A tune especially suitable for marching to. Usually an uptempo melody in 2/4, 4/4, 6/8,9/8 or 12/8. Massed Bands A number of pipe bands performing together, commonly after a competition or as part of a military tattoo. Military Tattoo A signal sounded (as on a bugle or drum) shortly before Taps. Also evening entertainment given by troops usually in the form of outdoor military exercises with bagpipe music and massed bands. The annual Edinburgh Festival Tattoo is famous for its exhibition of pipe band marching and playing, including the Massed Bands finale. Mounts Decorative trim on the wooden parts of a bagpipe. Its function is partly protective but its main purpose is decoration. MSR A common abbreviation for March, Strathspey & Reel. The MSR combination has been a common one since the Victorian era and is a common competition requirement. N Neck The narrowest part of the chanter, just below the bole or knob. Nicol Brown Competition An annual piping competition in the USA founded by Pipe Major Donald Lindsay, in honour of R.U. Brown and R.B. Nicol, the two principal pupils of John MacDonald of Inverness, one of the main figures in piobaireachd tuition of the 20th century. Northern Meeting An annual piping competition held at Inverness, Scotland, attracting the world's top pipers. The competitive events are similar to the events held at the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban, Scotland. About 30 applicants are carefully selected to compete for the Silver Medal. Winners of the Silver can compete for the Gold. Only winners of the Gold can compete for the Clasp or Seniors medal. The Northern Meeting is traditionally considered the most senior piping competition. O Off the knee Playing with the Uilleann chanter removed from the leg, generally in a legato style. On the knee Playing the Uilleann chanter resting on the leg, generally producing a choppier, more staccato style. Open Fingering A fingering style in Uilleann piping suited to legato playing. Overblow Generally, to cause a reed to jump an octave by increasing the pressure on it. Some types of bagpipe, particularly the Uilleann pipe, require this technique to achieve the full range of the chanter. P Pib-Ilin Bretonazition of the Irish Píob(aí) Uilleann, also Binioù-Ilin. Pib-Veur Bretonization of the Gaelic Piob-Mhor. See Binioù Bras. Pibroch An anglicisation, now often replaced by the Gaelic "piobaireachd". Piob Simply means "a pipe" in Gaelic. Piob-Mhor Gaelic for Great Highland Bagpipe.