Pipe Major’s Certificate
This is a Continuous Professional Development award – recipients will be expected to attend future courses and in return will receive endorsements to the certificate. Payment for this certificate and future endorsements will be included in course fees. To receive the certificate candidates must be able to play to PDQB Level 4 or CoP Grade 6, must pass a written examination and must satisfy the instructor on a continual assessment basis that they have satisfactorily completed all the practical course work such as setting up a band, working with reeds, working with a leading drummer, group teaching and music arranging.

Guidance Notes for P/M Course Instructors
Candidates should already be able to play to the required standard for the practical examination (see Syllabus) and should have some knowledge of music theory, monotones and the basic techniques of reed manipulation and tuning. Some time during the course may be spent on improving the playing ability and quality of individual instruments.

Practical work Apart from giving tuition to improve playing standards instruction should also cover reed manipulation, setting chanters, tuning and group playing. Students should be able to gain practical experience in these skills whilst under the direction and supervision of the course tutor.

Class workOther instruction should cover selection and arrangement of music (including harmony arrangements), group tuition and practice,  pipe band performance, working with a leading drummer, ensemble performance and band management. This should be covered by a mix of practical work and class discussions. Some of the sample questions in the instruction booklet could be used as a basis for group discussions.

Written work The parts of the syllabus covering music theory, monotones and the maintenance of the bagpipe may require some revision. The sections on the aims, objectives and rules of the RSPBA, Highland dress and the history and development of the pipe band and the competition system should be covered by private study using the instruction booklet.

Assessment The College of Piping Pipe Major’s certificate will be awarded to those students who in the opinion of the instructor have satisfactorily completed all the course work and who have also reached the required playing standard and achieved at least a 50% pass in the written examination.

P/M Certificate Syllabus – Practical

• Be prepared to play 4 MSRs + 4 H&Js + 1 four minute medley + 1 full piobaireachd on a well set bagpipe (candidates with CoP Grade 5 or PDQB Level 4 exempted).
• Be able to demonstrate set up and tuning of a pipe corps of no less than 8 pipers – to be done to Grade 3 standard approx.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach a corps of pipers set pieces.
• Candidates will be required to arrange a suitable selection of music along with appropriate harmonies for playing as a ‘pipe band’.
• Candidates will be required to teach a ‘pipe corps‘ and communicate with a ‘leading drummer’. This will be initially ‘round the table’ using the practice chanter followed by playing on the bagpipe as a group.
• Candidates will be required to set the chanters to the best possible standard given the ability of your pipers. You will also be required to tune the drones of each bagpipe in your ‘corps’.
• Candidates will also be required to parade your ‘band’, maintaining discipline and place the members in positions according to their playing abilities coupled by their heights and bearing to produce the best possible musical performance and best possible appearance while on parade.
• Candidates will be required to know the words of command and the necessary drill for a ‘marching band‘.

Written

The written paper will cover:

• The ability to compile a 3 to 5 minute medley suitable for Grade 3
• The ability to work with a leading drummer
• The basics of good ensemble performance
• The basics of band management
• The basics of band drill and commands
• The competition rules as established by the RSPBA
• The working, aims and objectives of the RSPBA
• Theory of music
• Maintenance of the bagpipe
• Monotones
• Pipe band history