I need a tune suggestion

[vmac3205]

Good suggestions -- thanks!

High Road (along with Brown-Haired Maiden) is 2/4, though. One of my favorite tunes.

I'm curious about "Brown Haired Maiden." All my life I knew it as "Ho-ro, my Nut Brown Maiden," then whe I started pipe lessons, it became brown haired. Does anyone know how this is?

[Fougasse]

Phogfan,

I'm no piper, but having marched to "Wings" more times than I can remember (it's my regimental quick march) it gets my vote. I also think it sounds great on the pipes!

[thescot]

My son and I will be attending the Midwest School of Pipes and Drums near Milwaukee this June, and I've entered us in the nonsanctioned competition, grade 5. Thought it would be good experience for both of us.

We need to play a 2-parted 4/4 march. Can someone suggest a tune NOT titled 42nd Highlanders.

There's Wings and Rowan Tree, but they're slow marches. I suppose I could pick up the pace a bit, but if I can find another piece that's not killer to learn, I'd like to.

Any suggestions?

Cabar Fiegh! The best!

[Ayin McFye]

Explanation of bagpipe grading levels
Andrew's Tips: Understanding Solo Bagpipe Competition Grading


grade five is beginning.

That was very informative! Thanks!

[EagleJCS]

While a lovely, rousing tune, Caber Feidh is a bit beyond some beginners when played with all of the embellishments, thescot. Plus it's a four-parted tune and he only needs a two-parter.

Wings and Rowan Tree are hardly slow marches if played at the correct march tempo (84-86 bpm).

Other good, relatively easy 2-parted 4/4's: Campbell of Glenlyon, Flett From Flotta, Lord Lovat's Lament, Murdo's Wedding, Minstrel Boy.

There are many other 4/4's on EUSPBA's competition tune list (http://www.euspba.org/resource/rule/..._g4g5_2009.pdf) which might be feasible.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

[haukehaien]

Good suggestions -- thanks!

High Road (along with Brown-Haired Maiden) is 2/4, though. One of my favorite tunes.

Ah. So 'tis. I somehow read "2-parted 4/4 march" as "2/4 march", so I carefully made sure that High Road was in fact 2/4 before suggesting it. Oh well, if you don't already know it, you should learn it anyway. ;)

[george7]

I'm pretty sure you can play any time signature since grade V is non-sanctioned in EUSPBA. Why not go ahead and learn a 2/4 tune so you can get used to it and the format for grade IV next season? Also, Bobdunsire.com would probably be the forum of choice for tune selection.

[Phogfan86]

George -- the Midwest School website specifically says that student competitors on chanter or beginning pipes need to play a 2-parted, 4-4 march. But you're most definitely spot on. I'd forgotten all about the bobdunsire site. Duh.

High Road to Gairloch and Brown-Haired Maiden were the first two tunes we learned after Scots Wha Hae. In fact, they're the first two tunes of our band's parade set, right before Green Hills of Tyrol and I See Mull. I'm already way too familiar -- maybe too d@mn familiar, this close to St. Paddy's Day -- with High Road.

[Bigkahuna]

Good tune "Caber Feidh". Regimental "charge" of the Gordons I believe.

[EagleJCS]

Good tune "Caber Feidh". Regimental "charge" of the Gordons I believe.

According to bagpipelessons.com, it was a regimental tune of the Queen's Own Highlanders.

It was also a duty tune of the Royal Canadian Regiment (Lima Company) per www.geocities.com/Pentagon/9750/tunes.htm), and the regimental charge of the 78th Highlanders (per www.plantfamily.com/dobbinsfamilytree.html).

It's also a favorite tune of Clan MacKenzie.

It means "deer's antlers" or "stag's head", or a combination thereof, depending on who you ask.

It's one of the few piping tunes that has been written as a 4/4 March, a Strathspey, a jig, a hornpipe, and a reel. You could do a whole medley (or MSR) of nothing but Caber Feidh! You probably wouldn't get scored very well, but it would be amusing!

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Phogfan, did you get my reply to your PM?