A drumline cadence is a musical arrangement for percussionists that is usually played to keep a drum corps or marching band in the correct rhythm. When this type of marching ensemble moves in formation, the tempo of the drumline cadence provides all performers with the speed at which they should be stepping in unison. Different marching bands usually have their own distinct cadences, which are sometimes written specifically for their percussion section. The ensemble frequently marches to the drumline cadence before beginning to play their chosen pieces in both parades and field shows.
The origins of the modern drumline cadence can usually be traced back to military marching drum beats. These cadences are designed to assist recruits in staying in step while marching or running in formation. During basic training exercises, military cadences are either played on a percussion instrument or chanted vocally. Depending on the group, the types of drumline cadences used for marching music ensembles can be more rhytmically complex. Drum corps, pipe bands, and indoor percussion ensembles can all use different variations of the same basic cadence.
Drumline cadences are commonly used marching percussion sections to practice fundamental drum technique while also keeping the rest of the ensemble in time. Combinations of each of the four specific strokes used to strike the drum surface and produce the desired notes make up a typical cadence. The up stroke, down stroke, full stroke, and tap are the names given to each of these strokes. When you combine at least two of these strokes in a row, you’ll get rhythms with different accents on different notes. The more complex the resulting cadence appears to the listener, the more varied the drum stroke combinations are.
Because different marching ensembles frequently compete with one another in field shows and parades, each one’s percussion section often wants an intricate drumline cadence to set them apart. Drumline cadences are frequently composed professional musicians, but percussion instructors and even experienced performers can also write signature cadences. Writing a marching percussion cadence typically necessitates a thorough understanding of rhythm, tempo, and drum stoke technique. Beginning with a basic structure of quarter notes, musicians with experience writing cadences often recommend adding more complicated variations as the drum section masters the basics of a new cadence.