Caisse roulante

As Printed on a Score

French for the tenor drum, abbreviated C. roul. on later systems. It shares the snare drum’s single-line notation, with tremolo strokes for rolls, so the label is the only thing that tells you which drum is meant; check it at every change of instrument in a percussion part.

Abbreviations: C. roul.

How Composers Use It

Deeper than the caisse claire and usually without snares, it gives a darker, muffled roll suited to processions, funeral marches and ominous tension. Choose it when the snare drum would sound too bright or military, and say what sticks you want, since the drum’s colour changes markedly with the beater.

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