Marching Percussion - Mallet Percussion

Mallet Percussion

The glockenspiel is the mallet percussion instrument most often used as a part of the battery, using slings/harnesses. Other mallet instruments have been marched, also. In the early 1970's, mallet percussion was first allowed into drum corps in competitive circuits, such as Drum Corps International. At first, only glockenspiels and xylophones were allowed. However, around 1976, marimbas and vibraphones were also allowed. A few years in Drum Corps International, drum corps have rigged up home-made racks to march tubular bells.

Eventually, around 1981, mallet instruments were allowed to be grounded, because people realized the folly of carrying the heavy instruments. There on, mallet instruments were kept in the front, as part of the front ensemble. Some corps have experimented with the idea of front ensemble a few times before though, sometimes grounding concert timpani and drum sets (which had to be carried onto the field by a person, then grounded). However, some corps didn't actually use concert instruments immediately after grounding was allowed. Some corps just used the old marching keyboards, using homemade stands.

The original harnesses for the marching glockenspiel and xylophone were made of straps, which sometimes interfered with playing on the high end of the instrument or interfered with four-mallet playing. There were poles on the high and low ends of the keyboards sticking up a few inches, with straps going around the player's neck, making him/her look similar to a peanut vendor.

Eventually, before the use of marching marimbas and vibraphones, a new style of harness was made. The new harness was a vest, similar to what is usually used today for marching percussion.