RDMA Pipes & Drums

The Regimental Drum Major Association expresses its gratitude to several Drum Majors who assisted in this project Their knowledge and expertise made this manual as accurate as possible.

Drum Major Joe MacDonald, former Drum Major of The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)
Drum Major Iain McGibbon, current Drum Major of the Lorne Scots
Drum Major Kieran Boyle, current Drum Major of the Paris (Ontario) Pipe Band
Drum Major Tom Belyea, EUSPBA

Overview The Drum Major and Pipe Major are appointed positions. While they may be recognized within their regiment as being a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer ("SNCO"), they actually hold their non-appointed rank. Pipe Majors have two elevated posts potentially available to them: a position at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and the post of The Queen's Piper. Pipe Majors may further advance by taking the Queen's Commission and become the Director of Army Bagpipe Music. The Director may advance to the rank of Major. The Drum Major will generally wear items consistent with the drummers while the Pipe Major will wear items consistent with the pipers. The Drum Major and Pipe major generally wear SNCO or Officer pattern items. All Items should be clean, tidy, and in good working order. Some regiments may vary slightly from the descriptions provided
Glengarry Drum Major: If worn by drummers Pipe Major: If worn by pipers Pipers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Worn 1" above left eyebrow, 1/2" above right eyebrow, canted to the right slightly, and with point of Glengarry aligned with nose. A few regiments wear the Glengarry level with the eyebrows Pipers, Pipe Major and Drum Major wear a plain Glengarry Drummers wear a diced Glengarry Tapes pressed and without creases.
Balmoral Drum Major: If worn by drummers Pipe Major: If worn by pipers Pipers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Worn level on forehead 1/2" above eyebrows. Cloth top pulled over right side of head. Cap Badge Ribbon worn at temple. Tails or bow (sewn) centered on rear of head. Tapes pressed and without creases.
Feather Bonnet Drum Major: If worn by drummers Pipe Major: If worn by pipers Pipers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Drum Major and Pipe Major Bonnets typically have five tails (Officer pattern) while drummers and/or pipers have four tails. Worn with Full Dress only; never in shirt sleeves, patrol jacket, Prince Charlie, or Day Jacket. Worn touching the right eyebrow and slightly canted to the right. Some regiments wear square and level on the head Ribbon tapes are centered on rear of head, chinstrap worn on point of chin. All tails displayed. No loose straps. Ribbon tapes pressed and without creases.
Hackles/Feathers Drum Major: Same colour/type as worn by drummers Pipe Major: Same colour/type as worn by pipers Pipers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Attached securely to headgear. NOTE: Hackles are generally awarded to regiments for battle honours or a special reason. Serious consideration and research should be given prior to being worn by a civilian band.
Headgear Badges Drum Major: Officer's or SNCO Pattern Pipe Major: Officer's or SNCO Pattern Pipers: Standard Regimental Pattern Drummers: Standard Regimental Pattern Attached securely to headgear. Regimental custom will dictate as to special headgear badges or no headgear badges (e.g. Black Watch) Clean and polished.
Doublet or Tunic Drum Major: Same colour as drummers with gold or silver braid Pipe Major: Same colour as pipers with gold or silver braid Pipers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Front of military tunics to be level with lower edge of waist belt. All buttons present, design properly aligned, and firmly attached. Insignia, if worn, firmly attached with no loose threads. No creases evident. Shoulder Boards Drum Major: As prescribed by the regiment or band Pipe Major: As prescribed by the regiment or band Attached securely to doublet Clean Shoulder Wings/Shells Drum Major: As prescribed by the regiment or band with gold or silver braid Pipe Major: As prescribed by the regiment or band with gold or silver braid Pipers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Wings may be the same colour as the doublet Wings may be the same colour of the regimental facing Wings may match the cuffs, epaulette, and/or collar Pipers wing pattern may be different from the drummers pattern. Angled linear tapes should face forward Wings should not be creased or bent. Collar Badges Drum Major: Officer's or SNCO Pattern Pipe Major: Officer's or SNCO Pattern Pipers: Standard Regimental Pattern Drummers: Standard Regimental Pattern Distance from front of collar set by Regiments dress regulations Otherwise, the badges are set in approximately 1" from the front of the collar Rank Insignia Drum Major: Apex of bottom chevron is 3" from the top of the cuff. Wreathed Drum above chevrons between the elbow and shoulder according to Regimental custom. Pipe Major: Apex of bottom chevron is 3" from the top of the cuff. Wreathed Pipes above chevrons between the elbow and shoulder according to Regimental custom. Pipe Sergeant: Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Drum Sergeant: Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Pipe Corporal: Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Drum Corporal: Apex of top chevron is 3" from the top of the shoulder. Pipers: Drum between elbow and shoulder according to regimental custom Drummers: Pipes between elbow and shoulder according to regimental custom If the WO2 crown or WO1 crown and wreath is worn it is attached just above the chevron(s). Not all Drum Majors and Pipe Majors wear the wreathed drum or pipes top
