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Matched Grip Revolution of the 1970s/80s


pearlsnaredrummer77

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Hello,

I haven't heard anyone mention the professional community nowadays which

is almost exclusively matched-grip. The mechanical advantage of matched-grip

makes standard-grip an anachronism.

My observations are that Drum Corps has become strangely conformist over

the past 30 years. The 1970's were a very progressive era for the activity.

This universal regression into the use of standard-grip is perhaps a symptom

of that?

Anyway, it's something to think about. If things ever get interesting

like they were in the 70's then the choice of grip might become an issue

again?

Just my two cents.

Yes! And thanks for the great pics. I was a HUGE Seattle Imperials fan, and miss them badly. Unafraid to take chances so much fun to watch.

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Yes, matched-grip does make good sense.

I'm glad you enjoyed what Seattle was doing back-in-the-day.

Those were fun days and much simpler that is for sure.

Virtually everyone was local. It was a year-round activity with winter

practice and the summer tours. Everything we used we carried with us.

All we had to do was show-up and make rehearsals and we could find a spot

somewhere. No audition pressure. It seemed a little more "blue-collar"

back then.

If I were a 14-year-old today I'd probably be blown-out-of-the-water

by all the competition and have to find something else to do? Plus,

I probably couldn't get involved since there just aren't any Drum

Corps around here anymore (there used to be many).

Kinda' sad.

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Yes, matched-grip does make good sense.

I'm glad you enjoyed what Seattle was doing back-in-the-day.

Those were fun days and much simpler that is for sure.

Virtually everyone was local. It was a year-round activity with winter

practice and the summer tours. Everything we used we carried with us.

All we had to do was show-up and make rehearsals and we could find a spot

somewhere. No audition pressure. It seemed a little more "blue-collar"

back then.

If I were a 14-year-old today I'd probably be blown-out-of-the-water

by all the competition and have to find something else to do? Plus,

I probably couldn't get involved since there just aren't any Drum

Corps around here anymore (there used to be many).

Kinda' sad.

I too kind of miss the days when drum corps had a more local emphasis. And the 'blue-collar' roots of the activity seem to have been lost-DCI now is mainly-with few exceptions-an upper-middle class affair. I suppose that's why I seem to prefer DCA these days.

The Seattle set-up was innovative. I wish I had seen & heard it in action!

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Matched Grip Snarelines (70s&80s)

Updated List

Santa Clara Vanguard

Royal Crusaders

27th Lancers

General Butler Vagabonds

Gaurdsmen

Santa Clara Vanguard B corps

Argonne Rebels

Madison Scouts

The Troopers

Bluecoats

Cavaliers

Dutch Boy

Empire Statesmen (DCA)

Steel City Ambassadors (DCA)

Kilties

Blue Devils (partial matched grip 1980)

Geneseo Knights

Rochester Crusaders (DCA)

Reading Buccaneers (DCA)

Avant Garde

Seattle Imperials

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...I marched with the Seattle Imperials in 1979 and 80 and we used

matched-grip. We implemented a snare/tenor combination that absolutely

demanded matched-grip....

001.jpg

Got any specs on those? Looks like a drumset snare with deep cut away toms. Toms look to be 8-10-12 with the 10 on the left and 12 on the right. Any details?

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Forgot that I played in The Northmen from Rochester NY matched grip. '84 and '85 they were matched. 10 snares too!!

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Forgot that I played in The Northmen from Rochester NY matched grip. '84 and '85 they were matched. 10 snares too!!

Yes, I remember the Northmen and the huge snareline!!!! Pretty intimidating!!!!

Matched Grip Snarelines (70s&80s)

Updated List

Santa Clara Vanguard

Royal Crusaders

27th Lancers

General Butler Vagabonds

Gaurdsmen

Santa Clara Vanguard B corps

Argonne Rebels

Madison Scouts

The Troopers

Bluecoats

Cavaliers

Dutch Boy

Empire Statesmen (DCA)

Steel City Ambassadors (DCA)

Kilties

Blue Devils (partial matched grip 1980)

Geneseo Knights

Rochester Crusaders (DCA)

Reading Buccaneers (DCA)

Avant Garde

Seattle Imperials

The Northmen

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  • 2 weeks later...
Add Madison to the list, at least in 1984.

Weren't Troopers also matched about then?

Madison switched to matched for the 83 season. We learned about it half way through 2nd tour in 82. I do not remember any specific reason for it. It worked out well for all the ex-Guardsmen guys we had in 83 though!

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My copy of "The Years" had two pics of the 81 Blue Stars snare line playing matched. Here is a link to an online version of the book with one of the pics.

Matched Grip Snarelines (70s&80s)

Updated List

Santa Clara Vanguard

Royal Crusaders

27th Lancers

General Butler Vagabonds

Gaurdsmen

Santa Clara Vanguard B corps

Argonne Rebels

Madison Scouts

The Troopers

Bluecoats

Cavaliers

Dutch Boy

Empire Statesmen (DCA)

Steel City Ambassadors (DCA)

Kilties

Blue Devils (partial matched grip 1980)

Geneseo Knights

Rochester Crusaders (DCA)

Reading Buccaneers (DCA)

Avant Garde

Seattle Imperials

The Northmen

Blue Stars

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