Marching bands can sometimes differentiate between different types of people. One of those is the type of instruments seen in the parades, some of them are really heavy and difficult to play.
When considering what are the heaviest marching band instruments. What is important to know is that the weight of a piece of marching equipment will include the actual instrument.
Carriers/guitars generally weigh around 10lbs, although there are exceptions. If you’re interested in one of the lighter models, you can check out these carriers by their availability on the site. Adding these components to the instrument can really make it heavy.
Every so often, we go online to see what we can find out about this and have found that the most common answer is:
- Euphonium.
- Tenor Drums and Bass Drums.
- Tubasand Sousaphones.
Top Heaviest Marching Band Instruments
The weight varies by instrument, but after doing some research, two instruments are tied for weight. As a percussionist in a marching band, you’ll have to have some muscles. One thing that’s easy to overlook is how they can be tough and heavy. Although a french horn weighs much less than other instruments, you are holding that weight up in front of you.
You know how hard it can be to weigh something without a harness! You’ll probably be a buff marcher if you’re in marching band.
1. Euphonium
Perhaps one of the heaviest and most popular instruments, that is often used during marching practices. Euphonium players spend a lot of time on their instrument, which can be tough. It typically falls under the category of most demanding instruments in a marching band.
2. Tenor Drums and Bass Drum
It is not very dense or for some reason tough to walk in or play on when snow covers the ground. Tenor drums & bass drums are the heaviest of all traditional instruments. The weight of a 10 lb. harness usually ranges from 35 lbs to 42 lbs.
Playing cymbals or cowbells on the drum machine takes your weight up a little more. Without the harness, then the sousaphone can get up to that kind of weight. For example, the Jupiter 590 sousaphone weighs 0.31 metric tons.
3. Tubas and Sousaphones
The tuba is the largest instrument in the brasswind family, but it’s deep-sounding enough to take on orchestral roles. Not all instruments are playable in just one way. Some can be played in either the bass or treble clef. The tuba is a difficult instrument to handle largely because of its size, but student/beginner versions are about 3 feet (.9m) tall and weigh about 13-14 pounds (.6kg).
It is a challenging instrument to use while marching. Not only because of its weight, but also by the effort it takes to play it.
The sousaphone is a lower-stature tuba. It’s more comfortable to play and sometimes, it’s easier to transport. They are also an instrument used for marching bands.
There are also other instruments that people commonly point out as some of the heaviest: drums, cymbals, and trombones:
- the tenors
- some types of cymbals(for example the SCV cymbals).
Factors Influencing How Heavy a Marching Instrument Is
The Materials Used and Its Construction
The weight of an instrument is highly dependent on the construction and material used for it.
The techniques used to make the instrument can greatly affect the materials you use to construct it. Materials that are stiff generally weigh less than materials that are soft.
Instruments are getting lighter nowadays with their construction mainly using wood or plastic. This has made marching & playing easier than carrying around what used to be heavy instruments.
Recently, there have been some developments in plastic instruments and some types can also be used in marching bands.
Players have become ever more popular with their lightweight and durable design, setting them apart from some of the other options on the market. This is due to their very low price and this has been increasing for the last few years.
When you’re looking for a musician’s instrument, it’s also important to take into account the difficulty of repairing it because some types of instruments are more expensive and harder to maintain than others.
A lot of guitars, drums, and other similar instruments will need to be repainted routinely. Stainless steel instruments might only need some scuffs wiped off.
It is helpful to consider the product lifespan between major hardware or software purchases and decide if it can be repaired; if it is, then buying it makes sense.
If it is too difficult to repair, buying a new or second-hand inexpensive instrument is usually the better option.
The Size of the Instrument
You should consider the length and size of your instrument when choosing one, because that will also determine what size range you fit into.
Larger instruments can be tough to carry. Sometimes it can be hard to play the instrument all by yourself. It might help you, though, to find a partner who can share the responsibility.
So basically, if the instrument is longer than others, it may be harder to get along with but also have a better experience.
Equipment Needed for the Marching Band Instrument
Aside from the instrument itself, you’ll need other pieces of equipment to make playing it more comfortable, or for enhancing quality. Or for reading notes since a lot of what it does is read music.
