to a recording and were fighting with the tempo, this tends to happen when not using a piper in your performance.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hugh MacCallum 🏴 Place: 4 Tunes: Pipe Major Jim Christie of Wick, Caberfeidh, Alick C. MacGregor Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Introduction slightly on the slower side of a March, tempo maintained into 1st part. I would like to see you open up your rudiments, more height from your sticks would assist, rudiments lacked clarity, sounding almost muffled at times, lacking accuracy from beat to beat, this did cause some phrasing issues throughout the March. It almost felt like you were fighting with the tempo with the pipe recording. Strathspey – Tempo slightly fast for you and this score. More SWMW would also help with the presentation of the music. Reel – transition was rushed and remained too fast for you, this resulted in a lack of clarity and musical flow. Hugh, I felt the tempos weren’t right for you today, it felt rushed and just lacked the musical flow that I was looking for with these tunes. It is difficult to play to a recording as you can’t see the variation in tempos, the breaks are just that little bit more difficult. Can I suggest you continue to work on your basic rudiments, this should be a regular part of your practice routine and will definitely help move you to the next level.
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Event 113. Grade 2 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 5 Tunes: Event #113 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Pulsating introduction rolls, tempo inconsistent and lacking clarity in 1st part of March. March – I would like to see you focus on phrasing, as you moved through the drum score you need to be able to join these together with accuracy and expression, unfortunately today this lacked the musical flow required. It almost felt like you were fighting a recording for a steady tempo. Strathspey – You could feel the strong pulse coming through the score, rolls felt forced and uneven in texture, again some timing issues. Reel – lacked dynamics and didn’t flow as the written score intended. I felt that you were fighting tempos all the way through this performance, possibly the scores were just that little bit beyond you at this tempo for this stage in your drumming career. You show a lot of potential and have a good understanding of rudiments in pipe band drumming. Ethan, I look forward in seeing you develop your natural talent and progress in the pipe band drumming arena.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: 98 and counting Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Great 6/8 march phrasing coming through. Good use of dynamics. Slight loss of control in ending phrase of 3rd part 1st time through. Slightly rushing through the singles in the first 2 bars of of the 4th part. A very good performance. Keep up the great work Hollie.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: Event #114 Tune Names: Bill Boyle Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Slip in first intro roll. Tempo slowing down in bar 3 of 1st part. Good 6/8 march phrasing coming through. Rushing execution of drag fives in 4th part. Overall a good performance. Keep up the good work Connor.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Aditya J. Vasudevan 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: 6/8 March - The Braemar Gathering Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good uptake to tempo set. Good 6/8 march phrasing coming through. A bit tentative in the phrasing of bars 2 & 6 of the 1st part. Lacking control in the subdivided movements in the first 2 bars of the 2nd part. Slight rushing of the timing of singles in the 2nd time through the 3rd part. Just losing a bit of control in your singles in the 4th part. Good use of dynamics throughout. A really good 6/8 march performance. Keep up the good work Adi.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 4 Tunes: Event #114 Tune Names: Kirkwall Bay, Dornoch Highland Gathering. Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good uptake to the tempo set. Rushing through singles and triplet coming out of roll movements. Roll quality in 2nd part not as good as 1st part. Not enough power behind the roll and losing control of the buzzes. Rushing ahead of tempo in 4th part. Not controlling singles coming out the roll in 4th part. Overall a pleasing performance with only minor issues in technique to look at. Keep up the great work Ethan.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hugh MacCallum 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: Tug Argan Gap Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. 6/8 march phrasing feels rushed. Lacking clarity in the execution of your subdivided triplet in the 1st part. Make sure you are giving the 13 stroke roll in bar 1 of the 3rd part its full value before going into your singles. You have a tendency to leave a small gap between the final buzz and tap at the end of your rolls. Work on eliminating that small gap. The phrasing in the first 2 bars of the 4th part is coming across as too round and lacking the 6/8 march phrasing/swing. A nice performance with phrasing being one of the main points to work on. Trying relaxing the tempo to bring out the phrasing more. Here is an example of the phrasing required for that drum score: https://youtu.be/jwG2YArqCOE.
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Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: 98 and counting Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Great 6/8 march phrasing coming through. Good use of dynamics. Slight loss of control in ending phrase of 3rd part 1st time through. Slightly rushing through the singles in the first 2 bars of of the 4th part. A very good performance. Keep up the great work Hollie.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: Event #114 Tune Names: Bill Boyle Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Slip in first intro roll. Tempo slowing down in bar 3 of 1st part. Good 6/8 march phrasing coming through. Rushing execution of drag fives in 4th part. Overall a good performance. Keep up the good work Connor.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Aditya J. Vasudevan 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: 6/8 March - The Braemar Gathering Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good uptake to tempo set. Good 6/8 march phrasing coming through. A bit tentative in the phrasing of bars 2 & 6 of the 1st part. Lacking control in the subdivided movements in the first 2 bars of the 2nd part. Slight rushing of the timing of singles in the 2nd time through the 3rd part. Just losing a bit of control in your singles in the 4th part. Good use of dynamics throughout. A really good 6/8 march performance. Keep up the good work Adi.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 4 Tunes: Event #114 Tune Names: Kirkwall Bay, Dornoch Highland Gathering. Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good uptake to the tempo set. Rushing through singles and triplet coming out of roll movements. Roll quality in 2nd part not as good as 1st part. Not enough power behind the roll and losing control of the buzzes. Rushing ahead of tempo in 4th part. Not controlling singles coming out the roll in 4th part. Overall a pleasing performance with only minor issues in technique to look at. Keep up the great work Ethan.
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Event 114. Grade 2 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hugh MacCallum 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: Tug Argan Gap Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. 6/8 march phrasing feels rushed. Lacking clarity in the execution of your subdivided triplet in the 1st part. Make sure you are giving the 13 stroke roll in bar 1 of the 3rd part its full value before going into your singles. You have a tendency to leave a small gap between the final buzz and tap at the end of your rolls. Work on eliminating that small gap. The phrasing in the first 2 bars of the 4th part is coming across as too round and lacking the 6/8 march phrasing/swing. A nice performance with phrasing being one of the main points to work on. Trying relaxing the tempo to bring out the phrasing more. Here is an example of the phrasing required for that drum score: https://youtu.be/jwG2YArqCOE.
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Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Rhonda Blair, Old Wife of the Mill Dust Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Good intro. Bright tempo and uptake to Rhonda Blair. Playing well here with a good understanding of the structure of the melody. Confident switch to jig time. Playing is generally clean and precise. Rough combination 3rd part not spot on first time through, not much else wrong here. Well played and presented — a competent performance. Well done!
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"Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Aditya J. Vasudevan 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Hornpipe - Touching Cloth Jig - Bronni’s Blue Brozzi Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Good quality intro. Playing really well with good accentation and an attractive tune and score. Very enjoyable hornpipe. Entry to jig is a bit behind the melody in the 1st part. Excellent use of light and shade towards the end. I feel the tempo of the melody caught you out a little but you show great awareness and understanding. You have a bright future — well done!
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" Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #115 Tune Names: Sandpiper, Last tango in Harris Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Strong intro. Good technique and precise playing. Drum sounds quite choked from the top snare though. Some minor errors creeping in towards the end of the hornpipe. Break to jig sounds slow at the start and quite laboured. Losing your way a little in the last part. The absence of a melody doesn't help your case as it does not give the opportunity to judge fully how you cope with expression. That said, a lot of good play on show from an execution perspective. Well done.
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Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hugh MacCallum 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: The Mason's Apron and The Thief of Lochaber Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Smooth intro. Small error towards end of 1st part. Drum is lacking in snare. Some flam work not coming as clearly as it should. Change to jig — solid. Some smaller issues here actually, flams not clear at times, drum sound does not help much, especially in roll movements. Jig score is quite repetitive, maybe some more variation would help. Also the lack of melody makes it difficult for a true reflection even though I know the tunes.
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Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 6 Tunes: Event #115 Tune Names: Coppermill, The Booner Jig, Jim Wards Jig. Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are uneven. 1st part second time through, tempo is getting faster. Watch phrasing at ending bar, last 7 stroke roll is rushed. Flam combination is unclear each time you play it, this needs attention. The 1st jig is very straight and continuous, not much breathing space here. Better in 2nd as in there is a lot more cohesion but not much volume change. The lack of melody doesn't help. Some decent playing but work on your light and shade, it will help your performance a lot. Well done
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Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Evan Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Tunes: Train Journey North, Glasgow City Police Pipe Band Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are a little on the pulsating side. Falling behind the beat first part ending bar. Some of the open work could be a bit clearer. Break to jig was ok but falling behind the melody again in early stages of the jig. Settling down after and the jig improved towards the end. Unfortunately playing on a drum is mandatory in this category — hence disqualified.
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Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Rhonda Blair, Old Wife of the Mill Dust Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Good intro. Bright tempo and uptake to Rhonda Blair. Playing well here with a good understanding of the structure of the melody. Confident switch to jig time. Playing is generally clean and precise. Rough combination 3rd part not spot on first time through, not much else wrong here. Well played and presented — a competent performance. Well done!
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"Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Aditya J. Vasudevan 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Hornpipe - Touching Cloth Jig - Bronni’s Blue Brozzi Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Good quality intro. Playing really well with good accentation and an attractive tune and score. Very enjoyable hornpipe. Entry to jig is a bit behind the melody in the 1st part. Excellent use of light and shade towards the end. I feel the tempo of the melody caught you out a little but you show great awareness and understanding. You have a bright future — well done!
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" Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #115 Tune Names: Sandpiper, Last tango in Harris Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Strong intro. Good technique and precise playing. Drum sounds quite choked from the top snare though. Some minor errors creeping in towards the end of the hornpipe. Break to jig sounds slow at the start and quite laboured. Losing your way a little in the last part. The absence of a melody doesn't help your case as it does not give the opportunity to judge fully how you cope with expression. That said, a lot of good play on show from an execution perspective. Well done.
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Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hugh MacCallum 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: The Mason's Apron and The Thief of Lochaber Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Smooth intro. Small error towards end of 1st part. Drum is lacking in snare. Some flam work not coming as clearly as it should. Change to jig — solid. Some smaller issues here actually, flams not clear at times, drum sound does not help much, especially in roll movements. Jig score is quite repetitive, maybe some more variation would help. Also the lack of melody makes it difficult for a true reflection even though I know the tunes.
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Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Ethan E M Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 6 Tunes: Event #115 Tune Names: Coppermill, The Booner Jig, Jim Wards Jig. Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are uneven. 1st part second time through, tempo is getting faster. Watch phrasing at ending bar, last 7 stroke roll is rushed. Flam combination is unclear each time you play it, this needs attention. The 1st jig is very straight and continuous, not much breathing space here. Better in 2nd as in there is a lot more cohesion but not much volume change. The lack of melody doesn't help. Some decent playing but work on your light and shade, it will help your performance a lot. Well done
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Event 115. Grade 2 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Evan Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Tunes: Train Journey North, Glasgow City Police Pipe Band Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls are a little on the pulsating side. Falling behind the beat first part ending bar. Some of the open work could be a bit clearer. Break to jig was ok but falling behind the melody again in early stages of the jig. Settling down after and the jig improved towards the end. Unfortunately playing on a drum is mandatory in this category — hence disqualified.
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Event 116. Grade 1 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gary Doherty Place: 1 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy, Dora MacLeod, Loch Carron Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Slightly inconsistent pulse in second introductory roll. Nice drum sound, crisp and clean. March: controlled entry to march, blending well with pipes from the outset. Very musical and relaxed presentation, smooth execution throughout. Lovely light and shade in 1st part. Superb two bar phrasing in 2nd, nice flow into 3rd. 4th coming across quite flat, not blending as well with the pipes here either, not hearing the phrasing coming through as clearly as in earlier parts. Spey: nice transition, good ensemble playing here. Nice flow into 2nd, a bit heavy in bars 3 & 4/7 & 8, losing the Spey idiom a touch. Lovely 3rd, great dynamic flow. Reel: good entry, a bit flat at the outset. Execution less fluid here than in March and Reel, a few gaps between you and the piper as well. Strong finish. Overall, a very enjoyable performance. Smooth presentation and execution with a great feel in the March and Spey. A bit flat in the reel, but well played overall. Thanks, Gary!
