Marching Percussion Instruments
- The percussion section can make or break a marching band.marching band image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
Whether you're trying to choose an instrument or building a drum line, being familiar with marching percussive instruments is important. With the combined goal of keeping the rest of the band on time and in step, each instrument serves its own purpose. Note that not all marching percussion instruments are made for actual marching. - Marching snares typically weigh between 16 and 45 lb.drum image by agno_agnus from Fotolia.com
A marching snare is similar to the snare of the average drum kit, except marching snares are typically larger than drum kit snares, allowing for a deeper and louder tone. Snares are high-tension drums with a synthetic or calfskin drum head stretched tightly over a hard, hollow wooden frame. The drum head is normally fastened down with a metal ring attached to said frame. The snare wires lie under the drum head. A metal flip switch loosens or makes these wires tense. When tense, the drum's sound becomes much more staccato. - Multiple drummers split the music parts according to their drums' tones.Marching Band Drums image by bayu harsa from Fotolia.com
Bass drums in marching percussion come in a variety of sizes, starting at 14 inches in diameter and growing by 2-inch increments to 32 inches. Each drum has a universal depth of 14 inches. The drum itself is similarly constructed to a snare, but the drum heads are made of plastic. The marching harness for the bass drum keeps the drum heads facing out to the sides, allowing the wearer to strike both heads with soft fabric-covered mallets. Most marching bands have multiple bass drums in their lineups. - Tenor drums are similar to the tom-toms of a standard drum kit.Musical Instruments image by agno_agnus from Fotolia.com
Most marching bands include a multi-tenor, a contraption that ties four or more tom-tom drums together in an arc formation to be worn on a harness at waist height. A typical tenor has 10-, 12-, 13- and 14-inch tom-tom drums. These are often referred to as "quads," even if the arc includes more than four drums. The drum heads for tenor drums are often made of two plastic films locked into a metal collar to increase the sound and projection of the instrument. Unlike the snare or bass drums, the tenors can be played with a variety of sticks to achieve different timbres. - The xylophone is among instruments considered mallet percussion.xylophone image by Andrey Lukyanov from Fotolia.com
The glockenspiel is normally the only mallet percussion piece that actually marches. Similar to the xylophone, the glockenspiel is smaller and produces higher notes when struck with hard mallets. An area near the drum major's stand, called "the pit," is where the nonmarching mallet percussion pieces stay. The pit often houses marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, timpani and any other percussion instrument, such as shakers or bells, the music may need. - Cymbal players often use visual elements to entice the audience.cymbale image by Jerome Dancette from Fotolia.com
Although similar to orchestral crash cymbals, marching percussion cymbals are played very differently. The straps go over the hands and are twisted, holding the hands flat against the bell. Players carry two cymbals and crash them together, normally at heightened parts of the music. Rubbing or striking the cymbals together creates other sounds. Cymbal players can also hold the cymbals aloft for snare players to hit should the music require it.
