SHPB DRILL MANUAL
The following information is taken from the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) Drum Major Dress Regulations (April 2008), the Regimental Drum Major Association Dress Manual for Pipes and Drums (v.2.0 2007), the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band Book One (the Red Book) and the U.S. Army’s Drill and Ceremonies Field Manual (FM 22-5, Dec. 1986).
“Drum Major WOII T.E.R. McGrady of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders made mention that when he came to the U.S. in 1965, deportment was exceptional. Thirty years later, he made the remark that deportment among bands and Drum Majors had become “excessively poor” at the Highland Games that he attended around North America. Drinking on parade, lowering instruments, talking, shuffling about – Drum Majors included – led him to believe that the subject of conduct-on parade was not taken seriously. Pipe-Sergeant MacPherson made mention about the lack of deportment when he said, “…these bandsmen and Drum Majors may not care, but the paying public in the stands see it…There must be emphasis on personal conduct; you simply can’t talk about it, you must exhibit it whenever you step off.
In the early 1990’s, a well-known American competition pipe band flew to Scotland to compete in the World Championship in Glasgow. After the Salute to the Chieftain the Senior Drum Major of the Massed Bands, an ex-Black Watch Warrant Officer, approached the leadership of this band and made mention of their excessive talking on parade, complaining, poor turnout and deportment. The Senior Drum Major provided fair warning; If you return next year, your personal conduct must be above reproach!”
“Fundamental Concepts
Clear, correct, and concise vocal and visual commands will assist your band to perform confidently.
Concise: Direct and to-the-point. Keep the choice command simple.
Correct: make sure the command being issued is correct! This will keep the band aware of their environment and keep confusion at a minimum.
Clear: The voice command must be given clearly and slowly. Enunciation and elocution are essential.
Further, all commands should be loud and without any hesitation. Commands must be loud enough to be heard by the rear rank of the band in either quiet or noisy settings. Vocal commands with long pauses are poor form and imply that the Drum Major lacks confidence in the drill desired from the band.
Drum Majors must learn to develop their command voice. When giving voice commands the Drum Major must use their diaphragm and not their vocal cords.
Otherwise, the vocal cords will become strained and cause the voice to become distorted.”
“Words of Command
Words of Command are comprised of three parts: the introductory, the cautionary, and the executive.
Introductory: All commands should start with the full name of the band or group to which the command is directed as well as some preliminary information. This is the Introductory Command. This performs two functions First, it announces the name of the band or group to the audience. Second, it alerts the band or group that movement is imminent….Introductory commands may also include information about the maneuver to be executed. (for example “By the Right”)”
“Point of Dress
The point of dress is defined by the quick or slow march command: By the Center (or Right), Quick, March
Center (DMaj): If the band has a Drum Major, then the dress is through the center file(s). The center file(s) will maintain a three step interval between the Drum Major and the block. The ranks will dress to the center. The center file will maintain the distance between the ranks.
Right (PMaj): If the band does not have a Drum Major, then the dress is set to the Pipe Major through the right file. The front rank will dress to the right. The right file will maintain the distance between the ranks.
Left (PMaj): This variation is very rare. This occurs if the band does not have a Drum Major and the Pipe Major (or, if absent, the senior bandmember) is at the uppermost left position of the band block. The dress is set through to the Pipe Major…through the left file. The front rank will dress to the left. The left file will maintain the distance between the ranks.”
Here is the content and order of the commands that take the band through a competition:
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND Cautionary: FALL
Executive: IN
This command alerts the band members to form up and prepare for parade. Attributes:
– Band members should exhibit a sense of urgecy to form the band upon the hearing of the Fall In command.
– The Drum Major will establish the Pipe Major’s position in the block to facilitate the assembly of the formation.
– Each band member’s position should be determined before the performance and the band member should know where this position is.
Execution:
– Band members will effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously form up into their predetermined band formation.
– Upon finding their location upon constructing the formation the band member shall assume the position of attention and then,
– The band will assume the At Ease position.”
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND Cautionary: ATEN
Executive: SHUN
Attributes:
– Heels together.
– Toes at a 30 degree angle.
– Arms straight, Elbows close to side, Fists Clenched, thumb on top, thumb faces forward, and at imaginary seam-line.
– Shoulders back but relaxed.
