the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board
(Incorporating The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming, The College of Piping, The National Piping Centre, The Piobaireachd Society and The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association)
The New Hampshire School of Scottish Arts is available for exams on the piping syllabus.
The entire syllabus is available here for download in Word format.
Exam Prep and Private exams can also be scheduled.
Certificates for Pipers, Pipe Band Drummers and Teachers of Piping
Seven Certificates of Piping ability, four Certificates of Pipe Band Drumming ability, three Certificates in Pipe Band Studies and two Certificates for teachers of Piping are available. Details of the syllabus for each examination are provided in this document.
The organisations represented on the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB) are:
The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming;
The College of Piping;
The National Piping Centre;
The Piobaireachd Society; and
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
Enquiries and applications to take examinations should be addressed to the following Approved Centres:
The National Piping Centre The College of Piping
30-34 McPhater Street 16-24 Otago Street
GLASGOW, G4 0HW GLASGOW, G12 8JH
SCOTLAND SCOTLAND
Email:
reception@thepipingcentre.co.uk
Email:
college@college-of-piping.co.uk
Website:
http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk
Website:
http://www.college-of-piping.co.uk
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association The Army School; of Bagpipe Music and
45 Washington Street Highland Drumming
GLASGOW Inchdrewer House
G3 8AZ 299 Colinton Road
EDINBURGH
Tel: 0141 221 5414 EH13 0LA
Website: http://www.rspba.org Tel: 0131 310 5561
(For Armed Forces Personnel only)
Arrangements can be made to examine in other centres via PDQB accredited examiners.
A candidate may present himself/herself for any Certificate without necessarily being the holder of the Certificate which comes earlier in the syllabus. In this case, however, they may also be examined on the syllabus of the earlier Certificates. Candidates should seek guidance from any of the approved examination centres on their ability to sit various certification levels.
Tests for all Certificates (less the Performers’ Certificate) will consist in each case of a practical, oral, and written examinations. Candidates must obtain a pass in both the practical and written examinations before a Certificate can be awarded. The tests for the Performers’ Certificate will consist of practical and oral examinations. Candidates are advised to contact any of the approved examination centres for an indication of the suitable standard of tunes to play at respective levels.
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
EXAMINATION FEE’S
(January 2007)
The fees for the examinations are set below.
60% of this
fee should be retained by the examining body (Examiners Fee) and 40% returned to
the Piping & Drumming Qualifications Board (Administration and Certificate
costs).
All monies to be returned to the PDQB should be converted to pounds sterling.
On receipt of the examination results, student contact details and fees, the
student’s record will be added to the database and a signed certificate will be
sent to the candidate or the examiner.
|
|
60% |
40% |
|
|
Level |
Examining Body Fee
£ |
Certificate Price PDQB £ |
Total Cost to Candidate £ |
|
Level 1 Solo Piping and Pipe Band Drumming Certificate
|
6.00 |
4.00 |
10.00 |
|
Level 2 Solo Piping and Pipe Band Drumming Certificate
|
6.00 |
4.00 |
10.00 |
|
Level 3 Solo Piping and Pipe Band Drumming Certificate
|
9.00 |
6.00 |
15.00 |
|
Level 4 Solo Piping and Pipe Band Drumming Certificate
|
12.00 |
8.00 |
20.00 |
|
Level 5 Solo Piping Certificate
|
24.00 |
16.00 |
40.00 |
|
Level 6 Solo Piping Certificate
|
36.00 |
24.00 |
60.00 |
|
Solo Piping Piobaireachd Certificate
|
30.00 |
20.00 |
50.00 |
|
Solo Piping and Pipe Band Drumming Tutor Certificate
|
30.00 |
20.00 |
50.00 |
|
Solo Piping and Pipe Band Drumming Teachers Certificate
|
60.00 |
40.00 |
100.00 |
|
Solo Piping Performers Certificate
|
30.00 |
20.00 |
50.00 |
|
Pipe Band Studies 1 Certificate
|
|
|
TBC |
|
Pipe Band Studies 2 Certificate
|
|
|
TBC |
|
Pipe Band Studies 3 Certificate
|
|
|
TBC |
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATE – PIPING
(PRACTICE CHANTER)
1. Maintenance
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the following:
Dismantling the practice chanter
Cleaning and drying the practice chanter
Correct hemping of the practice chanter
2. Practical
Candidates must demonstrate competence in the following:
Exercises:
(1) The scale
(2) The scale to F with a G gracenote
(3) The scale to C with a D gracenote
(4) The scale to D with an E gracenote
(5) G,D,E gracenote groupings
(6) All strikes
(7) Thumb or High A gracenote
(8) The Throw on D from Low A
(9) Doublings on High A, High G, F, E, D, C, and B from Low A
(10) Basic monotone exercises in Simple Time
Tunes:
Two tunes played from memory. The music is to be presented to the examiner and played in accordance with the written score. The music does not have to be written out by the candidate.
