In marching band how do you learn a dance routine and play at the same time?

Question

In my marching band some people can play and play dance at the same time. I have to learn the dance with the band then take my instrument home and spend two hours trying to put the music with it.

Answer 1

wow, band hasn't even started for us yet! we still have a month until band camp!

anyways, like someone mentioned about, take it one step at a time.

first, get the music out of the way, by learning the music.

play each note seperate and sloly. then speed it up to the correct tempo.

next, learn the dance. once again, take it slowly. then speed it up.

now that you know both the music and the dancing, put it together!

start by playing like, 3 measures of the music, and do the dance with it.....then do the next few measures, and etc.

i know it's pretty hard at first. it sounds like this is your first year, correct? don't worry! you will catch on.

:)

Answer 2

Ya build up muscle memory of playing to the point where you don't even think about it anymore you just blow (or drum in my case) and the rights sounds just come out. Then focus on the dancing. The dancing should also help you with the music cuz it will help you internalize the beat.

Just remember tho: the music is what is important. The dancing is fine until it takes away from the music.

Answer 3

This is my 6 year in marching (4 years of high school and 2 of college). My first  year in band my band director made us learn everything on an eight count. Try learning the first 2 measures then put the moves to it. After you get the firth two measures down then try lear the next 2 measures then follow by try to get the moves to go alone with that part.

I really hope this helps.

Answer 4

carefully

Answer 5

Try focusing on one side of it first, then add the other.

Practice the music until you can play it in your sleep, then try the moves.  Practice makes perfect and feel free to start off slow.  Better to take a long time to learn it right the first time than to learn something wrong and have to start all over again.

After awhile you can sort of do it unconsciously.