I'm a TERRBILE freshman/beginner marcher!!!!!?

Question

Today was us freshman's second day of rookie camp. They said it would get better and more fun after the first day...it got harder and more stressful for me. I am like the WORST one there. I am like a whole day behind everyone and tomorrow is the last day of rookie camp! Anyway, I basicly can't play and march at the same time good at all. I usually play euphonium, but I have to play a sliding trombone for marching band since the director doesn't have enough marching euphoniums for everyone. Anyway, I can play and march with it OK...but when we have those right side and left side turn things (you know where you're still marching forward but turn your whole upper body to a side and play) I do very bad and mess up everything else. We have evaluation where we must play in groups too. I think I will get an oppertunity spot, which doesn't play at compettions, but only football games. Should I try to learn percussion and do front ensemble this year since I am not comfortable with..

Answer 1

*sigh* i can tell you right now, you are just like every other freshman in my band. DONT FREAK OUT! i can already tell that this warning is coming too late. marching is difficult in the beginning for everyone, and everyone has to start marching somewhere. we all dont pop out of the womb marching perfectly. just keep with it, trust me, playing in the band is the greatest thing out there to do. the work will pay off, and you'll enjoy yourself. its only your second day. i was a terrible marcher, at first, and now i'm a sousaphone section leader.

stick with it, practice practice practice, and have fun in marching band!

Answer 2

If you practice, you'll get better. You may not get good enough, frankly. Different people have different skills. You should stick it out until the end of camp, though, for your own self-esteem. (The real kind, that you know about yourself inside, not the fake kind idiot adults try to instill with little trophies.)

Better to be cut than to quit. Most marathon runners would rather break a leg than be marked "DNF" (Did Not Finish).

Answer 3

do NOT give up! Talk to the director tomorrow morning before practice and see if he/she has any advice for you (get there early to talk). Some people just aren't naturally well-coordinated and you probably just need extra practice. If this means a lot to you- OR you don't want to give up too early!- keep working on it and I promise that your body will eventually get the message about playing and marching at the same time!

Answer 4

I've been marching since 7th grade and I'm a junior now and section leader for clarinets. (well I was. I switched to mellophone this year. =[  It was needed more.)

Stick with it. It's so worth it.

Practice with the upper body turns in your yard or something, remember, toes up.

Or even in your house try just standing in place and holding the position.

For the backward marching, go alongside a fence or something else that's straight so you can tell if you're going in a straight line or not. Remember, dig your toes in the ground, keep your heels up, and don't pick up your feet.

Try to keep your chin up and elbows out. It'll help with your posture.

Edit: What's your songs by the way? We're doing a Beatles show this year. =]

Answer 5

Come on !!!!!!!! This is only your second day, for Goodness sake give yourself a chance.....I'm sure everyone else feels the same way, that is unless you have a little flute to play and carry......if you like it give yourself a brake.....this kind of thing takes a little time. !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay with what you want to play, in time and when you get use to it it will get easier !!!!!!!!!!! This is like handing someone a guitar and expecting them to play Stairway to Heaven on the second day......give yourself some time !!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Do you enjoy music? I say stick with it. Ask for extra help, march around your house. stretch before you have to turn your upper body (try to turn ALL THE WAY around) so when you go back to your regular sideways march position it wont feel like it is pulling so much.

Everyone has to start out as a rookie. Just work hard and give it a chance, at least until the end of rookie camp. It's only the second day!

Answer 7

I say stick with marching, and don't switch to percussion. Don't be so hard on yourself, you're just starting to learn to march. It's hard for everyone, and everyone sucks when they're just starting out. It's not just you. I would suggest getting some help from a drum major, section leader, or drill instructor. Slides are always really hard to get right, so don't worry, you'll get it eventually. =) There's no way you should be able to do them correctly the first few days.