CLASP - 2008/2009

Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers


The National Piping Centre

Welcome to the CLASP website!

The website is currently being redone, to become a member or to enter competitions please email

CLASP is a Competition League for Amateur Solo Pipers.

Membership of CLASP will be confined to adults. i.e. Over 18 years.

Amateur solo pipers joining CLASP will have the opportunity to compete in a series of graded competitions throughout the year and their standings will be maintained in a league table.

Our Aims:

Membership Rules:

  1. Entry to CLASP competitions is confined to adult amateur pipers. The definition of adult is taken to mean someone who is 18 years old or over.
  2. For the purposes of CLASP competitions an amateur piper is defined to be someone who does not compete in open solo piping competitions where prize money is offered.
  3. A member of CLASP cannot simultaneously be a member of the Competing Pipers Association.
  4. Membership of CLASP may be open to pipers who have at one time competed in Open level events where prize money has been offered but they should not have competed in any such competition for a period of 4 years and must also be re-graded to confirm their suitability to compete in CLASP events.
  5. All members must pay an annual membership fee of £30. Membership fees must be paid on joining and thereafter fall due on the 1st of July annually. Members may join at any time of year.
  6. All members will be graded in order to compete. Refer to “Gradings” for details. Members who wish to lodge an appeal against their grading may do so within 4 weeks of receiving their first grading. An appeal should be placed in writing. When an appeal is received, arrangements will be made by CLASP for a new grading panel to review video/audio evidence or for an audition. Members may not appeal more than once in any year.
  7. If membership lapses or entry to competitions ceases for a period of 2 consecutive years intending competitors must be re-graded upon renewal of membership or re-entry to competition.
  8. All members must adhere to the competition rules as detailed in the “members area” section.

What Are Grades?

Members of CLASP must first obtain a grading in order to compete.

There are 3 grads, Grade 1 being the highest standard and Grade 3 being the entry level standard. Grade 3 is not a grade for learner pipers - some applicants may not achieve this standard when graded.

Competitors will be given a grade for Piobaireachd and/or a grade for Light Music.

After competing in competitions, members may be re-graded if their standard is considered to be in-appropriate for the grade level in which they competed.

How Do I Obtain A Grade?

1. Submission of a video or audio recording.

Where recordings are submitted, playing must be on the bagipe and should include:

(a) One complete Piobaireachd if you intend to compete in Piobaireachd competitions and require a Piobaireachd grading.
(b) A March, Strathspey and Reel (The March can be played separately from the Strathspey and Reel) and a Hornpipe and Jig if you intend to compete in Light Music competitions and require a Light Music grading.
Recordings must be delivered to the National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow G4 0HW.

2. Audition
Auditions can be arranged by appointment and will normally take place at the National Piping Centre unless an alternative venue can be arranged.
At the auditions you will be asked to play as in (a) and (b) above.

3. Overseas
North American competitors who have a grading from any ANAPBA organisation need not apply for a grading and may simply submit their current grading. Gradings from other overseas organisations will also be given due consideration.

4. Notification
In either case whether you submit a video/audio recoding or take an audition you will be advised of your grading within 14 days.

Tune Requirements

At each grade level competitors will be required to submit the following numbers of tunes. Competitors need only enter the events of their choice.

Grade 1

Piobaireachd Submit three piobaireachd, play one
2/4 March Submit two tunes, play one
Strathspey and Reel Submit two of each tune, play one of each
2/4 March, Strathspey and Reel Submit two of each tune, play one of each
6/8 March Submit two tunes, play one
Hornpipe and Jig Submit two of each tune, play one of each
Jig Submit two tunes, play one

Grade 2

Piobaireachd Submit two piobaireachd, play one
2/4 March Submit two tunes, play one
Strathspey and Reel Submit one set
2/4 March, Strathspey and Reel Submit two marches, one strathspey and one reel (only one march to be played)
6/8 March Submit one tune
Hornpipe and Jig Submit one set
Jig Submit two tunes, play one

Grade 3

Piobaireachd Submit one piobaireachd
2/4 March Submit one tune
Strathspey and Reel Submit one set
6/8 March Submit one tune
Hornpipe Submit one tune
Jig Submit one tune

NOTE

All light music tunes should be of 4 parts.

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