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Event 116. Grade 1 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Links of Forth, Maggie Cameron, John McKegney Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Heavy pulsing in first roll, second roll spot on. March: controlled entry to march, effectively blending with pipes from the outset. Strong musical support from the pipes. Phrasing nicely through first few parts, superb light and shade, executing clearly at all volumes. Good dynamic flow, gravitating nicely towards the upbeat. Triplet rolls in 2nd a bit heavy and labored. Some of your soft flams are coming out flat (e.g., 4th part, bar 1), try to ensure good spacing between the grace note and accent note at all volumes. Lovely composition, great phrasing throughout, complimenting the melody well. Spey: good transition, hitting the Spey idiom well in terms of volume and expression. Watch the weight of triplets, particularly those landing on the 4th beats of the bar, a bit too heavy at times, taking away from the subsequent downbeat. 4th part excellent, great roll dynamic and intensity. Reel: nice entry to reel, relaxed and controlled. Slight separation from pipes in 2nd, back on track in the 3rd. Great groove going here, strong finish. Again, superb phrasing with pipes, complementary scoring very effective. Overall, a very enjoyable performance. Thanks, Hollie!
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Event 116. Grade 1 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #116 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Quality introductory rolls — good intensity and duration of pulses. March: nice uptake to march, generating good swing from the outset. Great dynamic impact in the 1st part, clean execution at all volumes. Slight hiccup in the 2nd part, missed execution. Excellent swing in the 3rd, very nice flow. Cut-dot execution effective. Watch drag five execution — slightly interrupted sound, disconnect between drag and singles. Singles a touch compressed/rushed. Spey: good entry to Spey. Punching out idiom well, good top end presence. Watch 5 stroke roll execution — a bit thin, not fully articulating both pulses. Reel: relaxed entry, swinging from the outset again. Drag execution not 100% in 1st and 2nd part, improved in 3rd and 4th parts. Lovely windmill movements, strong finish. Overall, strong fundamentals and impressive execution of most material. A few slight issues with drag execution, work on integrating drags within open work for a seamless feel. Thanks, Connor!
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Competitor: Gary Doherty Place: 1 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy, Dora MacLeod, Loch Carron Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Slightly inconsistent pulse in second introductory roll. Nice drum sound, crisp and clean. March: controlled entry to march, blending well with pipes from the outset. Very musical and relaxed presentation, smooth execution throughout. Lovely light and shade in 1st part. Superb two bar phrasing in 2nd, nice flow into 3rd. 4th coming across quite flat, not blending as well with the pipes here either, not hearing the phrasing coming through as clearly as in earlier parts. Spey: nice transition, good ensemble playing here. Nice flow into 2nd, a bit heavy in bars 3 & 4/7 & 8, losing the Spey idiom a touch. Lovely 3rd, great dynamic flow. Reel: good entry, a bit flat at the outset. Execution less fluid here than in March and Reel, a few gaps between you and the piper as well. Strong finish. Overall, a very enjoyable performance. Smooth presentation and execution with a great feel in the March and Spey. A bit flat in the reel, but well played overall. Thanks, Gary!
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Event 116. Grade 1 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 2 Tunes: Links of Forth, Maggie Cameron, John McKegney Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Heavy pulsing in first roll, second roll spot on. March: controlled entry to march, effectively blending with pipes from the outset. Strong musical support from the pipes. Phrasing nicely through first few parts, superb light and shade, executing clearly at all volumes. Good dynamic flow, gravitating nicely towards the upbeat. Triplet rolls in 2nd a bit heavy and labored. Some of your soft flams are coming out flat (e.g., 4th part, bar 1), try to ensure good spacing between the grace note and accent note at all volumes. Lovely composition, great phrasing throughout, complimenting the melody well. Spey: good transition, hitting the Spey idiom well in terms of volume and expression. Watch the weight of triplets, particularly those landing on the 4th beats of the bar, a bit too heavy at times, taking away from the subsequent downbeat. 4th part excellent, great roll dynamic and intensity. Reel: nice entry to reel, relaxed and controlled. Slight separation from pipes in 2nd, back on track in the 3rd. Great groove going here, strong finish. Again, superb phrasing with pipes, complementary scoring very effective. Overall, a very enjoyable performance. Thanks, Hollie!
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Event 116. Grade 1 Side Drumming March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 3 Tunes: Event #116 Tune Names: John McColls March to Kilbowie Cottage, Maggie Cameron, Brown Haired Maid Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Quality introductory rolls — good intensity and duration of pulses. March: nice uptake to march, generating good swing from the outset. Great dynamic impact in the 1st part, clean execution at all volumes. Slight hiccup in the 2nd part, missed execution. Excellent swing in the 3rd, very nice flow. Cut-dot execution effective. Watch drag five execution — slightly interrupted sound, disconnect between drag and singles. Singles a touch compressed/rushed. Spey: good entry to Spey. Punching out idiom well, good top end presence. Watch 5 stroke roll execution — a bit thin, not fully articulating both pulses. Reel: relaxed entry, swinging from the outset again. Drag execution not 100% in 1st and 2nd part, improved in 3rd and 4th parts. Lovely windmill movements, strong finish. Overall, strong fundamentals and impressive execution of most material. A few slight issues with drag execution, work on integrating drags within open work for a seamless feel. Thanks, Connor!
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Event 117. Grade 1 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: 98 and counting Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Excellent introduction! well set tempo holding throughout. The clarity of rudiments and your phrasing showed you have a good understanding of the time signature. You played with a high level of musicality including well shaped phrases and dynamics. Hollie, this was a very enjoyable performance, keep up the practice and I look forward to seeing you develop into a top class drummer.
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Event 117. Grade 1 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: Event #117 Tune Names: Bill Boyle Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Solid introduction, Bill Boyle is a tune that I am very familiar with, with the lack of melody in this recording, I felt there were some timing issue with some rudiments. You produced a very clean performance, with the tempo lifted slightly and a greater use of dynamics this would have lifted this solo presentation to the next level. Connor, this was an enjoyable solo presentation, keep up the practice and I look forward to seeing you develop as a drummer in the future.
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Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: 98 and counting Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Excellent introduction! well set tempo holding throughout. The clarity of rudiments and your phrasing showed you have a good understanding of the time signature. You played with a high level of musicality including well shaped phrases and dynamics. Hollie, this was a very enjoyable performance, keep up the practice and I look forward to seeing you develop into a top class drummer.
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Event 117. Grade 1 Side Drumming 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: Event #117 Tune Names: Bill Boyle Judge: Andrew Womersley Judge's Comments: Solid introduction, Bill Boyle is a tune that I am very familiar with, with the lack of melody in this recording, I felt there were some timing issue with some rudiments. You produced a very clean performance, with the tempo lifted slightly and a greater use of dynamics this would have lifted this solo presentation to the next level. Connor, this was an enjoyable solo presentation, keep up the practice and I look forward to seeing you develop as a drummer in the future.
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Event 118. Grade 1 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Rhonda Blair, Old Wife of the Mill Dust Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Tempo a bit quick and this is affecting your ability to control some of the rudiments. Even though the tempo is a bit quick it was well maintained. Slight slip in second time through first part of Rhonda Blair. Good use of dynamics throughout. The execution and control of the drag rudiments in jig is not consistent. Slightly losing the triplet feel/phrasing throughout the jig. Most of the comments above relate to the speed at which you were playing and can be easily fixed. Work on being able to control the adrenaline/nerves so as not to push the tempos too much. Be consistent in the tempos your are practicing at in the lead up to a contest. You're definitely a rising star for the pipe band community. Keep up the great work Hollie.
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Event 118. Grade 1 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: Event #118 Tune Names: Sandpiper, Last tango in Harris Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good uptake to the tempo set. Rushing slightly going into second line of first part of hornpipe. Better on the second time through. Lacking dynamics in the 2nd part of the hornpipe. Losing a bit of control in the 3rd part. Execution of paradiddles in 4th part a bit forced. Work on opening those up. Break into jig a bit tentative. Triplet feel in jig a bit erratic. Losing control and clarity of rudiments throughout jig. I feel nerves just got the better of you in your jig. You've got amazing potential. Work on getting on top of your nerves and pushing your dynamics range further. Keep up the great work Connor.
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Competitor: Hollie Chalmers 🏴 Place: 1 Tunes: Rhonda Blair, Old Wife of the Mill Dust Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Tempo a bit quick and this is affecting your ability to control some of the rudiments. Even though the tempo is a bit quick it was well maintained. Slight slip in second time through first part of Rhonda Blair. Good use of dynamics throughout. The execution and control of the drag rudiments in jig is not consistent. Slightly losing the triplet feel/phrasing throughout the jig. Most of the comments above relate to the speed at which you were playing and can be easily fixed. Work on being able to control the adrenaline/nerves so as not to push the tempos too much. Be consistent in the tempos your are practicing at in the lead up to a contest. You're definitely a rising star for the pipe band community. Keep up the great work Hollie.
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Event 118. Grade 1 Side Drumming Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Connor S J Higgs 🇳🇿 Place: 2 Tunes: Event #118 Tune Names: Sandpiper, Last tango in Harris Judge: Gary Potter Judge's Comments: Good intro rolls. Good uptake to the tempo set. Rushing slightly going into second line of first part of hornpipe. Better on the second time through. Lacking dynamics in the 2nd part of the hornpipe. Losing a bit of control in the 3rd part. Execution of paradiddles in 4th part a bit forced. Work on opening those up. Break into jig a bit tentative. Triplet feel in jig a bit erratic. Losing control and clarity of rudiments throughout jig. I feel nerves just got the better of you in your jig. You've got amazing potential. Work on getting on top of your nerves and pushing your dynamics range further. Keep up the great work Connor.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Harvey Dawson 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: M: Sinclair Scott; S: The Ewe wi' the Crooked Horn; R: John Morrission of Asynt House Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: March Intro is well executed, just a little aggressive. Good technique on show and precise playing. I feel that the bar is packed a bit too tightly at times though, not allowing breathing space. 2nd time through last part, 1st 2 bars sounds unclear. S/S, Break as it should be, but falling behind slightly 1st part. Playing well here with a good s/s feeling and a better use of light and shade. Reel, Bright start to reel, a really musical approach here and expressing the melody really well. Use of light and shade 4th part is effective. Falling behind the beat a little in the last part and a couple of minor errors, but overall an enjoyable reel. Well played in general.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Alex Kuldell 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, Cameronian Rant, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro spot on but drum sounds quite choked. Expression with the melody is on point and good use of light and shade for extra effect — well played. S/S, Slightly late on entry to S/S. Falling behind piper slightly at times. Phrasing generally good here with space after the main beats. Single runs ending bar a little straight but well enough played. I think the 8th part ending bars took the wind out of the sails a bit after a very good S/S. Reel, Again playing well to melody in the reel and hitting all the right accents to build a musical picture. Your light and shade wasn't as evident here as it was in the previous times — Well played overall.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Adam McCollum Place: 3 Tunes: Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, Dora MacLeod, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro as it should be. Drum sounds a bit boxy but this may be the recording. Staying well with the melody 1st part. Nice accentation 2nd and 3rd part. Well played, though a bit more light/shade would help. S/S, Good change, but maybe tempo is a bit on the slow side overall. Flam triplets coming across very well; nice and clean. Light and shade is more effective here — well played. Reel, Again, playing close to the melody for the most part and click work is clean and precise. Just a personal preference, but I think some more closed work in this score would help with the overall variety, and sound less repetitive but well presented overall.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Colin Humphrey 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Lord Alexander Kennedy, Maggie Cameron, and Lachlan McPhail Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Solid introduction. March — Bright tempo in March. Watch drag/five movement sounding a bit sticky. Staying well with the melody for the most part but phrasing could be stronger especially in the ending bars. Also quite straight overall, needs more light and shade. S/S, Good change to S/S. Latter stages of 2nd part drifting from the melody and same in last part. Overall need a stronger pulse /accent to more of S/S feeling. Reel Solid break to reel. Your accentation is better here and getting a better connection to the melody in general drag/ fives are still a bit sticky. I feel these need to have a more fluent sound to help your performance overall. Work on your phrasing but still a decent performance.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: William Laird 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: DONALD CAMERON. MAGGIE CAMERON. LACHLAN MACPHAIL Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls a little open in pulse, could be smoother. Good tempo for this tune. Playing well enough technically, but it sounds a little monotone overall, this may be acoustics as the drum sounds quite loud in a confined room. 5th to 6th part change not entirely together with melody, sounds a bit rushed. S/S, Good change. Something similar here, sounds a bit flat and straight here in the early parts, try for more of a swmw feel. Better in third and fourth part, getting more of a S/S feel here. Break to reel solid. Playing with more feeling for the tune here and expressing better with the melody. Effective light and shade ( 3rd part especially) which is helping the overall sound. I feel as if the acoustics didn't help you overall, maybe something to look at for future recordings.
