Marching Percussion | Music & Arts (2024)

About Marching Percussion

A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians who perform together for entertainment special events and competition purposes - this includes special events such as football games and traditional military parade performances. Marching percussion ensembles - also known as drumlines or batteries - are classified by function age size and by the type of show they're performing but they all use instruments that are designed specifically to be played while moving. This is why marching bass drums tenors snares and cymbals usually come with specially-designed carriers and harnesses that are attached to the instrument and worn by the player.

The marching snare drum is essential to any battery; it has a high-tension head and is deeper in size compared to other snare drums to deliver a big full sound. The marching bass drum is another important drum and produces the deepest sound in the drumline; they come in a variety of sizes each of which are played in a line by several percussionists. Marching tenor drums are sometimes called "toms" and usually come in mounted sets of 4-6 drums. Often tenor drum sets are referred to by how many drums make up their configuration: "duos" (2 drums) "trios" (3 drums) "quads" (4 drums) "quints" (5 drums) and "sextets" (6 drums). Two popular marching snare bass drum and tenor drum manufacturers are Sound Percussion and Pearl and Evans is often the go-to name for marching drum heads.

Marching cymbals (like tenor drums) are used to add color to the music. Marching cymbals have straps so they can be played with the hands; each percussionist carries two identical cymbals which are crashed struck or rubbed together to produce an effect. A wide range of marching cymbals are available in our collection and Zildjian's line of marching cymbals is highly regarded among today's most competitive marching bands. Marching percussionists also need to give careful consideration to their drum sticks and mallets. Snare drum sticks and mallets need to be balanced comfortable to hold and crafted with durable wood like hickory. Vic Firth's Corpsmaster Series sticks are field tested and their mallets come in a choice of super hard felt heads or with soft felt fleece-covered cores.

Marching Percussion | Music & Arts (2024)

FAQs

Why is marching band so difficult? ›

More than the physical challenge of near-constant movement for almost 10 minutes, playing music simultaneously is what makes the activity challenging. The act of marching is deceptively difficult.

How hard is it to be in a marching band? ›

Marching band is a big commitment; they practice for hours on end during the season, taking up their morning and a large chunk of their weekend. What they do isn't easy, either; they literally have to play an instrument while being on the move.

How hard is it to play percussion? ›

In conclusion, learning to play the drums can be challenging, but it's not impossible. The coordination, timing, physicality, and complexity of the instrument can make it difficult for some people to learn, but with the right mindset, effort, and guidance, anyone can become proficient at playing the drums.

Why do drummers say dut? ›

Q: Why does drumline dut? A: The word most drumlines use to keep time while tacit is “dut”. This is a very articulate sound that's easy to say while exerting oneself.

What is the hardest instrument to play in a school band? ›

1. Violin. Top of our list of hardest instruments to play is an instrument that will be familiar to many a classical musician. For all that it is one of the world's most popular instruments, the violin is one of the hardest on which to make an acceptable sound, sometimes even after years of learning it.

What is the hardest drum in marching band? ›

The tenor drums (quads) are the hardest to play among the types of drums in a marching band due to their complex setups and the demand for intricate rhythmic patterns.

What is the easiest instrument to learn in marching band? ›

1. Flute. The flute is a fantastic instrument for those who are brand new to marching band and looking to actually march in the ensemble. Marching the flute comes with many advantages, the biggest one being that it's light and easy to carry around.

Does marching band look good for college? ›

Do colleges recruit for marching band? Most colleges do not actively recruit prospective students for marching band. That being said, like all extracurriculars, participation in marching band looks good to college admissions officers. Students also can earn a great number of scholarships through marching band.

Is marching band harder than most sports? ›

Contrary to popular belief, marching band isn't easy. My high school marching band practiced more than the football team. We had a personal trainer who forced us to do yoga and circuit training for hours on end. Not to mention we had weeks of vigorous 10-hour practices in the blazing summer heat.

Why is percussion the hardest? ›

It's not easy to be a percussionist because it takes a lot of practice to hit an instrument with the right amount of strength, in the right place and at the right time.

Can drummers go deaf? ›

Do drummers have hearing damage? Drums are the loudest instrument of them all, so drummers tend to suffer from hearing/ear damage, more so than other musicians. There are multiple ear protectors out there that prevent any hearing damage in even the heaviest of drummers.

What is drummers syndrome? ›

As mentioned previously, the sound in a drum is originated by the drumheads whereby the drummer is exposed to vibration for long periods that can cause various types of hand dysfunctions. The most common are loss of sensibility, blanching and Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

Why do drummers sit on stools? ›

The drum stool, or drum throne, is an often underestimated yet indispensable piece of accessories for drummers. Drum stools throne chair provides comfort, stability, and adjustability, ensuring that drummers can focus on their rhythm and beats without distraction.

Why is marching band so stressful? ›

Mental Health & Marching Band

Mentally, these individuals experience a great deal of pressure to engage in all of these actions flawlessly in every show so as not to be the individual that stands out. These individuals also experience the stress of competing as well as achieving academically.

Is marching band a hard sport? ›

Marching band is an activity that involves physical exertion, especially while practicing. One may watch a marching band perform for a fifteen-minute halftime show and think it must be effortless; but, what they don't see are the hours of practice time put in almost every day.

What is the most common injury in marching band? ›

About 70% of marching band-related injuries reported to emergency departments over a nine-year period were in high school-age females. Most were knee and ankle injuries.

How do you survive marching band? ›

Drink your water, drink your water, drink your water; • Respect the directors, the staff, the upperclassmen, and the parent volunteers; • Eat breakfast every day; • Be on time and ready to work; • Wear appropriate and respectable clothing, socks and tennis shoes; • Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; • Bring your ...

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