When you think of a marching band, what is the first instrument that comes to mind? The drums! These cool instruments dominate any marching band, and it’s no secret why. They produce awesome sound and are believed to be the backbone of music. When you think of some of your favorite songs, imagine the beat without drums. We often take things for granted, especially when it comes to music, but the truth is that music wouldn’t be complete without these magnificent and large-scale instruments.

Why Drums Lead the Way

There are other things that make drums cool too. People who play the drums in a marching band agree that these instruments are the perfect way to relieve stress. We can see why; what other instrument allows you to release your creative energy by banging on them? Most instruments are delicate and require that you deliver delicate motions as well. But not drums. You can be as loud and forceful as you want – of course, you’ll want your motions to fit the profile of the song.

Types of Drums in a Marching Band

If you’re interested in playing the drums and leading off your school’s marching band, don’t think you can head to the front of the line just yet. There are many types of drums, including marching snare drums, tenor drums, cymbals and bass drums. Catfish Music can help you select the right drum for your needs, and we have lessons to make you a pro on these instruments. It won’t be long before you’re leading the drum line!

Having an Appreciation for Drums

You may think that drummers all blend in together, but this is far from the truth. Since each drum has its own distinct sound, drummers are able to put forth their own creative energy and develop a sound that’s all their own. These sounds don’t go unnoticed either, as drums are the loudest instruments in the band and can be easily heard by the audience. When you reach the point where you’re in “the zone”, you can enjoy the rhythm put forth by these dynamic instruments. This “zone” is what most drummers strive for in order to deliver the best experience for themselves and the audience.

Whether you’re an aspiring drummer or simply watching from the sidelines, take the time to appreciate the drums. No marching band would be complete without them.

Image c/o: en.wikipedia.org

Hollow body guitars are also known as semi-acoustic guitars and have been around since the 1930s. They have both a sound box and one or more electric pickups and the ability to produce low acoustic pitches when not amplified. Thanks to their unique design, hollow body guitars act as both an electric guitar and a practice guitar. In fact, this is what these instruments are known best for: their warm, simple tones. That’s why you’ll commonly find hollow body guitars complementing jazz and indie rock concerts.



Hollow Body Guitars and Music Genres

Even though hollow body guitars produce clean tones, they remain versatile instruments that can be played across multiple music genres. During the 1930s, these guitars were limited to the jazz scene, but when new models came out and featured a sleek profile, they were quickly adopted into other circles, such as pop, folk and the blues.

Interestingly, when the guitars are played through an amplifier, the sounds produce a lot of feedback. These unique tones are favored at rock concerts, which is why hollow body guitars are no stranger in the rock genre. Today, we can look back at many of our favorite artists, including John Lennon and B.B. King, and listen for the sounds played by their hollow body guitars.

The Semi-Hollow Body Guitar

Hollow body guitars were the first electric guitars in the 1930s, but during the late 1950s, the semi-hollow body guitars were introduced. These instruments have a number of advantages over the traditional hollow body guitar, including their sleek, thin and lightweight profile. They have much of the resonance that a hollow body produces but with the support of a solid body guitar.

The sound of a semi-hollow body is different and has a woody, resonant sound coupled with the bright, hard-hitting sound of rock-n-roll. For these reasons, semi-hollow body guitars are a musician favorite and considered to be the best of both worlds.

Shopping for Hollow Body Guitars

No matter which type of hollow body guitar you choose, you can expect a few things. First, they produce warm, punchy tones and feature hand-rolled frets. Many are made from maple bodies and have maple set-in neck construction for comfort and durability. There are various shapes and sizes, with the thinner bodies being ideal for rockers. These guitars are not hard on the eyes either and feature various colors and classic designs. If you find them used or on consignment from Catfish Music, you can save money on these musical masterpieces as well.

Image c/o: instrumentguide.com