Snare Drum-The snare drum is one of the most important parts of percussion (even though all percussion instruments matter) it is a drum about 14” wide and has a snare underneath which is a series of metal wires, in a certain shape and pattern, which creates the loud popping sound associated with the snare drum. The snare drum is usually used to add a rhythm that stands out amongst the rest of the band.
Bass Drum-The bass drum is a large drum around 22” in diameter, but the size can vary. It also has a very deep and loud sound. It is usually used for keeping tempo in a marching band. To play it, you would need a special mallet that is large and has a big head. The large mallet helps get as much sound as possible out of the drum. For the best sound you need to be accurate in where you are hitting. You want to aim about 4 inches below the center for maximum effectiveness.
Xylophone- The xylophone is a mallet instrument. A mallet instrument is a type of percussion instrument that usually has individual bars that you strike for a unique sound. The xylophone can be made out of wood, or synthetic materials that mimic a usual xylophone. It has resonating tubes underneath the bars which make the sound louder, and last longer. It is used in marching band pieces, usually to make a secondary melody, or accompany the main melody.
Marimba- The Marimba is a very iconic percussion instrument, known for its massive size. It is a mallet percussion instrument, and it has wooden bars that go up to 5 octaves! (an octave is a scale of notes that goes from A-G) you have to use wool mallets because they have very thin bars. It is mainly used to lay out chords for a piece in the background. The four mallet technique is a very common technique on the marimba.
Those are just a few of the many percussion instruments you could find in a marching band, and there are tons more with their own unique sound!
Related Stories:
https://www.orsymphony.org/education-community/instruments/percussion/
https://philharmonia.co.uk/resources/instruments/percussion/
https://www.musicgateway.com/blog/musical-instruments/percussion-instruments-a-definitive-guide
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ultimate-percussion-guide
https://www.gearank.com/types-of-percussion-instruments/
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