SCQF Summarized Level Information

The following is a summary of the requirements for the various levels of the Scottish Certification Qualification Framework.

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SCQF Level 2

  • Perform Piping exercises on the Practice Chanter.
    • Bagpipe Scale,
    • Gracenotes,
    • Strikes,
      • All Strikes
    • the D Throw
      • The Throw on D from Low A
    • Doublings.
      • Doublings on High A, from Low A
      • Doublings on High G, from Low A
      • Doublings on F, from Low A
      • Doublings on E, from Low A
      • Doublings on D, from Low A
      • Doublings on C from Low A
      • Doublings on B from Low A
  • Perform monotone exercises to show your understanding of rhythm.
    • tap or clap out 4 rhythms in Simple Time
      • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate note values
      • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate rests
      • Tap or clap out rhythms in Simple Time Signatures 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4
  • Perform a programme of Bagpipe music on the Practice Chanter.
    • play Bagpipe tunes on the Practice Chanter in Simple Time showing performance skill and technique
      • You must show musical skills on the Practice Chanter by playing two tunes in Simple Time from memory.
      • The tunes must be played in accordance with the written score
      • The tunes must incorporate some of the embellishments from the exercise section of this Unit.
    • The performance of each tune will be assessed against the following criteria:
      • Rhythm
      • Tempo
      • Technique
      • Melody/musical expression
      • Mistakes/faults
  • Show an understanding of music notation.
    • have a knowledge and understanding of musical theory as it relates to the Scottish Bagpipe
  • Write music in Simple Time.
  • Show an understanding of Practice Chanter maintenance.
    • Parts of the chanter

Level 3

  • Perform Piping exercises on the Practice Chanter.
    • displaying correct basic technique
    • Doublings,
      • All Doublings (Low G to High A), from any note of the scale
    • the Throw on D
      • The throw on D from each note of the Scale
    • Lemluaths,
      • Grips (including Grips with a B Gracenote)
    • Birls
      • The Birl from each note of the Scale
    • Birl with G Gracenote,
      • Birl with a G Gracenote from each note of the Scale
    • Gracenotes,
    • Taorluaths and
      • Taorluaths to Low A from each note of the Scale (including Taorluaths from D with a B Gracenote)
    • Tachums.
      • Half Doubling
      • Tachums
  • Perform monotone exercises to show your understanding of rhythm.
    • tap or clap out 4 rhythms in Simple and Compound Time.
      • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate note values
      • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate rests
      • Tap or clap out rhythms in Simple Time — 2/4 and 3/4; and Compound Time — 6/8, 9/8
  • Perform a programme of Bagpipe music on the Practice Chanter.
    • play Bagpipe tunes in Simple and Compound Time on the Practice Chanter showing performance skill and technique.
      • playing on the Practice Chanter, five tunes from memory. At least one tune should be in Compound Time.
      • The tunes must be played in accordance with the written score
      • The tunes must incorporate some of the embellishments from the exercise section of this Unit.
Bagpipe Embellishment Exercises

The performance of each tune will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Rhythm
  • Tempo
  • Technique
  • Blowing
  • Melody/musical expression
  • Mistakes/faults
  • Show an understanding of Bagpipe movements (Doublings and Embellishments).
  • Show an understanding of music notation.
    • Write music notation clearly
    • Use correct Clefs and Bar Lines
    • Use correct Time Signatures
    • Write rhythms in Simple Time
    • Simple Time notation,
    • Clefs and
    • Bar Lines.
    • Music notation and relative note values
    • Time Signatures
    • Rhythmic patterns in Simple Time
    • You will be required to read and write standard notation
      • Writing out Bagpipe movements and music notation on the Stave using a Clef and a Time Signature in Simple Time
    • written and listening exercises.
  • Write music in Simple Time.
  • Show an understanding of Practice Chanter maintenance.
    • describe how to dismantle the practice chanter,
    • how to clean the Practice Chanter
    • how to dry the Practice Chanter
    • how to hemp the Practice Chanter
    • how to weaken/strengthen the Chanter Reed.
    • how to sharpen/flatten the Chanter Reed.
  • write out in notation movements as listed below.
    • All Doublings (Low G to High A), from any note of the Scale
    • Throw on D from each note of the Scale
    • Lemluaths (including Grips with a B Gracenote)
    • Birls and Birl with a G Gracenote from each note of the Scale
    • Taorluaths to Low A from each note of the Scale (including Taorluaths from D with a B Gracenote)
    • Tachums

