The art of Marching!! (Commands, Movement, and more!)

The art of Marching!! (Commands, Movement, and more!)

My background: Well as I stated in my other guide "The art of Conducting!! (Drum Major!)" I am a veteran Drum Major. Being that I am obsessed with Marching Band in General, I find it a good idea to use my strengths in order to benefit others. Well without further ado, here is my 4th guide!

Just a side note that I'm in the process of finding all direct links to pictures in this guide. It is a long process.

Table of Contents
I. Commands
II. Movement
III. Key Points


I. Commands

Attention: When given this command, you are to respond “HUT” as loud and concise as possible. Read the following as a guide for posture in this stance.

1. Your heels are touching while your toes are apart. It should create a 45 degree angle, or just enough for someone else to stick one foot in between your feet. Your knees can be bent slightly so that they’re in a relaxed position.



http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/Articles/Summer07Imgs/Drum_Majors_Course.jpg <-- Direct link to picture

2. Stick your hips and shoulders back so that they are in a comfortable position. This may seem tough at first, but it will become second nature and this look creates a square upper body stance that has little tension.

3. Look straight forward with your chin parallel to the ground.

When you do not have an instrument, your arms will hang at your sides in a natural feel. The thumbs should face forwards and the middle finger aligned with the seem of your pants. (Or wherever the seem would be if there is none on your pants)

Set: This command can be executed at any point in a rehearsal. Your job is to respond to the command quickly regardless to the tempo or speed that it is given. Automatically resume the attention position you were are previously. This includes &#8220;Attention&#8221;, &#8220;Parade Rest&#8221;, or any other command other than &#8220;At Ease&#8221; which is described next!

At Ease: This is a great command for band members because it essentially means relax. You can &#8220;ease&#8221; into a relaxed state. Just remember to remain quiet and don&#8217;t leave your spot on the field. It is important to let the leaders and staff take care of what needs to be done so allow them to get it done WITH OUT YOU TALKING!!

Parade Rest: This is a 2 count move similar to &#8220;At Ease&#8221;. It is used in more formal situations such as at parades or competitions. You vocalize the sound &#8220;TST&#8221; on the count following the command.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2308855003_54119fc58f.jpg?v=0 <-- Direct link to picture

1. Once again, you want to create that square look as described in the &#8220;Attention Command&#8221;

2. Keep your head facing forward with your chin still parallel to the ground.

Horns Up: This one count command is executed from an &#8220;Attention&#8221; position. You vocalize the sound &#8220;TST&#8221; on the count after the command is given. At the same time, SNAP your instrument up into the proper playing position. This is usually determined by the staff as to how you should carry the instrument.



http://www.improsaic.com/christmas04/band.jpg <-- Direct link to picture

Horns Down: This is the same type of command as &#8220;Horns Up,&#8221; except that it is the opposite. It is one count and you vocalize &#8220;TST&#8221; on the count following the command. Instead of SNAPPING into playing position from &#8220;Attention,&#8221; You will SNAP your instrument down from a playing position into the &#8220;Attention&#8221; position.

Dress Commands: These 2 count commands are executed from an attention position and are used to help fix intervals, spacing, position on the field, and block formations. You vocalize &#8220;TST&#8221; on the count following the command. During this vocalization, your horn snaps up into playing position and your head turns to the direction given in the command (such as DRESS CENTER DRESS or DRESS RIGHT DRESS). This is one of the few commands where movement is permitted in order to fix the formation.



http://www.crossinconsulting.com/images/marching4.jpg <-- Direct link to picture

Ready Front: This is a 2 count command that is given to return from a &#8220;Dress&#8221; command to an &#8220;Attention&#8221; command. Once again, you vocalize &#8220;TST&#8221; on the count following the command.

Mark Time Hut: This execution consists of marching in place by always keeping the toes on the marching surface and lifting the heels high enough to make contact with the ankle bone of the opposite leg. Start with the left foot. Heels should hit the ground to the tempo of the music. The execution needs to be confident, strong and intense, but seemingly effortless.

II. Movement

Forward: In almost every case, you will step off with your LEFT foot and your heel will hit on the first beat. Motion should not be made from the upper leg, but instead made by the hips. The foot should not come off the ground very far at all, barely bending the knee, with a seemingly straight leg. You should roll your feet into the next step in order to properly distribute your weight. The goal here is to keep your upper body undisturbed. This allows your playing ability while marching to be unaffected.



http://www.swosu.edu/music/images/ensembles/band2.jpg <-- Direct link to picture

Unless instructed by your staff to do something different, begin your movement ½ beat before count 1. The very first step sets your path and interval in step and it needs to be precise!! It will become second nature regarding the step size but at the beginning you need to make sure you do it right EVERY time. An exact 8 to 5 step (8 steps to 5 yards) is 22.5 inches long, just in case you were wondering. Your heel should align with the ankle of your left foot on the &#8220;and&#8220; beat of the first count. For the second step you will land the same way as you did for the first one, just this time it is on the heel of your RIGHT foot. Repeating these steps is how you march properly.