Dress Cords Drum Major: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Pipe Major: Not worn Pipers: Not worn Drummers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Worn with Full Dress only; never in shirt sleeves, patrol jacket, Prince Charlie, or Day Jacket. Worn off right shoulder (under the epaulette) with the trailing end attached to uppermost doublet button (before buttoning the doublet outer flap). The leading end attached to a cotton loop sewn under the left shoulder epaulette near the outside of the shoulder. The plait (braided cord) is over the (non-braided) cords Dress cords are derived from plaited bugle cords. Plaiting was a means of reducing the length of standard issue cords Royal Regiments generally wear royal cords (scarlet, blue, and yellow). Several regiments have their own colour combinations. All others are to wear yellow cords (if worn).
Bugle Cords Drum Major: Not worn Pipe Major: Not worn Pipers: Not worn Drummers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Worn slung over the left shoulder under the epaulette Shortened from the regulation issue of eight feet by plaiting so that the top of the bugle is in line with the bottom of the tunic or doublet There is a three turn knot of the cord at the mouthpiece end and a four turn knot at the bell end of the bugle. There should be a four inch drop from the bottom of the knot and the crown of the tassel There are two colours of bugle cords available: royal (scarlet, blue, and yellow) and green Some regiments do not use plaiting
Gloves White leather or cotton, wrist length. Gauntlets are not commonly worn.
Waist Belt Drum Major: White Buff SNCO Waist or Sword Belt with Officer or SNCO Buckle. Pipe Major: Black Waist or Sword Belt with Special Buckle. Pipers: Black Waist Belt Drummers: White Waist Belt Belts may be White Buff, leather, or patent leather (plastic). Worn firm to body so as to allow only one finger to be inserted between the belt and body. Pipe Major's Belt is usually the same width as a Piper's Belt. Runners on belt to be pushed up hard to belt buckle. Should not cover buttons on rear of doublet or tunic. Worn level from front to back of body. Clean with buckle polished and centered at front of body.
Sword Belt Straps Straps to match colour and material of the sword belt Short strap and frog to be attached to sword belt on the left side Long strap to be attached to sword belt centered on the back Sword straps to be connected if not wearing broadsword. Clean and polished
Cross Belt Drum Major: None if wearing Sword Belt; otherwise, White Buff Office Pattern. Pipe Major: Black with Officer or SNCO Buckle. Pipers: Black Drummers: White Drum Sling Belts may be White Buff, leather or patent (plastic) leather Worn under baldric Worn over waist belt or according to regimental custom. Clean and in good order with buckle polished.
Red Sash Drum Major: Crimson Herringbone Silk Officer's Sash Pipe Major: Crimson Herringbone Silk Officer's Sash Piper Sergeant: Scarlet Worsted Wool Sergeant Sash Drum Sergeant: Scarlet Worsted Wool Sergeant Sash Sashes are not an item that defines a Drum Major or Pipe Major. Rather, they define rank and distinguish one rank from another. Drum Major and Pipe Major are appointments. The appointment is separate and distinct from the Drum Major or Pipe Major's actual grade. The appointment to Drum Major or Pipe Major is the equivalent of a WO2. There are two WO1 posts available to Pipe Majors: the Army School of Bagpipe Music and The Queen's Piper. Officers, RSM, Band Master, Pipe Major, and Drum Major wear the Officer's Crimson Silk Officer Sash SNCO's, WO2, Staff Sergeants, and Sergeants in general wear the Scarlet Sergeant Sash Guards Regiments have a third sash, the maroon worsted wool sash for RSM and other WO's while SNCO's wear the scarlet Sergeant sash. The sashes are worn to the "point of your weapon." The Drum Major's historical weapon is the broadsword and is worn on the left side. Drummer's, soldier's, and NCO's historical weapon is the bayonet and is worn on the left side. Piper's and Officers' historical weapon is the dirk and is worn on the right side. Hence Drum Majors and Drum Sergeants wear the sash off the right shoulder while Pipe Majors and Pipe Sergeants wear the sash off the left shoulder. The wearing of the sash on different shoulders permitted mounted officers to distinguish between NCO's and officers. The sash was originally worn because it could be used as a stretcher with which to drag the wounded man from battle. Only Officers and very high ranking NCOs were thought to be worthy of receiving medical attention. Even if the Pipe Major is wearing a broadsword, the sash is worn off the left shoulder. Even if the Drum Major is not wearing a broadsword or if drummers are wearing dirks and not bayonets, the sash is worn off the right shoulder Each type of sash has a different type of knot. The tassel should be behind the broadsword (DM) or dirk (PM) Some regiments have the Drum Major in the Scarlet Sergeant Sash and the Pipe Major in the Crimson Officer Sash according to their regimental custom. Sashes are worn under the cross belt and plaid and outside the waist belt
Drum Major’s Regimental Sash The facing cloth of the Regimental Sash is to be the same colour as the authorized regimental facings (e.g. regimental flag, emblazoned drums; the doublet's collar, cuffs, epaulette, wings, etc.) The Regimental Sash is surmounted by a gold embroidered Crown and Royal Cipher, followed by the name of the regiment, the regimental badge, and battle honours. Civilian and non-Commonwealth band Drum Majors should not wear the Royal Cipher. Two miniature drum sticks are affixed to the Regimental Sash as a symbol of the Drum Major's original appointment. The Drum Major wears the Regimental Sash regardless of actual military grade. Worn with Full Dress only; never in shirt sleeves, patrol jacket, Prince Charlie, or Day Jacket. Worn over left shoulder (under epaulette) to right waist, over waist belt.