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Competitor: Harvey Dawson 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: M: Sinclair Scott; S: The Ewe wi' the Crooked Horn; R: John Morrission of Asynt House Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: March Intro is well executed, just a little aggressive. Good technique on show and precise playing. I feel that the bar is packed a bit too tightly at times though, not allowing breathing space. 2nd time through last part, 1st 2 bars sounds unclear. S/S, Break as it should be, but falling behind slightly 1st part. Playing well here with a good s/s feeling and a better use of light and shade. Reel, Bright start to reel, a really musical approach here and expressing the melody really well. Use of light and shade 4th part is effective. Falling behind the beat a little in the last part and a couple of minor errors, but overall an enjoyable reel. Well played in general.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Alex Kuldell 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, Cameronian Rant, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro spot on but drum sounds quite choked. Expression with the melody is on point and good use of light and shade for extra effect — well played. S/S, Slightly late on entry to S/S. Falling behind piper slightly at times. Phrasing generally good here with space after the main beats. Single runs ending bar a little straight but well enough played. I think the 8th part ending bars took the wind out of the sails a bit after a very good S/S. Reel, Again playing well to melody in the reel and hitting all the right accents to build a musical picture. Your light and shade wasn't as evident here as it was in the previous times — Well played overall.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Adam McCollum Place: 3 Tunes: Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, Dora MacLeod, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro as it should be. Drum sounds a bit boxy but this may be the recording. Staying well with the melody 1st part. Nice accentation 2nd and 3rd part. Well played, though a bit more light/shade would help. S/S, Good change, but maybe tempo is a bit on the slow side overall. Flam triplets coming across very well; nice and clean. Light and shade is more effective here — well played. Reel, Again, playing close to the melody for the most part and click work is clean and precise. Just a personal preference, but I think some more closed work in this score would help with the overall variety, and sound less repetitive but well presented overall.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Colin Humphrey 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Lord Alexander Kennedy, Maggie Cameron, and Lachlan McPhail Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Solid introduction. March — Bright tempo in March. Watch drag/five movement sounding a bit sticky. Staying well with the melody for the most part but phrasing could be stronger especially in the ending bars. Also quite straight overall, needs more light and shade. S/S, Good change to S/S. Latter stages of 2nd part drifting from the melody and same in last part. Overall need a stronger pulse /accent to more of S/S feeling. Reel Solid break to reel. Your accentation is better here and getting a better connection to the melody in general drag/ fives are still a bit sticky. I feel these need to have a more fluent sound to help your performance overall. Work on your phrasing but still a decent performance.
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Event 120. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: William Laird 🏴 Place: 5 Tunes: DONALD CAMERON. MAGGIE CAMERON. LACHLAN MACPHAIL Judge: Keith Orr Judge's Comments: Intro rolls a little open in pulse, could be smoother. Good tempo for this tune. Playing well enough technically, but it sounds a little monotone overall, this may be acoustics as the drum sounds quite loud in a confined room. 5th to 6th part change not entirely together with melody, sounds a bit rushed. S/S, Good change. Something similar here, sounds a bit flat and straight here in the early parts, try for more of a swmw feel. Better in third and fourth part, getting more of a S/S feel here. Break to reel solid. Playing with more feeling for the tune here and expressing better with the melody. Effective light and shade ( 3rd part especially) which is helping the overall sound. I feel as if the acoustics didn't help you overall, maybe something to look at for future recordings.
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Event 121. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Alex Kuldell 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Tam Bain’s Lum, Donella Beaton Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Quality introductory rolls — drum set up nicely. Good crisp snare response. HP: great lift and swing from the outset, superb accompaniment on the pipes, generating an effective ensemble effect throughout. Clear and consistent phrasing through the hornpipe, composition highlighting the melody nicely. Some stiff flam execution in the 2nd part in swiss movements. Lovely flow in 3rd, effective light and shade. Not feeling the swing as much through the roll passage in the 4th (bars 1 & 2). Strong finish. Jig: good release to jig, great use of space in the first part, layering in complexity as you progress from there. Great snap on the hand-to-hand 4s in the 2nd part, nice staccato effect. Again, good use of space in the 4th, generating interest and excitement right to the end. Overall, an effective, musical presentation. Great ensemble impact with your piper, locked in the entire way. Very enjoyable. Thanks, Alex!
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Event 121. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Adam McCollum Place: 2 Tunes: The Three Devils, Callum Moffat's Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Lovely introductory rolls, smooth and controlled. Drum lacking a crisp snare response. HP: generating some very nice upswing from the outset. Good choice of tempo, lots of energy and excitement here. Impressive execution on the low end, although missing a bit of the top end punch, could be in part due to the drum setup. A more robust snare sound would help generate a bigger sound at top end of your dynamic range. Playful composition, great rudimental variety, fun to listen to. Good tension and release, use of space in the 4th part. Jig: Nice entry to jig, generating some better punch here. Again, very impressive execution across a nice variety of open work. Superb interplay between single and double movements, very smooth and seamless. Overall a very enjoyable performance. Well executed and entertaining compositions. Thanks, Adam!
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Event 121. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Harvey Dawson 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: HP: Helen of Dunoon; Jig: The Fiddler's Rally Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Quality introductory rolls — good intensity. Nice drum sound, good snare response. HP: lively entry, good energy here. Nice syncopated feel from the outset. Slight separation from pipes in the 1st, flowing well into the 2nd. Superb punch and execution in the 3rd. Interesting effect playing off the snares, adding some nice tonal variety here. Becoming a bit repetitive at times in terms of the syncopated accent patterns, not feeling the phrasing as strongly defined in latter parts of the tune. Jig: controlled entry to jig, nice release. Great use of space in 1st and 2nd parts, blending wonderfully with pipes. Superb light and shade here. Some phrase endings not aligning with melody in latter parts of the tune. Great energy building through the jig, impressive technical display. Volume flattening out a touch towards the end. Overall, a very exciting and enjoyable performance. Separation between pipes and drums at times, syncopated passages not perfectly aligning in latter portions of each tune. A truly world class technical display, amazingly impressive stuff! Thanks, Harvey!
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Competitor: Alex Kuldell 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Tam Bain’s Lum, Donella Beaton Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Quality introductory rolls — drum set up nicely. Good crisp snare response. HP: great lift and swing from the outset, superb accompaniment on the pipes, generating an effective ensemble effect throughout. Clear and consistent phrasing through the hornpipe, composition highlighting the melody nicely. Some stiff flam execution in the 2nd part in swiss movements. Lovely flow in 3rd, effective light and shade. Not feeling the swing as much through the roll passage in the 4th (bars 1 & 2). Strong finish. Jig: good release to jig, great use of space in the first part, layering in complexity as you progress from there. Great snap on the hand-to-hand 4s in the 2nd part, nice staccato effect. Again, good use of space in the 4th, generating interest and excitement right to the end. Overall, an effective, musical presentation. Great ensemble impact with your piper, locked in the entire way. Very enjoyable. Thanks, Alex!
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Event 121. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Adam McCollum Place: 2 Tunes: The Three Devils, Callum Moffat's Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Lovely introductory rolls, smooth and controlled. Drum lacking a crisp snare response. HP: generating some very nice upswing from the outset. Good choice of tempo, lots of energy and excitement here. Impressive execution on the low end, although missing a bit of the top end punch, could be in part due to the drum setup. A more robust snare sound would help generate a bigger sound at top end of your dynamic range. Playful composition, great rudimental variety, fun to listen to. Good tension and release, use of space in the 4th part. Jig: Nice entry to jig, generating some better punch here. Again, very impressive execution across a nice variety of open work. Superb interplay between single and double movements, very smooth and seamless. Overall a very enjoyable performance. Well executed and entertaining compositions. Thanks, Adam!
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Event 121. Open/Pro - Side Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Harvey Dawson 🇨🇦 Place: 3 Tunes: HP: Helen of Dunoon; Jig: The Fiddler's Rally Judge: David Bowman Judge's Comments: Quality introductory rolls — good intensity. Nice drum sound, good snare response. HP: lively entry, good energy here. Nice syncopated feel from the outset. Slight separation from pipes in the 1st, flowing well into the 2nd. Superb punch and execution in the 3rd. Interesting effect playing off the snares, adding some nice tonal variety here. Becoming a bit repetitive at times in terms of the syncopated accent patterns, not feeling the phrasing as strongly defined in latter parts of the tune. Jig: controlled entry to jig, nice release. Great use of space in 1st and 2nd parts, blending wonderfully with pipes. Superb light and shade here. Some phrase endings not aligning with melody in latter parts of the tune. Great energy building through the jig, impressive technical display. Volume flattening out a touch towards the end. Overall, a very exciting and enjoyable performance. Separation between pipes and drums at times, syncopated passages not perfectly aligning in latter portions of each tune. A truly world class technical display, amazingly impressive stuff! Thanks, Harvey!
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Event 203. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gale Walker 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: The Conundrum Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Decent intro! Love this four part march. Seems like you are playing with confidence and you are "attacking" the tune. Flourishes have decent arm movement and drum sounds okay. Try to strive for a bit more dynamic range (with snares) to further enhance ensemble feel. The third part is a perfect example. Fourth part not as confident, careful here. Overall nicely played, well done!
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Event 203. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kyrianna Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: A Man's A Man For All That Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Careful that intro "rolls" are not at a different speed. Drum sounds "okay," but I would prefer to hear a bit more "tone" off the instrument. It could be the mic placement, but I'm just not hearing the full drum. Scoring is okay, make sure to really strive to lock in dynamically with the snare line. Opening up and snapping your arm movements will really help provide more visual metre. Decent job.
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Event 203. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Greenwoodside, The Drunken Piper Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Careful that the intro "rolls" are not at a different tempo than the actual tune. It would be really great to see you play WITH snare accompaniment on the next go around. Seems like you're developing a nice touch on the drum. Keep that up! I like the nice big and open arm movements as well, and there is a nice "pop" to the flourishes. Remember to enjoy it, relax, and have fun. It's okay to smile! Really good effort here. Keep striving to refine your sound as the drum was a bit choked. Keep working on tempo and developing steady metre. Good job!
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Competitor: Gale Walker 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: The Conundrum Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Decent intro! Love this four part march. Seems like you are playing with confidence and you are "attacking" the tune. Flourishes have decent arm movement and drum sounds okay. Try to strive for a bit more dynamic range (with snares) to further enhance ensemble feel. The third part is a perfect example. Fourth part not as confident, careful here. Overall nicely played, well done!
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Event 203. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kyrianna Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: A Man's A Man For All That Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Careful that intro "rolls" are not at a different speed. Drum sounds "okay," but I would prefer to hear a bit more "tone" off the instrument. It could be the mic placement, but I'm just not hearing the full drum. Scoring is okay, make sure to really strive to lock in dynamically with the snare line. Opening up and snapping your arm movements will really help provide more visual metre. Decent job.
