HS marching band drum majors.....?

Question

Hey! I am going to be a drum major for the first time. I'm kinda nervous. Can anyone tell me some of their experiences or thought they have?? Any tips?? Thanks!

Answer 1

Be firm and encouraging. A HUGE part of what your doing is encouraging the band to continue playing. My band doesn't use whistles either, but we do usee amazing (NOT) deafening gok blok. Annoying as h**l but gets attention fast and keeps everyone together. Anyway, when conducting, keep your arms high, wide, and together with the other drum major(s). Know as much as you can from your director before talking to the other members though. Incoming freshmen will be intimidated by you, so always smile and laugh. Laughing is an awesome way to release tension from long practices. And during performances, be serious but at the same time look around the field and smile here and there. Occansionally, someone will smile back and YOU will be encouraged to go further. Think of yourself as the mother or father of a family... love everyone and push them to do better than you ever did on and off the field.

Answer 2

Well then, don't scream, you'll only loose your voice.  Learn to talk loudly with your diaphragm.  You will have to "bark" your commands.  Each syllable will be emphasised with a punch in your diaphragm (BAn aTTen HUt).  Higher pitch doesn't equal louder.  Maybe go and talk to the choir director for pointers on proper speaking/loud talking techniques.

Learn to clap loudly (cup the hands and make them perpendicular instead of parallel).

As far as conducting goes, your arms need to be BIG and your palms need to be up at all times and your fingers need to be together with only your thumbs out.  You want to make sure that the back lines can see your palms, even on the in strokes (like the 2 in 4/4).  So in 4/4, your 1 will be waist level and your elbows will have a 90 degree angle in your arm pits and your elbows.  2 comes in to touch your hands together.  3 goes as far out as your arms can muster while still showing your palms to the band, and 4 comes up over your head.  Oh, and don't listen to the pit, the will be a fraction of a second behind the band (cause they're listening back) and if you follow them then the whole thing will drag slower and slower.

Learn the music well.  You want to be able to actually conduct it, not just provide a beat.  Talk with your director about how to effectivly conduct a band.  Field is a lot different than concert but a lot of concert conducting can be adapted to put on the field.

As far as leading the band, you can't be everyones friend. Don't be afraid to tell the people who are s******g around to stop.  Expecially if they're your friends.  You can't show partiality or it will cause a lot of problems in your ranks.  Also, you are the leader and need to be a positive example at all times.  That includes when you're not on the field.  Don't talk trash or participate in gossip about the director or instructors or band members.

OK, well, I've talked long enough.  If there's anything else you wanna know feel free to email me :)

best of luck next year!

Answer 3

Make sure you are very loud if you need to yell

and have your whistle with you at all times if it is needed.

like everytime the band gets loud your whistle will help you alot, then you just have to make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing.

be prepared to lose you voice a couple of times.