How Can Pipers and Drummers Work Together Better?

Many pipers never give too much thought to the drummers when they're in the circle. 

But drummers aren't just background noise; they're the heartbeat of the music; the rhythm that keeps everything in sync. So it's vital for the ensemble and overall sound of the band that both corps work in tandem to achieve unison and great musicality.

So how do you get pipers and drummers to understand and listen to each other more effectively? 

Are Bagpipes and Drums Really That Different?

You'll sometimes hear pipers say that "bagpipe music is just different to other kinds of Western music". And they're right! Different styles certainly exist in music, and there are skills and nuances to playing them well.

The same goes for pipe band drumming. It's its own beast, but it's not isolated. Skills from marching bands or orchestras do transfer, so if you have an enquiry from a drummer who's done DCI or kit drumming, there are definitely skills they've learned that will make pipe band drumming easier and faster to learn. But it will require some adaptation. 

Ultimately, pipes and drums are different instruments, but we share the same style of music. So many of the same musical ideas, theories, tempos and expressions transcend both corps. But are we speaking the same language? 

Communication Breakdown – or Breakthrough?

The key to harmony between pipers and drummers is communication. Too often, pipe and drum corps train separately, and use their own unique jargon and techniques. So when they come together, it's easy to misunderstand each other.

How can we fix this? By learning a common language. It’s not just musical notes or beats; it’s understanding what the other corps needs and supporting that in practice planning and rehearsals. 

Why Does Tempo Matter So Much?

Tempo – the speed you play – is important to both corps. For pipers, playing too slowly can make a tune drag, but playing too quickly can mean you lose the expression and mistakes start to creep in. But for drummers, tempo is even more important, as it affects how they write their scores.

If a note is longer, drummers will often play more detailed movements and rudiments to fill out the space, so if pipers speed up or slow down without warning, it will become very hard for some drummers to adjust. 

Planning your tempo isn’t about rigidity. It's about consistency and working together. If both pipers and drummers know the goal tempo from the outset, they can craft their parts to mesh perfectly.

The Rhythm of Understanding

Pipers and drummers have a lot of good natured banter between the corps. But it's important we all understand and respect the differences in what we do to create a shared musical idea in the circle. If you asked your drummers to hum the melody of a band tune, could they do it? And could your pipers tap out the drum score to their band tunes? Next time you get the chance – listen in to the other corps, ask them why they do things that you don't understand, and pay attention when they use different language to what you do for your instrument. You'll be amazing at how much better you can lock into the whole sound of your band, rather than just your part!

Check out our podcast Dojo Conversations as Jim and I welcome Ed Best (prolific professional drummer, tutor and judge) to discuss all things drumming again!