Stormpipes 

Playing for Highland Dancing


Although not essential for the piper, a knowledge of the dances themselves provides a tremendous advantage. Playing for dancing competitions can be very repetitive and your concentration can lapse. Knowing the dance and the steps involved can be useful in getting you back on track if this happens.
Your concentration can also be helped by playing tunes which suit the dance, are well rehearsed by yourself and which are enjoyable both to you and the dancer.
Try and have a good indication in your mind of the tempo required and keep it steady. This is particularly important at competition level. In non competitive dancing the tempo is still important but can be altered slightly to suit the ability of the dancer.
Remember that it is the responsibility of the dancer to keep in time with the piper, but it is your responsibility to know the correct tempo.

In nearly all dances you will find that playing the first part of the tune three times will give you the introduction and the first step.

Tempos

All tempos are taken from the textbook of the S.O.B.H.D. and are given as metronome time. (As at February 2006)
  • The Highland Fling - 114.
  • The Sword Dance - 102. (Quick time - 122)
  • Seann Triubhas - 94. (Quick time - 114)
  • Strathspey - as for Highland Fling.
  • Highland Reel - 106.
  • Reel of Tulloch (Hullachan) - 106.
  • Highland Laddie - 96.
  • The Barracks - 100.
  • Flora - 88.
  • Scottish Lilt - 96.
  • The Blue Bonnets - 88.
  • The Village Maid - 84.
  • The Earl of Erroll - 76.
  • Scotch Measure - 96.
  • Sailors Hornpipe - 104. (The S.O.B.H.D. shows as 208 but I think this is a typo).
  • Irish Jig - 120.

Suitable Tunes














The Highland FlingThe Marquis of Huntly's Highland Fling, The Keel Row
The Sword DanceGhillie Challum
The Seann TruibhasWhistle O'er the Lave O't, Orange and Blue (quick time)
Strathspey and Reel of TullochStrathspey - Loudens Bonnie Woods and Braes, Because he was a Bonnie Lad
Reels - The Piper of Drummond, The High Road to Linton, The Fairy Dance, The Deil among the Tailors
The Hullachan ReelMrs. Macleod of Raasay, Kate Dalrymple, Jock Wilson's Ball, The Circassion Circle
Highland LaddieHighland Laddie, The Barren Rocks of Aden
The BarracksThe 79th Farewell to Gibralter, The Australian Ladies
The FloraKenmures up an' Awa, The Atholl Highlanders
The Blue BonnetsThe Blue Bonnets
The Village MaidThe Liberton Polka, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
The Earl of ErrollThe Earl of Erroll, Findlay and the Chipmonk
The HornpipeThe Liverpool Hornpipe, Crossing the Minch, My Love She's but a Lassie Yet, The Black Bear
The Irish JigThe Irish Washerwoman, Paddy's Leather Breeches

These tunes are only suggestions for you to consider
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