2 tenors, 4 basses, and 5 snares.

We replace drums when...they're completely broken and we absouletely need to.

We are big compared to most drumlines. 23..

7 snares
3 tenors
6 basses
7 cymbals

We get new drums when we need them, and rarely get a full set at a time. Tenors got new drums this year however.

Not from my experience. We've made our snares last for at least six years now (yamaha).

2 snares, 1 Quad, 1 Cymbal, 5 Basses

Two years ago when we had a really small drumline, we had two snares, one tenor, and two basses.

We got a new band director now, and last year we grew with another snare, another tenor, and one more bass.

Finally, we reached this year with three snares total, four basses, three cymbals, and two tenors. Grew a tad huh??

we dont get new drums very often. I thinks its been at least 6 years since we did away with the old yamahas and got some pearls. We get new quad head almost every week though because they break heads once a week (Remo Pinstripes)

We also have 2 percussionists on the colorguard.

Roll Tide

The school I currently work with:

'08 Field Show:
3 Snares
3 Tenors
5 Basses
8 Pit

'08-09 Winter (tentative):
3-4 Snares
2 Tenors
5 Basses
8 Pit

Our current set of drums is on its second year. We expect them to last upward of ten years (with proper care and maintenance, of course).

Our previous set was used for 20 years, from 1987 through 2006. They're still in decent playing shape, but can't really be tuned to competitive standards -- particularly the non-free-floating snares.



Not true. Modern marching snares can stand up to the rigors of playing pretty much indefinitely. Change the heads as needed and maybe the guts after a few years. The wear and tear from transport and abuse is a whole lot tougher on drums than playing and proper tuning.

Here are a few basic rules to follow to make your drums last a LOT longer than two years:

• Always use drum covers, taking them off only for performances or maintenance.
• When not in use, keep the drum in a case or other protected space.
• Tune evenly and don't over-torque.
• If the drums ever get wet, wipe them down thoroughly ASAP to minimize rust.
• DON'T LET STUDENTS BE CARELESS. (For example, "bumper drums" while marching drill, whacking tension posts with sticks, banging drums on bleachers, dragging the drum on the ground when mounting/dismounting, etc.)

That last one is the toughest to follow. Some people just don't take care of things. When I was in school, we had enough pride in our line that we took care of stuff (playing, equipment, you name it). For the few who needed extra instruction, it was enough for the instructor to tell us to treat the drums as if they were our own. Now that I'm an instructor, I've tried that, but I've got plenty of kids who treat their own stuff like ****. With that in mind, I've changed the approach just a little bit -- "Don't treat it like it's yours. Treat it like it's MINE."

Oh, ok. I wonder why my school replaces them so frequently, then. We don't misuse them at all (covers on at all times, in cases after rehearsal, and everything else you mentioned), and it's DEFINITELY not a case of having too much money and them wanting to just spend it. Hm.

Im going to engrave that in a plate of gold, enshrine that plate of gold in a box, and hang the box over the equipment room door.

my senior year...

7 snares 6 basses 4 tenors 4 cymbals

now?

4 snares 3 tenors 6 basses and like 6 cymabals

yes its quite a downfall. my year wasnt even that
good but at least we could do rolls as a line.
now its like wtf