RDMA General Topics FAQs

Q. If the PMaj has gold/black stripes and insignia for winter and gold/red for summer, is it appropriate for the DMaj to have the same colors or should the DMaj go to silver/black and silver/red to be in contrast? (Mort Munro, PA, USA)

A. If the PMaj has gold trim on his/her doublet, then the DMaj should match.

If the drum corps are in red tunics and the pipers in black or piper green doublets then the DMaj would be in a red doublet and PMaj in black or piper green doublet.

If, by summer wear, you have white tunics or doublets then again, your trim would match that of the PMaj.

If the summer wear consists of shirtsleeves then chevrons, if worn, are in the form of collar dogs for the collar, or rank slides for the epaulettes (pick one). Doublet sized chevrons are not to be sewn onto shirts.

Q. I have a question as to proper protocol for rendering a hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem. Should the band as a whole place "pipes down" and render a hand salute, remain at "Pipes Up" and render a hand salute, or should the PM have been the only member to salute. (Marty Gatton, IL, USA)

A. DMaj Iain McGibbon of the Lorne Scots writes: If the band is standing still then, in the absence of a Drum Major, the Pipe Major (or if absent, the senior band member standing in the right front corner of the band block) would give the salute. The rest of the band would be at Attention with pipes in the "down" position. If the band is marching, but not playing then, in the absence of a Drum Major, the Pipe Major would give the Eyes Right (or Left) command and salute. If the band were playing, moving or not then, in the absence of a Drum Major, no salute is given.

DMaj Ed Teleky of the USAF Ceremonial Brass write: All of the Premier Armed Forces Bands in DC handle this the same way because we do many Joint Service events that are comprised of Joint Service Color Guards.

The "Trio" from the National Emblem March is the standard march used to advance the colors. The piece starts right at the 4 Quarter Notes which are reinforced by percussion. This is referred to as the "4 Flams." Once the "4 Flams" are sounded, the color team commander (Carrying the American Flag) commands a step off (Forward, March). On Joint Color Teams, they call their own halt and then the music is cut. In the AF, for AF Color Teams, we signal the halt with a "7 Count Cut" (Roll Off without the last 8th note) in which they automatically stop. The only reason this is not done for Joint Ceremonies is because the Joint Teams have limited rehearsal time.

Q. What is the contact information for the British Army's Drum Major course?

A. There are several Drum Major courses taught by the British Army that are open to those outside the British Military if space is available. Note that these are military courses and conducted accordingly. Pricing is approximately USD$10K for the two week course. Preference is given to other Commonwealth Military Drum Majors.

For the Drum Majors course at the Guards Training Wing at Pirbright, you may inquire to: Bands of The Household Division, Horse Guards Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX UK.

Q. How are mounted kettle drums were mounted on a drum horse. Also what size drums are typically used for the mounted drummers? (Katrina Miller, VT, USA)

A: DMaj Bryan Alderson (The London Irish Rifles) writes: The only people who would know is The Mounted Band of The Household Division. Their address is:- Bandmaster, The Band of The Life Guards, Combermere Barracks, St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3DN, UK

Q. I am looking a manual or source for U.S. Colonial and Civil War era drum Commands. (Stephen Meyer)

For late 18th. and early 19th. century you should search for "The Von Steuben Manual", Valley Forge ca. 1784 . or "The Camp Dupont Manual" ca. 1815.
For Civil War period you should search for "The Bruce & Emmett Manual" ca. 1861. All available thought the L.O.C. or local Historical Societies.

Q. On parade, my band warms up well, but once we hit the street, we are plagued with marching and playing errors.

A. DMaj Paul Olson notes that playing for a crowd is often distracting for band members. To help them focus on the task at hand you might want to coordinate with the pipe major a pre-event warm up schedule. Aside from ensemble warm up and tuning, try using a basic marching block for five to ten minutes during your prep period as a marching warm up. This may be as a few courses of "eights and eights" (mark time eight, forward march eight, etc) with and without strike-ins and cut-offs. However, do not over do it. Only warm them up long enough to get their heads in the game. You want to have them strong for the performance and not exhausted from an extended warm up period. You should also have a block of time to inspect the dress and make any necessary adjustments.