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Event 203. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 2/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Greenwoodside, The Drunken Piper Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Careful that the intro "rolls" are not at a different tempo than the actual tune. It would be really great to see you play WITH snare accompaniment on the next go around. Seems like you're developing a nice touch on the drum. Keep that up! I like the nice big and open arm movements as well, and there is a nice "pop" to the flourishes. Remember to enjoy it, relax, and have fun. It's okay to smile! Really good effort here. Keep striving to refine your sound as the drum was a bit choked. Keep working on tempo and developing steady metre. Good job!
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Event 204. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Scotland The Brave, Old Rustick Bridge Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Intro, spot on! Good uptake to march and nice incorporation of double time to develop the piece. Overall a well constructed set, with a range of flourishes incorporated nicely to enhance the performance. A good effort. Well done!
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Event 204. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kyrianna Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Caber Feidh Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Solid intro and nice uptake to March. Overall, good execution of a wide range of flourishes, though the repetition of the pattern of play/flourish/play/flourish tends to break the flow of the set. For development consider how to incorporate flourishes whilst also playing the drum as this will help maintain the overall March feel of the tune and should help in placing drum strikes in their proper place. In particular give attention to the end phrase of the part as this could easily drift off the beat slightly. The smile towards the end of the last part is a sure sign that you enjoyed your performance — and that's what counts more than any judges sheet or competition placing. Well done!
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Competitor: Violet Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Scotland The Brave, Old Rustick Bridge Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Intro, spot on! Good uptake to march and nice incorporation of double time to develop the piece. Overall a well constructed set, with a range of flourishes incorporated nicely to enhance the performance. A good effort. Well done!
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Event 204. Grade 5 Tenor Drumming - 4/4 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Kyrianna Jorgensen 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Caber Feidh Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Solid intro and nice uptake to March. Overall, good execution of a wide range of flourishes, though the repetition of the pattern of play/flourish/play/flourish tends to break the flow of the set. For development consider how to incorporate flourishes whilst also playing the drum as this will help maintain the overall March feel of the tune and should help in placing drum strikes in their proper place. In particular give attention to the end phrase of the part as this could easily drift off the beat slightly. The smile towards the end of the last part is a sure sign that you enjoyed your performance — and that's what counts more than any judges sheet or competition placing. Well done!
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Event 205. Grade 4 Tenor Drumming - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Helen Flood 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Pipe Major Sam Scott Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro command to rolls to tune intro are all different tempos. Careful here, that's a killer. Bad overtone coming off the drum, and a bit dull sounding. Make sure to set tone and tune well before a performance . Not bad at hitting the oft tricky 6/8 feel. Started to have a bit of trouble towards the end of the tune. Just curious, why did you play five and a half parts? A little bit odd to me. Would have preferred that you played through the tune. Overall not bad. Keep refining your sound and developing your dynamic range. Visually it's okay but work on more "snap" to the movement. Less fluid movement and more drive.
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Event 205. Grade 4 Tenor Drumming - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Felicia Lelli 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: 10 HLI Crossing the Rhine Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro rolls slightly out of phase with "snare accompaniment" — careful here. Hard to tell with the recording, (tough to hear drone sound), but it seemed like your drum was well pitched although it did have a distracting overtone. Gotta get rid of that. 6/8 is a tough idiom to nail. Really try to lock into the accenting and pulse that the snares are playing. Your score seems a bit disjointed in parts and not locked in dynamically or feel-wise with the snare score. Work on opening up your arm movements and getting a "snap" to them along with the actual playing. Sit in with your snare section to practice rudiment exercises to better develop the necessary musical vocabulary. Good effort and smart turnout.
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Competitor: Helen Flood 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Pipe Major Sam Scott Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro command to rolls to tune intro are all different tempos. Careful here, that's a killer. Bad overtone coming off the drum, and a bit dull sounding. Make sure to set tone and tune well before a performance . Not bad at hitting the oft tricky 6/8 feel. Started to have a bit of trouble towards the end of the tune. Just curious, why did you play five and a half parts? A little bit odd to me. Would have preferred that you played through the tune. Overall not bad. Keep refining your sound and developing your dynamic range. Visually it's okay but work on more "snap" to the movement. Less fluid movement and more drive.
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Event 205. Grade 4 Tenor Drumming - 6/8 March (at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Felicia Lelli 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: 10 HLI Crossing the Rhine Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro rolls slightly out of phase with "snare accompaniment" — careful here. Hard to tell with the recording, (tough to hear drone sound), but it seemed like your drum was well pitched although it did have a distracting overtone. Gotta get rid of that. 6/8 is a tough idiom to nail. Really try to lock into the accenting and pulse that the snares are playing. Your score seems a bit disjointed in parts and not locked in dynamically or feel-wise with the snare score. Work on opening up your arm movements and getting a "snap" to them along with the actual playing. Sit in with your snare section to practice rudiment exercises to better develop the necessary musical vocabulary. Good effort and smart turnout.
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Event 206. Grade 4 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Helen Flood 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Prince Charles, McPhedrans' Strathspey, Sound of Sleat Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: A strong intro and confidently into March, though take care not to rush at times, particularly in double time passages. That said, a nicely controlled and well played March overall. Break into Strathspey was not fully locked in with the pipes, though I appreciate this can be difficult when playing to a recording Try to establish more of a Strathspey rhythm. Focus on the strong and medium accents and be careful with the precision of the end phrase of each part. Be careful with the execution of the single 4s. Decent break into the reel, though again you will enhance your performance by aiming to incorporate a little more dynamic variety into the reel and try to eradicate the occasional overemphasized stray strike. A little more care of instrument set up will also help create a more polished performance. The drum sounds as though it is producing overtones though this may be due to the recording. Having a drum that is damped well will be easier to play on and will bring out more the good playing that is clearly on show.
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Competitor: Helen Flood 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Prince Charles, McPhedrans' Strathspey, Sound of Sleat Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: A strong intro and confidently into March, though take care not to rush at times, particularly in double time passages. That said, a nicely controlled and well played March overall. Break into Strathspey was not fully locked in with the pipes, though I appreciate this can be difficult when playing to a recording Try to establish more of a Strathspey rhythm. Focus on the strong and medium accents and be careful with the precision of the end phrase of each part. Be careful with the execution of the single 4s. Decent break into the reel, though again you will enhance your performance by aiming to incorporate a little more dynamic variety into the reel and try to eradicate the occasional overemphasized stray strike. A little more care of instrument set up will also help create a more polished performance. The drum sounds as though it is producing overtones though this may be due to the recording. Having a drum that is damped well will be easier to play on and will bring out more the good playing that is clearly on show.
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Event 207. Grade 3 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Janet Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Strong intro and good uptake to March which was well played with a pleasing range of, and nice flow between, well executed flourishes. Just watch you don't drop off the beat at times (2nd part). Good break into the Strathspey. Precise playing on the beat, though try to establish a stronger strathspey rhythm from the beginning of the first part. In particular take care not to over emphasis the weak beaks within the phrase. Slightly anticipated the Reel break though playing to a recording is not easy! In general, a good reel though runs were perhaps a little imprecise at times. A couple of missed flourishes which you did well to ignore and move on from. Drum could do with a bit less top head and a bit more depth. A better tuned instrument will bring out the good playing even more. That said this was a very pleasing performance. Well done!
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Event 207. Grade 3 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Andrea Sill 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen Black, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Take care to ensure both rolls are on the beat. 1st was spot on but 2nd ended late. Decent uptake to first part with good incorporation of well executed flourishes. Just take care you don't rush. Second part well played. Nice score in the third part, if a little timid, perhaps. Fourth part, perhaps a little repetitive and imprecise at times, especially in the repeat. Strathspey — Break not with pipes. Try to establish a Strathspey feel with better use of weak beats in particular. Also take care with timing of the end phrase. Good break into Reel and nicely away into the tune. This was the best tune of your set. A well played reel. The drum comes a cross in the recording as slightly choked. A better instrument will automatically create a more confident performance. Perhaps it is the recording environment but your performance comes across as a little timid. Try to relax your wrists a little when striking the drum - again a better set up instrument will help in this regard as you will have a better feel from the drum strike. For development take a look at passages within the set where the space between drum strikes would be perfect for an appropriate flourish, this will both help with ensuring timing of drum strikes remains as they should be and will increase the impact of the overall performance.
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Competitor: Janet Bouwmeester 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Strong intro and good uptake to March which was well played with a pleasing range of, and nice flow between, well executed flourishes. Just watch you don't drop off the beat at times (2nd part). Good break into the Strathspey. Precise playing on the beat, though try to establish a stronger strathspey rhythm from the beginning of the first part. In particular take care not to over emphasis the weak beaks within the phrase. Slightly anticipated the Reel break though playing to a recording is not easy! In general, a good reel though runs were perhaps a little imprecise at times. A couple of missed flourishes which you did well to ignore and move on from. Drum could do with a bit less top head and a bit more depth. A better tuned instrument will bring out the good playing even more. That said this was a very pleasing performance. Well done!
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Event 207. Grade 3 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (M at least 4 parts S & R each at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Andrea Sill 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen Black, Dorritor Bridge, Maj David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Take care to ensure both rolls are on the beat. 1st was spot on but 2nd ended late. Decent uptake to first part with good incorporation of well executed flourishes. Just take care you don't rush. Second part well played. Nice score in the third part, if a little timid, perhaps. Fourth part, perhaps a little repetitive and imprecise at times, especially in the repeat. Strathspey — Break not with pipes. Try to establish a Strathspey feel with better use of weak beats in particular. Also take care with timing of the end phrase. Good break into Reel and nicely away into the tune. This was the best tune of your set. A well played reel. The drum comes a cross in the recording as slightly choked. A better instrument will automatically create a more confident performance. Perhaps it is the recording environment but your performance comes across as a little timid. Try to relax your wrists a little when striking the drum - again a better set up instrument will help in this regard as you will have a better feel from the drum strike. For development take a look at passages within the set where the space between drum strikes would be perfect for an appropriate flourish, this will both help with ensuring timing of drum strikes remains as they should be and will increase the impact of the overall performance.
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Event 209. Grade 2 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen the Black of Inveran, Dorrotor Bridge and Major David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Nice headgear! Good intro. Rushing into first part, which continued through the second. Settled down in the third part Strathspey. Good break. Apart from one slip in the fourth part there were no timing issues here, though dynamically this is more jiggy than a strathspey! Aim for a defined Strong, Weak, Medium, Weak, 2-bar phrase. Good break into the Reel which was the best tune of the set. Drum is choked. A more resonant instrument would make for a more comfortable drum to play on and enhance the performance greatly.
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Event 209. Grade 2 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Phoebeanca Luong 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorrotor Bridge, Major David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro though take care to complete the 2nd roll. Strong first part. Dropping off the beat a little in the second part in particular, also in the third. Good break into Strathspey, though try to establish the SWMW 2 bar phrasing of the idiom. Take care with the end phrase of the part and watch you don't rush or go searching for the beat (second and third part especially). Break into the Reel seemed to be in time, though I couldn't pick out a drum strike! Generally a well played Reel though would be enhanced with the incorporation of more dynamics. Take care to strike the drum on the B of the beat not the T. A good effort.
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Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen the Black of Inveran, Dorrotor Bridge and Major David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Nice headgear! Good intro. Rushing into first part, which continued through the second. Settled down in the third part Strathspey. Good break. Apart from one slip in the fourth part there were no timing issues here, though dynamically this is more jiggy than a strathspey! Aim for a defined Strong, Weak, Medium, Weak, 2-bar phrase. Good break into the Reel which was the best tune of the set. Drum is choked. A more resonant instrument would make for a more comfortable drum to play on and enhance the performance greatly.
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Event 209. Grade 2 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Phoebeanca Luong 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran, Dorrotor Bridge, Major David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro though take care to complete the 2nd roll. Strong first part. Dropping off the beat a little in the second part in particular, also in the third. Good break into Strathspey, though try to establish the SWMW 2 bar phrasing of the idiom. Take care with the end phrase of the part and watch you don't rush or go searching for the beat (second and third part especially). Break into the Reel seemed to be in time, though I couldn't pick out a drum strike! Generally a well played Reel though would be enhanced with the incorporation of more dynamics. Take care to strike the drum on the B of the beat not the T. A good effort.
