Yes pipe drumming is much more into note ramming. Alot of times it seems that the drum parts have nothing at all to do with what the pipes are playing.

Yes it follows the melody in terms of accents but that is mostly because of the history behind the music we play. Those guys in the Gordon Highlanders where not exactly musical geniouses. The note ramming I am refering to is the stupid amount of paradiddle combinations and fast singles.

Here's some Pipe Band vid's at these two sites
http://imageevent.com/buzz/mefromglasgow
http://imageevent.com/buzz/pleasantonvideos

Enjoy
Buz

Yeah, I got pressed into service here at The Citadel for their drumline. We're all corps style drummers converted (sort of) into pipe snare drummers. Its definitly a different style, technique-wise as well. The technique is very loose grip, lot of thumb with the left hand, a lot more movement in the arm. Definitly taking some time to get used to it. It gave/is giving me more trouble to play with the technique rather than the notes, I can break down/learn the music, but my pipe band snare technique isn't great.

One of our freshman here is a grade 1, he's pretty good. Our instructor is grade 1 too, plays with Washington. I don't know too much about it, I still know more corp style than anything, but sick drumming is still sick drumming no matter what kind of style.

When you say he plays with Washington, would you happen to mean City of Washington Pipe Band? Because my instructor plays there too.

Yeah, that's who he plays with for grade 1 band. When he's living at home in Charleston he plays with the Charleston Police band (they're grade 4...probably should be at least grade 3).

I toured with the Argylle & Sutherland Pipe Band from Edinburgh, Scotland. I played the pipes and often the "side drum", as the the snare section is called.

http://www.digitalpersonality.com/BeerTent-1.wmv

This a video of the St. Andrew's Society of Fredricton. Grade 2 out of Fredricton Canada. These guys have been playing together forever. We've got some pretty good coverage of the corps for you. This is in a less formal setting than competition. It takes place in every Pipe Band afficinado's favourite place - the Beer Tent.

http://www.digitalpersonality.com/CoW_Alexandria.wmv

This is a 12 minute video of the City of Washington Pipe Band practicing at the Virginia Scottish Games in Alexandria. Lead Drummer is jon Quigg - my personal instructor. Jon's style is a combination of many influences - the Swiss Bassel Style, Scottish, Fife and Drum Corps and a little DCI thrown in for kicks.Again I get up close on the hands. City of Washington is a Grade 1 Band.

For those that don't know Competitions for pipe bands are done in grades Grade 5 in the US and Canada is the beginners Grade and Grade is basically where the professionals play. Its the Big Leagues.

Enjoy.

Ah yeah, Jon Quigg. I got to be a runner for him when he was judging a game one time. That was kinda cool. Great hands, definitely knows that style inside and out. Our pipe band's drumline instructor, Will Dillahey (great drummer himself, he has won some titles) knows him, speaks highly of him too. Those guys can definitely play some freaking notes.