Marching band, facing front stage

Question

So, i'm a flute player and this is my second year of high school band (7th year of playing flute) but in this years field show i am on the 50 in the front through most of the first song (like 6 sets worth) I lead everyone places and am an end in a few diagonals.. but i am having a horrible time facing front stage while marching and playing, and i want to look good since i'm right in front..

its seems like we have it worse then the other instruments since we need to twist so much more for our arms to reach ... so any suggestions on how to make it looks better/make it easier?

btw, i go frontwards and backwards, all facing front stage..

i'm in band camp all week, so i do have 4 more days to get it good, and then a few weeks.. but we play at the first football game, the first friday in september, so i don't have a HUGE amount of time...

thanks [=

Answer 1

hey--ok so honestly you guys don't have it harder--i'm a trombone player and having to slide to the front and reach into a position pass the bell is like someone stretching your arm out of the socket. Plus the trombone rests on your shoulder and limits you when you slide a certain way so we almost have to over-extend the slide.I've also marched  and had to slide to the front with a sousa--and sliding to the left is always fun considering that's the shoulder it sits on.  (Been doing this for 4 years, now I'm teaching it (2years).  What you are going to have to do is breathe in like imagine someone pulling your uppertorso up and to the side, and the bottom half of your body (from waist down) is almost non-existant.  Then when still breathing in, turn yourself then relax--try not to overextend.  But you really have to make sure that you pull both shoulders forward, so if you have to sit at home and you could be watching t.v. and just pretend to hold your flute or actually hold it and do the slide in place.  Make sure you pull that one shoulder forward all the way or else you'll have an angle in your form.  When you do march like that make sure that you move like clockwork especially in the front right there--you know those robots that are like the upper body moves or spins and the lower body stays the same?? imagine that your body is like that when you slide, that's just what i have always thought of.  Also when you guys are practicing this maybe have someone behind you or a staff member or someone that can help have you march drill normally but the other person can push your shoulders forward to where you are supposed to be so you can feel where your upper torso is and how it is positioned and then you can remember/learn where your body is.  And honestly if it hurts in your upper torso--then you're doing it correctly.  The more you do it the less itw ill hurt.  

Hope this helped, if you have any other questions feel free to ask!  

GO MARCHING BAND!

Answer 2

umm im a sax player but when we do slides its really hard to face front...i would suggest constantly thinking about it, if u stop thinking about it you will find yourself facing the field goal haha, just try to twist your body as best as you can and keep your shoulders parralel with the sidelines and just have the thought in your mind the whole time...i hope this helped i know it probably didnt haha i was in marching band for 2 years but had to quit this year becuz of sat and stuff so yea :) good luck!! practice makes perfect hahaha

Answer 3

the front facing aesthetic is a handover from drum and bugle corps, so its obvious that trumpets, mellos, and marching baritones have it easiest. the technique for keeping a clean "slide" going is that one leg will feel longer than the other. you rotate at the hips a little to do it right. alot of my students struggle with that concept and try to cheat by just rotating above the waist-this cuts your air support and just looks wrong.

try the trick of pivoting your pelvis toward direction you are marching while keeping your upper body facing front.

good luck & march proud!