Full Plaid Drum Major: Same tartan as drummers. Pipe Major: Same tartan as pipers. Pipers: Tartan as prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: Not worn (see Drummer's Plaid) Worn with Full Dress only; never in shirt sleeves, patrol jacket, Prince Charlie, or Day Jacket. Worn over left shoulder and under right arm, pulled firm to the body. Drum Majors wear over cross belt (if worn.) Pipers wear under or over cross belt in accordance with regimental custom. Edge of plaid level with top of left spat point at rear of leg with fringe hanging down below this level. Lower edge of plaid horizontal and parallel with ground. Leading edge of plaid and front face of plaid secured by plaid brooch. No creases evident.
Drummer’s Plaid Drummers: Tartan as prescribed by the regiment or band Worn with Full Dress only; never in shirt sleeves, patrol jacket, Prince Charlie, or Day Jacket. Not worn by the Drum Major. Worn over left shoulder, under epaulette, and secured with a plaid brooch at front. Secured around waist at rear and hanging so that pleats match with the set of the kilt. No creases evident.
Animal Skins Drummers: As prescribed by the regiment or band Worn with Full Dress only; never in shirt sleeves, patrol jacket, Prince Charlie, or Day Jacket. Some regiments allow the tenor drummers to wear a full leopard or tiger skin similar to that worn by the bass drummer. Some regiments allow the side drummers to wear a full skin or an apron of the same skin as the bass drummer. Be mindful of endangered species laws and secure necessary permits when transporting skins across borders.
Plaid Brooch Drum Major: Officer's or SNCO Pattern Pipe Major: Officer's, SNCO, or Special Pattern Pipers: Standard Regimental Pattern Drummers: Standard Regimental Pattern Worn with design properly aligned on front of left shoulder, tightly securing plaid. Upper edge of brooch not to be above top of the shoulder level. Clean and polished. top
Military Decorations Drum Major: Earned/awarded as appropriate Pipe Major: Earned/awarded as appropriate Pipers: Earned/awarded as appropriate Drummers: Earned/awarded as appropriate Worn on plaid, just above Royal Cipher and centered between the doublet button (if centered) and the outer edge of the Drum Major's sash (baldric) Medals worn with Full Dress are full size, mounted, and are to hang straight down Civilians with prior service may wear medals on civilian uniforms on parades such as Remembrance Day, church parades, funerals of veterans or dignitaries, etc. Ribbons may be worn with shirt sleeve order or on day jackets. Non-military medals and/or ribbons are not worn.
Kilt Drum Major: Same tartan as drummers. Pipe Major: Same tartan as pipers. Pipers: Tartan as prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: Tartan as prescribed by the regiment or band Inside and outside aprons securely fastened by buckle and resting just above the half way mark of the knee cap. Pattern to be centered at front of body. Hem to be even in height from front to rear and side to side. Clean, pressed with no creases evident.
Trews Drum Major: Same tartan as drummers. Pipe Major: Same tartan as pipers. Pipers: Tartan as prescribed by the regiment or band Drummers: Tartan as prescribed by the regiment or band Drum Major wears with Full Plaid Clean and Pressed
Sporran Drum Major: Officer, SNCO, or special pattern Pipe Major: Officer, SNCO, or special pattern Pipers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Worn centrally over front apron of kilt Generally, the cantle is one hand's breadth below waist belt buckle. Some regiments may dictate where the cantle rests within the kilt's set. The sporran should square the area between the hips and the knees and hand at a natural arc from the hip. Hair sporrans are not trimmed to length All parts clean, in good order, and neatly brushed.
Sporran Belt Drum Major: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Pipe Major: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Pipers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Sporran belts are white or black leather Regimental custom may or may not have the sporran belt match in colour to the waist belt Regimental custom may or may not have the entire band in the same colour sporran belt Chain sporran belts are not worn with military hair sporrans Pointed end of strap (non-buckle end) generally points to right hip according to regimental custom. Belts should be clean and polished
Kilt Pins/Rosettes Drum Major: One or two Rosettes, if worn Pipe Major: One or two Rosettes, if worn Pipers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Worn approximately 4" up and 3" from right hand side of kilt front apron, in keeping with the set of the tartan. Maximum of two rosettes Rosettes are not worn in conjunction with kilt pin Rosettes to be pressed. If kilt pins are permitted, then they are issued in a standard pattern
Hose/Hose Tops Drum Major: Same pattern as drummers Pipe Major: Same pattern as pipers Pipers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Top of hose is worn level side to side and front to back Top of hose is three fingers breadth below outside bone at knee. The adjacent edges of the of the common two tab flashes should be touching (i.e. no gaps between the tabs) Patterns/seams vertically straight
Flashes Drum Major: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Pipe Major: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Pipers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Drummers: As prescribed by the Regiment or band Band to generally wear same colour flashes Both flashes to be worn of equal length on both legs Leading edge of front flash to be vertically up front of leg bisecting the top diamond of the hose. top
Shoes Drum Major: MoD Pattern Pipe Major: MoD Pattern Drummers: MoD Pattern Pipers: MoD Pattern Clean and polished.

