Proper Pipe Band Decorum

[Dale-of-Cedars]

One final salute... the Royal Navy salute has the palm pointing towards the shoulder.
Correction - thanks Arnot. The Canadian Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial just says: "the palm of the hand is facing down".

[Arnot]

One final salute... the Royal Navy salute (used by Canadian Forces) has the palm pointing towards the shoulder; not held flat, front to back, as the US salute.

It actually isn't flat. Here is a quote from my post (#23 of this thread) where I quoted the manual:

"The outer edge of the hand is barely canted downward so that neither the back of the hand nor the palm is clearly visible from the front."

[Dileasgubas]

It actually isn't flat. Here is a quote from my post (#23 of this thread) where I quoted the manual:

"The outer edge of the hand is barely canted downward so that neither the back of the hand nor the palm is clearly visible from the front."

This is because, during the age of sail, sailors often had tar-stained hands. During the salute, the palm was therefore canted slightly to hide any traces of tar from being seen by the senior officer. Many navies (including Canada and the UK) still respect the tradition.

I have never seen a band or pipes and drums remove head dress, for two reasons. First, they are likely to be playing something while the others are uncovered (i.e., a lament); and second, it would look awkward as musicians attempted to balance an instrument and head covering without looking ridiculous. Take the feather bonnet, for example: it stays on because it takes two hands to remove and replace - not easy to do with an armful of instrument to juggle at the same time.

I have worked with several multi-national police / military groups and have seen a wide variety of salutes. It is not uncommon to see several versions of a salute being held by different people during national anthems. The rule is to do what you would do at home and not worry about the others. A salute is a mark of respect, paid differently depending on who you are. It is universally recognized as a mark of respect.

A final note would be to add that there is nothing wrong with standing up straight and not saluting. It accomplishes the same thing - a demonstration of respect. So if you have not been trained to salute at some point in your life, through the military, emergency services, etc. that would be the default option.

[Arnot]

This is because, during the age of sail, sailors often had tar-stained hands. During the salute, the palm was therefore canted slightly to hide any traces of tar from being seen by the senior officer. Many navies (including Canada and the UK) still respect the tradition.

I have never seen a band or pipes and drums remove head dress, for two reasons. First, they are likely to be playing something while the others are uncovered (i.e., a lament); and second, it would look awkward as musicians attempted to balance an instrument and head covering without looking ridiculous. Take the feather bonnet, for example: it stays on because it takes two hands to remove and replace - not easy to do with an armful of instrument to juggle at the same time.

I have worked with several multi-national police / military groups and have seen a wide variety of salutes. It is not uncommon to see several versions of a salute being held by different people during national anthems. The rule is to do what you would do at home and not worry about the others. A salute is a mark of respect, paid differently depending on who you are. It is universally recognized as a mark of respect.

A final note would be to add that there is nothing wrong with standing up straight and not saluting. It accomplishes the same thing - a demonstration of respect. So if you have not been trained to salute at some point in your life, through the military, emergency services, etc. that would be the default option.

Thanks for all of the information. It is very interesting. In my post that you quoted me, I was really only addressing the last bit about the US salute being flat,etc. I couldn't have commented on any of the Navy stuff as I am an Army guy. I know what you mean, though, about international situations where salutes are given in multiple different ways.

[crash]

This is because, during the age of sail, sailors often had tar-stained hands. During the salute, the palm was therefore canted slightly to hide any traces of tar from being seen by the senior officer. Many navies (including Canada and the UK) still respect the tradition.

That's the way it was explained to me when I served in Her Majesties Royal Canadian Naval Reserve

[OC Richard]

Below is a photo from the manual of how a salute should look.

Yes that's the style familiar to generations of Americans, seems to me.

But I play pipes at military funerals all the time and the Honor Guards made up of currently serving soldiers don't do it that way.

Rather than have the elbow straight out, let's call it 9 o'clock, they have it low, between 8 and 7 o'clock.

[Arnot]

Yes that's the style familiar to generations of Americans, seems to me.

But I play pipes at military funerals all the time and the Honor Guards made up of currently serving soldiers don't do it that way.

Rather than have the elbow straight out, let's call it 9 o'clock, they have it low, between 8 and 7 o'clock.

I am aware of how it is done by Honor Guards. The normal (not as part of an Honor Guard) salute is how I posted it, but the way you describe it is a modificaton made by Honor Guards so as not to mess up their uniform by pulling the jacket/blouse out from the belt. It was explained in post #30 by 416 Rigby.

The point I was trying to make by posting was that the salute has not changed and that one would not walk past an officer and render the Honor Guard style salute. Especially not the slow one.

[Roderick Powell]

Several years ago I was a Kilted Spectator at a Dorset Carnival and was Looking at the Ringwood Pipe Band, a Civvy band assembling under cover of darkness. The Pipe Major invited me to march with the Band in the Carnival Parade. No formality, I just marched
with the Band. Seemed pretty informal as this was the Only band within Thirty Miles of the Carnival. The band were pleased
to see another kiltie in town.... Roderick.

[Reiver]

As to headgear...massed Pipe/Drum Bands approach decorum in a military manner, in my observing experience, due to the history of military bands that they replicate.


Military units never remove headgear out of doors for honors.


A salute may be mass or rendered by the Commander depending upon the ceremony.

The British hand Salute differs from the Yankee one greatly, as do most marching movements.

[okiwen]

I am aware of how it is done by Honor Guards. The normal (not as part of an Honor Guard) salute is how I posted it, but the way you describe it is a modificaton made by Honor Guards so as not to mess up their uniform by pulling the jacket/blouse out from the belt. It was explained in post #30 by 416 Rigby.

The point I was trying to make by posting was that the salute has not changed and that one would not walk past an officer and render the Honor Guard style salute. Especially not the slow one.

And, more so that it is difficult to raise your arm much higher even if you wanted to. The jackets are very tailored. In addition, hg stand much closer to each other than any other group. There is just not the room available to render a salute otherwise.