Highland, Scottish, Pipe Band Drumming
Catagory: wood-shed
Highland Drumming is drumline, but with a twist and a little pizazz.
The most outstanding difference seen in this type of drumline is that the percussion section does not set up the rhythm or “lay down a groove” for the other musicians to follow. The drum corps, as this section is called, is in place to contribute the only dynamics! This is because the pipers have no ability to adjust the volume level of their instruments. The drum corps creates the illusion of the full ensemble playing dynamics through their exaggerated dynamics.
This and other minor differences add up to what is often considered among the more difficult marching percussion styles to successfully perform. The stick control, hand speed, and extremely tight unison playing required for Highland Drumming puts this type of percussion into the category of an “advanced performance style.”
A pipe band drum corps generally consists of one bass drummer, multiple side drummers (snares), and a mid-section composed of tenor drum player(s).
The single bass drummer is the key player in the drum corps. In pipe band style, the bass player must have an intimate feel for the tunes, and must be rock steady in maintaining the tempo. Bass drummers are generally considered to be the top dog in these drumlines. The über dog of all pipe band bass drummers is without a doubt the Hoss.
The side drummers play pipe band snare drums. Their instruments are 14” high tension marching snare drums, with Kevlar top & bottom heads. The drums have two snare strainer assemblies, one under the top head and one under the bottom head. This double snare set creates a high pitched, crisp, heavy sound. Most manufacturers now offer a pipe drum version of their free floater drums.
The tenor drummers each carry a single tenor drum, and play one of two styles known as rhythm tenors and flourish tenors.
The rhythm tenors play designated scores to augment the overall sound of the drum corps.
The flourish tenors are the “show” drummers of the corps, perform visual routines of swinging and spinning their drumsticks while the rest of the section plays.
While some bands have tenors of each type, it is common to see tenor drummers who combine the skills, and play some rhythms as well as flourish.