Marching Band Basics for Kids

·        Woodwinds

·        Brasswinds

·        Percussion

·        Performance Ensemble

 

There are four primary sections of the marching band. While each level adds more features and complexity to the group, the basics carry on from one level to the next. The four primary sections of a typical marching band are the woodwinds, brasswinds, percussion, and performance ensemble. Let’s take a few moments and have a look at what each section entails for our marching band.

 

The name woodwinds section of a marching band is a little misleading. Many people at first think that this section is made up of all wooden instruments. This however is not that case. There are instruments that are often made of wood such as the clarinet. There are also many instruments in this section that are not made of any wood. Some of the other main instruments you will find in this section in marching band include flutes, piccolos and saxophones. The common feature in most of these instruments is that most woodwind instruments have small wooden pieces called a reed that helps create the desired sound.

 

 

The brasswinds section of the marching band is usually a little more flashy and noticeable during marching season. This is because of the materials used to make the instruments and the fact that they are held up in the air when played. This section is created primarily from gold or silver metals that reflect in the sun creating out on the field. In this group you will generally find Baritone horns, Euphoniums, French Horns, Trombones, Trumpets and Tubas. The key element to this section is that all these instruments required the use of a metal mouthpiece that the players blow into to create the sound.

 

The percussion section is often referred to as the driving force or the heartbeat of the marching band. This section has two units that make the ensemble complete: the battery and the pit. The battery percussion section includes those that are able to march around the field with their instrument. These include the snare drum, bass drum, tenor drums, cymbals, and in some cases marching bells (not too popular in recent years).

 

The Pit percussion marching band section features much larger instruments that simply could not be carried around on the field. Some of the many possible instruments that you can find in this section include the marimba, xylophone, bells, drum set, tympani, concert bass drum, break drum and various sound effect items. The pit percussion often includes items that are typically found in concert bands. When these are added to the marching unit it multiplies the richness of the overall on the field. This section is generally found more in high school and drum corps levels of marching bands.

 

 

The performance ensemble is comprised of various groups such as the colorguard and dance team. Members carry flags, rifles, sabers, and streamers as they march and dance around the field. This marching band section adds the visual effect of the music to the overall show.