Parade Formations

just a question thats been on my mind for a while now, from the many different bands ive seen in parades i occassionally notice different set-ups and formations. such as trumpets in front, or sometimes woodwinds in front, What is the real significance of these different set-ups, is there really a huge sound difference, or is it just for the cosmetic of the band. And what is the best set-up.

 

 

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  • good question.....because Southern, and some of the N.O. bands, mix up their instrumentation, like have a line of trombones then baritones then trumpets, then tubas in the middle, then another line of trumpets, etc.....i think that is to give a more band sound, in comparison to a sectional sound ..... JSU uses the tubas on the side of the trombones and then btones, trumpets, mellos, perc, woodwinds (i believe).......i think whatever formation used is to first fit the band's identity and playing style and second give them their own sound while marching because certain parts of a song might be heard differently with different formations. Txsu uses the trumpets first approach i think....to me, i like the JSU approach....maybe minus the tubas on the side, i think that should only be for them lol
  • well,idk bout yall,but if yo band small like mines,u can double up on lines,like tpets/fhorns first line.tbones/btones second.then tubas follow by percussion nd woodwind.
  • i often wonder sometimes who exactly are we playin to, because no one is ever really directly in front of us (xcept for turns lol) but wouldnt spectators mostly hear us from the sides anyway

    TBoneSuave said:
    good question.....because Southern, and some of the N.O. bands, mix up their instrumentation, like have a line of trombones then baritones then trumpets, then tubas in the middle, then another line of trumpets, etc.....i think that is to give a more band sound, in comparison to a sectional sound ..... JSU uses the tubas on the side of the trombones and then btones, trumpets, mellos, perc, woodwinds (i believe).......i think whatever formation used is to first fit the band's identity and playing style and second give them their own sound while marching because certain parts of a song might be heard differently with different formations. Txsu uses the trumpets first approach i think....to me, i like the JSU approach....maybe minus the tubas on the side, i think that should only be for them lol
    Parade Formations
    just a question thats been on my mind for a while now, from the many different bands ive seen in parades i occassionally notice different set-ups and…
  • we used to have two rows of trombones followed by a row of trumpets
    followed by baritones and mellophones
    then the rest of the trumpets
    followed by the tubas and then drummers
    with the woodwinds bringing up the rear
  • I guess by us being in the front that gives that "train coming down the road" effect.....
    i gives me joy to hear a roll-off and crank the first note of a song and watch spectators put on the funk face, or little girls get scared and cover their ears.
    lol

    TboneSectionLeader said:
    i often wonder sometimes who exactly are we playin to, because no one is ever really directly in front of us (xcept for turns lol) but wouldnt spectators mostly hear us from the sides anyway

    TBoneSuave said:
    good question.....because Southern, and some of the N.O. bands, mix up their instrumentation, like have a line of trombones then baritones then trumpets, then tubas in the middle, then another line of trumpets, etc.....i think that is to give a more band sound, in comparison to a sectional sound ..... JSU uses the tubas on the side of the trombones and then btones, trumpets, mellos, perc, woodwinds (i believe).......i think whatever formation used is to first fit the band's identity and playing style and second give them their own sound while marching because certain parts of a song might be heard differently with different formations. Txsu uses the trumpets first approach i think....to me, i like the JSU approach....maybe minus the tubas on the side, i think that should only be for them lol
    Parade Formations
    just a question thats been on my mind for a while now, from the many different bands ive seen in parades i occassionally notice different set-ups and…
  • I hate the woodwinds being behind the drumline(YES, I'm a woodwind player) and even though we don't make up much sound, it's still separates it... I like score order, and at my old school a weird set we had was bones, btones, saxes+horn, trumpets, flutes+clarinets, dline... that worked pretty well too. I always had in my mind a good set would be putting (generally)similar range/parts together, ie. Trumpet, flute clarinet, then horns and saxes, followed by the bones and btones, then tuba and dline. But that's just me.

    I've notice that when the woodwinds are behind the line the band also sounds a little less full.
  • flag girls with banner
    drum majors
    dance girls

    bones
    baritones
    tpets
    fhorns
    tubas
    cymbals
    snares
    tenors
    quads
    bass
    tubas
    saxes
    clarinets
    piccolos
    flags

    Thats all i know lol.
  • If i could change things......

    put the tubas up front. Bring Dat Bottom UP!!!!
    lol
  • banner girls
    majorettes (twirlers)
    dance team
    Drum majors
    trombones
    french horns/baritones
    trumpets
    sousaphones
    drumline
    sax
    clarinets
    flute/piccolos
    flag corp
    band assistants & ineligible members (lol)

    we had a 5 or 6 man front most times. It was jus tradition to do that format and bring the sound in the front along with the presentation of the auxillary
  • man who you tellin, I LOVE THAT FEELIN lol

    TBoneSuave said:
    I guess by us being in the front that gives that "train coming down the road" effect.....
    i gives me joy to hear a roll-off and crank the first note of a song and watch spectators put on the funk face, or little girls get scared and cover their ears.
    lol

    TboneSectionLeader said:
    i often wonder sometimes who exactly are we playin to, because no one is ever really directly in front of us (xcept for turns lol) but wouldnt spectators mostly hear us from the sides anyway

    TBoneSuave said:
    good question.....because Southern, and some of the N.O. bands, mix up their instrumentation, like have a line of trombones then baritones then trumpets, then tubas in the middle, then another line of trumpets, etc.....i think that is to give a more band sound, in comparison to a sectional sound ..... JSU uses the tubas on the side of the trombones and then btones, trumpets, mellos, perc, woodwinds (i believe).......i think whatever formation used is to first fit the band's identity and playing style and second give them their own sound while marching because certain parts of a song might be heard differently with different formations. Txsu uses the trumpets first approach i think....to me, i like the JSU approach....maybe minus the tubas on the side, i think that should only be for them lol
    Parade Formations
    just a question thats been on my mind for a while now, from the many different bands ive seen in parades i occassionally notice different set-ups and…
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