The tunes submitted must incorporate some of the embellishments from the exercises listed in section a.
3. Theory
Candidates must be able to:
a. Name all notes and note values (duration)
b. Demonstrate the correct placement of notes on the stave
c. Demonstrate an understanding of what dotted and cut notes
have on the note duration
d. Correctly write a treble clef on the stave
e. Understand the purpose of a bar line
f. Write out 4 bars from a tune with a 24 time signature by copying onto
manuscript paper from set music provided
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
LEVEL ONE CERTIFICATE– PIPE BAND DRUMMING
1. Maintenance
Introduction to the Care and Maintenance of a Snare, Bass and Tenor Drums,
2. Snare Drum Practical
Candidates must demonstrate a basic competence in the following, using Sticks and Practice Pads:
a. Correct Hand and Stick Position
b. Single Stroke Beating
c. Counting in Simple and Compound Times
d. Counting in Irregular Groups in Simple and Compound Time
e. Counting in the Three Kinds of Time
f. Single Stroke Work
g. Long Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
h. Five - Stroke Roll, both ‘open‘and ‘closed‘
i. Seven - Stroke Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
j. Nine - Stroke Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
k. Paradiddle
l. Basic Monotones in Simple Time
3. Bass and Tenor Drum Practical
Candidates must demonstrate a basic competence in the following, using Beaters (Sticks):
a. Correct Hand and Beater Positions
b. Beater control
c. Counting in Simple and Compound Times
d. Counting in Irregular Groups in Simple and Compound Time
e. Counting in the Three Kinds of Time
f. Single Stroke Work
g. Paradiddle
h. Basic Monotones in Simple Time
4. Theory
Candidates must be able to:
a. Name all notes and note values (duration)
b. Demonstrate the correct placement of notes on the stave
c. Demonstrate an understanding of what dotted and cut notes have on the note duration
d. Correctly write a treble clef on the stave
e. Understand the purpose of a bar line
f. Write out 4 bars of beatings from a tune with a 24 time signature by copying onto manuscript paper from set music provided
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
LEVEL TWO CERTIFICATE – PIPING
(PRACTICE CHANTER)
1. Maintenance
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the following:
a. Dismantling the practice chanter
b. Cleaning and drying the practice chanter
c. Correct hemping of the practice chanter
d. Weakening and strengthening a practice chanter reed
e. Sharpen and flatten the practice chanter pitch
2 Practical
On the practice chanter, candidates must demonstrate competence in the following:
a. Exercises:
(1) All doublings (Low G to High A), from any note of the scale
(2) Throw on D from each note of the scale
(3) Grips (including grips with a B gracenote)
(4) Birl and birl with a G gracenote from each note of the scale
(5) Taorluaths to Low A from each note of the scale (including taorluaths from D with a B gracenote)
(6) Tachums
(7) Basic monotone exercises in Simple and Compound Time
b. Tunes:
On the practice chanter, five tunes to be played from memory. At least one tune should be in Compound Time. The music is to be presented to the examiner and played in accordance with the written score. The music does not have to be written out by the candidate.
