#pipe band

hello band world of tumblr!

i play a fun little instrument known to those in the pipe band world as a tenor drum, and known to those in the non-pipe band world as a scottish tenor drum. this clarification is made so as to make people not confuse it for one of these:

this is what most people think of when you say “tenor drum”.

but THIS one:

is what i’m going to be talking about.

now, as of writing this, i’ve been playing the (scottish) tenor drum for about 4.5 years. the most notable thing about tenor drummers that sets us apart from snares or basses is that we have super fun fluffy mallets that we do magic tricks (because all tenor drummers are ethereal beings) called flourishes with. each flourish may have various names attached to it depending on what band you’re a part of. here is a picture of your average set of mallets:

they’re pretty cool. the strings attach to your fingers so you can do the flourishes. very nice! they come in all kinds of colors, too, but people usually reserve the fun colors of mallets and strings for solo competitions, and usually use white or grey (or some other neutral solid color) for band competitions. or, you could be like MY band (the best one) and get custom matching mallets that have your logo on the head. they’re pretty cool. and we match which is super fun and special :)

back to the drum itself:

when an individual attaches their drum to their body, this is how they do it: a strap hooks onto the top of the drum and goes around the body (sometimes across the shoulder, sometimes across the hip, sometimes across the hip and one shoulder (which is what i use), sometimes across the hip and both shoulders. they each have pros and cons.) and a leg rest that is attached to the bottom of the drum (which is NOT aptly named, because there is absolutely no resting occurring when you march. more hard banging and making of bruises. it’s incredibly uncomfortable, but i suppose it’s better than nothing.) sits just above their left knee to keep it from flopping all around.

despite all of my complaining, i really enjoy marching with my drum. it may be physically uncomfortable, but it’s a chance for me to spend time with people i really enjoy being around, and i have a feeling that most pipe band members feel the same. being a part of a somewhat niche (at least it is where i live) musical community is really fun and special.

also, for my mutuals: whenever i talk about band shenanigans i am referring to this. i am not talking about school band. i do not compare myself to those… things. (joke i’m a choir kid)

ALSO i am not scottish but this is fun and you don’t need to be scottish to do this because i’m not scottish and i do it and it’s a good time and it’s fine yippee

anyways i hope this was helpful/entertaining/interesting to SOMEONE out there

Battle of Falkirk 1298 commemoration.

Marching from Callendar Park into Falkirk Town centre.

Boston celebrates 150 years with a bean supper on Boston Common 

Just finished up a custom bagpipe case for a customer. The case fits size requirements fir most major airlines as a carry-on.

This video has got me like