You can look at marching as a style of walking! (with these needed modifications):

- The heel keeps time. You hit the ground on each beat.

- Both legs remain straight when you hit each beat.

- On every step, the toes are lifted up higher than in normal walking. They the roll down as you progress to the next step, thus making it what we call &#8220;roll stepping.&#8221;

- The torso should always remain straight and never leaning forward or backward. This could cause it to be quite difficult to maintain balance and keep a good quality of sound while playing!

- The feet are ALWAYS parallel to the path designated. You don&#8217;t want to walk like a penguin or some other waddling animal!! It both looks bad and contradicts the techniques I just described!!

Your goal here is to get into a relaxed state for you that looks very erect and formal to others. The relaxation will result from performing the techniques correctly and the uniform look comes from a strong core to support your upper body.



http://www.dynamicmarching.com/Dyna.../10/30_Define,_then_Refine_files/PICT0025.jpg <-- Direct link to picture

Halt: This is what you do in order to stop any type of marching, be it &#8220;Mark Time&#8221; (which really isn&#8216;t marching but it still counts here), &#8220;Forward Marching,&#8221; or &#8220;Backward Marching.&#8221; It is completed in two counts following the command. The right foot will stop first, and then the left foot will stop on the next beat, coming in to meet the right foot. Your heels should be together with your toes apart like that in &#8220;Attention.&#8221;



http://www.uclaband.com/about/sawhill/saw_media/images/19b.gif <-- Direct link to picture

Backward: When marching backwards, you will once again step off with the left foot, your right foot remaining planted on the ground for the first beat, and your left heel does not come down to touch the ground. Your goal is to make this a fluid motion, while never allowing your heels to touch the ground. When traveling, the trailing foot should be pointed after pushing off the ground to induce movement. Weight should be on the balls of the feet, and heels as high off the ground as possible. You upper body will have no disruptions if done properly.

These tips should be used when marching backwards.

- Instead of your heel being the time keeper such as in &#8220;Forward&#8221; marching, the platforms (or balls) or your feet will hit on the beat, thus creating the tempo.

- Both legs are straight on each beat.

- Your upper body will remain higher than usual. You need to tighten your core (and sometimes squeeze your butt cheeks, as funny and weird as it sounds) in order to keep your balance and maintain a steady torso.

- Your foot will not noticeably lift off the ground at any point. It should just graze the top of the ground and then replant your platform of your foot in order to push off into the next step.

- Once again, not walking like a penguin!! Keep those feet parallel!!

Horns to The Box: With this technique, instead of having your horn parallel to the ground, you want it to be angled slightly upward towards the Press Box. This should help minimize balance issues in the sound and increases the level of sound that the audience will hear!!



http://www.birdclan.com/graphics/jim.shot.352x274.jpg <-- Direct link to picture

III. Key Points

The following is a brief list of things to remember while marching.
&#8226; Instruments and shoulders remain squared to the front at all times.
&#8226; Controlling your balance and weight distribution on your feet will allow you to maintain a much greater performance! Read the second to last point (*Insists that your read down*)
&#8226; Always roll through your steps and keep your upper body MOTIONLESS!!
&#8226; Practice how you perform.
&#8226; Having a "straight" back will help you maintain straight legs while marching.
&#8226; Always be aware of the people around you.
&#8226; Stay relaxed: As a general rule, tension is your enemy. You will be sore if you befriend it!
&#8226; Practice with a metronome!!!!!!! Mark time while you practice!!!!!

 

Hmm, never really cared about marching etc. But seems like a well done guide to anyone who is interested. Fairly good use of pics, Well written, and very detailed.

 

Thanks, I know this doesn't help tons of people out, but the majority of my talents are in marching band and band in general. I figure I may as well write guides about what I know than make bs guides about random computer tricks right?

Thanks for the feedback though!

 

Good guide, I skimmed through it, looks like it took a lot of time and effort. Keep it up

 

thanks and yes it most certainly did take some effort. Spent about 4 hours or so writing this guide. Was worth it though. I appreciate your feedback! If you want, check out my other guides. My next guide will be posted either tomorrow or on sunday. I'm nearly done with it, but I'm going to bed soon so I'll finish it in the morning. Thanks again.