How To Choose New Band Tunes

Selecting the right tunes for your pipe band is a bit like planning a menu for a diverse dinner party. You’ve got some seasoned gourmets at the table and some who just learned to turn on a stove. The trick? Serve something satisfying to both.

Whether you're preparing for a competition or planning your next performance set, tune selection is one of the most critical – and often most debated – parts of the musical journey for a band. Should you stick with classics? Try something ambitious? Work out what judges would like, or choose a crowd-pleasing favourite? Cater to the top players or support the learners?

Let’s explore how to navigate this musical balancing act with practical tips, a touch of tradition, and a big helping of strategy.

Why Tune Selection Matters More Than You Think

Choosing tunes for a pipe band isn’t just a creative decision, it’s a strategic one. The right tune selection can uplift your band’s confidence, improve performance quality, boost enthusiasm and ensure long-term growth. Choose wrong, and you can stall momentum, make players feel isolated or demotivated, and even derail morale.

Especially in the context of RSPBA competitions, where the prescribed tune list plays a major role, selection isn’t just about personal taste. It’s about playing smart – balancing challenge with achievability.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I choose tunes that work for everyone?” – you’re not alone. Let’s dig into some of the key considerations.

Unpacking the RSPBA Prescribed Tune List

If you're not familiar with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) or just looking for clarity, the prescribed tune list is essentially a curated selection of traditional tunes required in certain competition grades or events. Although the RSPBA is based in Scotland, their resources are followed (to differing extents) in piping communities around the world. And the prescribed tune list is a free resource of tunes that's a bit like a recipe book every band has access to, offering structure and standardisation across the world.

Why does this matter? Well, imagine judging a cooking contest where everyone makes a completely different dish. You could judge it, but it would be impossible to compare fairly, as you're judging wildly different variables. The prescribed tunes help ensure that bands are judged on execution rather than a tune's obscurity or flair.

But here’s where it gets tricky: some of these tunes are deceptively difficult. For bands at the lower-to-mid grades, this can raise questions. Are these tunes too advanced? Are they meant to weed out bands?

While some speculate about hidden agendas, the truth is simpler: prescribed tunes encourage bands to focus on foundational skills – rhythm, tone, unison, and ensemble precision. Like learning to cook before attempting molecular gastronomy, they provide guardrails that help keep everyone – especially when you're just starting out and developing your skills and bandcraft – grounded in the basics.

Balancing Skill Levels in Your Band

One of the biggest challenges in selecting pipe band tunes is navigating the varied skill levels within your group. You might have confident players who want to be pushed and new learners who are still getting comfortable.

So, how do you find music that satisfies both?

Here’s a simple formula: Aim for 80% comfort, 20% stretch.
This means most of your repertoire should be within the band’s current capabilities, with just enough challenge to promote growth.

If the music is too easy, your top players will disengage. Too difficult, and your newer players will struggle to keep up. A good set will gently stretch your band while allowing everyone to feel part of the musical success.

Mastery Beats Complexity Every Time

There’s a myth in the pipe band world that more complex equals more impressive. But ask any judge (or audience member) what makes a tune memorable, and they’ll tell you: it’s how well it’s played.

A band that delivers a basic 2/4 march with excellent tone and precision will almost always outperform a band muddling and rushing through a flashy medley full of mistakes.

Your band will benefit far more from mastering simple tunes than fumbling through ambitious ones.

Tip: If your band struggles with tone, timing, or unison on a current tune, simplify before you intensify.

The Importance of Building Repertoire Like a Menu

Selecting pipe band music should feel a bit like planning a thoughtful menu.

• Start with a strong foundation. Anchor your repertoire with two or three well-understood, confidently played pieces. These are your comfort dishes – reliable crowd-pleasers that allow your players to shine.

• Add a flavour twist. Introduce one tune that pushes the band slightly beyond its comfort zone. This keeps practice engaging and gives players a goal to work toward.

• Avoid musical indigestion. Don’t overload your set with too many high-difficulty tunes, or your practice nights will feel like marathons of frustration. Your players (and their fingers... and nerves) will thank you.

A Checklist For Choosing New Tunes 

Still not sure if your chosen tunes are right for your band? Here’s a checklist:

• Can 80–90% of the band play it confidently?
• Does the tune allow for good tone and unison?
• Is there room for musical expression and dynamics?
• Will it keep players engaged across skill levels?
• Would you be proud to perform it on stage or in competition?

If you can tick off most of these, you’re likely on the right track.

Choosing Tunes with Confidence

Selecting pipe band tunes doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right mindset, it becomes an opportunity to develop your band’s identity, encourage growth, and honour the tradition that brought you all together.

Remember: You’re not choosing tunes to impress people. You’re choosing tunes to express your band’s best self.

Pick wisely. Rehearse intentionally. And don’t be afraid to keep it simple when simplicity lets your band shine.

Check out this episode of Dojo Conversations, as we answer a reader question about the RSPBA Prescribed Tune List that dives deeper into some tips for building and refreshing your band's repertoire.