Mastering Solo Bagpipe Competitions

In this episode, Gold Medallist, Jim McGillivray breaks down everything you need to know about solo bagpiping competitions and what to expect.
From entering, arrival and check-in, getting ready, to approaching the judge, tuning, performing, and finishing - Jim McGillivray walks you through mastering solo piping competitions. Think of this as a competition primer for the budding soloist.
Why listen to Jim? Jim McGillivray is an accomplished Gold Medallist, Judge/Adjudicator, Teacher, and Composer with over a half century of experience at the highest levels. He is also notably the current Chair of The Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario’s (PPBSO) Music Committee.
Jim has notably won the North American Championships, the Gold Medal at Inverness (1985), the Clasp at Inverness (1986), the Gold Medal at Oban (1991), the March/Strathspey and Reel at the Glenfiddich Championships (1986), and the Strathspey & Reel at Oban (1986) to name just a few. Pipes | Drums Magazine called Jim McGillivray, "one of the best all-round pipers, ever."
Jim McGillivray is also the author of the highly-acclaimed "Rhythmic Fingerwork” and “Piobaireachd Fingerwork” Series (over 28,000 copies sold worldwide), and producer of the widely acclaimed "Pipes Ready!" and "Pipes Up!” Instructional Series.
Your solo piping adventure starts by joinging your local Piping and Drumming Association/Organization. This is integral to understanding what is happening in your area. Check out the events, competitions, and games.
Next, assess your level of competancy. What Grade will you compete in? You’ll want to do this well in advance of an event. Note that some Association/Organization’s can assess your level of skill for you. Look up the entry form of the events to see whether you can comfortably play the requisite tunes. Register for the event.
Know your schedule - find out where you need to be, at what time your competition, and what you are supposed to do there. Be on time to register that you are at the contest, arrive on time at the judging point (having ascertained where all the points are that you will play at) and come to the judging point ready to play the correct tunes. Check in with the Steward - they are extremely helpful at the event.
Warm up your instrument - a gentle 5-10 minutes. Note that playing for too long may have detrimental effects on your chanter reed due to moisture. Have your pipes in tune before the event. Allow your instrument to acclimatise, particularly if you have traveled to get to the contest.
Jim McGillivray explains what to expect and how to best present yourself for the judge and what they will be looking for. Have questions? Email [e-mail]
Have questions or an idea for a future episode? E-mail us at [e-mail] or join the discussion on Facebook at / pipetunes .
This episode is brought to you by www.bagpiping.ca and www.pipetunes.ca
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[@claybowcutt6158]

back in the seventies "open" meant open for anyone, but there was also a professional class with an substantial entry fee for the pros. I found that professional pipers ridicule a piper who doesn't have standing and enters the open. To determine a playing level, a new class has been developed called adult. It is wise to enter as an adult if not ranked. You get great feedback and can help in determining a level if you so desire.

[@paulcannell7188]

Thanks Jim, really good advice. Not going through your competition tunes on the day of competition, before hand is excellent advice.

[@davemacleod9623]

Wish I heard that a few years ago...excellent, thnkyou..

[@alanmolox2095]

Unless your judge's name is Thompson. And the venue is Brengle Park in Vista, CA. This is by far, of all judges I've ever had the privilege to play in front of the most condescending, vile individual you will ever come across. If any of my other piping brethren are out there and are familiar with this venue I speak of, please give me a better perspective.
Every single time he's judged me (other venue: Sea Side, Ventura) he tightly clenches his hands together, purses his lips, twists his head at an angle and goes "Ya know.... I didn't hear any Tachums... Where were your Tachums?" (there were none in the piece, and I had given him the sheet music, which he did not look at) and then summarily dismiss me, feeling empty, cold and in sullen disdain for the Highland games in general because of all the hard work it takes to prepare for such things.