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Before our
kids started Middle School Band, many of us non-musical families never
heard the term “Percussionist.” We thought the kids making a lot of noise
with sticks just played the drums – you know, like Ringo Starr and Phil
Collins. But Percussionists are very talented musicians and must play a
variety of percussion instruments.
Did you know that there are approximately 50+ different Percussion
instruments here at CHHS? Some are as small as 1 / 2 the size of a CD
(Finger Cymbal) to as big as a double bed (five-octave Marimba).
During Marching Season, the Percussionists are called the “Drumline” which
is split up in two groups: the Battery and the Pit.
THE BATTERY
These 18 musicians march on the field with the Band. They do not wear
Gauntlets or Gloves, and the Bass Line does not wear Shields. There are
four Battery sections:
♫ Snare Line – 5 members who play one drum
that is held at waist level. The snare drums are all the same size. Watch
out, these drummers are “mean with an attitude!”☺
♫ Tenor Line (aka Quads or Quints) – 3
members who are multi-tasked, talented and play six drums that are held at
waist level. The drums in this set vary in size. (Still can’t figure out
why they are sometimes called Quads or Quints if the set has six drums.)
♫ Bass Line – 5 members who play the drum
held at chest level. Also known as the “Energizer Bunnies!” The drums vary
in size. The first Bass Drummer plays the smallest, and the fifth plays
the largest.
♫ Cymbal Line – 5 members who hold the
Cymbals in their hands. Ouch! You should see the palms of their hands…..
THE PIT
These musicians are located in front of the Band (on the track) and they
do not march. They don’t wear Hats, Gauntlets, or Gloves. The Pit is
organized as follows:
♫ Timpani – consisting of four large drums (aka
Kettledrums). If you’re looking at the Pit, the Timpanist is located to
the far right of the section. Lots of jungle noise coming from this guy!
♫ The Cage—located at the far left with 3
musicians playing a number of instruments: free-standing Bass Drum,
Triangle, Conga, Gong, Toms, Castanets, to name a few! It’s fun to play in
there, but it’s a pain to transport it…just ask the musicians and the Pit
Dads!
♫ The Rest of the Crew – these musicians are
located in the middle playing the Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Bells,
Chimes, etc. Beautiful sounding music comes from this group.
Guess w hat? When the Percussionist perform in Concert Band or Ensembles,
they are called “Percussionists” – now isn’t that easy!!!
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