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DM tips

Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 8:26 pm
by agentsquishypenguin
My really good friend is going to audition for drum major next year as a Junior. I want to help him out, but I have little drum major experience, so does anyone have any tips I could pass on to him? He wants to get a good head start on preparation, so any suggestions will be helpful!

Re: DM tips

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 6:17 am
by bandviewer
The best DM's on the street all compete in the " L" pattern competitions, This will get your friend ready for the spinning portion of the tryout as for the Leadership part just practicing and hanging out at the "L" pattern and following the lead will teach you a lot about acting like a DM. Check out these pages and hire a private instructor to start:

http://www.drummajorcomps.com

and

http://www.wdmaonline.org

Good Luck!

Re: DM tips

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:09 am
by KingMattIV
bandviewer wrote:The best DM's on the street all compete in the " L" pattern competitions, This will get your friend ready for the spinning portion of the tryout as for the Leadership part just practicing and hanging out at the "L" pattern and following the lead will teach you a lot about acting like a DM. Check out these pages and hire a private instructor to start:

http://www.drummajorcomps.com

and

http://www.wdmaonline.org

Good Luck!

I respectfully disagree. You don't have to compete in L Patters to be great on the street.

My biggest piece of advice would be to get spinning, and find a mirror. Make sure that your planes are correct, and don't settle for anything less than perfect.

Work the basics!!! Clean wins. Period. You can have the flashiest routine out there, but if its not clean, its not worth it.

Re: DM tips

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:14 am
by bandviewer
Although you respectfully disagree with competing on the "L" my comments on competing on the "L" are to prepare the students for the judging process and allow them to gain valuable comments from the judges that will be judging them on the street, In my experience over the last five years on the street almost all top DM's compete on the "L" and place on top of the field. Some students don't have the luxury of competing on the "L" and practice, practice, practice is always the best practice.

Re: DM tips

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 12:09 pm
by agentsquishypenguin
Now what about field? Being good at the street is nice, but we are a field marching band as well and compete more in that. Any tips for conducting or calling commands and such?

Re: DM tips

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:29 am
by bandviewer
The "L" pattern competitions also have conducting competitions as well with the same judging and comments for the competitors. Also there is a lot of videos on u tube that can help prepare you.

Re: DM tips

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:18 pm
by dmcoach
http://www.drummajorcamp.com/

http://www.wdmaonline.org/wdma/WDMA_Circuit.html

I understand that some DM's may not have the means to compete in L-patterns, but I would still highly encourage them attending the events to watch, meet, and learn from others.

L-patterns are the best way to get trainees ready before try-outs. It helps build confidence, social skills, and positive sportsmanship. It also greatly helps those who are chosen to lead the next season when they compete on the street for the first time, because it will be pressure that they have already experienced and will not have to worry about.

8-)