Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Drumming & Percussion/Answer Key"

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{{tone}}
 
 
 
:''This article is about the percussion unit of a marching band called a '''drumline'''. For the 2002 film, see [[Drumline (film)]]''
 
:''This article is about the percussion unit of a marching band called a '''drumline'''. For the 2002 film, see [[Drumline (film)]]''
  
 
[[image:AU-Drumline-CottonBowl-07.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Auburn University]] tenors warm up]]
 
[[image:AU-Drumline-CottonBowl-07.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Auburn University]] tenors warm up]]
A '''drumline''' is a group of [[percussionist]]s who play a variety of [[percussion]] instruments. A drumline may be an incorporated section of a high school or college [[marching band]], a [[drum and bugle corps]] or [[indoor percussion ensemble]], a pipe band, or a pep band, but also can exist independent of these larger ensembles. [[Indoor percussion ensemble]]s serve as the most common outlet for stand-alone drumline performance.
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A '''drumline''' or '''drum line''' is a group of [[percussion instrument]]s usually played as part of a marching ensemble. Drumlines are usually incorporated into high school or college [[marching band]]s, [[drum and bugle corps]] or [[drum and lyre corps]], [[indoor percussion ensemble]]s, and [[pipe band]]s, but also can exist independent of these ensembles.  
 
 
Most drumlines can be divided into two sections; the ''battery'' and ''[[front ensemble]]''. However, the term ''drumline'' is frequently used  to refer to just the battery.  Dividing the battery further are the sub-sections: snare drums, tenors, bass drums, and sometimes cymbals or "bells".
 
 
 
The [[marching percussion]] instruments of a battery section features high tension drumheads so as to produce a loud, short, and articulate sound, ideal for the intricate passages played by contemporary drumlines.  Marching snares are either 13 or 14 inches in diameter, depending on whether the line is playing indoors or outdoors.  The circumference of the rim is lined with 12 evenly spaced lugs, designed to maintain the high tension of [[Kevlar]] or [[PET film (biaxially oriented)|PET film]] heads.  Tenor drums (Also known as "quads", "quints", or "six packs") are sets of multiple drums worn by one marcher, usually in sets of 3 to 6 drums.  Plastic and synthetic heads are most common in tenors and are tuned with a lower tension than snares, providing the drums with a more resonant, tonal sound which gives the drums a midrange, or tenor pitch support to the line.  Marching basses consist of groupings of 4-6 individually carried bass drums.  They are marched sequentially according size, with drum 1 being the smallest in diameter and weight and drum 4, 5, or 6, known as "bottom bass" being largest in diameter and weight.  Marching cymbals are generally marched in groups of 2-8, though the range is simply by convention.  Cymbals are held by each member of the sub-section and are either played by the individual holder, by a snare or tenor player, or used for visual purposes because of their reflective surfaces.  A specific example is the well known "V" formation formed by the cymbal line of the [[Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps]].
 
  
The [[front ensemble]] (also 'pit' or 'frontline') can include any [[percussion instrument]].  This wide selection of instruments allows for the front ensemble to produce the greatest [[timbre]] variety in a marching ensemble.  Front ensemble instruments are typically stationary during performance and are therefore not bound to the limitations of being mounted to the player. Instruments usually played in the front ensemble include marimba, vibraphone, bells, xylophone, and chimes. Often, in order to add special sounds to a piece, many auxiliary percussion instruments will also be implemented by the frontline ensemble.
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The term ''battery'' is often interchangeable with ''drumline'', but refers specifically to mobile percussion – especially snare, tenor, and bass drums, and cymbals. Stationary percussion within a marching ensemble is called the ''[[front ensemble]]'' or ''pit''.
  
== Battery ==
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== Composition ==
<!--[[Image:Jhsbattery.jpg|thumb|right|C. E. Jordan High School Battery]]-->
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Drumlines typically consist of marching [[snare drum]]s, [[tenor drum]]s, [[Bass drum#Marching bass drums|bass drum]]s, and – less universally – [[cymbal]]s. In the past, marching [[timpani]] were common before the adoption of the front ensemble, as were marching keyboard percussion instruments such as [[glockenspiel]]s and [[xylophone]]s. Marching [[steelpan]]s are rarely part of drumlines due to issues with volume and durability, and are typically used in large ensembles with only steelpans.
There are four different types of battery percussion instruments. Marching Snare, Tenors (Trios, Quads, Quints, Six Packs, or single tenor drums, which resemble snare drums), Bass Drums (usually 4 or 5 graduating in size), and Cymbals (can be anywhere from 3 to 8 different size cymbals, usually marching crashes).
 
