The Art of Highland Drumming: A Capital City Conversation with Ken Decker
If you’ve ever stood near a pipe band and felt the thunder in your chest, you’ve experienced the power of Highland drumming. It’s an intricate, disciplined art form — one that balances military precision with musical expression. We sat down with Capital City’s own Ken Decker to learn what makes Highland drumming so unique and why it’s such a vital part of the pipe band sound.
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A Journey into the Pipe Band World
Ken’s drumming journey began in 2003 with the Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, where he first caught the bug for Scottish music and marching performance. Nearly a decade later, in 2012, he began taking formal lessons from renowned instructor Alex Wright, deepening his technical mastery and understanding of the Highland style. What started as curiosity quickly became a lifelong passion. Ken is a grade two snare drummer and competes with the 87th Cleveland Pipe Band. He is an instructor with Capital City Pipes and Drums in Columbus, Ohio.
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What Makes Highland Drumming Different
A piper asked Ken why Highland drumming isn’t like any other style of drumming.
Highland drums are designed to be bright, crisp, and extremely “snarey.” Players aim for a tight, cutting tone that slices cleanly through the massed bagpipes. This sound comes from a combination of high-tension drum heads and dual snare systems, with snares stretched across both the top and bottom drum heads. Between the two snare beds and the extreme tension of the heads, Highland drums produce a sharp, buzzing crack that’s instantly recognizable.
The playing style reinforces that sound. Highland rolls are not open and separated like those in orchestral or marching percussion. Instead, they are played as tight, closed “buzz” rolls that blend into a smooth, continuous texture — a sound Highland drummers proudly lean into.
Among other things, he explained that the notation is different. American drumming notation uses ‘L’ and ‘R’ for left and right hand, but in Highland style notation, notes written above the line are for the right hand, and below the line is for left hand.
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The Roles Within the Drum Corps
Each type of drum in a pipe band plays a unique musical role:
Snare Drums follow the pipes closely, mirroring their rhythmic flow. At higher competition levels, the rhythms become incredibly intricate, adding drive and excitement to the overall sound.
Tenor Drums bring color and melody. Their players not only strike the drum in rhythm but often flourish the mallets in coordinated visual displays.
The Bass Drum sits at the heart of it all — literally and musically. The bass keeps everyone together and on the beat. It’s the pulse that unifies the band.
Together, the drum corps complements the pipes, adding depth and dynamic contrast. While the bagpipes have a constant volume, the drums introduce feeling, texture, and movement.
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Understanding the Grades
Pipe bands are organized into competitive grades, from beginner to world-class. In Grade 5, you’re looking for solid fundamentals — steady rhythm and clean playing. You don’t want everyone playing full volume all the time. As you move up in grade, you introduce more dynamics, phrasing, and musical complexity.
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Tuning and Maintenance
Drum tuning in a pipe band is a craft of its own.
Snare drums aren’t tuned to pitch like orchestral drums — their tension and crispness come from the tightness of the heads and snares.
Bass drums are tuned to match the pipes’ low A, ensuring the entire band resonates harmoniously.
Tenor drums are tuned melodically, often with the highest tenor an octave above the bass.
Consistency is key. At Capital City, and many pipe bands, one person handles the tuning for all the drums so they sound cohesive. Individual players just focus on care — keep the drum in its case, don’t leave it in the sun, dry it right away if it gets wet, and don’t store anything else in the case. If every drum is maintained by the same person, they’ll sound more uniform.
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Advice for New Highland Drummers
Ken’s biggest advice for anyone curious about Highland drumming? Find a good teacher. Many people think they can learn from watching YouTube, but that can be tricky. Anyone can post a video, and you can pick up bad habits fast. One-on-one instruction with a qualified teacher makes all the difference. And above all, he says, remember that it’s supposed to be fun. Whether you’re competing or performing, it’s about friendship and shared joy. We have a blast — playing and not playing!
He encourages anyone with a drumming background to give it a try. If you’ve played marching snare or drum set, you already have a foundation. You just need to learn the nuances of Highland technique — and it’s absolutely worth the effort. Don’t let not knowing hold you back.
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Why It Matters
Highland drumming is more than just rhythm — it’s the heartbeat of a centuries-old tradition that continues to evolve. From crisp rolls and melodic tenors to the grounding thump of the bass, every beat supports the pipes and tells a story. For Ken and drummers everywhere, that story is one of precision, teamwork, and joy — a living, breathing art form that connects people across generations and continents.