March (music)

A march is a musical composition defined by a strong, regular rhythm.

Originally, these pieces were written to help soldiers walk in lockstep. Today, marches serve as a major genre of martial music. They are frequently performed by military bands during parades and ceremonies. The mood of a march can vary significantly depending on its purpose. Some are brisk and energetic, like the Romantic marches of John Philip Sousa. Others are somber and emotional, such as a funeral march. Examples range from the "Jäger March" by Jean Sibelius to the "Dead March" in Handel's "Saul."

To maintain a steady rhythm, marches follow specific structural rules. Most marches feature a strong, percussive beat similar to military field drums. The tempo is a vital component of the music. A modern march typically moves at 120 beats per minute. This tempo matches the standard rate of 120 steps per minute for walking soldiers. Funeral marches often follow a Roman standard of 60 beats per minute. Musically, many marches involve modulating, which means changing from one key to another. A march might move from its original tonic key to the subdominant key. If a piece begins in a minor key, it often modulates to the relative major.

Marches are organized into distinct sections called strains. Each strain typically consists of 16 or 32 bars, which may be repeated. In traditional American marches, there are usually three specific strains. The third strain is specifically called the "trio." Some marches also include a "dogfight strain." This is a section where two groups of instruments alternate in a statement and response format. For example, high instruments might play a phrase, followed by low instruments. Marches also frequently use counter-melodies during the repetition of a main melody to add complexity.

The history of the march is closely tied to military evolution. Before the late 16th century, marches were not notated with written music. Musicians kept time using only percussion and improvised fife embellishments. The 19th century brought extensive development to brass instruments. This allowed marches to become widely popular and elaborately orchestrated. Famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky incorporated marches into larger works. They included them in operas, sonatas, suites, and symphonies. The popularity of John Philip Sousa's band marches remains unmatched in history.

The specific tempo of 120 beats per minute has historical roots in the Napoleonic army. Napoleon adopted this faster pace to move his troops more quickly. This helped his soldiers move fast enough to live off the land. Because of this, the French march tempo is faster than the traditional British tempo. The British refer to these faster marches as "quick marches." Traditional American marches use this quicker French tempo. This happened because U.S. military bands adopted European styles from allies. Additionally, John Philip Sousa was of Portuguese and German descent. Portugal used the French tempo exclusively during his musical education.

Many nations have developed unique national styles of march music. British marches move at 116 beats per minute and use intricate countermelodies. They often feature a wide range of dynamics, moving from very soft to very loud. Scottish bagpipe marches often move at a slower pace of 90 beats per minute. In Germany and Austria, marches use a strict tempo of 114 beats per minute. They often have an "oom-pah" quality created by low brass and drums. Swedish marches also use an "oom-pah" rhythm but maintain a strict tempo between 110 and 112 beats per minute. French marches are distinct because they emphasize percussion and brass. They often use a "BOOM-whack-whack-whack" rhythm and a triplet feel.

Marches connect to many important cultural traditions. They are essential for ceremonial occasions like coronations. English composers such as Edward Elgar have written coronation marches for British monarchs. In Greece, many marches also serve as popular patriotic songs. These songs are taught to children in school and sung during national holidays. In the Netherlands, some military bands follow a unique tradition. The Trompetterkorps Bereden Wapens plays march music while riding bicycles. Whether used for military drill or national pride, the march remains a vital musical tool.