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Side Drummers:
The distinctive sound of the side drum, or
"snare" drum, provides the main rhythmic interest in the band. It is similar to
the side drum used in a standard rock drum kit, except the "shell" (the body of
the drum) is deeper. This gives a more resonant sound and makes the drum a more
convenient shape to carry on a sling. There are usually between four and six side drummers
in a pipe band. |
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Side drums were originally used in armies to
provide battlefield signals, and these "calls" form the basis of modern pipe
band drumming. The musical drumming arrangements can be very technical and require high
skills from the drum corp, especially with regard to all playing perfectly in unison and
putting expression into the performance. The side drum gets its sound from the snare,
stretchy coils of wire (originally made of "catgut" - ie processed sheeps'
intestines) drawn tightly across the inside of the drum skin. When the drum is hit these
shares "rattle" on the drum skin to produce the sharp effect. The skin of the
side drum is drawn extremely tightly and provides "bounce" to the sticks, so the
player can exploit this springiness by action of the wrist and play the various movements
that are used in the music. |
| Unlike the sticks used by the bass drummer and
tenor drummers, side drum sticks are just that - plain wooden sticks like those used by
drummers in rock bands, but with a slightly more rounded edge to the "head" of
the stick since the side drummer hits the drum more "vertically" owing to the
way the drum is carried. |
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| Some drummers now supsend the drum on a "drum
harness". This is a small metal frame which hangs off the front of drummer's
shoulders and holds the drum (see picture above). The advantages of a drum harness is that
the drum is held more level (which affects how it may be played), the weight is more
evenly distributed, and the drum is easier to walk with. Drum harnesses are almost
universal in civilian bands, but are not yet used in military bands. End of the Tour!
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