What is the easiest marching band instrument to play?

Question

I want to go play in the band but what is the easiest intrument to play? I've benn playing the piano for 4 years now so i'm pretty good with playing whatever instrument a person gives me but I still want to go for the easiest. I also heard from my friend (who plays the clarinet) that a C on the piano is a b flat on the clarinet (how does that work?) Is there even a an isntrument tuded in the key of C? O and there is no way I'm playing the flute (possibly not even the french horn).

Answer 1

Go for a mallet instrument, like marimba, vibes or xylophone (or all 3, depending on the show!) You can contribute a lot to the overall sound of the band.

We have a relatively small band, and a good-sized pit percussion section.... 6 mallets (well, 5 and one synth player...) and 4 aux percussion players, when they all show up.

They add a lot to the show, and reinforce many melodic lines, as well as add some important counter-melodies.

And on to the transposing thing....

Many wind instruments are designed so that the player can switch between several instruments in the same family. Clarinets and Saxes are the best example of this. A clarinet player can switch between Bb Soprano (the usual clarinet) Eb alto, Bass, or even contralto or contrabass clarinets seamlessly, with only a relatively minor embouchoure (mouth) adjustment. The fingering and the reading of notes is identical. Of course, when I finger a "C" on a clarinet, it will sound different notes depending on the clarinet I am playing. But the player does not have to think about that. The music is transposed to compensate for the different sized instruments.

Saxes and some brass instruments are transposed as well. Trumpets are most commonly in B-flat (hence, you read and finger a C, the horn sounds B-flat) but they do come in other keys, and even a Bass trumpet. Baritone can be transposed and written in treble clef, making it a snap for trumpet players to switch to baritone. Mellophone (marching french horn) is the same way. You finger and read the music just like a trumpet, but the notes sound different than they would on a trumpet. To the player, all that is requitred is a minor adjustment.

This all allows the band to fill parts and adjust instrumentation relatively easily, enhancing the overall sound of the band, and eliminating time-consuming switching and re-learning of parts.

British Brass Bands have most parts transposed this way, you will even see Tuba and Trombone parts transposed in treble clef so that there is one universal fingering/ reading pattern for virtually all the instruments. This way players can be switched around as needed.

Answer 2

What do you mean by easiest?? Like easiest to play? Or easiest to march with? I've been playing the flute, piccolo, and tuba for a while and this is my 3rd yr in marching band for my high school. As far as playing wise, I think flute's the easiest and its in the key of c but you say you don't want to play that. Hmmm....Well if you want something easy to carry I'd go with clarinet. As of right now I am playing the tuba which is the heaviest instrument to carry around. Yea its easy and you already know the base clef since you play piano but its still a pain to carry around. As for seeing how a c on piano is a b flat on clarinet all you have to do is transpose your notes. I'm not really good at it but your music teacher could tell you all that stuff. Hope this helps you out and good luck with marching band!

Answer 3

Well for marching band, the oboe usually does not march, because of the sharp reed and other dangers. Flute requires alot of arm muscles to hold it up at the proper angle. All of these instruments are difficult, but can be learned with lots of practice, none of this will be easy :) But in ways of marching band, I would say the clarinet is best to play on the field. There is also the alto sax or any other low reed like the bass clarinet. Some bands also march a piccolo :) Check with your director for your options :D Good luck!

Answer 4

As a pianist, if you read both bass and treble clef, there's no particular advantage to any particular instrument in terms of reading the music. And don't worry about an instrument not being in the key of C; it's transparent to the player (it's the director who has to sort it out). Your part will be written in the appropriate key for your instrument.

I play trumpet; it's not overly difficult, but it is a little more physically challenging than some instruments (you have to build up muscles around your mouth to have decent tone and stamina - your embouchure). Single-reed instruments (clarinet, sax family) are probably the most immediately approachable in terms of playability. And if you get good, you'll have the versatility of playing in jazz and rock bands in addition to halftimes at football games.

Answer 5

You have the clarinet and piano example reversed. When a clarinet plays a "C" note, it is a "Bb" on the piano. I would say go with the clarinet since you can play the instrument in band and orchestra. I play brass(french horn and euphonium and trumpet),clarinet,sax, and oboe. As far as "easy" the sax beats the clarinet for easy. The sax however plays in bands and rarely in an orchestra.I would say the hardest brass is the french horn; hardest woodwind is the oboe.

Answer 6

For me, it's the flute! It's fairly easy to play and very easy to carry.

Answer 7

probably the drums or cymbals