Level 4

  • Perform Piping exercises on the Practice Chanter.
    • Perform all of the embellishments from Level 3
    • Tachums
      • Tachums
        • C Doublings to Low A, and
        • B Doublings to Low G with E Gracenote as used in Strathspey playing (round movement)
  • Perform monotone exercises to show your understanding of rhythm.
    • tap or clap out 4 rhythms in Simple and Compound Time.
      • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate note values
      • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate rests
      • Tap or clap out rhythms in Simple Time — 2/4 and 3/4; and Compound Time — 6/8, 9/8
  • Show an understanding of Bagpipe movements (Doublings and Embellishments).
    • You must write out, in music notation, all movements and embellishments as listed below.
      • All Doublings (Low G to High A), from any note of the Scale
      • Throw on D from each note of the Scale
      • Lemluaths (including Grips with a B Gracenote)
      • Birls and Birl with a G Gracenote from each note of the Scale
      • Taorluaths to Low A from each note of the Scale (including Taorluaths from D with a B Gracenote)
      • Tachums
        • C Doublings to Low A, and B Doublings to Low G with E Gracenote as used in Strathspey playing (Round movement)
  • Show an understanding of music notation.
  • Write music in Simple Time.
    • You will write out accurate music notation from memory for one part (eight bars) of a tune in Simple Time.
  • Show an understanding of Bagpipe maintenance.
    • describe how to carry out various maintenance activities on the Bagpipes.
  • Perform a programme of Bagpipe music.
    • play Bagpipe tunes in different Time Signatures and with accurate notation, to show performance skill and technique.
      • playing from memory on the Bagpipes two parts a Slow Air.
      • playing from memory on the Bagpipes two parts 3/4 or 4/4 March.
      • playing from memory on the Bagpipes two parts 6/8 or 9/8 March.
      • playing from memory on the Bagpipes two parts Strathspey.
      • playing from memory on the Bagpipes two parts Reel.

The tunes must be played in accordance with the written score. The tunes must incorporate some of the embellishments from the exercise section of this Unit.

  • Rhythm
  • Tempo
  • Technique
  • Blowing
  • Melody/musical expression
  • Mistakes/faults

Level 5

  • Show skills in sight reading Bagpipe music.
    • You must play on the Practice Chanter a previously unseen piece of Bagpipe music
      • Read and play music notation accurately
      • Read and play the selected music in Simple Time — 2/4, 3/4, 4/4; or Compound Time — 6/8, 9/8, 12/8
  • Perform 4 monotone exercises to show your understanding of rhythm.
    • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate note values
    • Tap or clap out rhythms with accurate rests
    • Tap or clap out rhythms in Simple Time — 2/4, 3/4 and Compound Time — 6/8, 9/8
  • Tune the Bagpipes accurately. ( Tuning the Bagpipes )
    • Show Chanter and Drone tuning technique
    • Show blowing skills and maintain tonal quality
    • Maintain Chanter and Drone balance
  • Show skill in marching and deportment. ( Pipe Band Drill )
    • You must march with correct posture and bearing.
    • Display correct posture and bearing
    • March in time
    • Display correct carriage of the Bagpipe
  • Write monotone exercises in Simple and Compound Time.
    • write examples of a monotone rhythm in different Time Signatures in Simple and Compound Time.
  • Show an understanding of music notation.
    • read and write standard notation. Part of this process will involve written and listening exercises.
  • Write music for different tune types.
    • write out accurate music notation, from memory, for one part (eight bars) of a 6/8 March
    • write out accurate music notation, from memory, four bars of either a Strathspey or Reel.
  • Show an understanding of Bagpipe maintenance. ( Bagpipe_Maintenance )
    • You will also be required to explain aspects of Bagpipe maintenance.
  • Perform a programme of Bagpipe music from memory.
    • two parts of a Slow Air
    • four parts of each of a March Simple Time
    • four parts of each of a March Compound Time
    • four parts of each of a Strathspey
    • four parts of each of a Reel
    • four parts of each of a Hornpipe
    • four parts of each of a Jig
    • Piobaireachd — one ground of a Piobaireachd and one variation singling and doubling.

The performance will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Rhythm and phrasing
  • Tempo
  • Technique
  • Tone
  • Melody/musical expression
  • Mistakes/faults
  • Tuning skills

Level 6

You must perform at this level to obtain the Tutor certificate from the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board.