As another example, in drums, the material you choose for the carrier of your drum can have a significant impact on how much weight you’ll be supporting. You can also decrease the weight of your instrument, which will result in easier carrying all day.
Problems arise when quad owners are not able to find replacement car seats. These problems originate from the fact that tougher and thicker car seat materials don’t exist for quads.
Other Factors to Consider
Instruments with a high weight and made of a certain material are more expensive than instruments with a lighter weight, less materials, and more cost-effective.
Not every musician can afford to buy a heavy drum set for their marching band instrument. Buying a large and heavy instrument may not be financially feasible for every musician.
If you’re thinking of purchasing an expensive instrument in the near future, it’s wise to think ahead and factor in the time and effort required to keep that instrument in top condition.
If you’re already a player and or soon to be, why not just get help and focus on the right technique for playing it while marching.
Proper techniques require that each person is able to manipulate the instrument without being in any pain or struggle.
How do you find out which objects have the heaviest weight? That depends on different factors, but it’s sometimes difficult to know exactly.
It’s hard to generalize about how people feel while playing marching band instruments, but generally speaking most people will say the “top” ones – the snare drums, bass drums, and trombones – are the heaviest.
Other than the fact that some are the heaviest, there’s not too much to worry about because no device is without its flaws.
FAQ for Heaviest Marching Band Instruments
What is the heaviest instrument in a marching band?
The heaviest instrument in a marching band is the bass drum. It is the most important instrument because it provides the beat for the band.
The next heaviest instrument in a marching band is the snare drum. This drum has two heads that are held together by a wire. One of its main purposes is to produce sounds that make it easier to hear when other drums are playing at high volume levels.
The third heaviest instrument in a marching band is the tenor drum, which has similar features to other drums but smaller size and weight than other instruments such as bass and snare drums. Some people believe that this type of drum was developed because of its size, which makes them easy to carry around during parades and festivals.
What is the weight of each instrument in a marching band?
A marching band is a group of musicians that play instruments and march in formation. They typically play music from the brass, woodwind, and percussion families.
The weight of each instrument in a marching band is determined by the size of the instrument. The larger the instrument, the heavier it is.
Instruments in a marching band include:
1) Trombone – 4 pounds
2) Cornet – 5 pounds
3) Flugelhorn – 6 pounds
4) Saxophone – 8 pounds
5) Clarinet – 10 pounds
6) Bassoon – 12 pounds
How do marching bands carry this heavy equipment?
The equipment used by marching bands is usually heavy and bulky. It can weigh up to 100 pounds or more. To help carry this weight, marching band members have devised a number of creative ways to transport the equipment during a parade.
Some bands use wheelbarrows, while others use swings or even just their own bodies. In some cases, the equipment is carried on the shoulders of band members in order to distribute the weight and prevent injury.
Why does a equipment in a marching band weigh so much?
A marching band is a group of musicians who play in formation to create music. The weight of the equipment they use is a major factor in how they can perform.
A typical marching band has around 100 musicians, and each instrument weighs between 30-50 pounds. This means that the total weight of the instruments is around 6,000 lbs – which is equivalent to 2 tons!
How long do these instruments in a marching band last?
A typical marching band instrument lasts for around three to five years, but they can last up to ten years.
Marching bands are typically made up of woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings.
What is the difference between marching band and concert band?
Concert band is a musical ensemble that typically consists of wind instruments, string instruments, percussion and keyboards. Concert bands are typically used in concerts or at competitions.
Marching band is a musical ensemble that typically consists of brass, woodwinds, percussion and keyboards. Marching bands are typically used in parades or competitions.
Where do marching bands originate from?
The origins of marching bands are still debated, but it is likely that they originated from the military. Bands were used to help soldiers keep up morale and also to create a sense of unity among them.
It is believed that the first marching band was formed in 16th century England as a military unit for the English army.
Do marching bands use their heaviest instruments during events?
Yes. Marching bands use their heaviest instruments during events.
The use of heaviest instruments during a marching band performance is not common, but can be seen in certain types of marching bands. Marching bands are typically made up of brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments. They often play songs that are familiar to the audience and have a high tempo.