Marching and playing an instrument requires concentration and determination. Knowing how to play the instrument well is important, but so is knowing how to stand properly so that you are comfortable and even, read a practice chart so that you know where your starting position is, and march in different styles. Although it takes a lot of practice in the beginning, being part of a marching band can be a very rewarding experience.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Stand in position
Step 1. Stand at rest
To do this, relax and stand comfortably, but do not talk or go back and forth. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Place your left hand on your lumbar. The right hand will hold the instrument, unless you are carrying a drum, which you will have to carry in front of you.
Step 2. Come to attention
Raise your left leg and return it to the ground on the count of one. At the same time, take your left arm out of your lumbar and place it on your left side. The thumb will be over the seam of your pants. On the count of two, put your heels together.
Step 3. Stand at attention
Keep your heels together and your toes straight forward. Stretch your legs and try not to stiffen your knees. Stand evenly on the heels and balls of your feet. Bring your hips back slightly, behind your shoulders.
Step 4. Raise your head
Stretch your neck as much as possible without creating tension. Keep your chin level to the ground and focus your eyes forward at a distant point in space.
Step 5. Place the instrument in the playing position
Hold it parallel to the ground or in line with the other instruments in your section. On the count of one, extend it in the opposite direction from you. On the count of two, take it with your left hand. On the count of three, bring it to playing position.
Part 2 of 4: Read a Practice Chart
Step 1. Find your position number
The starting position in the box is listed in a coordinate system of horizontal and vertical values.
- Instead of a Cartesian coordinate, you might find it as a number of steps to the right or left (to either side of the 50 m or yard line) and a number of steps ahead or behind the individual lines that extend parallel to the sidelines of the visiting or home team.
- Practice charts are read from the director's point of view. If it says "in front of" it means towards the director. If the painting says "back," it means in the opposite direction from the director's point of view.
Step 2. Move in steps of the same dimension
In order for the belt to look even, it is important that everyone travel about the same distance with each step. Instructions for a practice chart are in steps.
- The conventional gait style is called 8 by 5, which means there are 8 steps for every 5 meters or yards. Since there are lines every 5 meters or yards on a standard football field, a matrix is created that marchers can follow, counting 8 steps between each line.
- You can also think that each step will have an average of 60 cm (22, 5), since there will have to be 8 steps in 5 yards. This measurement is often used as a standard. More important than knowing the average size of a standard stride when you're marching is moving at the same pace as the people around you.
Step 3. Follow the account
Each position in a practice chart will correspond to one score of the music. As the song progresses, you will move across the field to a new position. You will start at the zero count and generally move in increments of eight.
Part 3 of 4: Marching Forward and Backward
Step 1. March in an 8 by 5 style
This is the most common gait style. Each step is 60 cm (22.5 inches). In other words, you will take eight steps between each 5 meter or yard line. You will start with the left foot and end with the right.
Another common style is 6 by 5, which means 6 steps (80 cm or 30 inches) per 5 meters or yards
Step 2. Take the chair step
Raise your leg high in the air with your thigh parallel to the ground and your calf vertical with your toes pointed. Divide the step into four movements.
- On the count of one, lift your left heel off the ground and have your toes pointed.
- On the count of two, lift your left leg into a chair position and have your toes pointed.
- On the count of three, drop your left leg so your toes are pointed and your heel is off the ground.
- On the count of four, drop your heel to the ground.
- Repeat this step with your right leg.
Step 3. Do the roll step
Keep your legs straight when you march. To start, lift and move your left foot forward. Place your heel on the ground first and hold it straight so your toes point at an angle and the bottom of your foot can be seen. Repeat the process with your right foot.
This step, also known as the glide, is a way of marching while keeping your instrument level so that it is easier to play
Step 4. Backward gear
To do this, use the movements of the step of the chair. Raise each leg into chair position, then pull your foot back. Always stay on the balls of your foot and do not have your heels in contact with the ground.
Part 4 of 4: Make other moves
Step 1. Make a left or right flank
Turn 90 degrees to the left moving on the ball of the right foot. To do the right flank, turn 90 degrees to the right and hover on the left foot.
Step 2. Do a metal or side slide
To do this, you will only rotate your upper body rather than on the ball of your foot. Turn your upper body (following your instrument) 90 degrees to the right or left and have your legs and feet in the same position, marching in the same direction as before, if you are marching.
To perform a sideslip, flank your lower body to the left or right, but keep your upper body in the same direction it was before
Step 3. Do the crab step
For percussionists, the crab step replaces the glide. To take this step to the left, step to the side with your left foot on your right for the count of one, taking a step that is about 3/4 of a conventional step. Then step to the side with your right foot, with a 1 ¼ step step, so that you can move at the same speed as the brass section that takes conventional steps each time.
Step 4. Make a metal flash
Make a marked up-down movement with your head, which will cause the instrument to move up and down. This will accompany the turning movements.
Step 5. Make a slow turn
Take a 90 degree turn on four beads.
Step 6. Stop
To do this, bring your feet back to the attention position, beginning with the movement of the right foot and ending with the left foot.
Advice
- Make sure all your steps are the same length.
- There are many different gait techniques. What is considered good technique in one band could be considered horrible in another (for example, knees bent or not). Since a band needs to look uniform to be impressive, the instructions of the main drummer or conductor are the authority on technique.
- Not all playing fields are a conventional size (to calculate an 8-by-5 pitch), although all NCAA fields will be like this.
- Don't stiffen your knees, especially when you're at attention or stopped. Doing so could result in you passing out.
Warnings
- If you spend all the time staring at the ground during the march, you will learn almost nothing and will spend the rest of the season trying to catch up. Trust yourself and your neighbors.
- Don't have stiff knees when you are at attention. You could feel dizzy or pass out in hot weather.