Evolution of Marching Percussion

Music: The Evolution of Marching Percussion

Drumming historically has been used as a means of communication and marching percussion has followed suit. Marching percussion has evolved in large part from the military drumming lines of history. Drummers were used during the Revolutionary War and Civil War to keep armies in line and to signal friends (Rhythmspice, 1999). At night during these wars, the "Three Camps" call was played by drummers so drummers in other camps could check in and verify that their parties were alive and well (Rhythmspice, 1999). Rudiments or a set of patterns every percussionist learns developed from these calls. Drummers would often tone the same sounds or patterns as a time of rudimentary code. These rudiments, a type of scale pattern for drums, are the foundation for marching percussion music in modern times (Rhythmspice, 1999).

The marching percussion has evolved from a simple group of military drummers to a group of civilian musicians that pound out orchestral quality music, still communicating to the public whether in the form of a school's cheer, a warrior's status or cheer or public message information. The marching band became a means for drummers to celebrate music in a new fashion.

The marching percussion evolved primarily from drum corps and military marching backgrounds (Rhythmspice, 1999). Snare drums were most commonly used in such formation, though over time additional drums of varying sizes and other supplemental instruments such as the cymbals have been added. As early as the mid-1800's drummers were assigned a place in the army's regiments, to march alongside soldiers in combat. Musicians during this time therefore, had double duty, that of a musician and a soldier.

According to General Winfield Scott, "the field music will be formed in two ranks, the drummers in the rear, and ten paces in the rear of the left center company" (Army, 2003). Most army regiments had marching bands and this pattern continued into the early 20th century. Brass instruments accompanied the marching percussion of military regiments during the mid-1800's as well. Civilian bands followed suit and took the place of marching military bands in the 1900s (Army, 2003). Eventually the marching percussion of today evolved.

The marching percussion can now be found in schools, universities, organizations, federal establishments and still in the military. The formation of the marching percussion has changed from the simplistic 10 man line up of early military times. The most basic marching percussion section now has 5 areas that incorporate the following: snare drums, tenor drums, bass drums, cymbals and a "pit" or area on the sideline with any other related musical fare (Rhythmspice, 1999). The equipment used in marching percussion has also changed with time. The heads of snare drums are typically bulletproof and made of very durable material that is durable, because the plastic head of old used to stretch and cause problems with sound quality (Rhythmspice, 1999).

The bass drum, typically the largest member of the marching percussion, has evolved into a much smaller instrument, typically 16 inches in diameter (Beck, 1997). Tenor drums are also larger in size than their cousin the snare, and are typically essential to the well roundedness of the marching percussion. Tenors typically in the past were grouped in batches of three or four, but over time this has changed and now tenors are typically grouped as a set of five or six drums (Beck, 1997). The music selections for marching percussion have also evolved over time, and marching percussion has attempted much more difficult pieces, more similar to orchestral pieces than simple band tunes (Rhythmspice, 1999).