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Event 210. Grade 2 Tenor Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Train Journey North, Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro: Bad/distracting overtone coming off the drum. Not well pitched to performance. Would like to hear more dynamic range and scoring more "in sync" with what is going on in the snare score. It seems disjointed at times. Break to jig is timid, similarly in this tune, the tenor score and the snare score seemed to be doing opposing things which can make the overall ensemble effect very rough and disjointed. Strive for more "snap" out of the arm movements to provide a visual metre to the tune. With refinements to your scoring and sound you will be rocking! Cheers, thanks for the play!
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Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Train Journey North, Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro: Bad/distracting overtone coming off the drum. Not well pitched to performance. Would like to hear more dynamic range and scoring more "in sync" with what is going on in the snare score. It seems disjointed at times. Break to jig is timid, similarly in this tune, the tenor score and the snare score seemed to be doing opposing things which can make the overall ensemble effect very rough and disjointed. Strive for more "snap" out of the arm movements to provide a visual metre to the tune. With refinements to your scoring and sound you will be rocking! Cheers, thanks for the play!
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Event 211. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Andrea Jackson 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy, Shepherd’s Crook, MacAlister’s Dirk Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Intro spot on! Good uptake to march which was well scored both in terms of drum score and the range and placement of flourishes. A good break into the Strathspey was again well played, though lacking a little in strathspey phrasing. Strong into Reel. A strong tune well played but one which would be enhanced even more with greater dynamic range Drum perhaps not as resonant as it could have been. All in all a very good performance. Well done.
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Event 211. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen the Black of Inveran, Dorrotor Bridge and Major David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro. Though rushing into first part which continued throughout the March! Good break into Strathspey. Strong first part, if lacking in SWMW phrasing. Take care not to rush from 2nd part on. Good break into the best tune of the set. Drum lacks resonance.
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Event 211. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy; Susan MacLeod; Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good into though first part not at tempo set. Drum strikes lack precision at time. A mixture of rushing and dropping off the beat. Flourishing should be incorporated in a way that enhances the playing of the drum, not leaving you rushing to play a strike. Strathspey. Searching for the beat at times. Try to establish a 2 bar Strong, Weak, Medium, Weak pattern. A solo tenor performance will always be enhanced by the inclusion of a snare part to accompany. Issue with the piping in the Reel break didn't help the uptake to the reel and no real reel idiom was established at any point. Try to develop the flow of the tune in the first part and build from there. A decent effort.
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Competitor: Andrea Jackson 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy, Shepherd’s Crook, MacAlister’s Dirk Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Intro spot on! Good uptake to march which was well scored both in terms of drum score and the range and placement of flourishes. A good break into the Strathspey was again well played, though lacking a little in strathspey phrasing. Strong into Reel. A strong tune well played but one which would be enhanced even more with greater dynamic range Drum perhaps not as resonant as it could have been. All in all a very good performance. Well done.
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Event 211. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Helen the Black of Inveran, Dorrotor Bridge and Major David Manson Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro. Though rushing into first part which continued throughout the March! Good break into Strathspey. Strong first part, if lacking in SWMW phrasing. Take care not to rush from 2nd part on. Good break into the best tune of the set. Drum lacks resonance.
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Event 211. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 3 Tunes: Hugh Kennedy; Susan MacLeod; Mrs MacPherson of Inveran. Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good into though first part not at tempo set. Drum strikes lack precision at time. A mixture of rushing and dropping off the beat. Flourishing should be incorporated in a way that enhances the playing of the drum, not leaving you rushing to play a strike. Strathspey. Searching for the beat at times. Try to establish a 2 bar Strong, Weak, Medium, Weak pattern. A solo tenor performance will always be enhanced by the inclusion of a snare part to accompany. Issue with the piping in the Reel break didn't help the uptake to the reel and no real reel idiom was established at any point. Try to develop the flow of the tune in the first part and build from there. A decent effort.
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Event 212. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Andrea Jackson 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Nova Scotia Nightcrawler, The Gold Ring Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Clear command performance! Well done. I'd like to have a bit more volume from the backing track. That said, your drum cut through nicely and is well pitched. A bit more "feel" in the dynamic range wouldn't hurt either, I know you're working on this. Jig break is a little spotty, likely due to what you are playing on the break. Tough to nail. Super solid performance. Once again, nice to hear you play.
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Event 212. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Sandy’s New Chanter; The Jig of Slurs Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Huge tempo change between first and second intro rolls. Would be great next time to have snare accompaniment. Drum sound is 'okay.' Again, without snare accompaniment, it's hard to reference any type of score. Flourishing and arm movement should "snap" much more at this level. Break to the jig was missed and untidy. Again, at this level this should be automatic. Would love to see this performance WITH complete accompaniment. Not entirely sure this is the correct grade; perhaps think of perfecting these elements in grade two before tackling this difficult level.
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Event 212. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Train Journey North, Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro rolls steady, bad overtone ring coming off the drum. Hornpipe playing lacked dynamic range and "snap" of key phrases. At this grade you really need that. It seems like you are "plowing through" parts playing straight time where you could be enhancing ensemble by jumping on melodic or rhythmic phrases. Break to jig is very weak, especially at this level you really need to stick it! Some scoring issues where you are not playing anything related to what your backing accompaniment is doing which makes it seem like random banging on the drum throughout. It's integral to think of the ensemble. Your tempos are okay for the grade. Keep working in grade two and be fully prepared for the big leap to this level.
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Competitor: Andrea Jackson 🇨🇦 Place: 1 Tunes: Nova Scotia Nightcrawler, The Gold Ring Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Clear command performance! Well done. I'd like to have a bit more volume from the backing track. That said, your drum cut through nicely and is well pitched. A bit more "feel" in the dynamic range wouldn't hurt either, I know you're working on this. Jig break is a little spotty, likely due to what you are playing on the break. Tough to nail. Super solid performance. Once again, nice to hear you play.
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Event 212. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Christine Christiansen 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Sandy’s New Chanter; The Jig of Slurs Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Huge tempo change between first and second intro rolls. Would be great next time to have snare accompaniment. Drum sound is 'okay.' Again, without snare accompaniment, it's hard to reference any type of score. Flourishing and arm movement should "snap" much more at this level. Break to the jig was missed and untidy. Again, at this level this should be automatic. Would love to see this performance WITH complete accompaniment. Not entirely sure this is the correct grade; perhaps think of perfecting these elements in grade two before tackling this difficult level.
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Event 212. Grade 1 Tenor Drumming - Hornpipe & Jig (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Katherine Gekas 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: Train Journey North, Glasgow City Police Pipers Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro rolls steady, bad overtone ring coming off the drum. Hornpipe playing lacked dynamic range and "snap" of key phrases. At this grade you really need that. It seems like you are "plowing through" parts playing straight time where you could be enhancing ensemble by jumping on melodic or rhythmic phrases. Break to jig is very weak, especially at this level you really need to stick it! Some scoring issues where you are not playing anything related to what your backing accompaniment is doing which makes it seem like random banging on the drum throughout. It's integral to think of the ensemble. Your tempos are okay for the grade. Keep working in grade two and be fully prepared for the big leap to this level.
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Event 301. Novice Bass Drumming (Grade 4 & 5) - Any March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Nick Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: The Men of Argyle, Greenwoodside Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro: Tempo dropped slightly as pipe came in. Be careful here. Good arm stroke movement, tempo is a bit sluggish. Make sure to drive this. Would be so nice to hear with snare accompaniment as well. Something to work on for the next one? Strive to improve drum sound. Pitch was flat and didn't blend well with pipe (whose drums were also wavering). Working on "little things" like this will greatly improve overall performance. Solid effort.
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Event 301. Novice Bass Drumming (Grade 4 & 5) - Any March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Terry Carter 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Corriechoillie’s , Teribus Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Hi Terry, thanks for your entry. Drum on the recording had a crazy hum. Could this just be the room? I found it a bit distracting and almost "electric" sounding, if that makes sense. It could also be the sound frequency mixing with the digital chanter accompaniment, but just thought I would mention that for future. Despite this, nice resonance off of the drum. Pitch of the drum, however, was not locked in with the "pipe accompaniment." Would be so nice to see you play again with snare accompaniment added to hear the overall package come together. Work on improving technique, ie, lose that "upstroke" business. You maintained tempo okay but it did fall off slightly after the intro rolls. But again, there were no intro rolls so... Feel free to reach out to me via private message if you have any questions or if I can help with any of the above.
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Competitor: Nick Haysom 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: The Men of Argyle, Greenwoodside Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Intro: Tempo dropped slightly as pipe came in. Be careful here. Good arm stroke movement, tempo is a bit sluggish. Make sure to drive this. Would be so nice to hear with snare accompaniment as well. Something to work on for the next one? Strive to improve drum sound. Pitch was flat and didn't blend well with pipe (whose drums were also wavering). Working on "little things" like this will greatly improve overall performance. Solid effort.
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Event 301. Novice Bass Drumming (Grade 4 & 5) - Any March (at least 2 parts)
Competitor: Terry Carter 🇦🇺 Place: 2 Tunes: Corriechoillie’s , Teribus Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Hi Terry, thanks for your entry. Drum on the recording had a crazy hum. Could this just be the room? I found it a bit distracting and almost "electric" sounding, if that makes sense. It could also be the sound frequency mixing with the digital chanter accompaniment, but just thought I would mention that for future. Despite this, nice resonance off of the drum. Pitch of the drum, however, was not locked in with the "pipe accompaniment." Would be so nice to see you play again with snare accompaniment added to hear the overall package come together. Work on improving technique, ie, lose that "upstroke" business. You maintained tempo okay but it did fall off slightly after the intro rolls. But again, there were no intro rolls so... Feel free to reach out to me via private message if you have any questions or if I can help with any of the above.
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Event 302. Intermediate Bass Drumming (Grade 3 & 2) - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Janene Hall 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro and well away in the first part with one minor blip, well recovered in the repeat of the part though. The rest of the march was well played with some dynamics coming through even though you are having the play on the box! Good break into the Strathspey. No timing issues here, though try to firmly root the 2-bar Strong, Weak, Medium, Weak, phrasing in the first part before developing the rest of the tune. Nicely into the reel. A couple of stray beats here and there but otherwise a very accomplished performance. Well done!
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Event 302. Intermediate Bass Drumming (Grade 3 & 2) - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gale Walker 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Lord Alexander Kennedy, Bogan Lochan, John McKechnie Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro and settled reasonably well into the first part. Generally a decent March though there were a couple of timing issues in the third, fourth and fifth parts. Good break into the Strathspey. Perhaps give more attention to establishing a solid strathspey rhythm, at times what you are playing comes across as more jiggy than a strathspey. Good break into and uptake of the Reel. Just be careful to keep the precision of the beat in the 2nd part and watch timing of more intricate movements. Some good ideas in the back end of the reel which would really stand out with the incorporation of more dynamic range. Drum sound slightly loose though this may be the recording? A solid effort.
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Competitor: Janene Hall 🇦🇺 Place: 1 Tunes: Helen Black of Inveran Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro and well away in the first part with one minor blip, well recovered in the repeat of the part though. The rest of the march was well played with some dynamics coming through even though you are having the play on the box! Good break into the Strathspey. No timing issues here, though try to firmly root the 2-bar Strong, Weak, Medium, Weak, phrasing in the first part before developing the rest of the tune. Nicely into the reel. A couple of stray beats here and there but otherwise a very accomplished performance. Well done!
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Event 302. Intermediate Bass Drumming (Grade 3 & 2) - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: Gale Walker 🇨🇦 Place: 2 Tunes: Lord Alexander Kennedy, Bogan Lochan, John McKechnie Judge: Chris Pollock Judge's Comments: Good intro and settled reasonably well into the first part. Generally a decent March though there were a couple of timing issues in the third, fourth and fifth parts. Good break into the Strathspey. Perhaps give more attention to establishing a solid strathspey rhythm, at times what you are playing comes across as more jiggy than a strathspey. Good break into and uptake of the Reel. Just be careful to keep the precision of the beat in the 2nd part and watch timing of more intricate movements. Some good ideas in the back end of the reel which would really stand out with the incorporation of more dynamic range. Drum sound slightly loose though this may be the recording? A solid effort.