The tunes submitted must incorporate some of the embellishments from the exercises listed in section a.
3. Theory
Candidates must be able to:
a. Understand simple time rhythms
b. Explain what a time signature is
c. Place bar lines according to a time signature
d. Explain what a treble clef is
e. Identify the time signature from a piece of music presented by the Examiner
f. Write out all doublings and embellishments in section 2.a.
g. Write out 8 bars of a Simple Time tune from memory. The tune is to
be selected from those submitted by the candidate for the practical section
h. Be able to draw a note value table and understand relative note durations
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
LEVEL TWO CERTIFICATE – PIPING
(BAGPIPES)
1. Maintenance
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the following:
a. Naming all of the parts of a bagpipe
b. How to properly replace and remove the pipe chanter
c. How to properly replace and remove the drones
d. Correct hemping/sealing of pipe joints
e. How to correctly tie on and space the drone cords.
Practical
On the practice chanter, candidates must demonstrate competence in the following;
a. Exercises
(1) All doublings (low G to High A), from any note of the scale
(2) Throw on D from each note of the scale
(3) Grips (including grips with a B gracenote)
(4) Birl and birl with a G gracenote from each note of the scale
(5) Taorluaths to Low A from each note of the scale (including taorluaths from D with a B gracenote)
(6) Tachums
(7) C doublings to Low A and B doublings to Low G with E gracenote as used in Strathspey playing ( Round movement )
(8) Basic monotone exercises in simple and compound time
b. Tunes:
Candidates submit five tunes comprising:
(1) 2 parts of a Slow Air
(2) 2 parts of a March in 3/ 4 or 4/4 Time
(3) 2 parts of a March in 6/8 or 9/8 Time
(4) 2 parts of a Strathspey
(5) 2 parts of a Reel
The music is to be presented to the examiner and played on the bagpipe in accordance with the written score. The music does not have to be written out by the candidate. The tunes submitted must incorporate some of the embellishments from the exercises listed in section a.
3. Theory
Candidates must be able to:
a. Understand simple time rhythms
b. Explain what a time signature is
c. Place bar lines according to a time signature
d. Explain what a treble clef is
e. Identify the time signature from a piece of music presented by the Examiner
f. Write out all doublings and embellishments in section 2.a.
g. Write out 8 bars of a Simple Time tune from memory. The tune is to be selected from those submitted by the candidate for the practical section
h. Be able to draw a note value table and understand relative note durations
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
LEVEL TWO CERTIFICATE – PIPE BAND DRUMMING
SYLLABUS
1. Maintenance
Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the Care and Maintenance of Snare, Bass and Tenor Drums.
2. Snare Drum Practical
Candidates must demonstrate competence in the following, using sticks and practice pads :
a. Counting in Simple and Compound Times;
b. Counting in the Three Kinds of Time
c. Continued development of Single Stroke Work
d. Continued development of the Long Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
e. Continued development of the Five - Stroke Roll, both ‘open‘ and ‘closed‘
f. Continued development of the Seven - Stroke Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
g. Continued development of the Nine - Stroke Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
h. Continued development of the Paradiddle
i. Introduction to Flam Movements
j. Introduction to Drag Movements
k. Continued development of Monotones and Simple and Compound
l. Introduction to Simple Time March Rhythm of two parts
m. Introduction to Compound Time Quick March Rhythm of two parts
3. Bass and Tenor Drum Practical
Candidates must demonstrate competence in the following, using Beaters:
a. Correct Hand and Beater Positions
b. Beater control and maintenance
c. Introduction to Basic Flourishing Movements
d. Introduction to Flourishing and Time Keeping
e. Counting in Simple and Compound Times
f. Counting in the Three Kinds of Time
g. Continued development of Single Stroke Work, introducing the use of accents
h. Continued development of the ‘Paradiddle‘
i. Continued development of Monotones and Simple and Compound
j. Introduction to Simple Time March Rhythm of two parts
k. Introduction to Compound Time Quick March Rhythm of two parts
l. Introduction to Marching, Playing and Deportment
4. Theory
Candidates must be able to:
a. Understand simple time rhythms
b. Explain what a time signature is
c. Place bar lines according to a time signature
d. Explain what a treble clef is
e. Identify the time signature from a piece of music presented by the Examiner
f. Write out all of the drumming embellishments included in the syllabus up to Level 2
g. Write out 8 bars of a Simple Time drum score from memory
h. Be able to draw a note value table and understand relative note durations
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
LEVEL THREE CERTIFICATE - PIPING
1. Maintenance
Candidates must demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the following:
a. Removing the pipe chanter from the stock
b. Cleaning and drying the pipes
c. Correct hemping/sealing of pipe joints
d. Testing for airtightness of the pipes, including seasoning as appropriate
e. Different types of drone reeds
f. Handling reeds and securing them in the chanter/drone reed seat. Includes a practical demonstration.
