Puppet Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Yo Puppet - us east coast folks seemed to use harnesses with counterweights. I know BAC did, 27th did, and apparently St Rita's did. The west coast was using snare straps and carried them high onto their chests - especially evident with SCV and Kingsmen. I could not imagine what my back would be like carrying them up high. I think the harness/counter weight worked well. 27th ditched the harnesses for the 1977 season and went to straps. They always kept a leg in front to lean over and take a break. I know our guys didn't use counterweights, (Carmen wouldn't have put up with that for esoteric reasons - at the time each section of the drum line had specific places to be on the field to enhance the sound of the horn line - these guys didn't just bang on the drums they placed a compliment of notes that match certain sections of the horn line - Hy and Eric put in a lot time designing those parts.) As an aside, they also played on each other's drums and to me it was always amazing how they tuned and re tuned and played and still kept the drill together. They were very orchestral and as a guy who played French Horn (Horn in "F" as opposed to "Eb") in the NYC All City Orchestra and Music and Art High School Orchestra, I knew what Tympani should sound like. Very effective during this final push to the stands at the end of our Ride of the Valkeries OTL I think they used a combination of snare straps that went under their uniforms - another thing Carmen insisted on for the uniform look - and never seemed bothered by the weight. The chest high thing always confused me, though. Thanks for the insight. Puppet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troopers81 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Do you have any Troopers drum line 1981-83. I marched bass #5 The big boy it's been a long time since I've seen these corps let alone Troopers thanx for sharing 81 Troopers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrunchyTenor Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Wow....Tom and Ralph are drumming at their knees compared to everyone else!! So, what does that do to the line, Sam? Look at the level of the drums. They all match. Visually, very appealing. And by the time that picture was taken, Ralph was used to it from VK and one previous Kingsmen season, and Tom was used to it at Lynwood Diplomats. Did it affect their playing? Not really. They made the adjustment and the line was clean. Garry in Vegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark1 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Which makes me ask the question: Why are most of the tympani players I've seen posted throughout this thread marching with the drums like up to their chests? How could they get their arms to the pitch rotator with any speed and strength? And: Wasn't it uncomfortable that way? Or maybe it their harnesses. Can I get a hint out there? Puppet I can tell that having it chest high allowed one to get the weight of it a bit more over the hips which takes pressure off the lower back. Playing and cranking were never a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommytimp Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Do you have any Troopers drum line 1981-83. I marched bass #5 The big boy it's been a long time since I've seen these corps let alone Troopers thanx for sharing Here you go, big fella. Whitewater 81. Liked this show a lot. The 'Cowboys' rim shots off the line are some of the best ever. I also have the HI MOM visual from 'Wabash Cannonball' in 82 but I have to find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84BDsop Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 So, what does that do to the line, Sam? Look at the level of the drums. They all match. Visually, very appealing. Garry....stop treating the comment like it was a critique....I KNOW that due to their height, they had to wear the drums low...otherwise everyone else would be drumming up at their shoulders....it was just an observation... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BD 79-82 Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 The tymps were supported by a carved block of wood worn around the waist..... snip... LOL We used to lovingly call those "C***(male chicken) Blocks" Esch...what years did you march SCV timps? The time I first noticed SCV timpani (circa 77-78), they were carrying the Slingerland drums on harnesses, lower height, midway between chest and navel. These would have been the red drums with the white chevron type shape on the front half. Any idea of when SCV made the change from the high profile to the (slightly) lower? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle z Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 1974 Cavalier Cadets Guard Sergeant J. Fielder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrunchyTenor Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Garry....stop treating the comment like it was a critique....I KNOW that due to their height, they had to wear the drums low...otherwise everyone else would be drumming up at their shoulders....it was just an observation... Well, if you KNEW that... Garry in Vegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarnia sam Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 1974 Cavalier Cadets Guard Sergeant J. Fielder The guy just off Fiedler's right shoulder looks like he's on his third tour of duty in the cadets Regards, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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