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Event 303. Advanced Bass Drumming (Grade 1) - March, Strathspey & Reel (each tune at least 4 parts)
Competitor: David Zimmerman 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Lord Alexander Kennedy, Kirstie MacCallman's Favorite, John Morrison of Assynt House Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Couldn't hear your voice on the intro, FYI. Make sure to speak up or step up to the mic if you are talking prior to performance. Decent intro. March okay. Could use more dynamic range, particularly in the busier phrases. You really have to be driving on these big classic tunes. Arm motion seems a little bit stiff. S: Break slightly off, careful here. Careful of the idiom, and not to let things get too jig-like. The "upstroke" (right hand) isn't doing you any favours. Look at solidifying your technique. R: Again, you need to drive this classic tune. Good effort to jump on key phrases here, and decent job trying to stick the ending. Overall: I think with a bit of overall refinement in technique this could be pretty cooking! Decent performance here. Work on tuning aspects as well, to get the drum dialed in a bit closer to pitch. A bit more bottom end along with the resonance is key. Backing track could be higher in the mix to tie it all together. Good job!
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Competitor: David Zimmerman 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Lord Alexander Kennedy, Kirstie MacCallman's Favorite, John Morrison of Assynt House Judge: Johnny Rowe Judge's Comments: Couldn't hear your voice on the intro, FYI. Make sure to speak up or step up to the mic if you are talking prior to performance. Decent intro. March okay. Could use more dynamic range, particularly in the busier phrases. You really have to be driving on these big classic tunes. Arm motion seems a little bit stiff. S: Break slightly off, careful here. Careful of the idiom, and not to let things get too jig-like. The "upstroke" (right hand) isn't doing you any favours. Look at solidifying your technique. R: Again, you need to drive this classic tune. Good effort to jump on key phrases here, and decent job trying to stick the ending. Overall: I think with a bit of overall refinement in technique this could be pretty cooking! Decent performance here. Work on tuning aspects as well, to get the drum dialed in a bit closer to pitch. A bit more bottom end along with the resonance is key. Backing track could be higher in the mix to tie it all together. Good job!
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Kevin R. Blandford Memorial Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Pipe Major William Gray's Farewell to the Glasgow Police, Dornie Ferry, Mackay from Skye Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 2 — Good intro, PM providing good leadership throughout. March started well, spoilt by slip in the 2nd part. Break into the Strathspey not all together and issues beginning to become more evident in all sections. No discernable strathspey phrasing from the bass! Break into the reel was ok. Drums separating from pipes at times and a couple of minor wobbles from the pipes as the tune progressed. Bass drum set well. Snares, dull and lacking dynamics. Chanters sharp and not balanced with the drones. Drones unsteady and trailing at finish. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 1 — Well away with a nice aggressive tempo in the march. Pipes are bright (maybe a tad sharp) and pretty close in terms of tuning and drones together but not quite on with Low A detracting from the overall sound quality. Snares sound pretty good and not sure if it is the bass or a tenor drum I was unable to visually see but it was sharp and a shade dominant with some pushed passages in the March endings. Good into the Strathspey with all corps playing well together and nice expression. Nicely played here with lots of lift and expression from the pipe corps and drum corps accompanying nicely allowing for the music to be heard. Good into the Reel and well played. Some wavering of the drones in the Reel but maybe getting tired. Overall a very solid and enjoyable MSR played with lots of confidence and drive on nice instruments. Well done! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 1 — Second roll not starting as one but a pretty good intro overall for all sections. Some note errors end of 2nd part. Lively tempo of the march and enjoyable to listen to. Bass slightly late on S/S break Integration is not as tight here as in the march. Bass drum not always accenting 1st beat in four in the S/S. Good to reel. A little ragged here and there but again a lively tempo and the 3 sections get quite a musical presentation. Well done and good show. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 1 — Good to see you RPB at this event today. Sound: Love the bass drum sound right away. It sticks out with great warmth, weight and pitch. Chanters pretty high but sweet. Drones very good. Snares sounding really well. Execution: Nice positive start. Small pipe errors that become distracting by end of March. Drum section is pretty tight through March. Music: Nice driving March playing. Perhaps a hair on the rushed side. Strathspey mostly has a very good pulse. I like the tempo better here relatively. Strathspey snare score could use more strong accents on beat ones. Reel is much better. Creativity: Nicely to Reel — the pause worked well. I really enjoyed this performance. Trying a bit hard in the march (playing up a grade) but musically there is lots of good things going on throughout. Thanks.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Kern County Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Herring Boat Song, Will Ye No Come Back Again, Bonnie Galloway, Bluebells of Scotland Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 3 — Good intro, Pipers maintaining the temp set throughout. Good break into to Will Ye No . . . Drums adding good accompaniment throughout. Drums, flat. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 3 — Well away to start selection. Bass and Tenor Drums coming across a little bit dull (thud) which could be the result of sticks but most likely the recording medium and placement of the tenor drum. First tune played with lots of drive and confidence and all corps playing well together. Snares not quite crisp creating some issues with unison clarity. Good into the 2nd tune. Pipes sound in tune with decent sounding chanters (watch blowing on F/s and D/s) and drones in tune and together. The snare's pretty close but again just a little pushed at ends of parts and line endings. Good into the last tune and nice use of harmony. Clean finish! Overall a nice, solid march medley with lots of drive and confidence with all corps contributing nicely to the performance. Well done! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 2 — Intro not together from all sections. Bass drum sounds quite flat. Band settling down now after the initial introduction. Third and fourth tunes sound a little fast for the drum corps — may need to simplify the score to accommodate the tempo. Side Drums — try to get the playing to sound clearer and this will in turn help the overall ensemble sound. Bass/Tenor — the tenor sounds quite close to the sound of the bass. Overall tempo kept steady for most of the way through. Well done. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 2 — Thank you Kern County for doing this and for being here in all your splendor! I haven't seen a band in full kit for, well, sometime really. Sound: Pretty good tones happening. Snares are a bit hollow sounding — not flat — but not crisp. Chanters at pretty good pitch. Top hands a bit thin. Drones pretty good. Bass drum okay but lacking some resonance. Pipers watch to blow firmly on long notes throughout. Execution: A very good opening and you are all together really well. Opening tune is very solid. Snares rough in Bonnie Bluebells. A few wee mistakes but minor in the whole. The cutoff is quite ragged at the end. Music: Excellent tempo chosen. Not too slow but in control — really like this. Creativity: Tunes breaking from one to another really well. I find Bonnie Bluebells a bit draggy for this tune. Harmony effect is nicely delivered in BB. A really good show of pipe band classics delivered with good musicality on pretty good instruments. Thank you for this.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Haysom Family Band 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: PM Sam Scott, The Men of Argyle, Greenwoodside, The Drunken Piper, The Earl of Mansfield Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 1 — A balanced pipe, played well throughout. Tempo on the cautious side — a detriment to the piper but clearly set for the comfort of the ensemble and a choice well made. A decent performance Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 5 — A little dirty to start the performance from the corps coming down following the three pace rolls. Solid and consistent tempo to start the performance. Effective use of tenor drum in opening tune. Snares doing pretty good and the bass is consistent. Good into the 2/4 marches and playing pretty well together. Nice consistent rhythms from all corps lead by a strong pipe presence. Nice variety in the drum scores and the flourishing provides a nice visual presentation. Overall well played and an enjoyable performance. Of course would love to see more players to really fill everything out nicely! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 4 — Tempo drops after introduction, settles down 2nd part. Tenor adding to performance both visually and audibly. Bass could vary things a little to add to the overall ensemble. Side drum could so with more snare but you are holding the tempo steady for most of the performance. Although wont my area of expertise, the piper sounded good throughout — well done all Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 5 — Thanks Haysom family for being here today. Sound: Instruments are sounding pretty good. Pipe and snare are at nice pitch. Tenor is very good. Bass pretty good but (a bit hard to hear) I think it could use more "carry" (resonance). Execution: Pretty good start. Snare pretty good overall. There were some spots where it was struggling just a little. Music: Tempo is pretty cautious. I would try to kick this a little for sure. Sometimes the tenor and bass are "fighting" each other. In other words, conflicting by playing the same thing (or nearly) in sections. Creativity: Pretty creative just having four on different instruments so hats off to you there. Quite the set: lots of tunes . . . lots of good tunes . . . well done. A nice overall effort and musical presentation. Well done to you all. Thanks.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: South Park & District Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Teribus, Flett From Flotta, Jack's Welcome Home, Drunken Duncan Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 4 — Tempo is lethargic but all sections manage to stay together throughout. Pipes are very sharp. Drones decent. Snare drummer would be help bh a lift in tempo. Bass drum and tenor drum both need tuned as both are far too tight though both players can keep time! Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 4 — Well away with a confident tempo to start. Effective tenor use in the first tune and pipes pretty well set however drones not quite locked onto the Low A which detracts from the overall sound quality. Snare sounds pretty good but could use a bit more presence. Bass coming across confidently but could be a little lighter here to allow the drum to resonate and not dominate the performance. Good into the 2nd tune with confident break. Overall the unison with the pipes pretty good and some minor double toning drones coming through in the 2nd tune until finish. Nice clean finish by all corps. Overall a very enjoyable presentation in terms of ensemble with all corps contributing nicely to the performance from start to finish. I felt the bass was a little heavy but again the recording medium could be the main reason for this as outside there is room to permeate however inside is a different environment which may require adjustments. Well done! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 2 — Bass drum sounds very tight and loud on introduction. Tenors also sound a but hard and tight, need to let these breathe and resonate more for a warmer sound. Holding tempo with melody well and side drums sound good. Good show overall. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 3 — Hello South Park and thanks for being here today. Sound: Pretty good. Bass drum is distracting as it is too high, loud and dead. Needs softening and resonance. The bass player is good in timing and affect. Overall band sound is pretty good. Chanters are a little thin - esp. top hands. Of course, it would be good to have more snare sound but you've done your best here. Execution: Well started. A little rushing from pipes is coming through. Watch to sit back on the big anchor beat notes and use them to stretch the music somewhat. Cutoff really well executed. Music: Tempo okay but is on the draggy side. Most noticeable in Jack's Welcome. I find the bass and tenor in a bit of conflict in Flett from Flotta. A little busy overall. A nice tune selection list. Creativity: A nice set - straight up but well delivered. A nice performance. Watch the tone and weights of instruments. Perhaps unleash the overall spirit and tempo slightly. Thanks.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi; Captain Colin Campbell; Alick C. MacGregor. Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 5 — Setting off at such a slow tempo makes it difficult for all participants, especially drummers, to play together, but you managed it! Clearly there were issues within all sections throughout, though well done for keeping going. Both breaks were together. And it looks like you all had fun which is the main thing! Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 2 — Well away! Rolls were very pulsed but pleasing sound in terms of pitch and once pipes came in it became evident that additional drummers would provide more presence. Mistake from Pipe Corp in 2nd part of March. Drum section accompanying pretty well but the Bass and Tenors are pretty dominant and most likely due to current placement and being inside. Good into the Strathspey — Coming across in general as a little round and could use a little more expression here from all corps. Good into the Reel — Several mistakes from pipe corps detracting from the performance here however the tempo and unison seems pretty good with all corps playing pretty well together. Overall a pretty good MSR with some challenging music. A bit more snare presence and less dominant Bass and Tenor corps would enhance the presentation and of course less piping errors. You are well on your way and you all appear to be enjoying yourselves and working hard so keep it up and I enjoyed listening. Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 5 — Intro — Bass sounds a bit boomy, steady enough though once you get into the 2nd and 3rd parts. Break to S/S not together from all sections. Try and bring this back to basics to make things more solid. SWMW on the bass and keep the tenors simple until you achieve this. Not a bad effort at a difficult break, losing integration in the 3rd part. Tenors quite effective in reel — well done all. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 4 — Great to have you today Alaska Celtic. Your setting is absolutely spectacular thanks! Sounds: Interesting way to record this. The drums are way up front in the mix but I actually like this. The only thing is the bass and tenor become very heavy sounding. Pipes are sounding pretty good. Drones a bit ragged but in full effect. Execution: The start is a little uncertain but you get it going quickly. Pipe slips in March are coming through. Pipe errors again in Strathspey. The break to Reel is too long in my opinion. Playing is better here. Music: A musical opening — down tempo but well in control. Nice score to march. Strathspey not so much. Needs more lift and strong Strathspey pulsing. A bit even/square. Creativity: A good set run pretty much straight but nicely delivered. A good show with nice music. I think it needs more "reps" as a lot of errors can be eliminated just with more run-throughs. Thank you all for doing this today.