  
===Marching Snare===
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=== Snares ===
Although all parts are important, the snare is a position held in high regard, due in part to the extreme dedication of the best snare players. Marching snare music is virtually always played in complete unison with the entire snare line unlike the [[bass drums]]. Therefore, being a snare drummer is a position highly aspired to. Snare solos are rhythymically more complicated than a horn solo and may incorporate visual "tricks". The snare line's function is melodic, providing the top voice and sound creating the center figures of rhythm distinguished as the melody of a segment of music being played by the drumline. The snare section leader is usually the main tempo reference for the rest of the line, and band. Often during practices, in more intimate band settings the lead snare drummer will click, or tap the [[drum major]]'s tempo, to keep the band in time while practicing, especially [[marching drill]]
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[[Image:17ton.jpg|thumb|Right|A drumline with sling-harness snares.]]
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Marching [[snare drum]]s have high tension heads typically made of [[Kevlar]] or [[PET film (biaxially oriented)|PET film]]. In the past, snares were typically carried with slings, and because of the tilt performers used [[traditional grip]]. Most modern snare drums have rigid over-the-shoulder harnesses that hold the drum with the playing surface parallel to the ground, which affords the option of performing with [[matched grip]].
  
[[Image:17ton.jpg|thumb|Right|''A drumline with sling-harness snares.'']]
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Snare parts are typically unison and provide the center rhythm of the drumline. The snare drum line is the center of tempo in the ensemble, and the ''center snare'', a position typically held by the most experienced snare drummer, is responsible for maintaining the tempo. When rehearsing or performing, the center snare may ''tap off'' the ensemble, setting the tempo with a solo rhythm.
  
===Tenors===
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=== Tenors ===
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[[Image:UVa-Marching-Band.jpg|right|thumb|A tenor drummer in the [[Cavalier Marching Band]].]]
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Contemporary [[tenor drum]]s (also called ''toms'', ''quads'', or ''quints'') single-headed tonal drums mounted four to six to a set. Tenor players add pitch variety to the drumline with drums of different sizes and tuning. Tenor players use [[matched grip]], and generally play with mallets with plastic disc-shaped heads, though traditional drumsticks and softer mallets are commonly used to achieve different [[timbre]]s. Tenor drummers typically play in unison.
  
Tenors (also called toms, trios, quads, quints, squints, timp-toms, hexes or six-packs depending on the number of drums) are a set of tonal drums similar to tom-toms. The Tenors usually weigh about 40-45 lbs. making them the heaviest of all the battery instruments. Tenors are usually four or five (sometimes three or six) different drums that graduate in size. Since there are several drums to play, the tenors require excellent coordination. Different from snare technique, tenor technique requires the use of the arms as well as the wrists. Tenors can have visuals too, but the sheer complexity of a lot of tenor solos makes enough visuals by just the movement of the arms around the drums.  The tenor line's main objective in the drumline ensemble is to add melodic color to the snare sound, as well as create an ambient yet furiously strong color to the palette. Those uneducated about each drum generally consider the snare to be the hardest drum to play, and that snarists are the best percussionists on any line.
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=== Basses ===
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<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[image:The_drumline2.JPG|thumb|Right|A practicing highschool drumline.]] -->
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Marching bass drums are most frequently used as tonal drums split between several percussionists. Each drummer plays a unique part, though the entire bass drum part is conceived as a whole. Marching bass drums, which produce the deepest sound in the battery, are larger drums carried on harnesses with the heads facing horizontally. The musicians carrying the bass drums typically line up in size order. Bass drummers use sticks with rounded or cylindrical heads often made of hard [[felt]]. Small bass drum lines typically consist of four members to ensure enough for a melody, and large lines can have eight or more drummers.
  
[[image:The_drumline2.JPG|thumb|Right|''A practicing highschool drumline.'']]
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=== Cymbals ===
===Basses===
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Marching [[cymbal]]s are typically pairs of [[clash cymbals]] played in a variety of ways. Cymbals are [[bronze]] with leather carrying straps. Players in cymbal lines may all carry the same size and type of cymbal, or a variety of instruments may be used. Cymbals are played being held before the body, in unison or split parts. In addition to being played by the cymbalists, snare drummers may play on the cymbals as [[ride cymbals]] or like [[hi-hat]]s, thus there is typically a minimum of one cymbalist for every two snare drummers. Cymbals are also used for visual effects due to their reflective surfaces. Many contemporary field ensembles do not utilize a cymbal line, as cymbals are played in the front ensemble.
  
