If you really sit down and think about it being a tenor takes a lot of hard work. But does it take more work than playing anything else. i think it does. Most tenor parts are just the snare parts but all over the place on different drums. not only do you have to concentrate on your drumming but you have to concentrate on the flow of your arms from drum to drum while trying to march too. so do you guys think playing tenors is the hardest drum on the Line.

I definatly think so.....just like you said most of our tenor parts are basicly snare parts all over the place

Depends, Tenors may be hard, but I would imagine the big part about snare... trying to keep clean with 8-10 guys playing the exact same thing

Sure, Keeping two tenors clean is hard enough, but keeping those snares clean, with appropriate stick heights is really hard too. This is definatly a hard question, but to make a call, I would think that the snares and tenors are about equal, Once you add in all the other factors

yea your right...i didnt think about that

Honestly, it depends on how the parts are written. An arranger can write for any section to make it the most difficult in the line. But with that aside, each drum has its challenges:

• Snare drums are the most articulate. Because of that articulation, even small errors are easily apparent, requiring a level of cleanliness higher than other drums.
• If a tenor book is written with similar "note density" as the snare part, there's a higher physical and mental demand required to split the notes across drums.
• Bass drummers only play a piece of a rhythm, requiring the highest ability to subdivide and balance.

Personally, I think it's kind of a moot point. In my humble opinion, the most difficult instruments to play well aren't in the battery.

I agree. Although sticking don't seem as hard on tenors. I think it is easier if your a good tenor drummer to make a line because fewer people try tenors than snare although more people are on snare. little off topic there lol

I will have to agree with you on everything. And If your thinking what I'm thinking your thinking the hardest of the percussion instruments are up in the pit, the marimbas?

Think on it, They have to stay just as clean as the snares, and split notes just as much as the tenors, but they dont have 4-6 drums, they have 3 octaves of wood layed out, and they go up and down the marimbas as fast as any good bass line could

I don't think making tenors is "easier" really. Yes, fewer people audition on tenors but there are fewer spots to fill than the snareline. It all equals out in the end.

yeah that's what i meant, it just wasn't coming out in text very well lol

I agree that each instrument has its own difficulties...



In my opinion, tenors are the hardest to play- but that just makes it all the more fun to play!