March

What it means

The march is a piece of music that originally was meant to accompany and order walking together in step. Its features follow from this: a duple metre, usually two- or four-four time, an even, distinctly marked pulse, and a clear division into sections of equal length.

The musical form is usually in several parts. One or two main parts are followed by a contrasting middle part, the trio, which often stands in a neighbouring key and is calmer or more song-like. After it the opening part returns. An introduction, often with fanfare motifs, frequently precedes the whole.

Marches differ greatly in character and tempo: the parade march is measured and solemn, the quickstep march fast, the funeral march slow and heavy. The tempo is oriented to the respective stepping speed.

In the notation

The march stands in two- or four-four time, with an accompaniment that places the bass on the strong and chords on the weak beats. The sections are usually eight or sixteen bars long and are repeated. Dotted rhythms are frequent.

Musical use

The march has military roots but has long since outgrown them. It accompanies processions, festivals, and ceremonies, appears in wind-band music as a genre of its own, and was taken over into art music — into operas, symphonies, and piano works. In the nineteenth century a rich literature for wind band arises.

Marches exist as military, parade, funeral, and concert marches. Their form usually consists of several parts with a trio. In the concert hall they appear as a movement in symphonies, suites, and operas, for instance as a triumphal or wedding march.

Other names

Marcia is the Italian designation; alla marcia calls for a march-like execution.

Performance practice

Keep the pulse unshakeable; a march must remain marchable. Accent the strong beats clearly and keep the weak ones short. Play dotted rhythms sharply. Shape the trio as a contrast in sound and expression. And determine the tempo according to the character of the march.