Allison Hopper

MUSE 451

September 7, 2016

Marching Band Fundamentals Packet

Marching Band Fundamentals

Posture: Maintaining correct posture is the foundation on which we build and execute marching band fundamentals. As you learn this packet, these aspects of posture apply to each movement.

Weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. Knees are never locked. The upper body is relaxed, but ‘lifted’ off the lower body. Stomach is held in while the chest is out. The head is facing forward and the chin is lifted up.

Use the five points of alignment as a check list: ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and ears. Each of these points on the body should stay vertically aligned while moving. As in the figure labeled A below:

Parade Rest: Feet are a shoulder-width apart or one 8 to 5 step size. When this position is called, the left foot is the only foot that moves. Toes are out slightly to support weight. Legs are straight. Pelvis is centered above the feet. Arms fall across the body to hold the instrument at the midway point of the body. Follow your section leader’s instructions on your specific instrument’s carriage

during Parade Rest. No talking or moving during Parade Rest. Keep focused on your instructors or

student leaders.

Common Mistakes: Feet placed too close or too far apart. Knees locked. Individuals talking or moving after the position is called.

This position is held after the instructors or drum majors call “Band Parade Rest.” Students move after “Rest” is called, or on 1, to their Parade Rest positions.

Band Parade Rest (MOVE) 1 2 3 4 1

Parade Rest with proper Horn Carriage.

Attention with Horn Carriage & Playing Position: Left leg closes to right leg. Feet, including heels and toes, are together with an even weight distribution. Legs are straight. Pelvis is centered above the feet. Arms are relaxed with elbows out slightly. Instrument is held with both hands. Follow your section leader’s instructions on your specific instrument’s carriage

during Attention & Playing Position. Match instrument heights and angles within your section carefully. Shoulders are broadened but not tense. No talking or moving during Attention. Keep focused on your instructors or student

leaders.

Common Mistakes: Leaning back from the shoulders. Tense shoulders. Non-uniform horn angles. Individuals talking or moving after this position is called.

This position is held after the instructors or drum majors call “Band Ten Hut.” Students move after “Hut” is called, or on 1, to their Attention positions.

Band Ten Hut (MOVE) 1 2 3 4 1

As students are in attention, the instructors or drum majors will call “Band Horns Up/Down” to indicated horn movements.

Band Horns Up (MOVE) 1 2 3 4 1

Band Horns Down (MOVE) 1 2 3 4 1

Attention with Horn Carriage.

Mark Time: Mark Time occurs while in the Attention positon. Toes and heels are together. On the “and” of count 4 the left heel is raised to reach the ankle bone of the right leg. On count 1 the left heel is lowered to the ground and the right heel is raised to reach

the ankle bone of the left leg. The motion continues with the left heel down on counts 1 and 3 and the right foot

down on 2 and 4. Heels are up on the “and’s.”

The balls of both feet remain planted on the ground. The knees will move forward in a natural motion. They are NOT locked. The movement should be continuous and smooth.

Marking Time is a method of marching in place.

Mark Time Mark And

1 2 3 4 (MOVE)

Please watch the examples of Marking Time in the video demonstrations at the end of the packet.

Forward March: Forward March happens while in Attention and after Marking Time. The step style is known as Glide Step. After Marking Time for four or eight beats, the right foot freezes. On the ‘and’ of count 4, the left foot should move forward with the toe raised up at a

45° angle. On count 1, the left heel should be down and the toe pointed up. While the right heel

is up and the right toe is down. Once the heel is place, you glide your foot across the ground. The only motion in a Glide Step is waist down. Good posture should be maintained. Knees are NOT locked. Move forward from your center of gravity. Do not lean forward or anticipate a step

off.

Common Mistakes: Anticipating the forward movement with the upper body. Not lifting toes off the ground at a 45° angle.

Mark Time Mark And (MARKING TIME) (FORWARD MARCH)

1 2 3 4 (MOVE) 1 2 3 4 AND 1 2 3 4

Left foot moves forward Right foot freezes & right foot/leg pushes forward.

Always strive match step size and toe height with the other members of the ensemble.

Backward March: Backward Marching happens while in Attention and after Marking Time. On the third beat of a Mark Time, place both heels on the ground. One the fourth beat of a Mark Time, move to the balls of your feet. Heels should be about 2”- 3” off the ground. At the beginning of beat 1, push from the pelvis and move your left foot back. The left toes, or the ball of the left foot, should be down precisely on beat 1. The right heel should also be lifted off the ground on beat 1, but do not move it

backwards until beat 2. Legs should remain straight. The only motion is from the waist down. Good posture should be maintained. More backward from your center of gravity. Do not lean backward or anticipate a

step off.

Common Mistakes: Leaning backwards with the shoulders. Heels touching the ground or being lower than 2-3 inches. Wobbling the upper body.

Mark Time Mark And (MARKING TIME) (BACKWARD MARCH)

1 2 3 4 (MOVE) 1 2 FLAT UP 1 2 3 4

Move to the balls of your feet Both heels are on the ground

in preparation for backwards marching.

Band Halt: The Halt command is called when the instructors or student leaders want the band to stop moving. This command can be called while forward or backward marching. The left foot will close to the right foot.

Band Halt (STOP MOVING) 1 2 3 4 1

Slides: At Attention, feet are facing the end zone and upper body and instrument are facing

front. Shoulders squared flat to the front. Aim to be parallel with the sideline Hips should be at a 45o angle. You should feel taller and broader while in slide. Forward or backward march while maintaining this body orientation. You will position your body into a slide before we Mark Time in the basic block.

Common Mistakes: Not moving hips to a 45° angle. Leaning forward while forwards marching or leaning backwards while backwards

marching. Not keeping the correct horn angle or position.

Video Demonstrations: https://youtu.be/AIeuDIsmiis *Just remember that our Parade Rest, Stand-By in the video, is with feet apart.

https://youtu.be/b_WWniMnnhM