Help! I'm thinking of coming up to Edinburgh for the competition day to meet some other enthusiasts and to have a wee play. But I dont know what class to enter and I don't know about tune etiquette. I have only been playing bellows pipes since last August when I got my smallpipes but have played GHB (on and off) for 30 years. So can I go in for Novice? And if so is playing a highland pipe tune like breaking wind in church? Should I be thumbing through the LBPS books to find a Lowland tune for the big day?

Hi,

If you have been playing GHB for 30 years and bellows for 6 months, I would be surprised if you were not up to the standard required for intermediate. Come along early and we can suggest which level is appropriate. It will depend on how good your bellows technique is. As to tunes, nice to play a few Border tunes if you can; just don't come and play 'Green Hills'. Play what you are comfortable with and, if that includes Border tunes, so much the better.

George.

Thanks George!