City of Bristol Pipes and Drums

Music Repertoire

Written by Administrator Monday, 16 May 2011 14:08

The Bristol City Pipes and Drums have a working repertoire of some 50 tunes. These include all the well recognised pipe tunes and some less familiar but attractive tunes. Many of these are marching tunes which are grouped into sets of two, three or four tunes. Each set has the same time signature and tempo. “Scotland The Brave” is combined with “Rowan Tree” and “Murdo’s Wedding” in a set which is in 4/4 time.

Medlays of mixed tempo and time signature are played when the band is not marching. These include some well known slow tunes such as “Over The Sea To Skye” and “Amazing Grace” or Strathspeys, Hornpipes and Jigs which are dance rhythms.

The repertoire of the senior and advanced pipers is considerably more extensive and includes Pibroch.

A few modern or traditional tunes that are not truly pipe tunes have been adapted for the pipes and although the note range is restricted, the band may play these tunes in a light hearted setting.

Our drumming core are a vital and integral part of the pipe band and can on occasions be persuaded to play dramatic drum rolls.