UMass-ish Drumline Cadence (2009)

UMass-ish, a Free Drumline Cadence by Free Drumline Beats.
A simple, easy cadence for your high school drumline, based on the world-famous UMass Drumline Cadence.

A tribute to one of the most iconic cadences in the game.

A simple, easy cadence for your high school drumline, based on the world-famous UMass Drumline Cadence.

“UMass-ish” is a beginner-friendly drumline cadence built as a respectful homage to the legendary UMass Drumline cadence (2009 version).

This arrangement mirrors the structure of the original, featuring a series of well-known warmups and grooves that have become staples in the marching percussion world.

Difficulty Rating

Difficulty Ratings

Tempo
1
2
3
4
5
Rudiments
1
2
3
4
5
Stickings
1
2
3
4
5
Rhythm / Syncopation
1
2
3
4
5
Snare Complexity
1
2
3
4
5
Tenor Complexity
1
2
3
4
5
Bass Complexity
1
2
3
4
5
Cymbal Complexity
1
2
3
4
5
Ensemble Coordination
1
2
3
4
5
Endurance
1
2
3
4
5

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Make your own edits! Upgrade to an editable Sibelius file for $3

Written at a steady 116 bpm, it’s perfect for high school lines looking to lock in backbeats, sharpen their rudiments, and learn to groove while marching.

This one’s not about flash—it’s about feel, clarity, and paying tribute to a cadence that influenced generations of battery writing.

This drumline cadence is FREE to download, print, and share. You can also buy the original editable Sibelius file—if you want to rearrange the music.

This version of the UMass-ish 2009 free drumline cadence is arranged for:

  • Snare drums
  • Quads/tenor drums
  • 5 bass drums

What’s inside:

  • Intro
  • Exercise 8
  • Double Beat (based on Exercise 2)
  • Check Patterns
  • Monkey Beats (near-verbatim transcription)
  • Tag-style outro

Why it works

  • Familiar structure makes it easy to teach
  • Built from proven UMass exercises with real performance valueTeaches rudimental control inside a cadence setting
  • Keeps things fun and musical without being overwhelming
  • Lets your line study and embody one of the most influential drumline styles in modern history

Best for

  • Early high school drumlines
  • Marching band camp cadence
  • Teaching groove and control
  • Honoring the influence of one of the best collegiate battery programs around

Arranged for:

  • Snare Drums
  • Quads/Tenors
  • 5 Bass Drums (easily adaptable to fewer/more)

Download now

Make your own edits! Upgrade to an editable Sibelius file for $3

Download now

But wait! There’s more...

Free Drumline Cadence - Whiter Mambo by Free Drumline Beats.

Whiter Mambo Drumline Cadence

An advanced-level cadence inspired by the groove of “White Mambo”—designed for college lines, drum corps, or strong high school batteries. Whiter Mambo brings the smoke.

Cream & Sugar, a Free Drumline Cadence by Oliver Munson & Free Drumline Beats.

Cream & Sugar Drumline Cadence

This drumline cadence is slow and catchy with a main chorus and features for each section. This cadence starts out with a bass drum triplet groove and a split stick-click part.