– Chest up.
– Chin slightly above level.
– Eyes slightly above the horizon.
– Good posture.
Execution:
Raise the left knee so that the thigh is at a 45o angle to the ground then straighten the left leg next to the right.
Command:
Introductory: BY THE RIGHT Cautionary: QUICK Executive: MARCH
Attributes:
– Consistent Stride
– Tempo set by command QUICK and MARCH which are on successive beats. – Attributes of ATTENTION position from hips up.
– Free arm swing consistent.
Execution:
Count One: Shoot the left foot forward with a full (30″) pace with right free arm extending forward to a position parallel to the ground.
Count Two: Full (30″) pace with right foot. Right free arm brought back to a comfortable position extending to the rear.
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND Cautionary: BAND
Executive: HALT
Execution:
Count Zero: Complete a full (30″) pace with the right foot.
Count One: Shoot the left foot forward a half (15″) pace. Raise the right knee so that the thigh is at a 45o angle with the ground.
Count Two: Straighten the right leg while cutting right arm to side assuming the position of ATTENTION
Command:
(Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND) Cautionary: STAND AT
Executive: EASE
(Note: Drum Major (or Pipe Major) to resume the position of ATTENTION prior to attempting any subsequent commands.)
Attributes:
– As in ATTENTION above except:
– Left foot is placed about 12″ away from planted right foot.
– Do not break military bearing (posture and poise) during execution of movement. – Right hand at the small of the back and centered on the belt. Fingers extended, thumb alongside fingers with palm facing outward.
Execution:
Count One: Raise the left knee so that the thigh is at a 45o angle with the ground and straighten the left leg 12: away from the right foot.
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND Cautionary: ATTEN
Executive: SHUN
Command:
(Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND) Cautionary: PIPES
Executive: UP
Attributes:
– Make each motion as effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously as possible. – The pipe section should make each motion simultaneously.
Execution:
Count One: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) The pipes are brought to a position in front of the piper. The arms should be fully extended with the bass drone centered and pointing straight away from the piper, parallel to the ground. Both hands are now on the blowstick/chanter/bass drone.
Count Two: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) The right hand brings the blowstick/ chanter/bass drone up to the left shoulder. The bass drone is released after it is in position. The forearm is parallel to the ground.
Count Three: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) The right hand, still holding the blowstick and the chanter, lowers the chanter to its normal position. The left hand holds the chanter. The right hand, with the blowstick, returns the blowstick to its normal position. The forearm is parallel to the ground.
Count Four: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) The right hand snaps to the side. Piper stands at attention and may begin blowing up the bag (without drone noises).
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND, BY THE RIGHT Cautionary: QUICK
Executive: MARCH
(we march smartly off the line with good roll offs and strike ins, play the set like a grade 1 band, then;)
NOTE: During performances you are at the position of attention. No foot tapping, bag hitching or other wiggling. Pipers – If you do not know the tune continue to finger along as if you were playing.
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND Cautionary: PIPES
Executive: DOWN
Execution:
Count One: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) Place right hand on blowstick. Forearm is parallel to ground.
Count Two: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) Right hand (with blowstick) moves down to chanter and brings chanter and blowstick up to original blowstick position. Forearm is still parallel to ground.
Count Three: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) Right hand (holding blowstick and
chanter) grabs bass drone, then lowers pipes to a position in front of the piper. The arms should be fully extended with the bass drone centered and pointing straight away from the piper, parallel to the ground. Both hands are now on the blowstick/ chanter/bass drone.
Count Four: (Snare Tap, Lead Drummer) Left hand brings pipes to left side at waist. Bass drone is parallel to grond. Right hand snaps to the side. Piper stands at attention.
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND, BY THE RIGHT Cautionary: QUICK
Executive: MARCH
Command:
Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND Cautionary: BAND
Executive: HALT
Command:
(Introductory: SIERRA HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND) Cautionary: FALL
Executive: OUT
Execution:
Count One: Crisply pivot 90 degrees to the right ont he heel of your right foot and the ball of your left foot.
Count Two: Raise the left thigh so that it is at a 45o angle with the ground.
Count Three: Straighten the left leg so the left foot comes alongside the right. Count Four: Initiate QUICK MARCH off the parade ground. (Usually two steps are enough to indicate intent.)