g. Ensuring that the bagpipe is an appropriate fit for the piper, e.g. correct size/spread/fit of the bag, bag cover, blow stick, cords/drone spacing.
2. Practical
Candidates must demonstrate competence in the following:
a. Monotone Exercises
(1) Tap out the rhythm of Simple and Compound Monotone Exercises
b. Tunes (on the bagpipe)
Candidates submit tunes comprising:
(1) 2 parts of a Slow Air
(2) 4 parts of a March in Simple Time
(3) 4 parts of a March in Compound Time
(4) 4 parts of a Strathspey
(5) 4 parts of a Reel
(6) 4 parts of a Hornpipe
(7) 4 parts of a Jig
(8) One Ground of a Piobaireachd and one variation singling and doubling
Candidates will be expected to make a reasonable attempt at tuning their drones and be able to explain the basic principles of drone tuning.
Candidates will also be assessed on Marching and Deportment.
3. Theory
Candidates must be able to:
a. Write out Monotone Exercises in Simple and Compound Time
b. Write out 8 bars of a 6/8 March from memory
c. Write out 4 bars of either a Strathspey or a Reel from memory
d. Explain the purpose of a Leger Line
e. Draw out the Great Staff and show the pitch of the tenor drone, bass drone, and all the notes in the bagpipe scale
f. Sight reading of a set piece (on the practice chanter)
PIPING AND DRUMMING QUALIFICATIONS BOARD
LEVEL THREE CERTIFICATE– PIPE BAND DRUMMING
1. Maintenance
Introduction to the Tuning and Timbre of a Snare Drum, Bass and Tenor Drums, including a knowledge of ’Dampening’ techniques.
2. Snare Drum Practical
Candidates must demonstrate competence in the following, using sticks and practice pad:
a. Counting in Irregular Groups in Simple and Compound Times
b. Single Stroke Work
c. The Long Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
d. The Five - Stroke Roll, both ‘open‘ and ‘closed‘
e. The Seven - Stroke Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
f. The Nine - Stroke Roll, both ‘open’ and ‘closed’
g. The Paradiddle
h. Continued development of Flam Movements
i. Continued development of Drag Movements
j. Introduction to Strathspey and Reel Rhythms
k. Introduction to Slow March Rhythm in Compound Time
l. Monotones and Sight - reading
Candidates must demonstrate competency in the following on the snare drum:
a. Simple Time March Rhythm of two parts
b. Compound Time March Rhythm of two parts
3. Bass and Tenor Drum Practical
Candidates must demonstrate competence in the following, using Beaters:
a. Continued development of Basic Flourishing Movements
b. Continued development of Flourishing and Time Keeping
c. Counting in Simple and Compound Times
d. Counting in the Three Kinds of Time
e. Counting of Irregular Groups in Simple and Compound Times
f. Single Stroke Work and accents
g. The ‘Paradiddle‘
h. Monotones and Sight - reading
i. Introduction to Strathspey and Reel Rhythms
j. Introduction to Slow March Rhythm in Compound Time
k.