A. First, determine where the chain is breaking. On Paki maces the junction rings are not soldered and will pull apart. If this is where your chain is failing, then invest in some split rings (similar to a keychain but smaller.) These can be found in craft stores. To replace the chain altogether, Tom Peacock's Marching Band World carries replacement chains.

For those that on the competition circuit, most drum majors remove the chain altogether. Another alternative is to wrap it with a colored cord (found in fabric stores). Like the chain, the cord prevents the mace from slipping out of your hands. One type is a red and gold metallic cord that isn't too thick and looks good. Other colors are available as well. It would be optimal if you could find chain with links that have been welded together; however, we do not know where you would find such chain. Those drum majors following regimental mace drill should not have problems with the chain failing since flourishing is held at a minimum.

A. DMaj John Moon notes that the Baldric (AKA baldrick, band sash, or Drum Major's shoulder Belt) dates to the 17th century in the British Army, although it is originally Turkish in origin. You may find examples in the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. The baldric was utilitarian in nature and denoted the "lead stroke." The baldric was designed to allow the leading drummer (now known as the drum major) to place his sticks into the loops should he need to signal the drummers with his sword. The baldric also held his sword in a small pocket. It subsequently became custom to embroider the name and number of the regiment on the baldric face. Today the baldric holds the title, designation, battle honours, and devices, in addition to miniature drum sticks held on by loops. The miniature drum sticks obviously are in reference to the baldric's earlier use.

According to various dictionaries, the baldric is an ornamental belt worn diagonally over one shoulder to support a sword or bugle. Appears to be derived from the German Balderich, French Baudre and Middle English Baudrik.

The baldric used by the US Military Academy Band at West Point has a frog on the bottom to which the D/M's sabre is attached. However, most other Drum Major's have a sword belt separate from the baldric.

Q. I am a drum major who is looking to join a pipe band. How can I break into the inner circle?

A. DMaj Tom Mopas notes that often a drum major who joins a band is seen as a "showboat" outsider who knows very little about the type of band that s/he is planning to lead, but looks good in uniform and can flourish with great skill. To alleviate some of the resentment that you are likely to encounter, DMaj Mopas suggests the following:

These points alone may not win a drum major competition, but you will have the knowledge and skill of a working regimental Drum Major. More importantly, these points will go a long way to earn you the respect and confidence of the pipe major and the band as well as a place in the inner circle.

Q. What is the origin of the title: "Drum Major" and how did they come to wear a four bar chevron?

A. According to the 1985 edition of UK Army Infantry Training Manual titled The Drummer's Handbook, the Drum Major was not a true rank until 1810 even though it has appeared as a title many years before. Prior to 1810, Drum Majors were officially paid as drummers, but were actually received Sergeants pay by levying the pay of the remaining drummers. In 1810, Drum Majors were officially recognized as Sergeants and while dressed as Staff Sergeant, 1st Class, they were paid as a Staff Sergeant 2d Class. Other Staff Sergeants, 1st Class, included the Sergeant Major (RSM) and the Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS). The rank of Staff Sergeant, 1st Class, wore a four bar chevron with the point facing down. In 1869, those wearing four bar chevrons were instructed to wear them below the elbow. In 1881, those wearing four bar chevrons were instructed to wear chevron with the point facing up. However, also in 1881 many Staff Sergeants, 1st Class, were raised to Warrant Officer status, while Drum Majors were reduced in rank to Sergeant. Concurrently, their titles were reduced to Sergeant Drummer.

The title of Drum Major was restored in 1928 although still rated as Sergeants, they were permitted to wear the four bar chevrons. Currently, Drum Majors are not restricted to Sergeants, but may include Colour Sergeants (denoted by a small crown between the wreathed drum and the chevrons) and Warrant Officers (denoted by a large crown between the wreathed drum and the chevrons.)

DMaj John Moon adds that the English Service also included a Drum Major General who was the Senior Drum Major whose duties included inspecting all other Field Music as well as (per The Drummer's Handbook) granting drummers licenses without which, one would not be recognized as a drummer. This position faded in the mid to late 1700's. D/M Moon adds that other countries in the 1700's had various titles for its senior field musician including the Drum Captain of the Germanic principalities and the Drum Major Captain of the Spanish Bands.