Get March Form

March, originally, musical form having an even metre (in 2/4 or 4/4) with strongly accented first beats to facilitate military marching; many later examples, while retaining the military connotation, were not intended for actual marching.

[English] A device used in marches and piano rags to introduce a contrast in style and break the flow of the composition with a loud and intense musical statement. This device is a special form of break strain or break-up strain.

John Philip Sousa (/ su s /; November 6, 1854 March 6, 1932) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era known primarily for American military marches. He is known as "The March King" or the "American March King", to distinguish him from his British counterpart Kenneth J. Alford.

The earliest military marching bands that historians have documented were from the Ottoman Empire in the 13th century. The Ottomans conquered vast swaths of territory in Northern Africa, the Middle East and southern Europe and brought their marching band tradition with them.

1 : the action of moving along with a steady regular step especially with others. 2 : an organized walk by a large group of people to support or protest something. 3 : the distance covered in marching a long day's march.

The different sections in March are called Strains. Each strain contains one main melody. There are usually three different strains plus the contrasting section called the Trio.

In 1889, Sousa wrote the "Washington Post" march to promote an essay contest sponsored by the newspaper; the march was soon adapted and identified with the new dance called the two-step.

Each section of a march typically consists of 16 or 32 bars, which may repeat. Most importantly, a march consists of a strong and steady percussive beat reminiscent of military field drums. A military music event where various marching bands and units perform is called tattoo.

The majority of marches are written in duple meter, meaning they have two beats per measure (or two beats "to the bar"). Only a few marches are written otherwise (usually in 4/4 time), while still using the same two beats per measure tempo (see below).