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Competitor: Kevin R. Blandford Memorial Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Pipe Major William Gray's Farewell to the Glasgow Police, Dornie Ferry, Mackay from Skye Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 2 — Good intro, PM providing good leadership throughout. March started well, spoilt by slip in the 2nd part. Break into the Strathspey not all together and issues beginning to become more evident in all sections. No discernable strathspey phrasing from the bass! Break into the reel was ok. Drums separating from pipes at times and a couple of minor wobbles from the pipes as the tune progressed. Bass drum set well. Snares, dull and lacking dynamics. Chanters sharp and not balanced with the drones. Drones unsteady and trailing at finish. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 1 — Well away with a nice aggressive tempo in the march. Pipes are bright (maybe a tad sharp) and pretty close in terms of tuning and drones together but not quite on with Low A detracting from the overall sound quality. Snares sound pretty good and not sure if it is the bass or a tenor drum I was unable to visually see but it was sharp and a shade dominant with some pushed passages in the March endings. Good into the Strathspey with all corps playing well together and nice expression. Nicely played here with lots of lift and expression from the pipe corps and drum corps accompanying nicely allowing for the music to be heard. Good into the Reel and well played. Some wavering of the drones in the Reel but maybe getting tired. Overall a very solid and enjoyable MSR played with lots of confidence and drive on nice instruments. Well done! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 1 — Second roll not starting as one but a pretty good intro overall for all sections. Some note errors end of 2nd part. Lively tempo of the march and enjoyable to listen to. Bass slightly late on S/S break Integration is not as tight here as in the march. Bass drum not always accenting 1st beat in four in the S/S. Good to reel. A little ragged here and there but again a lively tempo and the 3 sections get quite a musical presentation. Well done and good show. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 1 — Good to see you RPB at this event today. Sound: Love the bass drum sound right away. It sticks out with great warmth, weight and pitch. Chanters pretty high but sweet. Drones very good. Snares sounding really well. Execution: Nice positive start. Small pipe errors that become distracting by end of March. Drum section is pretty tight through March. Music: Nice driving March playing. Perhaps a hair on the rushed side. Strathspey mostly has a very good pulse. I like the tempo better here relatively. Strathspey snare score could use more strong accents on beat ones. Reel is much better. Creativity: Nicely to Reel — the pause worked well. I really enjoyed this performance. Trying a bit hard in the march (playing up a grade) but musically there is lots of good things going on throughout. Thanks.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Kern County Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Herring Boat Song, Will Ye No Come Back Again, Bonnie Galloway, Bluebells of Scotland Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 3 — Good intro, Pipers maintaining the temp set throughout. Good break into to Will Ye No . . . Drums adding good accompaniment throughout. Drums, flat. Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 3 — Well away to start selection. Bass and Tenor Drums coming across a little bit dull (thud) which could be the result of sticks but most likely the recording medium and placement of the tenor drum. First tune played with lots of drive and confidence and all corps playing well together. Snares not quite crisp creating some issues with unison clarity. Good into the 2nd tune. Pipes sound in tune with decent sounding chanters (watch blowing on F/s and D/s) and drones in tune and together. The snare's pretty close but again just a little pushed at ends of parts and line endings. Good into the last tune and nice use of harmony. Clean finish! Overall a nice, solid march medley with lots of drive and confidence with all corps contributing nicely to the performance. Well done! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 2 — Intro not together from all sections. Bass drum sounds quite flat. Band settling down now after the initial introduction. Third and fourth tunes sound a little fast for the drum corps — may need to simplify the score to accommodate the tempo. Side Drums — try to get the playing to sound clearer and this will in turn help the overall ensemble sound. Bass/Tenor — the tenor sounds quite close to the sound of the bass. Overall tempo kept steady for most of the way through. Well done. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 2 — Thank you Kern County for doing this and for being here in all your splendor! I haven't seen a band in full kit for, well, sometime really. Sound: Pretty good tones happening. Snares are a bit hollow sounding — not flat — but not crisp. Chanters at pretty good pitch. Top hands a bit thin. Drones pretty good. Bass drum okay but lacking some resonance. Pipers watch to blow firmly on long notes throughout. Execution: A very good opening and you are all together really well. Opening tune is very solid. Snares rough in Bonnie Bluebells. A few wee mistakes but minor in the whole. The cutoff is quite ragged at the end. Music: Excellent tempo chosen. Not too slow but in control — really like this. Creativity: Tunes breaking from one to another really well. I find Bonnie Bluebells a bit draggy for this tune. Harmony effect is nicely delivered in BB. A really good show of pipe band classics delivered with good musicality on pretty good instruments. Thank you for this.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Haysom Family Band 🇦🇺 Place: 3 Tunes: PM Sam Scott, The Men of Argyle, Greenwoodside, The Drunken Piper, The Earl of Mansfield Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 1 — A balanced pipe, played well throughout. Tempo on the cautious side — a detriment to the piper but clearly set for the comfort of the ensemble and a choice well made. A decent performance Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 5 — A little dirty to start the performance from the corps coming down following the three pace rolls. Solid and consistent tempo to start the performance. Effective use of tenor drum in opening tune. Snares doing pretty good and the bass is consistent. Good into the 2/4 marches and playing pretty well together. Nice consistent rhythms from all corps lead by a strong pipe presence. Nice variety in the drum scores and the flourishing provides a nice visual presentation. Overall well played and an enjoyable performance. Of course would love to see more players to really fill everything out nicely! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 4 — Tempo drops after introduction, settles down 2nd part. Tenor adding to performance both visually and audibly. Bass could vary things a little to add to the overall ensemble. Side drum could so with more snare but you are holding the tempo steady for most of the performance. Although wont my area of expertise, the piper sounded good throughout — well done all Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 5 — Thanks Haysom family for being here today. Sound: Instruments are sounding pretty good. Pipe and snare are at nice pitch. Tenor is very good. Bass pretty good but (a bit hard to hear) I think it could use more "carry" (resonance). Execution: Pretty good start. Snare pretty good overall. There were some spots where it was struggling just a little. Music: Tempo is pretty cautious. I would try to kick this a little for sure. Sometimes the tenor and bass are "fighting" each other. In other words, conflicting by playing the same thing (or nearly) in sections. Creativity: Pretty creative just having four on different instruments so hats off to you there. Quite the set: lots of tunes . . . lots of good tunes . . . well done. A nice overall effort and musical presentation. Well done to you all. Thanks.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: South Park & District Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 4 Tunes: Teribus, Flett From Flotta, Jack's Welcome Home, Drunken Duncan Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 4 — Tempo is lethargic but all sections manage to stay together throughout. Pipes are very sharp. Drones decent. Snare drummer would be help bh a lift in tempo. Bass drum and tenor drum both need tuned as both are far too tight though both players can keep time! Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 4 — Well away with a confident tempo to start. Effective tenor use in the first tune and pipes pretty well set however drones not quite locked onto the Low A which detracts from the overall sound quality. Snare sounds pretty good but could use a bit more presence. Bass coming across confidently but could be a little lighter here to allow the drum to resonate and not dominate the performance. Good into the 2nd tune with confident break. Overall the unison with the pipes pretty good and some minor double toning drones coming through in the 2nd tune until finish. Nice clean finish by all corps. Overall a very enjoyable presentation in terms of ensemble with all corps contributing nicely to the performance from start to finish. I felt the bass was a little heavy but again the recording medium could be the main reason for this as outside there is room to permeate however inside is a different environment which may require adjustments. Well done! Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 2 — Bass drum sounds very tight and loud on introduction. Tenors also sound a but hard and tight, need to let these breathe and resonate more for a warmer sound. Holding tempo with melody well and side drums sound good. Good show overall. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 3 — Hello South Park and thanks for being here today. Sound: Pretty good. Bass drum is distracting as it is too high, loud and dead. Needs softening and resonance. The bass player is good in timing and affect. Overall band sound is pretty good. Chanters are a little thin - esp. top hands. Of course, it would be good to have more snare sound but you've done your best here. Execution: Well started. A little rushing from pipes is coming through. Watch to sit back on the big anchor beat notes and use them to stretch the music somewhat. Cutoff really well executed. Music: Tempo okay but is on the draggy side. Most noticeable in Jack's Welcome. I find the bass and tenor in a bit of conflict in Flett from Flotta. A little busy overall. A nice tune selection list. Creativity: A nice set - straight up but well delivered. A nice performance. Watch the tone and weights of instruments. Perhaps unleash the overall spirit and tempo slightly. Thanks.
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Event 401. Pipe Band Style Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums 🇺🇸 Place: 5 Tunes: The Siege of Delhi; Captain Colin Campbell; Alick C. MacGregor. Judge: Panel A Judge's Comments: Judge: Chris Pollock (Midsection) — Place: 5 — Setting off at such a slow tempo makes it difficult for all participants, especially drummers, to play together, but you managed it! Clearly there were issues within all sections throughout, though well done for keeping going. Both breaks were together. And it looks like you all had fun which is the main thing! Judge: Ian K. MacDonald (Piping) — Place: 2 — Well away! Rolls were very pulsed but pleasing sound in terms of pitch and once pipes came in it became evident that additional drummers would provide more presence. Mistake from Pipe Corp in 2nd part of March. Drum section accompanying pretty well but the Bass and Tenors are pretty dominant and most likely due to current placement and being inside. Good into the Strathspey — Coming across in general as a little round and could use a little more expression here from all corps. Good into the Reel — Several mistakes from pipe corps detracting from the performance here however the tempo and unison seems pretty good with all corps playing pretty well together. Overall a pretty good MSR with some challenging music. A bit more snare presence and less dominant Bass and Tenor corps would enhance the presentation and of course less piping errors. You are well on your way and you all appear to be enjoying yourselves and working hard so keep it up and I enjoyed listening. Judge: Keith Orr (Side) — Place: 5 — Intro — Bass sounds a bit boomy, steady enough though once you get into the 2nd and 3rd parts. Break to S/S not together from all sections. Try and bring this back to basics to make things more solid. SWMW on the bass and keep the tenors simple until you achieve this. Not a bad effort at a difficult break, losing integration in the 3rd part. Tenors quite effective in reel — well done all. Judge: Terry Lee (Piping) — Place: 4 — Great to have you today Alaska Celtic. Your setting is absolutely spectacular thanks! Sounds: Interesting way to record this. The drums are way up front in the mix but I actually like this. The only thing is the bass and tenor become very heavy sounding. Pipes are sounding pretty good. Drones a bit ragged but in full effect. Execution: The start is a little uncertain but you get it going quickly. Pipe slips in March are coming through. Pipe errors again in Strathspey. The break to Reel is too long in my opinion. Playing is better here. Music: A musical opening — down tempo but well in control. Nice score to march. Strathspey not so much. Needs more lift and strong Strathspey pulsing. A bit even/square. Creativity: A good set run pretty much straight but nicely delivered. A good show with nice music. I think it needs more "reps" as a lot of errors can be eliminated just with more run-throughs. Thank you all for doing this today.
