This upcoming year, we will be losing a good number of seniors on the drumline (about 6 out of the 15 we had this year) and next year we will be getting very few freshman, about 4. Most likely the freshman will be playing cymbals. We're stuck between two choices.

Choice one; 5 Basses, 2 Snares, 2 Quints

Choice two; 4 Basses, 3 Snares, 2 Quints.

Is it better to have more basses or more snares?

Just want to get some other drummers' opinions.

It depends on the players you have and how their skill levels mesh with one another. If you've got two flam drag fighter pilots and the third guy would struggle mightily to keep up, going two snares might make sense. If you've got three players that make a solid line, there's no shame whatsoever going with four basses.

Keep future years in mind, too. Going with two senior snare drummers would leave you with an all-rookie line the next year. That's not the end of the world or anything, but just something to consider and plan for. Going three snares would give another person a whole extra year in the snare line to develop and grow as a player.

I agree with everything Skydog said, but don't turn your cymbal line into the dumping ground for less experienced players.

Your staff has a responsibility to teach new members and keep the team growing- isolating the new kids doesn't enable or allow for growth unless you have an established cymbal line that contributes equally to the ensemble.

A humble lesson to learn is that you can back off the book and have a larger, cleaner ensemble by integrating the new folks. I've had more educational and competitive success with that approach than any other.

Remember, it's about achievement- not how many notes you can play.

Skydog- Only one of the snares would be a senior, so we would be fine in that area.

Snarepaint- Are you saying we should recruit more people? Sorry, I'm having trouble understanding what you were saying there.

I would rather have 3 snares.

I don't think you understand what he's saying - it depends on where your talent lies. There's not a problem with HAVING two senior snares, but if you can't find a third guy that can keep up with the other two, then you may want to stay small for the benefit of cleanliness. If this one senior and possible other two candidates fit well together, and there's no one person that can't stay up to speed with everyone else, then you will want to go that route.


He's saying that you shouldn't using a "cymbal line" as punishment for not being as strong of a player, or making it a negative aspect. A lot of schools have rules that freshmen have to "do their duty" and go to pit the first year before auditioning for the battery. Same goes for cymbal lines. If you're young, you automatically go there because you'll be a problem anywhere else. That's an attitude that will not benefit your line in the long run. When you incorporate them into the ensemble on other drums, then you're helping prepare them for future years, and that makes your ensemble so much better, as a whole.

I don't really have much to add, everyone else hit the nail on the head.

Good luck!
B

From my experience, it is ideal to have at least one experienced leader in each section of the line. This would be someone who can model good technique and timing, be a leader, and help teach the tricks of the trade.

Oh, I wasn't considering cymbal line as a punishment, that is just where they are from a starting stand point. If they can prove themselves to be better, than of course we wouldn't reprimand them for trying to be part of another drum section. Usually, on our drumline (from what I've experienced), you start out on cymbals and through out the year learn another instrument so you are well prepared for the upcoming years- but on the other hand, if you are willing to learn and put the effort in it, plus have the skill to be prepared for the learning and playing, then by all means we want you to try out.

I'd also rather have three snares.. If he can play.

My instructor always pushed for 5 basses. A bassline that can play splits well will go well with an number of snares.

i am facing that same problem, except we dont march cymbals. i decided after this year of having 3 bass 3 snare and one quint, that next year we are going to do 4 bass 2 snare and a quint. of course that will be an easy move for us because of 3 of them on the line graduating...which means i have a bunch of rookies coming up..... Help me God! lol!

honestly i think you should roll with 4 basses, 4 snares, and 1 quint.

especially with a small line you don't really need quints, especially if you tighten the heads, THEY ARE LOUD!...

try considering rolling with 2 or 3 cymbals and adding an additional bass.