Pipe band
[2][3] The tradition then spread to former British colonies such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, as well as constituents of the Commonwealth of Nations.
In addition, a number of other countries have adopted the tradition, notably in areas with Celtic roots: Ireland (circa 1900),[4] Brittany in Northwestern France (1940s),[5] and the regions of Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria in Northern Spain.
Pipers and drummers in the employ of the British Army and Scottish emigrants brought with them traditional music and the culture surrounding the practice.
Drumming itself is as ancient as the concept of formed military units, and their original purpose on the battlefield was to signal tactical movements and keep cadence on the march.
By the time World War I broke out, the pipe band represented a popular image of Scotland, both internally and externally.
Military pipers were killed and injured in significant numbers in the Great War, before the practice of playing in the trenches was banned.
Pipes have occasionally played into battle, notably at El Alamein, Dieppe, the Normandy beaches, and the crossing of the Rhine.
Military bandsmen as full time musicians in British Army bands are normally required to take on a secondary role in the battlefield as medics.
Pipers in particular uphold a centuries-old tradition of inspiring soldiers in the field and this can be traced back into Scotland's clan system to the 16th century at least.
Examples of typical pipe bands forms include marches, slow airs, jigs and reels, and strathspeys.
Generally speaking, the pipers deliver the melodic and harmonic material, while the side drummers provide a rhythmically interactive accompaniment part.
Generally speaking, all of the pipers play a unison melody on their chanters, with their drones providing the harmonic support and filling out the sound.
In fact, intervals of a second are rarely found in pipe band harmony parts, except in passing.
This technique is relatively new in the pipe band circuit, and in most cases require skill and timing to achieve in full unison.
Pipe band drummers now play on drums with very tight, knitted kevlar heads, designed for maximum tension to create a very crisp and strident sound.
Since today's drum is so facile as a result of its design, players are often able to execute extremely complicated and technically demanding rudimentary patterns.
The line played by the drum corps (referred to as the 'drum score') is usually based on rudimentary patterns and can often be quite involved, with solo, unison and contrapuntal passages throughout.
However, the typical uniform consists of a glengarry (cap), shirt, tie, waistcoat (vest), jacket, kilt, hose and ghillie brogues.
Every year, mainly in the period from spring to autumn, pipe bands around the world compete against each other at various venues, often at Highland festivals.
For competitive bands, the title of World Champion is highly coveted, and this event is seen as the culmination of a year's worth of preparation, rehearsal and practice.
Bands arrive early and, in most grades, are required to perform in a qualifying round which takes place in the morning.
The top bands at the end of the qualifying round play in a second event in the afternoon to determine an aggregate winner.
In addition to performing at 'The Worlds', most internationally competitive bands participate in a season of events that are generally held during Scotland's summer months.
Grading and eligibility are overseen by the National Council and Music Board of the RSPBA, and bands can be downgraded or upgraded at the annual regrading, which takes place at the end of the competition season.
The purely musical nature of these venues enable the exploration of non-traditional repertoire, and serves as another means by which piping and drumming can present itself to the public in a modern fashion.
A modern-day bagad consists of a biniou braz (Breton bagpipes), a bombarde section, a drum corps, and any additional musical instruments the band wishes to add.
