Marching Bands

What's better than a bass drum? Two bass drums. What's better than two bass drums? Two bass drums attached to each other. If you're putting together a drum cadence that requires multiple bass...

Learning to read music and play an instrument has many documented benefits for students and young people. The Houston Chronicle in January of 1998 reported to the Texas Commission on Drug and...

A drum major salute is an important part of a marching band's performance and ceremonial ritual. Your salute will represent not only your band's or corps' polish and professionalism, but your...

When most people think of flag corps, they think of the group that twirls flags with the marching band at halftime of the football game. This is just one aspect of what flag corps do. The...

Playing the marching bass drum in your drum line can be a fun and rewarding experience. Although the style and aesthetics of the role are often not as flashy as that of the marching snare drum or...

The majority of complete pipe band drum sections contain a mix of snare, tenor, alto and bass drums. Whichever drum you choose to play, learning the rudimentary aspects of playing with such a band...

The Yamaha SFZ snare drum is an extremely popular marching drum, found in many drum lines the world over. Unfortunately, marching percussion instruments are extremely susceptible to wear and...

Breathing exercises are important to all musicians, but carry extra weight in a marching band. They can help the members learn to manage air properly, allowing for ease of playing while being...

The Philadelphia Music Club, also known as the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, has always provided impressive performances since its inception in 1874. Its founder, William Wallace Gilchrist was...

Every marching band percussion line uses drum cadences. These drum features often provide marching material when there are no wind instruments present or are used as transitional material when a...

When drummers first begin performing in a marching band, many decide to play the quads (also known as the Multiple Tom-Toms). Quads can be a challenging and stimulating way to participate in a...

Drumline music sheets, or percussion charts, are musical arrangements for drums and other percussion instruments, typically notated for marching band. Drums, like other instruments, are notated...

If you've attended many local parades or watched your share of football halftime shows, chances are you've witnessed a few performances of marching music. This unique genre of large-ensemble...

The drum line is an essential part of a marching band of any style. Marching bands with drum lines may be corp bands, show bands, or drum and bugle corps. Aside from contributing to the sound of...

Practice should focus on the areas where the marching band is weakest. Learn how to practice for marching band in this free music video series.

The first thing that needs to be done when choreographing a marching band show is choosing a theme. Learn how to choose a show theme for marching band in this free music video series.

A drill program for the computer will be helpful when choreographing the show. Learn how to write choreography for marching band in this free music video series.

A chart will give the football field layout. Learn how to read a chart for marching band in this free music video series.

The way that the performers carry themselves during the show communicates a lot to the crowd. Learn about standing and posture for marching band in this free music video series.

Before a band member begins moving it is important that he or she has very good balance. Learn about balancing for marching band in this free music video series.

When marching forward a member should push all of the weight forward at the same time. Learn how to forward march for marching band in this free music video series.

All the member's weight needs to go at the same time when marching backwards. Learn how to backward march for marching band in this free music video series.

Keep the bell of the instrument toward the sideline when marching side-to-side. Learn how to march side-to-side for marching band in this free music video series.

It is important to group instruments together in a show, such as trumpets marching with trumpets. Learn how to place instruments for marching band in this free music video series.

Correct spacing is part of dressing a form. Learn how to dress a form for marching band in this free music video series.

Dressing a line involves individual band members lining up their hip bones with one another. Learn how to dress a line for marching band in this free music video series.

If the marching band is not moving together, then the show is not up to snuff. Learn about tempo and movement for marching band in this free music video series.

There are numerous steps and areas that must be covered in order for a marching band to perform a show. Learn how to choreograph a marching band show in this free music video series.

Marching band is fun, as well as providing an outlet for competition and artistic expression. Learn the purpose of a marching band in this free music video series.

The high school band director is the most visible member of a local music education community. Responsible for running a marching band program in the fall and concert band in the spring, the...

If you play the snare drum in a marching band, one of the most important skills you can learn is playing the drum at a rapid pace. The very quick beats on a snare drum, like a drum roll, are a...

A snare drum can be part of a larger drum set, but it can be used as a stand-alone instrument in a marching band. The snare drum is an important drum in any musical setting. The snare drum, so...

Marching bands usually include several percussion instruments, but the snare and bass drums are perhaps the most important. Used to keep time, these drums serve as the metronome for the rest of...

Marching bass drums require mallets that give a strong, precise sound when the mallet is applied to the bass drum head. The right mallet will incorporate a light but strong shaft, a durable design...

A snare drum is one that's usually small in size. It's often used in a marching band for a drummer to carry at his side. It's called a snare drum because it has snares that line the lower head,...

What is off-tuned banging sound? Hard on the ears? Nothing sounds worse than an out-of-tune, hollow marching drum. Your marching drum sets the rhythm for the rest of the band to follow. Instead of...

Learn how to apply drum major skills to life in this free video on band leadership.

Learn the importance of commanding respect as a drum major in this free video on band leadership.

Learn how to keep time as a drum major in this free video on band leadership.

Learn time signatures in conducting band as a drum major in this free video on band leadership.

Learn how to give commands as a drum major in this free band leadership video.

Learn the commands and basics of conducting a drum line in this free band leadership video for drum majors.

Learn drum major basics of teaching commands in this free band leadership video.

Get leadership tips for being a drum major in this free video on band leadership.

Learn about the drum major try-out process in this free band video.

Learn about the importance of people skills for drum majors in this free video on band leadership.

Learn how to become a drum major in this free video.

Marching while playing a brass instrument is challenging. You need to be able to produce the same kind of sound quality as when you are sitting down. You need to be able to do this while moving in...

Practice makes perfect, but you need stunning uniforms to really make an impression with a marching band. Custom design uniforms are easy to order for any size marching band, and with just a few...

One of the biggest NFL marching bands is Baltimore's Marching Ravens. If you have enough ability, this band offers you an opportunity to participate in pro football without having a 300-pound...