Historical Drummies' Question

**BobsYourUncle** · 16th July 10, 02:54 PM

I am looking for information and guidance as to where to find drum scores and beatings that would have been used by Scottish regiments in WW2. Even archival recordings of army pipes and drums of the era would help. I am a reenactor whose group portrays the 7th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders as they fought in WW2. The group website is here: http://home.roadrunner.com/~argyllsutherland/index.html.

We have a strong contingent of pipers, but no drums--and we feel the lack of them sorely, especially when marching to the pipes. I have acquired a period original rope tension snare drum, and am having a reproduction made for purposes of taking into the field and playing it while the company marches.

I can find books about British army drum techniques and beatings [and duty calls] for the early 19th century, the 17th & 18th centuries, the American Revolution and Civil War, but I have not been able to find materials that describe the drum beatings and techniques used in the British Army in the 1930's and 1940's. I am told by a veteran of that era that the drum beatings were quite different from modern, post Alex Duthart style beatings--simple open rolls, and not all this rat a tat tat, paradiddle flam flam.

What say you good sirs--have you any WW2 era drum manuals, score books, or other musical instruction type references that might allow me to learn how to play in the style of the 1930's to 1940's?

Oh, BTW, on the principle that photos are necessary to give any discussion on X-Marks corporeal existence, here are some photos of the original drum:

Thanks for any info you can provide. Cheers, BYU

**macwilkin** · 17th July 10, 06:00 AM

I would contact the Army School of Bagpipe Music & Highland Drumming.

T.

**BobsYourUncle** · 17th July 10, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I would contact the Army School of Bagpipe Music & Highland Drumming.

T.

I have a query into them, they are not that easy to communicate with, the British Army website only gives a snail mail address for them, no email. We'll see, but I'm not that sanguine about getting a responsive reply. I also have a query in with Rod McKenzie, curator of the Argyll's regimental museum. I was hoping someone here had the info or bibliography or actual scores ready to hand. Regards, BYU

**BEEDEE** · 17th July 10, 06:40 AM

Also try bobdunsire.com

Brian

**BobsYourUncle** · 17th July 10, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

Also try bobdunsire.com

Brian

Yep. Done. Hoping someone here may have info. Regards, BYU

**macwilkin** · 17th July 10, 06:57 AM

What about a query to The Imperial War Museum, or to a Canadian regiment, such as the RHR of Canada or the 48th Highlanders?

T.

**BobsYourUncle** · 17th July 10, 07:04 AM

Your ideas are great--I am especially interested in following up your suggestion about the Imperial War Museum. Even if they don't have copies of musical scores, they are probably the most likely to have archival recordings of pipes and drums from the era, possibly even sound film. They are next on my list. Thanks for that! Regards, BYU

**BobsYourUncle** · 17th July 10, 02:30 PM

The kind folks over at BobDunsire had the answer, as follows:

"A good source would be the Army Manuals(British) published during the 1930s. There are two books of tunes, the generally easy old ever-green tunes. Each book has a selection of "generic" drum settings in a variety of time signatures that can be used with damn near anything. You might check out the SCOT PRESS in West Va to find a copy of the manuals. The manuals were developed when it was realized that no two battalions were inclined to play the same tune arrangement. A couple of PBs playing in concert often turned in to a cacaphonous(sp) fiasco."

The Army Manual of Bagpipe Tunes, Book 1 & Book 2 mentioned by the kind poster can be purchased as downloadable PDFs at ScotPress's website here: http://scotpress.com/catalog/scottis...-book-1-p-1363

Viola! Thanks for your help, everyone! Regards, BYU

**Bigkahuna** · 21st July 10, 12:13 AM

Check out the Laurel & Hardy movie "Bonnie Scotland". Although the time represented is not WW2, the pipe bands are playing with rope tension drums and the movies were filmed at about the time you are looking for. It might give you some tips. Worth a look.

**Ryan Ross** · 21st July 10, 06:45 AM

I know not a thing about 1940's era British military drumming... don't suppose they had eggbeaters, pataflaflas or Shirley Murphies back then.

I did want to congratulate you on the aquisition of such a beautiful piece of history, though. That snare is a real gem- even the paint still looks good!