MARCHING PERCUSSION: The Basics.
Everything needed for the band director
to prepare their marching percussionists from pit to field percussion,
arrangements, arranging, warm-ups, rehearsal techniques and more.
Pit (a.k.a. the
“Front Ensemble” or “The Front Ensemble”)
Instrumentation
- Strive for at least 6 players: Bells; Xylophone;
Vibraphone; Marimba; Timpani; and an Accessories player.
Main Concepts
- Technique should be the same legato approach as
the battery drummers. (Staccato
playing is less important here but still helpful.)
- Define the tempo source for the pit and encourage
them to “listen back” to that sound.
- Color is more important than doubling the woodwind/brass
parts (seek arrangements/arrangers that work with this concept.)
- Warm-ups: Standard scale patterns emphasizing the
same legato approach as the battery drummers. Four-mallet technique should be taught
by a percussion specialist.
Battery Percussion
Instrumentation
- Strive for a balanced choir sound: 4 players = 1
SD and 3 BD; 5 players = 1 SD, 1 TD and 3 BD; 6 players = 2 SD, 1 TD and 3
BD; 7 players = 2 SD, 1 TD and 4 BD; 8 players = 3 SD, 1 TD and 4 BD; 9
players = 3 SD, 2 TD and 4 BD; and 10 players = 3 SD, 2 TD and 5 BD. The standard rule is that you should
have 1 TD for every 2 SDs. 5 BDs is
a maximum but Sd and TD #s can increase.
My dream line is 9SD, 5TD and 6BD.
J
Main Concepts
- Technique should be efficient and relaxed. It should transfer nicely to other areas
of percussion.
- Consistent work with a metronome is very helpful.
- Tuning is important – don’t wait ‘till the dome!
- Arrangements should compliment the band. The should have space – unisons should
be limited (especially in the dome.)
- Warm-ups – see attached.
I would like to thank Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals, and
Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets for helping to sponsor today’s
event! Thanks to Joel Smales for
organizing this and the many other fine events here at the NYSSMA
Convention! And finally, I thank OCC and
my students – it’s a great place to work and they are great people to work
with!
Dr. Robert Bridge
Onondaga Community College
4941 Onondaga Road
Syracuse, NY 13215
(315) 498-2208
www.sunyocc.edu/~bridger
bridger@sunyocc.edu