8 posts tagged “drumline”

It was a short night - 7:30 to 8:30 but a good run. Had to rehearse up the hill by the Hub because of a middle school concert in the auditorium - and when that concluded, we drew a small crowd. This was the first chance the new kids had to be part of the line. It's not terribly great yet, and they are just warm ups, but you could tell they were proud of what they were doing and it was a chance to show off. Returners and newbies alike tried to hide their smiles (we all like nights like that) so it was a good night in that respect. The sections are blending a little better now, even though the line still isn't set - officially. I'm most impressed with the tenors - they're still making a ton of progress and they're very receptive to suggestions and criticism.

We're off till early August when we kick into home camp and then away camp (which sadly, is home too this year)

Another good night - although lightning and thunder chased us inside after only 15 min. of warmup. Got a few new faces started playing cymbals. Generally, I'm against marching a cymbal line - all that jazz should be coming from the pit - but we have so many kids, we're gonna march 3 sets of plates. The kids aren't excited at all about playing them, and kept asking if it was a done deal - I told them I wasn't sure but we were trying things out. I think the big guy has already made his mind up and it'll be these three for sure --- we'll see.

As the warm ups really get ingrained in the hands, technique is becoming more of an issue. Everyone is relazing with the music and now the hands are looking bad. This is a natural progression, but still annoying to the staff. We're coming down on them a little more now, critiquing more of their technique and not letting them get away with as many little things. We'll be better in the long run because of it, but for the mean time, we'll start killing their entusiasm. It's one or the other I guess, we'll do the best we can to balance it.

The forecast calls for rain on Thursday, so we'll see whether we're inside, outside, or get canceled all together.

Two good rehersals all the ansenses are decreasing and we're getting closer to setting the line. Still missing two snares which is keeping us from getting a good assesment of how strong that section will be and what order the arrange the members. Basses and Tenors are improving leaps and bounds --- basses are working on the split parts for most of the excercises and the tenors are moving into the around instead of one drum rhythms. The triplet diddle excercise is getting more comfortable for everyone (snares included) and Roll Thing (desperately needs a new name) should probably be on the block for 7/17 and 7/19. Lots of good attitude and focus still across the board and thats making a difference early on.

Part of the staff got together tonight to work on the Tenors. Drums were loose and adjusted poorly so we made some fixes and tried to level everything out. We took stock of what we still needed (equipment wise) and had a chance to discuss some teaching/rehearsal strategies for the rest of the summer. It's good to take stock of where you stand and get some candid commentary out in the open, bounce ideas off each other, and make sure you're all on the same page. All in all, a good and much needed night. Full speed ahead.

We had a limited showing again tonight, but all in all it was a good evening. Rain forced us inside for the first half of the night, but it was so hot and humid (and stinky) in the choir room that we ended up making a break for our usual spot as soon as we could.

Repped lots of what we had been working on, concentrated more on technique and mark time that we had in the past. The rhythms are starting to get in their hands and its good to see the new members not having to struggle to get through the parts. It's still takes concentration but they're much more comfortable with the drums, the parts, each other, and the staff --- and those are all good things. The tenors in particular are really looking good - the new guys are having no problems tackling the music (even the splits, which are beyond my comprehension as a snare guy) If they keep up this pace, we'll be rewriting parts all season to stay ahead of them and keep them hungry.

All in all, the energy and attitudes are still up so we're in good shape. Taught the triplet diddle excercise tonight, but I'm not sure how much they absorbed so I'd imagine we'll be visiting that again. They're off next week for the 4th, but we'll get back to it on the 10th.

Lots of people missing rehersal tonight which is always a little disheartening if nothing else. We tried a few different configurations on bass, tenor and snare. Looks like we might be expanding the tenor line from 3 to 4 members to let us keep some power in those middle voices and not bloat the snares to 6 and risk dirt. I think a 4 tenor line is our best bet - let the snares stay smallish and clean, put more power in the mids (two good returning members, 2 good new members) and let the basses fall into place.

With the small group, we just repped what we knew and that was it for the night. They're improving already but I want to get into some new material. Maybe we'll teach a triplet diddle exercise on Thursday.

Off to a good start. Had a good time on Tuesday night at rehearsal. Good to see everyone again, the kids and the staff. We have several incoming freshman so I'm in the process of learning names and faces and trying to keep that straight. We'll have a nice mix of returning and new members this year - so learning exercises should be a snap. I'll venture a guess that the line won't be as strong, initially, as in the years past.... thats not to say they won't be good - just that they'll have to work harder at it. Everyone seems to have a good attitude and a willingness to work and listen - so thats a step in the right direction. Like I said before though, some heat and some sunburn will kill some of those good feelings for everyone - so one step at a time.

The tenors seem to be locked up - with two returners and a talented new guy - those three should be fine (and a nice change from the last two years of tenors --- who had good attitudes, but needed massive instruction to get rolling) Snares appear to be in good standing too --- three returners there, with two guys probably moving over from bass to round us out at 5. Bass however, appears to be a complete shootout. We're considering moving a few returners around on bass to get everyone in size order, because a few small (height) incoming members will work really well on #1 and #2 --- so we'll shift a little and fill in with the other players. We'll have to see whats gonna happen there --- too early to tell.

It's that time of year again. We meet at the school tonight at 6:30 to kick off another season of drumming. There will be a mix of new faces and some familiar ones. Unfortunately, many other familiar faces won't be there with us, as their time with us is over, and they're on to bigger and better things.

The summer practices are always nice because there is very little stress. We joke and laugh and get to know the kids - really learn their personalities and how they react to different forms of praise and criticism. This will be important later when it comes time to push them - because each person will respond to different devices and techniques. These nights are nice because the kids and the instructing staff have an infinite amount of energy, optimism and ideas for the year. Eventually, the heat and the rigors of day-in-day-out drumming will kill some of those ideas and some of that optimism but until then, everyone is in high spirits.