Tenor Drum - Pipe Band Tenor Drum

Pipe Band Tenor Drum

Originally a rope-tensioned drum, giving way to modern rod tension, the tenor drum occupied a unique position in the drum corps of military and civilian pipe bands, being used as both timekeepers, accents to the musical ensemble, as well as spectacle.

Three types of tenor drum are played in modern pipe bands :

  1. Flourishing tenor: Flourishing tenor drummers use beaters on the end of long sticks, which are then tied to the fingers. The beaters are flourished in coordinated movements, while striking the drum; to add "spectacle". Modern pipe bands of average size usually field two to six flourishing tenor drummers.
  2. Alto tenor: played in tandem with the bass drum to add sound and keep time. Not all bands use alto tenor drums.
  3. Rhythm tenor: played to accent the snare drum part. It usually is played constantly.

This type of drum is often used in pipe bands around the world, along with individual solo competitions. It is mainly used in the "flourishing tenor" style, as a part of the bass section (or midsection).

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