i agree.......idk if you ever really need 6 basses. unless you have a really big line. with like 10 or more snares and 5 or 6 tenors. but or biggest drum is a 28 inch and we still get that cannon affect.

This thread is about drum corps not using 6 basses. It is not about middle schools, colleges, or high schools. Stay on topic.

yea i agree 5 basses is good but u have to think about it. im most drum corps the caption head and the ARRANGERS write the music so in my opinion they can have 6 if they want, but i guess they just like 5.

Someone delete Cradle's post, please.

Don't just think it's because of the Arranger's liking. It also depends on the size of the band. Having a huge 30-32 inch cannon can drown out certain parts. And like I said, it's harder to clean a 6 person Bassline than it is a 4 or 5.

Seeing as almost every Division 1 corps is over 100 people, I'm sure drowning out isn't a problem. And if 10 snares can be clean, I'm sure 6 basses can be clean.

Madison Scouts used 6 basses in 2001 and 2002 I believe. 01 for sure i know that. Correct me if i'm wrong about '02

I think one reason is just that it sounds better. For instance, you can do an eighth note split straight down and up the drums (123454321) and it is a perfect 4/4 measure. With 6 basses it wouldn't turn out like that.

Also, don't forget the personell issue... why have a 6th marching member to play a part once in a while (not to mention the strain on that person physically because of the drill) rather than having concert bass drum in the front ensemble that plays the same role, and that person can play multiple instruments.

Forget about strain, dude. That just makes them all the more hardcore. Think about the guys/gals who marched Timpani and those gigantoid 34's and 36's. Cannons, man, \m/