Spats

Worn tight to the leg and rear point in line with center of hose seam.

All parts of spat must be clean.

Buttons to the outside

Pressed

top

Mace

Sterling Silver crown, chain, and ferrule with malacca cane shaft.

Regimental badge affixed to crown

Chains to be clean, in good order, and securely attached

Clean and polished

Sgian Dubh

Drum Major: Officer or SNCO pattern as prescribed by the Regiment or band

Pipe Major:   Officer or SNCO pattern as prescribed by the Regiment or band

Pipers:          As prescribed by the Regiment or band

Drummers:    As prescribed by the Regiment or band

Worn inside hose of right leg in center of front-right portion of leg bisecting the flash with handle only showing

Scabbard and metal trim concealed by hose.

Officer (including the RSM and Bandmaster) pattern commonly has small silver or chrome studs in the wood handle, topped with a Cairngorm, and a miniature regimental badge on the handle.

Senior NCO pattern commonly has small silver or chrome studs in the wood handle, topped with a Cairngorm.

The Regimental pattern commonly has a plain handle with a chrome top.

Drummers are not normally issued sgian dubhs.

Regimental traditions may vary slightly.

Clean and polished

top

Dirk

Drum Major: Officer pattern or as prescribed by the Regiment or band

Pipe Major:   Officer or special pattern or as prescribed by the Regiment or band

Pipers:          As prescribed by the Regiment or band

Drummers:    As prescribed by the Regiment or band

Worn attached to waist belt on right rear hip to the rear of the waist belt right side retaining hook.

Design consistent with sgian dubh.

Not all Drum Majors wear dirks

Clean and polished.

Broadsword

Drum Major:   Officer Pattern Basket Hilt (Model 1831)

Pipe Major:     Not worn

Pipers:           Not worn

Drummers:     Not worn

Worn on left side

Clip short strap to top ring

Twist scabbard clockwise until tight against the belt, then hook onto sword belt with scabbard facing forward and hilt to rear.

Attach long strap to bottom ring on scabbard

If sword is still unstable:

Wrap the long strap around the scabbard as well before attaching to the bottom scabbard ring - OR -

Manufacture an extra slide and hook next to and behind the existing sword belt hook so that the sword is pulled back slightly.

Should the Pipe Major wear a broadsword, it would also be a Model 1831

Clean and polished

Note: It was the duty of the Drum Major and drummers to form square and protect the Colours, while the pipers were inside the square playing on the men to defend the Regimental Colours. Hence, the Pipe Major does not generally wear a broadsword.

Service Mourning

Drum Major: Maces may be draped

Drummers:    Drums muffled and Draped.

Draping of the drums and Colours are typically reserved for funerals. However, performances other than a funeral, but related to the death of the Sovereign or a member of the Royal Family may also require draping

Drum majors are permitted to have their maces draped with a black cloth (Household Guards excepted)

The Drum shell is to be completely covered with a black cloth, but open ended top and bottom. There should be enough room on the top shell to permit playing

Snares should be disengaged

Drag ropes should be removed