Types of Concert Bands and Marching Bands

There are two main types of bands: the concert band and the marching band.

Concert Bands

• Instruments included are bowed stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
• Musicians perform at a specific area or location; the musicians usually play while seated.
• In concert bands such as orchestras, the musicians are guided by a conductor.

Marching Bands

• Instruments included are percussion (ex. bass drum, crash cymbals and snare drums), woodwinds (ex. clarinet, flute and saxophone in alto, baritone and tenor) and brass (ex. french horn, trumpet and tuba) or other instruments that can be carried and played while walking.

• Musicians perform while marching or walking; they have marching formations.
• Marching bands are usually guided by a drum major.
• Often, marching bands perform at outdoor events such as during halftime shows and parades.

Other Types of Bands

• Drum and Bugle Corps - Similar to marching bands but members are usually composed of younger players. This type of band is often sponsored by a non-profit organization. Instruments used are percussion and brass; they also have color guards. Color guards are known as flag bearers, they also carry sabres and rifles. Drum and Bugle Corps are known for their colorful, energetic and lavish performances, they also enter various competitions. Related Website: Drum Corps of America, check out the available video.
• Jazz Band - Composed of a rhythm section (e.g. guitar, tuba, drums, piano) and a melody section (e.g. clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone). As the name implies, jazz bands play jazz music. During the 1920s, "big bands" emerged; aside from the rhythm section, a brass and saxophone section was added. Related Website: Paul Whiteman Profile (The King of Jazz), listen to music samples.

• Percussion Band - Uses percussion instruments for a children's orchestra. For example in Benjamin Britten's play called Noye's Fludde (Noah's Flood) the performers were mostly children. Related Website: Boosey & Hawkes, listen to the audio sample of Noah's Flood.