Old novice piper needs tune advice

[Phogfan86]

My 12-year-old has conned me into signing up for an unsanctioned Novice 30+ competition in six weeks. I've been playing for 22 months by the time the competition comes around.

I need a 4-part 2/4 march. Can anyone suggest some tunes so I can sift through a few options rather than automatically settling for Capt. Norman Orr Ewing?

[beloitpiper]

A good list:
http://www.pipetunes.ca/browseproducts.asp?catID=171

[cajuncelt]

6 weeks is cutting it close. In "Novice" do you mean Grade5 chanter only?

[haukehaien]

That is quick ... my instructor (and his) both hold to the idea that it takes 6 months to a year to get a tune ready for competition.

With that in mind, I'm working on "King George V's Army" for next year.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I agree that 6 weeks is not a lot of time, but I'll leave it to you whether it will work for you or not.

I suggest "Lady Lever Park". I've been out of the competitive loop for ages, but it never was a very common tune to hear in the past. Not a very difficult tune, yet sounds moreso than it is.

Do you have a teacher or former instructor you can discuss this with?

[Phogfan86]

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions, folks.

Neither my son nor I will be competing. It's just too much of a time crunch. We both know 2-parted 2-4's, and we could learn a 4-part, but why put that kind of pressure on one's self? So, he'll continue to work on Norman Orr Ewing, and I have plenty of time to select and learn a tune for next year.

"Novice" means someone who's never competed on pipes before, and they have them split into age 29- and 30+. There is a novice chanter competition, but we each competed in that last year. My son took a first. I, uhhh, well, I was very prompt for my time slot.

We are, however, entering the trio contest with a bandmate. Our medley will be the same one our band is competing with: Wings/Rowan Tree/We're No Awa'/Lord Lovat's Lament. We've been working on it since Christmas, so we'll either play it well that day or we won't, but there won't be a question of whether or not we knew the tunes!

[highland mafia]

79th Farewell to Gibraltar. Got a nice bounce to it but I just played it and it's pretty easy.

[Blupiper]

Have you considered 'Prince Charles Welcome to Lochaber' by PM Hal MacRae. It's got a good sound, some swing and definitely in the area of where you say you want to be.

JMB