Bass drums are the pulse and soul of a drumline (If you've seen the movie drumline). They are the voice that creates the basso melodisism of the line. Bass drums can be used as a unison line, a tonal line, or a combinaton thereof. Tonal bass drum solos are written for multiple drums.  Instead of being played by one person, the solo is split from drum to drum.  Bass drum sub-divisions take a large amount of discipline to perfect, and are extremely difficult to master.  Bass drum players must be very rhythmically secure in order to have a satisfactory section.  While some consider the bass drum to be the easiest drum, a single bass part can be very difficult to play.  A bass part may consist of split quarter, eighth, sixteenth, sextuplet, or even thirty-second notes, and because of the inconsistent playing it also involves precise timing and counting.  Since the bass drum part is played by multiple drums, every player must "feel the beat" and count until they have a note that is to be played by the drum they are carrying.  In placing members of the bass line, the person who can best play diddles, or two hits with one stroke, will be the top bass drum.  The second pitch bass drum is usually the best counter if not the top drum.  The reason being that the number two bass will have more parts, or parts that fall in an awkward position of the beat.  In filling out the rest of the bass line it just goes down the line based on skill, although this is not always the case. In some cases it may be a height issue.
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=== Front ensemble ===
 
 
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[image:Fhscymbals_4111.jpg‎|thumb|Right|''The Fairfield High School cymbal line warming up for state competitions.'']] -->
 
 
 
===Cymbals===
 
Marching cymbals are not quite as common in drum corps, but are often seen in high school and university marching bands. Cymbals provide color and accentuate crecendi and louder dynamics. Cymbals may be played by the musicians holding them, or the individuals holding them may march with other drumline members who will play them. Marching cymbals roles are often as visual as they are musical. Cymbals, often bright gold in color will be used to provide visual aspects to a band's show that accent and accentuate the band's performance.  Cymbals range in diameter from 12 inches to 22 inches, and the larger cymbals can be quite strenuous to play.  They require a great deal of arm and upper body strength, as well as a good amount endurance to play due to use of the entire arm, yet are incorrectly seen to be easy to play. Their visuals can range from hitting each other's cymbals to jumping over themselves in a theatrical show. Other visuals can be just a simple /\, \/, prep and then adding onto that. Some bands also use different positions for holding the cymbals, as holding in front of their face vertical, 1st position, the position at their stomach slightly off of horizantal, the second position, and the last could be a diagonal position slightly above the shoulders diagonally, the 3rd position (remember the positons will vary with intructors and schools). Most schools have their "set" position down, where it is the most uncomfortable position, where it is easier to be in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd position.
 
 
 
===Front Ensemble/Pit===
 
 
{{main|Front ensemble}}
 
{{main|Front ensemble}}
The [[front ensemble]], often called the pit, is comprised of two sections.  
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The [[front ensemble]] (also called the ''pit'') can include any [[percussion instrument]]. Typical front ensembles include mallet instruments such as [[marimba]]s, [[xylophone]]s, and [[vibraphone]]s, [[timpani]], cymbals, concert [[bass drum]]s, [[gong]]s, [[tom-tom drum]]s, and a variety of concert and world percussion instruments. Instruments may be mechanically or electronically [[amplifier|amplified]]. Some competitive circuits also allow electronic instruments such as [[synthesizer]]s and [[bass guitar]]s, which are typically part of the front ensemble. This wide selection of instruments allows for great [[timbre]] variety. Most front ensembles centered in front of the front sideline of an [[American football#Field and players|American football field]].  
The mallet instruments (such as the [[marimba]], [[xylophone]], [[vibraphone]] and [[bells]]) are typically placed at the fifty yard line of the football field in front of the band. The mallet percussionists provide melody to the drumline, and are often required to perform complex musical passages called 'runs'. Mallet players must be well-focused and knowlegable of proper technique to be successful musicians.
 
 
 
The front auxiliary percussion instruments (like the [[timpani]], [[tamborine]], [[bass drum]], [[gong]], [[claves]], and [[Tom-tom drum|toms]], but depending on the music, more unique and unconventional auxiliary instruments may be used) are usually placed on either side of the mallet instruments. The auxiliary musicians give personality to the music, by employing 'color' instruments such as suspended cymbals and tamborines. The mood of a passage of music can be drastically changed depending on the actions of the auxiliary percussion section.
 
