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 Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Ginny 
Date:   2001-04-14 22:56

Other than the clarinet, sorry this is a little off topic...

My other son (not the clarinet player) has decided at age 15 that he would like to take up a band instrument, so he can join marching band and such. He plays electric bass in his H.S. jazz band, and has perfect pitch. I think that transposing instruments would bother him, (he see a 'C' and hears a 'C' in his head). What is relatively easy and band directors want more of? I hear low brass is always in short supply.

Thanks - Ginny

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: jbutler 
Date:   2001-04-14 23:16

Ginny,

Yes, low brass is always in demand. The horn is a good option since he has a good "ear" but the transposition may be bothersome.

John

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: beth 
Date:   2001-04-14 23:59

trombone! its in bass clef, just like bass, and requires no transposing...it seems like a perfect fit :]

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Pam 
Date:   2001-04-15 01:28

I vote for the bone as well. ;o) But it is a transposing instrument.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: deejay 
Date:   2001-04-15 01:58

I think the trombone would be good, although I like mellophone alot better....

deejay

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: jbutler 
Date:   2001-04-15 02:50

Pam,
Sorry, trombone does not transpose. It plays bass clef. More advanced performers learn to read tenor clef.

John

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Willie 
Date:   2001-04-15 04:06

If the trombone doesn't appeal to him, try the euphonium. It has the same mouthpiece, is in bass clef and is almost the same range as the bone. If he likes heavy metal, go for the tuba. My 12 year old started on bone last fall and switched to tuba as he likes those low notes. Must be genetic as I love playing my contra.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Jim 
Date:   2001-04-15 04:10

Around here, bands seem to need mallet players (vibes, marimba, chimes etc.) These instruments don't march, but are played from the "pit" (aka the sidelines usually on the track at the 50 yard line.) These are concert pitch instruments.

He should speak to the band director, many marching bands here (South Jersey) use elec guitar and bass in the pit depending on the music in the field show. One local band actually had an electric bass march in the show using a wireless mike type system to connect with an amp in the pit.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Mike Irish 
Date:   2001-04-15 05:15

DRUMS........ lol... no transposing required...... no sore lip either.....

or if a horn is desired...... any hting that is concert pitch, ( ie: flute , "C" clarinets, so forth and so on )

have fun...
Mike

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Amanda Rose 
Date:   2001-04-15 12:59

We always have marhcing xylophones! We don't put any instruments in the pit.....
but I vote for Euphonium or Tuba. Probably euphonium, but sometimes that calls for treble clef (and bass).
Amanda Rose

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: woogie 
Date:   2001-04-15 17:09

I like the sousaphone! :)

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Pam 
Date:   2001-04-15 17:15

Transposing "I thought" meant transposing keys not bass or treble clef. I have played the boner myself a few years back and know that it is a Bb instrument (with music written in bass clef), just as most soprano clarinets are Bb. Especially as perfect pitch was mentioned, I thought they wanted an instrument where a "C" on that instrument would sound the same as the "C" on the piano. Does this make sense?

You're welcome to tell me if my line of thought here is incorrect.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Dee 
Date:   2001-04-15 17:40

Pam wrote:
>
> Transposing "I thought" meant transposing keys not bass
> or treble clef. I have played the boner myself a few years back
> and know that it is a Bb instrument (with music written in bass
> clef), just as most soprano clarinets are Bb. Especially as
> perfect pitch was mentioned, I thought they wanted an
> instrument where a "C" on that instrument would sound the same
> as the "C" on the piano. Does this make sense?
>
> You're welcome to tell me if my line of thought here is
> incorrect.

Non-transposing instruments - The printed note for the instrument corresponds to concert (i.e. piano pitch)

Transposing instrument - The printed note for the instrument does not correspond to concert pitch (i.e. such as Bb clarinets).

The trombone is considered a "C" instrument when notated in bass clef as the printed pitches correspond to concert pitch. It is only considered a Bb instrument if it is notated in the treble clef, a transposition of an octave + major second.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Corey 
Date:   2001-04-16 02:19

THE OBOE & BASSOON ARE USALLY SHORT IN PPL BUT SUPPOSEDLY THE HARDEST WOODWINDS TO PLAY( THEY ARE BOTH IN THE KEY OF C-NO TRANSPOSING!!)

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: LBH 
Date:   2001-04-16 04:39

Why cannot he play Electric Bass in marching band ?

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: David Kinder 
Date:   2001-04-16 05:24

I find that "real" marching bands never use Electric Basses. Synthesizers are only used by small bands with very little sound.

My bet would be the Sousaphone. Also in Bb concert, bands never have enough of them. If he's looking to become a serious player, I would bet on the trombone. It's a gorgeous instrument if played right.

As for oboe or bassoon, if you see them in a marching band, that's pretty stupid on the band directors part. (Unless they're plastic, but the reeds would break very easily too!) Wood instruments should never be used outdoors as we've mentioned on this post many times before.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: LBH 
Date:   2001-04-16 06:20

My marching band is one of the top bands in the Tri-State and we have a Marching Bass. - It's awesome, it's an added effect and sound - It really gives certain music the correct feel, and expression needed.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Jim 
Date:   2001-04-17 04:43

I'm a band parent with a High School junior in a "Tournament of Bands" school band. TOB is a sanctioning organazation in 11 states in the mid-Atlantic area with more than 300 schools as members. Each of the past three fall marching seasons I've seen 40+ bands in competition. It is a very rare band that does not use amplified instruments, usually guitar, bass or keyboard. Our band used 2 electric violins and an electric concert bass in the "pit' this past season to play a Beethoven medley. (I guess this makes us an "orchestra.") Additionally some of the weaker solo instruments are amplified as well. I suspect that the directors do consider their bands to be "real." 35 years ago when I was in marching band, there was no "pit" and every player marched. Amplified instruments were not practical in a field situation. Times change, even for an icon like marching band!

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Ginny 
Date:   2001-04-17 06:23

Thanks all, I'll inquire about his playing his bass for marching band, starting next fall. He's interested in (maybe) trombone, anyway...but he'd need sometime to get up to snuff on it.

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: Mike Irish 
Date:   2001-04-17 12:01

Marching Band or Pit Band.......

if Marching band, do they have light enough battery packs that they can carry them? how about the amplifiers? what do they do during a parade? one that
can last a few miles?

electronic instraments? naaaa ..... that would be like mixing Apple and spinach pie together..... both are good, but, not in same pie.......

stage band, pep band rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . ok....

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: jenna 
Date:   2001-04-17 22:40

mike.. our electric bass player actually has a battery operated mini amp that straps right to his belt for parades.. and he's a part of the pit during the actual field show

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: David Kinder 
Date:   2001-04-18 01:39

IMHO, it depends on your view of a marching band. IF it's only for show, general effect, etc., then maybe you'd use a synthesizer. I can see an electric violin for certain pieces. It helps with the music.

I just prefer the band to use wind instruments and standard percussion in the pit and the field. That's just my way of liking things. Not that synthesizers are bad, just different. (To me they seem to be the cheap way out of building a large band.)

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 RE: Best Instr. for Marching Band?
Author: joseph o'kelly 
Date:   2001-04-18 16:31

While the euphonium and trombone is in reallity a Bb instrument it is taught to be playedin C in Bass cleff. Tuba as well. This might be an option. The flute is also in the key of C.

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