For most musicians, performing technical music while standing on stage is tough. You need to focus on every note you’re playing while remembering to smile at your audience occasionally. The idea of adding synchronized choreography, and running around a rugby-sized field, while playing seems almost insane. And yet that’s precisely what marching musicians need to do.
Of course, before a marching musician can take to the field, or join a minstrel troupe, they need to learn how to play their instrument.
One of the most popular marching instruments is the marching snare drum. That is in part because of how light and affordable a marching snare is, compared to the other percussion instruments found in a drumline. It is also thanks to the popularity of the movie “Drum Line”, in which the main character is a snare drummer for a university marching band.
So, you might be wondering to yourself how you can get into marching percussion. The first step is to get yourself an entry-level marching snare drum. If you don’t know where to find a marching snare, send us a mail. One of our drumming specialists will get in touch, and help you find the ideal starting instrument.
From there, your next step is to find a teacher and to supplement your lessons with free online lessons like the one below:
The video covers marching snare basic strokes, timing, two height control and rolls; these exercises were specifically designed to provide the beginning to intermediate drumline with a solid foundation for building individual and ensemble technique.
Click here if you would like to download a free 40-page marching drum lesson booklet.
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