  
==Indoor Drumline/Winter Drumline==
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== Indoor percussion ensembles ==
An Indoor Drumline is marching drumline ensemble that usually performs on a basketball court.  Most Indoor Lines compete in a traveling league of other local drumlines. Many local circuits exist to hold competitions for drumlines, as well as a national circuit through WGI (Winter Guard International). An Indoor Drumline performs a themed show with the Front Ensemble/pit portraying the melody and the battery (marching drums) playing a "backbeat" rhythm.
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{{main|Indoor percussion ensemble}}
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An [[indoor percussion ensemble]] is a battery and front ensemble group that usually performs on a basketball court.  Most indoor drumlines compete in an adjudicated league with other drumlines. Many local circuits exist to hold competitions for drumlines, as well as a national circuit through [[Winter Guard International]].
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 
*[http://www.drumlines.org/ Drumline Discussion Board]
 
*[http://www.drumlines.org/ Drumline Discussion Board]
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*[http://www.snarescience.com/ SnareScience]
 
{{Rudimental Percussion}}
 
{{Rudimental Percussion}}
  

Revision as of 22:50, 12 February 2007

This article is about the percussion unit of a marching band called a drumline. For the 2002 film, see Drumline (film)
Auburn University tenors warm up

A drumline or drum line is a group of percussion instruments usually played as part of a marching ensemble. Drumlines are usually incorporated into high school or college marching bands, drum and bugle corps or drum and lyre corps, indoor percussion ensembles, and pipe bands, but also can exist independent of these ensembles.

The term battery is often interchangeable with drumline, but refers specifically to mobile percussion – especially snare, tenor, and bass drums, and cymbals. Stationary percussion within a marching ensemble is called the front ensemble or pit.

Composition

Drumlines typically consist of marching snare drums, tenor drums, bass drums, and – less universally – cymbals. In the past, marching timpani were common before the adoption of the front ensemble, as were marching keyboard percussion instruments such as glockenspiels and xylophones. Marching steelpans are rarely part of drumlines due to issues with volume and durability, and are typically used in large ensembles with only steelpans.

Snares

File:17ton.jpg
A drumline with sling-harness snares.

Marching snare drums have high tension heads typically made of Kevlar or PET film. In the past, snares were typically carried with slings, and because of the tilt performers used traditional grip. Most modern snare drums have rigid over-the-shoulder harnesses that hold the drum with the playing surface parallel to the ground, which affords the option of performing with matched grip.

Snare parts are typically unison and provide the center rhythm of the drumline. The snare drum line is the center of tempo in the ensemble, and the center snare, a position typically held by the most experienced snare drummer, is responsible for maintaining the tempo. When rehearsing or performing, the center snare may tap off the ensemble, setting the tempo with a solo rhythm.

Tenors

Contemporary tenor drums (also called toms, quads, or quints) single-headed tonal drums mounted four to six to a set. Tenor players add pitch variety to the drumline with drums of different sizes and tuning. Tenor players use matched grip, and generally play with mallets with plastic disc-shaped heads, though traditional drumsticks and softer mallets are commonly used to achieve different timbres. Tenor drummers typically play in unison.

Basses

Marching bass drums are most frequently used as tonal drums split between several percussionists. Each drummer plays a unique part, though the entire bass drum part is conceived as a whole. Marching bass drums, which produce the deepest sound in the battery, are larger drums carried on harnesses with the heads facing horizontally. The musicians carrying the bass drums typically line up in size order. Bass drummers use sticks with rounded or cylindrical heads often made of hard felt. Small bass drum lines typically consist of four members to ensure enough for a melody, and large lines can have eight or more drummers.

Cymbals

Marching cymbals are typically pairs of clash cymbals played in a variety of ways. Cymbals are bronze with leather carrying straps. Players in cymbal lines may all carry the same size and type of cymbal, or a variety of instruments may be used. Cymbals are played being held before the body, in unison or split parts. In addition to being played by the cymbalists, snare drummers may play on the cymbals as ride cymbals or like hi-hats, thus there is typically a minimum of one cymbalist for every two snare drummers. Cymbals are also used for visual effects due to their reflective surfaces. Many contemporary field ensembles do not utilize a cymbal line, as cymbals are played in the front ensemble.

Front ensemble

Template:Main The front ensemble (also called the pit) can include any percussion instrument. Typical front ensembles include mallet instruments such as marimbas, xylophones, and vibraphones, timpani, cymbals, concert bass drums, gongs, tom-tom drums, and a variety of concert and world percussion instruments. Instruments may be mechanically or electronically amplified. Some competitive circuits also allow electronic instruments such as synthesizers and bass guitars, which are typically part of the front ensemble. This wide selection of instruments allows for great timbre variety. Most front ensembles centered in front of the front sideline of an American football field.

Indoor percussion ensembles

Template:Main An indoor percussion ensemble is a battery and front ensemble group that usually performs on a basketball court. Most indoor drumlines compete in an adjudicated league with other drumlines. Many local circuits exist to hold competitions for drumlines, as well as a national circuit through Winter Guard International.

External links

Template:Rudimental Percussion

de:Drumline