Band Camp...8-5

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:05 pm

Well part of being a marching band is the visual aspect, so it needs to look good. It's possible to go 20 yards in 8 counts (I've done it myself backwards), so it doesn't seem like too much to ask from my POV, but obviously we are not the same person. As for memorizing, it's the same as memorizing a concerto. If you can write out all the notes and rhythms (as well as the subtle nuances such as dynamics) perfectly, you'd be more likely to be able to play it perfectly (Assuming your skill level is commensurate to its performance) than if you only sort of had it under your fingers. Knowing the exact numbers, and thus the exact locations, will help to ensure you hit your coordinates, and should lead to a cleaner show. If you were marching it for him, it would already be in your muscle memory, and be much harder to overcome what you've trained yourself to do should changes be necessary. I'd say he has the right idea in all of this.

c_otter · Post by **c_otter** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:27 pm

It's been years,...but I do remember memorizing the exact location of each spot from the yard lines and hash marks. We never had any tests, but we were supposed to carry around a little notebook with coordinates. The directors were particular about us having the notebook. With the number of times we did the show, it was easy to memorize. We were quite competitive, so finding/knowing your exact location made a difference.

If each count = one step, I do agree that 8 steps is too far to make 20 yards. Your steps would have to be 7.5 feet apart to make it.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:51 pm

I think you should learn the coordinates (but not by memorizing them). Last year (my senior year) we changed band directors, and it was a totally different marching expieriance. We used to spray paint our spots on the pavement, but this time we had to use "drill books" which were little spiral bound notecards. It was VERY useful. We could write down the exact location, the bars of music, and illustrate what the form/line/curve should look like from our perspective. Then, by not painting our spot, we were worried about the form rather than hitting our exact spot.

You need to adjust. He is just doing things for the group as a whole. I understand what it is like from both sides. I was section leader for 4 years (yeah..... why they made a freshman section leader when there were seniors, i dont know....) and the woodwind director for two (my senior year, and I was hired this year). My first two years of marching band, I was the underdog; a middle school male flutist in a high school marching band.

I have had people do unconventional things, and they would fight to the very bitter end, only to realize that it was better in the end because of the odd method. An example of this was when year, when I had to teach some runs to the woodwinds, I had them warm up by doing tongue twisters (for articulation) and space chords (everyone plays a note of thier choice, and the conductor points at individuals to become louder and softer ). The space chords excercise was to have shy players play louder, and have people who overplay, play softer. After this, the problem was fixed.

So get a "drill book", write down your spot, or set, or whatever you call it where you are, and get a key ring, or shoestring, or something that you can use to wear it. If he wont let you do that, then just memorize it. It will take time, but it is worth it in the long run.

Beemorriscats · Post by **Beemorriscats** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:35 am

He gives us a coordinate sheet that says like 3 steps outside home hash and 2.75 outside left 25 or whatever, so thats not a problem. Writing down what it looks like is a good idea. We use "drill chips" to mark our spots when we first learn them. We all get 6 little plastic chips that we write our name on and put it in our place until we memorize where to go. Then we just have to make it look good. Its annoying. He wants us to have our exact places memorized, yet if we go there and someone else is out of place so it doesn't look good we get yelled at. So if we do make it look good then its not exact like he wants it.

And one count = 1 step. I looked today and its like 18 yards we have to make it. Hamill = nuts.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:40 pm

It may seem like he cant be satisfied, but all he is doing is driving you harder than you would push yourself. In marching band, perfection is everything. Victories and losses are made even by the smallest measurement (we have lost in a competition by one hundredth of a point

). He may seem nuts now, but at the end of the season (if it is competitive) it will be worth it.

Now if this marching band is just for fun (no competitions) then he is a slavedriver, and a smack to the head is in order.

Beemorriscats · Post by **Beemorriscats** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:30 pm

rofl we do competitions. And he's wacko anyway =D. By the end of the season we'll be ready to shoot ourselves lmao. If it weren't for the other people in marching band, I bet there would be like nobody at all in it at our school.

Beemorriscats · Post by **Beemorriscats** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:14 pm

When I march backwards (on the balls of my feet of course), I always have trouble staying balanced and sometimes I'm almost falling over. Anyone else have this problem? Any idea on how to help me? I'm not sure if its just how I step or if I just have balance problems. I'm also duckfooted pretty badly (AKA, out toeing. My feet point out away from my body rather than forward) but thats a problem of a twist in my bone and there isn't much I can do about it.

So any suggestions?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:11 pm

Yeah, I had the same problem my senior year. I thought to myself, "I have been marching for 6 years WTF". My problems were my ankles. The muscles and tendons had tightened, and were not used to being stretched when in the marching backwards position. It felt like I couldnt keep balance, and like I had weak ankles. Do stretches with your feet. Point your foot to the ground, and flex your foot upward as high as you can (stretches calves, and your achilles tendon). Stand really close to a wall ( 1-2 feet), put your hands against it, lean forward against the wall, and do "up downs". this will strengthen your ankles, and helps loosen them up.
Rotate your ankles (sort of how we stretch our recks by rolling our heads around).

Just do various stretching, and muscle building techniques. It helps a lot.

Other things you can do, is to avoid leaning backwards when you march. Think of yourself being completely centered on your feet. Dont put your foot back and then pull your body back, move your body with your foot. I know this is hard to understand, but just think that as you go back, you are transitioning your weight, and standing erect, not leaning. One thing to do, is to take a step back, but freeze when your toe is on the ground. One foot is extened backwards, and one should be extended forwards. If you visualize your body, it should resemble an upside down capital "Y" your legs are the prongs, and your torso is the stem. Sorry If that was confusing, but it really helps to be able to see it rather than have it told to you. I tried

Also, dont be afraid to march backwards. That might be the problem. The ground isnt going anywhere. Dont look down, and just move. If you fall, so what, it isnt that far to the ground. Just get back up.

I hope that helped......

Beemorriscats · Post by **Beemorriscats** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 2:44 pm

Ahh ok thank you

. It wasn't that confusing. I'll make sure I try stretching. I'm not afraid to march backwards.. I used to be but over time I just learned to trust that everyone would get out of my way or tell me to stop if I'm moving backwards and about to hit them. Recently though some stupid clairnet didn't move and made me twist my ankle really bad

I still wear the ace bandage sometimes... Stupid clarinet player!

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 5:24 pm

You're Welcome

Hope this works for you!

Beemorriscats · Post by **Beemorriscats** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:18 pm

If I ever come to Kentucky I'm going to find you and hug you

squints · Post by **squints** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:57 pm

Camp at my school is laid back. Shnebs our director can go off for unessicary reasons but in most cases he's alright.

amizade · Post by **amizade** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:52 pm

thats not that bad!! mine was from 8-6:30 the first week and the next 2 weeks were from 8am - 8:30pm!!! and omg i live in Laredo,TEXAS so you can imagine the heat!!!!! horrible but i lived though it...do they make u all do push ups and sit ups and run laps and stuff??

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:09 pm

I was fortunate in that my HS's marching program was great, but not as disciplined as some other groups. We were able to have fun with it without having to run laps/do push-ups, but also make some great music. Same goes for the college band I'm playing with now.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:24 pm

yep! same here flutepicc!