How come most drum corps don't march 6 Bass drums? It seems like it would be a good choice, with 5 basses playing mostly pitched stuff and Bottom bass being the cannon. IT would just open up more options, much like Sixpacks compared to quints. So is there any big reason why they don't?

Sometimes the music doesn't call for it. Some people prefer 5 basses. Hell, some people even prefer just two or three basses. It's preference, dude. Also, it's a little harder to clean up 6 basses than it is 5 or 4.

Plus, its a balance issue. While you could easily fit the sound of 6 basses into the sound of a corps hornline, the traditional balance is with 5. And many writers prefer writing parts for 5...

Like the other two said, it's about preference. Some colleges and high school lines march 6 basses or MORE. Heck, I saw a line last year with 11 basses and the snares, tenors, and cymbals to match. And lets not forget the 2000 Olympic Marching Band. 2000 band members, probably meant 30 something of everything, including basses. I believe that they had 4 of each size from 16" - 32". Perhaps someone else can answer that?

Anyway, back to topic, I don't think Drum Corps march 6 because they've found that they get the perfect balance with 5. The split parts and pitch differences are present, plus they get the boom with the bottom bass.

If they needed more boom, they'd probably just go bigger. Which would be very unfortunate for that person.

But that's just my two cents. Cheers.

The first parade of the year I saw a middle school marching band with seven basses. They were good...for a middle school marching band of course. I can't really see a corp having seven basses...ever.

I know Jersey SUrf marched 6 basses once. And they marched 4 (Though I bet its because someone dropped out)

Spirit had 6 this past year... i know madison has done 6 before.... its not something that NEVER happens, its just fairly rare.

I think the reason.......is cuz alot of bass music. is only written for 5 bass drums. and if your playing split parts than the 6th bass dosent have anything to play. 5 seems to be about the rite number. our line has 4 and we have a good balance with rest of the line/band. word up.

Thats because the arrangers write for what they have.

I just think it opens up a lot more options to have 5 mainly for pitched parts and then the 32" cannon.

I think 5 basses is the perfect number for writing bass music.