The instruments
The main types of marching band instruments are:
• percussion, such as drums and cymbals, played by being struck;
• brass, such as trumpets and trombones, played when musicians vibrate their lips on the mouthpiece;
• woodwind, such as clarinets and saxophones, played by musicians blowing air into them.
Many instruments were designed especially for marching bands. For example, in the concert band tuba, the bell points up. But in its cousin, the
sousaphone, the bell points forward so it fits better over the marcher’s shoulder.
Marching styles vary with each individual band. Many marching bands and drum corps mix styles.
Members of drum corps usually play only brass or percussion instruments. They may have one soloist playing a woodwind instrument. They might dance, leap and run while playing.