The Clasp.co.uk

[CW]

Has anyone seen this?

http://www.theclasp.co.uk/

I personally think it´s a fantastic idea, and I would be very interested to see what kind of piper will enter. Essentially it´s a competition for pipers who do not compete.

Charlie

[Henderson T]

I think it's a great idea too, but I wouldn't say it's a competition for pipers who don't compete, but rather a competition for those who aren't quite at the Roddy MacLeod and Willie McCallum standard yet. It'll encourage those with talent to compete and foster that talent, and they'll have benchmarks for gradual improvement, not one benchmark which is "beat Willie McCallum"! :eek:

I'm glad to see Scotland is doing that now. It'd also be great for amateur pipers in our association, because they could go over to Scotland and compete at an international level, but they won't have to be Open class to do it. In the end, everyone benefits from it.

[pipingguy]

I also think it is a great idea. When our band went over to Scotland for the worlds, I was about 12 years old, so I decided to enter in the 18 and under contest, and I was playing against 18 year olds from bands like SFU

[sl8er]

I would have preferred it if there was a starter grade for the beginners to start of in-but that's Scotland for ya.

[Chairman Mao]

Fantastic idea. Well done!

[Go Habs]

There are no starter grades in the new CLASP system, but is it necessary for grade 5 and 4 solo players to be competiting to progress? Is it a good idea to focus on competition before players are comfortable with the insturment?

Sounds like a cool idea, grades have worked well here in North America for years.

[Roger Huth]

It is fantastic, I feel, for Amateur Pipers who are over 18 that they can be properly graded and offered opportunities to compete within their grades.

It is so worthy of the National Piping Centre that they have undertaken to both augment and do the necessary paperwork for this project.

Questions are now being asked about Novice and those Pipers under the age of 18 who may also want to be offered the same opportunities and to start at the beginning rather than the middle.

If CLASP is a success, perhaps this might happen. More work for someone though.

[Adam Sanderson]

I've had a good look at the CLASP website, and think that it is a great idea.
I was initially a bit perturbed by rule 3; A member of CLASP cannot simultaneously be a member of the Competing Pipers Association, but, having thought about it, would CPA members would want to take part in graded events?

[CW]

Well, it begs the question, does the CPA intend to cater for those of us who are not Willie McCallum?

I presume those who have set up and run the CLASP are members of the CPA: are we to see the CPA as a step up from the CLASP or is it an entirely separate community of competing pipers?

Charlie

[Michael New]

Originally posted by Charlie Ward.:
Well, it begs the question, does the CPA intend to cater for those of us who are not Willie McCallum?

I presume those who have set up and run the CLASP are members of the CPA: are we to see the CPA as a step up from the CLASP or is it an entirely separate community of competing pipers?

Charlie Roddy MacLeod addresses this in the Planet Pipe interview. A piper who consistently wins in Grade I, or who wins the Clasp in Glasgow, should consider moving into the open ranks, and joining the CPA.

Michael

[brad]

The grading idea seems good.
If you never have a chance of winning because the competition is so much better than you, it makes the whole effort a bit useless.
Certainly pretty common in sports.

I'm surprised by the age requirement.
I've always just asssumed that competing against young hotshot pipers was the way of the world.

I get the idea that older adult piping solo competing is more prevalent in North America.

If this catches on though, maybe we'll get to have senior division competitions for bands - that oughta help us out.

Brad

[Sean A. McCartney]

I think it is a good idea.
There is a good chance I will find myself back in Europe in the next year or so.
I have always wanted to see what I could do on the boards in Scotland, but it would never occur to me to enter a solo knowing I'm playing against any of the Open guys (and Gals).

Yeah, right, there's me in an open right after Gordon Walker...sheesh.. :rolleyes:

However, I think that if it is somewhat like it is in North America,things could be interesting... I'm looking forward to whatever is going to happen with this.

[CW]

Is the intention therefore to set up a whole series of competitions which would offer the humble amongst us to compete throughout the season at the games (like in the USA and Canada?) or is likely to remain a token chance for a prize on one day at the end of August?

I suspect the plan is to introduce (slowly) a more efficient grading system in the under 18 category which would encourage more young pipers to face the judges. I take it the Chris Armstrongs of this world will still head straight for the CPA when ready, thus not necessarily having to prove themselves in the Clasp?

Charlie

[PiperToo]

Originally posted by gohabs78:
There are no starter grades in the new CLASP system, but is it necessary for grade 5 and 4 solo players to be competiting to progress? Is it a good idea to focus on competition before players are comfortable with the insturment?

Sounds like a cool idea, grades have worked well here in North America for years. I think it is a good idea and about time.

The lack of lower grades was the first thing that struck me. And I think the lower grades are important. I believe here in North America grade III and up is for people who are comfortable with the pipes, but the lower grades teach us to be comfortable with the idea of competing. Grade V and IV are where pipers mostly learn to compete. Then when their competitive abilities have caught up with their fingers they are ready to go on to higher grades. In my time in grade IV I have developed the ability to focus and play more consistently and play as well in front of a judge as I do in my kitchen. But I can't learn that very easily without actually competing.

Just my theory on it.

Virginia

[CW]

So, did anybody have first hand experience with the Clasp competitions this year?

Charlie

[Christoph Kresse]

Originally posted by Charlie Ward.:
Has anyone seen this?

http://www.theclasp.co.uk/

I personally think it´s a fantastic idea, and I would be very interested to see what kind of piper will enter. Essentially it´s a competition for pipers who do not compete.

Charlie The Clasp is an excellent idea, I was thinking about playing their contest in August but had to focus more on my participation at the worlds. Maybe next year....
CK

[Steven Giles]

i would love to play this competition!