American Sign Language For Drumline
Using ASL to instruct WHILE the drumline is playing! Drums are loud, we all know this. So why do we constantly see staff members trying to yell over top of their drumlines? It’s confusing and distracting at best, and most of the time any verbal indicators will not be conveyed to the percussionist and instead have to be repeated at the end of the rep, if anyone even remembers. This is unprofessional, and it’s time to figure out a better solution. If you’ve ever seen ground crew on construction sites communicate with crane operators you already know exactly where...
Read MoreMarching Band & Drum Corps Step Sizes
You don’t know your step sizes as well as you thought you did! Hey marching band folks, did you know a step size horizontally is actually a different size than a step size vertically? Horizontal step size is 22.5 inches, but vertically it’s actually 22.857 inches! The proof is simple too! The full width of a football field is 160 feet, which is 84 steps. 84 steps multiplied by 22.857 is 1,919.988 inches. Divide by 12 for feet and you’re at 159.999 feet! Horizontally we’re good at 22.5 inches because 8 steps is equivalent to 5 yards. 8 steps at 22.5 inches...
Read MoreDrumline Instructors Step #1 – Drumline Warmups
If you’re brand new to drumline instruction and need a solid place to start you’re ready for step number one – full drumline warmups and technique packet. Step one is deciding how to setup your drumline and create the best environment for their success. In order to complete this step you’ll need a clearly defined technique outline and fundamental drumline warmups or exercises. This is something that every successful ensemble requires, not just in the marching percussion world but across all types of group activities. If you were to ignore this first step the result...
Read MoreMegaphone App
Alright, before you make fun of this article for being about an app with a blurry logo image and a ton of one-star reviews, hear me out. This app is actually pretty cool, and with a bit of know-how can be very useful (especially if you’ve read the last few articles about using your smartphone as a metronome and then hooking it up wirelessly to the Long Ranger. This article is going to piggyback on both of them and show you how to speak into your phone and broadcast it through the Long Ranger via Bluetooth. There are some issues with the app, but it has a lot of potential, and I imagine...
Read MoreWireless Long Ranger Metronome
Do yourself a favor by welcoming technology into the logistics of your marching ensemble! Think of how many things you carry around from warmup area, to rehearsal spot, to show warmup site, and beyond. Wouldn’t it be easier to just leave the metronome and fifty feet of instrument cable behind? Let me answer that for you: Yes! With Bluetooth technology it is entirely possible and incredibly easy! Take a look at The Bluetooth Audio Receiver by Proxelle on Amazon.com. This handy little tool turns any audio output device into a receiver for a Bluetooth signal. What that means is that you...
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