  • Perform Piobaireachd movement exercises on the Practice Chanter
    • playing Piobaireachd movements on the Practice Chanter.
  • Show skills in sight reading Bagpipe music.
    • sight – read music notation in Simple and Compound Time.
  • Perform monotone exercises to show your understanding of rhythm.
    • tap or clap out rhythms in Simple and Compound Time.
  • Perform a programme of Bagpipe music.
    • play Bagpipe tunes and show performance skill and technique.
    • play music according to Time Signatures and play accurate notation.
  • Tune the Bagpipes accurately
    • show that you can tune the Chanter and Drones of the Bagpipes accurately
    • maintain tonal quality
    • maintain Chanter and Drone balance.
  • Show skill in marching and deportment ( Pipe Band Drill )
    • march in Time displaying correct posture and bearing, with correct carriage of the Bagpipes.
  • show your skill to notate Piobaireachd movements and Canntaireachd equivalents, and show knowledge of Piobaireachd classification.
  • Notate light music movements.
  • Show an understanding of rhythm using monotone exercises.
  • Show an understanding of sound production and measurement.
  • Write music for different tune types.
  • Show your knowledge of Bagpipe maintenance. ( Bagpipe Maintenance )
    • How to tie in a Stock
    • The materials used in Bag making
    • How to fit a simple leather valve to the Blowstick and how various water traps as fitted and work
    • How to set a Chanter Reed to achieve a good and reasonably true scale using tape and other means as necessary
    • How to fit, tune and handle cane and synthetic Drone Reeds and Bridles to achieve correct pitch and strength

Level 7

  • Demonstrate sight reading competence of Bagpipe music using the Practice Chanter.
    • accurately sight read and play Bagpipe music notation with embellishments in Simple and Compound Time.
  • Perform a programme of light music (Ceol Beag) on the Bagpipe.
    • play light music tunes on the Bagpipe and show performance skill and technique.
    • play Bagpipe music according to Time Signatures and play notation accurately.
  • Perform a programme of Piobaireachd (Ceol Mor) on the Bagpipe.
    • play an entire Piobaireachd on the Bagpipe showing accurate performance skill and technique.
  • Tune the Bagpipes accurately. ( Tuning the Bagpipes )
    • accurately tune the Chanter and Drones of the Bagpipes,
    • maintain tonal quality
    • maintain Chanter and Drone balance.
  • Display competence in marching and deportment. ( Pipe Band Drill )
    • march in time
    • displaying correct posture and bearing, with correct carriage of the Bagpipes.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Pitch and Pentatonic Scales.
    • The difference between relative and absolute pitch
    • The three Highland Bagpipe Pentatonic scales
    • How the Bagpipe scale relates to the Western Major Scale
    • Tones and Semitones used in these Scales Notating Piobaireachd and light music
  • Notate Piobaireachd and light music.
    • Compose harmony to a set piece of music
    • Write the first line of a Piobaireachd ground on the Stave
  • Identify and describe the requirements and format for specific dances. ( Highland Dancing )
    • playing requirements and format of one of the following dances by naming two suitable tunes, the number of bars required to complete the dance, and a suitable tempo:
      • Highland Fling
      • Sean Truibhas
      • Sword Dance
      • Sailors Hornpipe
      • Irish Jig
  • Demonstrate understanding of Piping and Pipe Band history, and associated individuals and organisations.
    • The Solo Piping competition system
    • The Pipe Band movement
    • Famous Pipers and their contribution to Piping
    • Present day Piping organisations and their contribution to Piping
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Bagpipe assembly and maintenance. ( Bagpipe Maintenance )
    • steps required to assemble and maintain Bagpipes in good playing condition. You will describe:
      • How to tie in a Stock
      • The materials used in Bag making
      • How to fit a simple leather valve to the Blowstick and how various water traps are fitted and work
      • How to set a Chanter Reed to achieve a good and reasonably true Scale using tape and other means as necessary
      • How to fit, tune and handle cane and synthetic Drone Reeds and Bridles to achieve correct pitch and strength
      • How to assemble Bagpipes into good playing order and maintain them in that condition

Level 8

You must perform at this level to obtain the Teacher certificate from the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board.

  • Perform a programme of light music (Ceol Beag) on the Bagpipe.
  • Perform a programme of Piobaireachd (Ceol Mor) on the Bagpipe.
  • Tune the Bagpipes accurately. ( Tuning the Bagpipes )
    • Show Chanter and Drone tuning technique
    • Show tonal quality
    • Maintain Chanter and Drone balance
  • Display competence in marching and deportment. ( Pipe Band Drill )
    • Display correct posture and bearing
    • March in time
    • Display correct carriage of the Bagpipes
  • Write music for different tune types.
    • write from memory four parts of one of the following competition tune types:
      • Competition March
      • Competition Strathspey
      • Competition Reel
      • Competition Hornpipe
      • Competition Jig
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Piobaireachd construction and classification.
    • name and explain different categories of Piobaireachd.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Piobaireachd movements and notation.
    • notate all Piobaireachd movements ( Canntaireachd )
    • the notes of Scales in Nether Lorn Canntaireachd
    • translate a passage of Piobaireachd staff notation into Nether Lorn Canntaireachd.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of Piping. ( History_of_the_bagpipe_and_pipe_bands )
    • show your understanding of a chosen subject relating to Piping history, commenting on its influence and relevance to Piping.
      • The MacPhersons
      • The MacLennans
      • The Rankins
      • The MacIntyres
      • The Descent of Piping knowledge and tuition to the present day