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Event 402. Freestyle Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Killicrankie; The Panda; Paddy Carey; She Moved Through the Fair; The Fiddler’s Joy; The Famous Ballymote; Kalabakan (Borneo). Judge: Panel B Judge's Comments: Judge: David Bowman (Side) — Place: 1 — Great to see a full pipe band on display again — it's been far too long! It's clear that a great deal of preparation and hard work has gone in to this performance. Well done to all, I thoroughly enjoyed this! A very well turned out band. Well done for keeping up your playing as a group through the pandemic, your hard work is clearly paying off. Nice uptake to march, good maintenance of tempo. Effective application of harmonies here. Break to jig not 100%, drum section could help define this transition more clearly. Paddy Carey coming together nicely, good rhythmic support coming from tenors. Syncopating well as a band here. Good transition to aire, some untidy execution from pipes at times here. Spey idiom not coming through effectively, need more dynamic punch from drum section and more pronounced expression from pipe section. Nice entry to reels, flowing nicely here! Good upswing from drums, strong finish. Thanks for this! Judge: John Dew (Piping) — Place: 2 — Great to hear another pipe band medley! The intro here was a little loose. The bass drum was behind the beat of the pipe majors call, whilst the snares were closer, there was a tap after the end of the 3 pace rolls. A decent attack on E and good entry to the tune. The bass section is much better here. However, be careful that you don't overpower the rest of the ensemble. Good jig playing from the pipe corps here. Ensemble here is not as good as the march but still good. The second jig is much better here; tighter playing and tighter ensemble. The entry into the slow air could have been tighter. On the whole great dynamic from the drums corpse and decent unison in the piping, the runs are little all out of synch however. The entry to the strathspey was decent however it is a little slow for my liking. At times the first reel was very well played and the final reel was lovely with good ensemble towards the end. The cut off was good but there was a wee drone at the end. On the whole this was lovely performance and great to hear pipe bands playing again. A few wee things here and there that are easy fixes and if they are fixed then this will be an excellent medley. I very much enjoyed this, well done. Judge: Johnny Rowe (Midsection) — Place: 1 — Intro: Out of sync drum section. Make sure to lock the tempo in. Snare roll technique needs serious revision. Pipes in okay. Don't overcomplicate with bass and tenor beatings that are out of your wheelhouse. Simple yet effective scores are all you need at this level. Snare work in particular needs development in basic (i.e., crushed roll) technique in particular. Very evident in intro and into jig. Pipes are driving this performance. Well done. Keep working on technique and refining tuning as you can hear it deteriorate as the performance goes on. B&T tuning needs refinement as well. Nice setting for a "live" video performance. Nice to see the band together and playing. Well done! Enjoyable overall listen. Work on these little refinements and it will pay dividends. Judge: Matthew Welch (Piping) — Place: 1 — Great Start! nice march tempo and vibe. Tone is nice! Bigger band than before, well done! This medley has a nice variety! first jig the panda, a bit sluggish and not together, improves after that — (I feel if you replace this one more technical jig, you can get your jig tempo up, and feel the idiom more). Excellent strathspey idiom, tempo and snap. Reel almost maintains this, rather it should flow more smoothly and a different tempo. great work overall as a band, very well put together. for better microphone audio balance, I'd place the drums above and behind the pipes — the low end of the bass and tenors overpowered the pipes at times. Great MUSIC!!!!
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Event 402. Freestyle Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Kern County Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Ancient Words Judge: Panel B Judge's Comments: Judge: David Bowman (Side) — Place: 2 — Lovely layering and integration of such a wide variety of instrumentation. It's clear that a great deal of preparation and hard work has gone in to both the musical and visual aspects of this performance. Well done to all, I thoroughly enjoyed this! Nicely arranged performance on the whole with a great arc, progressing from the piano/whistle, building up through the solo piper, full pipes, and back down the other side to a gentle finish. Stunning visuals throughout, a very well turned out group. My main suggestion to enhance this performance would be the addition of percussion. Perhaps some soft cymbals through the more gentle passages, and a more steady rhythmic component when the entire pipe corps strikes in. Apart from adding some variety, it could help keep the playing locked in together as well. Thanks for this! Judge: John Dew (Piping) — Place: 1 — This was a lovely tune. Great overall structure and musical dynamic from start to finish. You managed to make a full musical piece using one musical subject — very well done! Lovely accompaniment from the piano, good chord choices. When playing the whistle/recorder, make sure you keep the bottom hand off the bottom holes in order to maintain a decent level of tuning. The solo piping was lovely however the tuning of the chanter could have been more refined. Great unison playing with all 3 pipers. I felt there could have been a lower harmony line when the 3 pipers played. Nice idea for an ending. For me, I felt the whistle/recorder could have been in a key closer to the key of the pipes (try an Eb or Bb whistles (I'd recommend Goldie or MK)) and this will give the piece a greater sense of unity, it felt a little separated. Similarly, I feel that adding the piano in for the pipe trio would have added a certain level of depth to the overall performance. Overall this was a most enjoyable performance, well done! Judge: Johnny Rowe (Midsection) — Place: 2 — Pipes to piano to flute? Accompaniment was a distracting transition. Having instruments pitched the same would help. Must need to work on your ensemble playing. Perhaps more conducting from the lead player (pipe major?) might assist here. Also make sure to set instruments well (i.e., tune) before performance, especially. I can't stress this enough. Unsteady blowing was also a distraction. Sets like this become very repetitive if it is the same thing over and over and over. Developing a diverse set of tunes that you could work into the performance will make it more enjoyable, not only for the player, but for the listener. May want to consider the use of other instruments, e.g., percussion, to make things more exciting. Judge: Matthew Welch (Piping) — Place: 2 — I love this idea of focusing on one tune to build a musical number from. Great variety of instrumentation. Well executed performance in front of an audience (YAY!). My main concerns are tuning throughout, which improved as the performance continued. Thought for the future: Are you using Bb Chanters? Why not have it all in Bb so you can build a full combo of pipes, whistle and piano? Also during pipe trio section, there is room for a light harmony line for one player, since we know the melody well by now. Very creative and well done! Matthew
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Competitor: Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums 🇺🇸 Place: 1 Tunes: Killicrankie; The Panda; Paddy Carey; She Moved Through the Fair; The Fiddler’s Joy; The Famous Ballymote; Kalabakan (Borneo). Judge: Panel B Judge's Comments: Judge: David Bowman (Side) — Place: 1 — Great to see a full pipe band on display again — it's been far too long! It's clear that a great deal of preparation and hard work has gone in to this performance. Well done to all, I thoroughly enjoyed this! A very well turned out band. Well done for keeping up your playing as a group through the pandemic, your hard work is clearly paying off. Nice uptake to march, good maintenance of tempo. Effective application of harmonies here. Break to jig not 100%, drum section could help define this transition more clearly. Paddy Carey coming together nicely, good rhythmic support coming from tenors. Syncopating well as a band here. Good transition to aire, some untidy execution from pipes at times here. Spey idiom not coming through effectively, need more dynamic punch from drum section and more pronounced expression from pipe section. Nice entry to reels, flowing nicely here! Good upswing from drums, strong finish. Thanks for this! Judge: John Dew (Piping) — Place: 2 — Great to hear another pipe band medley! The intro here was a little loose. The bass drum was behind the beat of the pipe majors call, whilst the snares were closer, there was a tap after the end of the 3 pace rolls. A decent attack on E and good entry to the tune. The bass section is much better here. However, be careful that you don't overpower the rest of the ensemble. Good jig playing from the pipe corps here. Ensemble here is not as good as the march but still good. The second jig is much better here; tighter playing and tighter ensemble. The entry into the slow air could have been tighter. On the whole great dynamic from the drums corpse and decent unison in the piping, the runs are little all out of synch however. The entry to the strathspey was decent however it is a little slow for my liking. At times the first reel was very well played and the final reel was lovely with good ensemble towards the end. The cut off was good but there was a wee drone at the end. On the whole this was lovely performance and great to hear pipe bands playing again. A few wee things here and there that are easy fixes and if they are fixed then this will be an excellent medley. I very much enjoyed this, well done. Judge: Johnny Rowe (Midsection) — Place: 1 — Intro: Out of sync drum section. Make sure to lock the tempo in. Snare roll technique needs serious revision. Pipes in okay. Don't overcomplicate with bass and tenor beatings that are out of your wheelhouse. Simple yet effective scores are all you need at this level. Snare work in particular needs development in basic (i.e., crushed roll) technique in particular. Very evident in intro and into jig. Pipes are driving this performance. Well done. Keep working on technique and refining tuning as you can hear it deteriorate as the performance goes on. B&T tuning needs refinement as well. Nice setting for a "live" video performance. Nice to see the band together and playing. Well done! Enjoyable overall listen. Work on these little refinements and it will pay dividends. Judge: Matthew Welch (Piping) — Place: 1 — Great Start! nice march tempo and vibe. Tone is nice! Bigger band than before, well done! This medley has a nice variety! first jig the panda, a bit sluggish and not together, improves after that — (I feel if you replace this one more technical jig, you can get your jig tempo up, and feel the idiom more). Excellent strathspey idiom, tempo and snap. Reel almost maintains this, rather it should flow more smoothly and a different tempo. great work overall as a band, very well put together. for better microphone audio balance, I'd place the drums above and behind the pipes — the low end of the bass and tenors overpowered the pipes at times. Great MUSIC!!!!
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Event 402. Freestyle Musical Ensemble
Competitor: Kern County Pipe Band 🇺🇸 Place: 2 Tunes: Ancient Words Judge: Panel B Judge's Comments: Judge: David Bowman (Side) — Place: 2 — Lovely layering and integration of such a wide variety of instrumentation. It's clear that a great deal of preparation and hard work has gone in to both the musical and visual aspects of this performance. Well done to all, I thoroughly enjoyed this! Nicely arranged performance on the whole with a great arc, progressing from the piano/whistle, building up through the solo piper, full pipes, and back down the other side to a gentle finish. Stunning visuals throughout, a very well turned out group. My main suggestion to enhance this performance would be the addition of percussion. Perhaps some soft cymbals through the more gentle passages, and a more steady rhythmic component when the entire pipe corps strikes in. Apart from adding some variety, it could help keep the playing locked in together as well. Thanks for this! Judge: John Dew (Piping) — Place: 1 — This was a lovely tune. Great overall structure and musical dynamic from start to finish. You managed to make a full musical piece using one musical subject — very well done! Lovely accompaniment from the piano, good chord choices. When playing the whistle/recorder, make sure you keep the bottom hand off the bottom holes in order to maintain a decent level of tuning. The solo piping was lovely however the tuning of the chanter could have been more refined. Great unison playing with all 3 pipers. I felt there could have been a lower harmony line when the 3 pipers played. Nice idea for an ending. For me, I felt the whistle/recorder could have been in a key closer to the key of the pipes (try an Eb or Bb whistles (I'd recommend Goldie or MK)) and this will give the piece a greater sense of unity, it felt a little separated. Similarly, I feel that adding the piano in for the pipe trio would have added a certain level of depth to the overall performance. Overall this was a most enjoyable performance, well done! Judge: Johnny Rowe (Midsection) — Place: 2 — Pipes to piano to flute? Accompaniment was a distracting transition. Having instruments pitched the same would help. Must need to work on your ensemble playing. Perhaps more conducting from the lead player (pipe major?) might assist here. Also make sure to set instruments well (i.e., tune) before performance, especially. I can't stress this enough. Unsteady blowing was also a distraction. Sets like this become very repetitive if it is the same thing over and over and over. Developing a diverse set of tunes that you could work into the performance will make it more enjoyable, not only for the player, but for the listener. May want to consider the use of other instruments, e.g., percussion, to make things more exciting. Judge: Matthew Welch (Piping) — Place: 2 — I love this idea of focusing on one tune to build a musical number from. Great variety of instrumentation. Well executed performance in front of an audience (YAY!). My main concerns are tuning throughout, which improved as the performance continued. Thought for the future: Are you using Bb Chanters? Why not have it all in Bb so you can build a full combo of pipes, whistle and piano? Also during pipe trio section, there is room for a light harmony line for one player, since we know the melody well by now. Very creative and well done! Matthew
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