The following information lists what adjudicators will be listening for when a solo piper competes in VPA competitions.
Novice:
- Show ability to play grace notes and movements clearly
- Play with a steady tempo, show a basic understanding of musical expression
- Blow bagpipes steady
- Smartly dressed and presented
D Grade
- Show ability to play notes, grace notes and movements on the beat
- Play with a steady, consistent tempo
- Show a basic understanding of musical expression
- Blow bagpipes steady on a well tuned bagpipe
- Smartly dressed and presented
C Grade
- Show ability to play notes, grace notes and movements on the beat with clarity
- Play with a steady, consistent tempo. (Marching up and down for marches and beating of foot for other tunes)
- Present a steadily blown, well balanced and in tune bagpipe
- Show ability to tune drones between elements (if required)
- Show an understanding of musical phrasing and expression
- Show an understanding of stage-craft
- Smartly dressed and presented
B Grade
- Show ability to play accurate execution of all notes and beats with good clarity and precise consistency
- Play with a steady, consistent tempo. Marching up and down for marches and beating of foot for other tunes
- Present a well balanced and accurately tuned chanter
- Show ability to tune drones accurately before commencing performances
- Show a high level of understanding of musical phrasing and expression
- Demonstrate a high level of stage-craft
- Smartly dressed and presented
A Grade
- High standard of all disciplines required