James Laughlin is a seven time World champion pipe band drummer. He has taught thousands of drummers globally, with many of them becoming world champions. This channel is dedicated to pipe band drumming, and ensuring that everyone has access to quality drumming lessons.
Whether you want to take your pipe band drumming to the net level, or you are just starting out then this is the channel for you. In most of the videos James uses the Jim Kilpatrick KP2 drum sticks and the Jim Kilpatrick Pro pad along with the Remo drum stand.
James also has an amazing community of pipe band drummers over on Facebook with his FREE group called Pipe Band Drumming on Tap.
Be sure to connect with James, and subscribe to the channel.
Jings mannie, Just like that all ? Crivvens , oor teecher ne'er tellt us a' that. No wonder I couoldn't get the head around it. Often Pingle on a Tractor wheel or Oildrum with a screwdriver, when I'm seeking inisporation on a workshop job. NOW I need to find time and a pair of proper ( BALANCED ?? ) drum sticks to have a go on the end of an old oil barrel or large tin can. Next stop tuning an oild rum lid as Steel Drums .... Thought for Noise! Slàinte Mhath
Jim, In the book in Your Hands, the tune the Smith's Talent Fireman and others they have a part I'm having trouble with. I'm on my own, not in a band but was 30 years ago - a grade two and grade one pipe band in B.C. Canada. There is a triplet with roll pulses on the first and third strokes looking like 5 stroke rolls perhaps. Can you direct me to a video that might help? Do you give lessons on line? I'm 77-years-old but love pipe band drumming most of all. I have played in many orchestras and bands of many genres, but being retired a practice pipe band drumming for a hobby Who knows, I might work up a set and enter a solo competition in nearby highland games. I have my own Premier drum, but mostly practice on a pad. Thank you. Greg Newman, Nooksack, Washington, USA
I think it is begining to make sense, i feel it would help a lot by someone playing (on a pad is fine) to back up the "theory" behind the "practice" maybe? Just to make sure im understanding what I'm imagining along the way, to what the sound is meant to be? I learned snare by sight and sound really well. Would be really helpful to 'hear' and to 'see' -(visually playing, in a wee corner of screen ) to add to what you are explaining, to understand what its meant to look like - so we can test that we understand as you go on? Apologies if you are now doing this in new videos, thanks
i dont know if im asking this correctly but, when doing it at a high speed, does the flam become a double stroke roll? (since you hit again with the same hand that you do the flam with)
I have a question on stick technique in this video. Are those Kilpatrick KP2s? If so, the pivit point on right and left hand seems quite in the back part of the sticks. For me the pivit point is around the of the Kilpatrick signature on the stick. Is there any benefit, technical or speed advantage to push the pivot more towards the back? I‘m learning outside of Scottland inan amateur environment way below competition level. But I am interested in technique and try to observe details from you as high level pipe drummers. Thanks.
Hey, thank you for the question. You are right on the money! The pivot point is right around the signature on the stick. The benefit is efficiency. It's about creating more with less energy. When you go further down the stick, it requires more energy to lift with what would feel like a heavier stick. And if you go too high up the stick, it feels about the same but you lose motion and end up creating a thinner sound due to the stick vibrating less. Great question! I hope you're enjoying this vids.
Groete vanaf Suid Afrika Mnr Potgieter. My lead drummer taught me there are 5 rules to playing well. 1 - Practice makes perfect. 2 - If you can`t play it slowly, you can`t play it fast. 3 - Practice makes perfect. 4 - You can`t play it, if you can`t say it. 5 - Practice makes perfect.
Wow. What a good teacher. Watching the video brings fun. So playing will bring more fun to me. I'm lying in the hospital for several weeks and I brought 2 drum sticks to drum on the bed in case it's boring. I'm not a drummer but fascinated from drumming. So I found this video for doing something with sense. Thank you Mister Teacher for this, my first lesson.
First the Stand! (?) Can't seem to find a stand for stand up drumming. Plus I'm 6'4. Is there a practice pad set up with a harness or sling? That would be ideal. I'd actually like to practice marching the while. (Plus I could use the exercise now winters approaching). I've found the sticks and pad online, very happy about that. I've asked so many drum channels about sticks and pads and never get a response. I'm working with Vic Firth 3A sticks but I can't get much of a rebound from either of my pads, one of which is a Remo knock off with a real drum head, even using my other hand. Tried to go cheap and now I'm paying the price. I wish you would supply some links that are Yank friendly. I live in Glasgow, KY where there is no music store or music scene!?! And finding a good IPA? Yikes! Thanks for your help! Jack
You are great drummers. Respectfully, Scots banding has been ruined the past 23 yrs. Men and women should gave separate pipe bands. Women in the men bands has destroyed the traditional character and aura of pipe bands as a bastion of Scottish male Brave Heart strength. Watching modern pipe bands today is like watching a high school prom; there is ZERO comparison betw 20th century strong male bands like Strathclyde Police vs today's wimpy bands. The entire aura of pipe bands has been utterly ruined. Maybe Scots will separate ladies and men into their own bands again and reestablish traditional strong male bands. But PC Woke has taken over Britain. I don't even think you will take this vid comment seriously. Pipe bands - just one more piece of AMAZING British culture thrown down tbe drain forever by the globalists in charge of society. Take care.
Does Sebastian use wrist here? At the moment I am stepping into proper pipe drumming technique. And I see you, James, promoting wrist (and I see small movement), while Sebastian seems to use the more visual forearm on main beat method (I hope you know what I mean) doing the variations within the hand. Thus seems logic to me thinking about how the buzz roll is executed. So to use the same mechanics for doubles, singles and tabs while the elbow forearm does the main best and accents. I‘m wondering if I get missled there and should integrate more the wrist approach which would be more familiar to my actual drumming motorics. Thanks. Great and helpful videos.
I bought your books and I’ve decided to work through these one by one to become proficient to the highest degree possible. I’m older (45) and new to the pipe band world, but played snare in high school and I’m absolutely digging this. So fun! I’m in a grade 5 band and these grade 4 pieces are helping me develop. I only learned match grip in high school, so this is helping a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Bonjour ! Hello ! A great lesson here, clear explanation and I like so much when the music score is dispayed and studied in parallel to the practice. I should look for more of your video. Merci beaucoup
very helpful insight. I see a lot of pipe drummers using the resting finger (middle or ring finger or combi) to push up the stick with silent low strokes.
