Pipe Band Terminology
If you attend a pipe band event, competition, or rehearsal, you will hear terms that may be unfamiliar. This page explains the most common pipe band terminology.
Pipe Major (PM)
The Pipe Major is the leader of the pipe corps. The PM is responsible for the musical direction of the band, selects the repertoire, sets the tuning, and conducts the pipers on the march and in competition.
Drum Major (DM)
The Drum Major is the leader of the full band on the march. The DM marches out front and uses a mace (a ceremonial staff) to give signals to the band. The DM controls starting, stopping, and various parade manoeuvres.
Leading Drummer (LD)
The Leading Drummer leads the drum corps and is responsible for setting the drum beats and coordinating with the Pipe Major.
Ceol Mòr / Piobaireachd
The classical music of the bagpipe, as described on the history page. Performed at solo competitions.
Ceol Beag
“Small music” — the light music of the bagpipe, including marches, strathspeys, reels, jigs, and hornpipes. This is the music primarily used in pipe band settings.
Medley
A competition format in which a pipe band performs a selection of tunes from different genres (march, strathspey, reel, jig, etc.) arranged into a continuous piece lasting around 15 minutes. The medley is one of the most demanding competition formats.
MSR
March, Strathspey, and Reel — the standard competition format for Grade 1 and other competition grades. The band plays one of each genre in sequence.
Tuning
Before any performance or competition, the band tunes up. The Pipe Major tunes each chanter to a set pitch, and then tunes the drones of each set of pipes to match. Getting the whole band in tune is one of the most important and time-consuming parts of preparation.
Grades
Pipe bands compete in grades (Grade 1 being the highest, Grade 4 or 5 the entry level, depending on the association). Grades reflect the overall skill level of the band and determine what competition events they are eligible for.