Marching Band and Musical Instrument Tips

“Music can change the world because it can change people!”

– Bono
  • The Ultimate Marching Band Handbook: Everything You Need to Know!

    The Ultimate Marching Band Handbook: Everything You Need to Know!

    One of the most underrated and misunderstood pastimes in America. Traditional High School and College Marching Bands are a staple in music education and sports. What is Marching Band? A marching band is a type of musical ensemble that performs music while marching or moving in formation. Marching bands are typically made up of brass […]

  • Band Camp Icebreakers and Team-Building Games

    Band Camp Icebreakers and Team-Building Games

    For freshmen or upperclassmen who will be starting their first year in the marching band, band camp can feel awkward. They don’t know anyone, and it can be difficult to integrate them into the band and make them feel welcome. One way to help students relax, have fun, get to know each other, and foster […]

  • 11 Things You Should Know About Band Camp

    11 Things You Should Know About Band Camp

    Marching band is a unique form of music performance and entertainment. There are many hours that go into learning a halftime show, and you have to play your instrument throughout an entire football game. For the band to look and sound their best, students must attend band camp at their high school before the school […]

  • Typical Band Camp Schedule (What to Expect)

    Typical Band Camp Schedule (What to Expect)

    Band Camp is a fun and exciting time during the summer for many music students. It can also be stressful and nerve-wracking if you aren’t sure what to expect. While Top Music Tips doesn’t host any band camps (at least not yet). Our team of writers all have a lot of experience attending them. This […]

  • Best Marching Mallet & Drumstick Bags (What to Avoid)

    Best Marching Mallet & Drumstick Bags (What to Avoid)

    Every percussionist needs a simple way to organize and carry their tools.  A stick and mallet bag is used to protect all of your drumsticks and mallets and make it easy to access them during rehearsals and performances.  Which bag you choose depends on your needs and your style.  In this article, we take a […]

  • Complete Marching Band Glossary, & Terms

    Complete Marching Band Glossary, & Terms

    Every marching band is unique. The terms they use and their meanings will vary slightly (especially the verbal commands used for directing the band). This glossary covers all the basic words you would need to know about Marching Band. A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | […]

  • Band Camp Essentials (The Ultimate Packing List for Band Camp!)

    Band Camp Essentials (The Ultimate Packing List for Band Camp!)

    It may sound “nerdy,” but band camps are some of the best summer camps you can attend. Some are day camps, some are at your high school, and others are overnight camps held at colleges across the country. You spend your days playing music with other people from across the state or country who love […]

  • Who Invented Xylophones and Why They Are Amazing Instruments?

    Who Invented Xylophones and Why They Are Amazing Instruments?

    Instrumental ensemble training began, for me, as a child in my school’s “Beginners Band.”  Every aspiring fifth-grader got to pick the instrument which they were attracted to.  I chose the snare drum.  My mother was not a fan. Little did I know, she had already conspired with the instrument salesman to explain to me that […]

  • How Marching Bands Make Formations (Drill and Choreography)

    How Marching Bands Make Formations (Drill and Choreography)

    If you’ve watched a marching band field show, you’ve seen individual marching band members move around to different places on the field. The band members create pictures, show movement, or a combination of both. How do the band members all know where to go? How do they not bump into each other?  Marching band members […]

  • Indoor Percussion Ensemble (Indoor Drumline)

    Indoor Percussion Ensemble (Indoor Drumline)

    Indoor percussion ensembles have evolved from something for marching band musicians to do in their off-season into stand-alone careers for aspiring musicians of all ages.  These ensembles, made up of battery percussionists, pit percussionists, and sometimes even flag corps members, create stunning visual programs while performing some of the most difficult musical pieces written for […]

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