Page 19 - 2017-BMR-September

Developing and Implementing a

Marching Band Fundamentals Program

Brent Biskup and Jana Harvey

The process of implementing a as a student must sit up and use As you begin to work through the
marching band fundamentals program proper hand position in beginner visual side of the program, you must
can be daunting. We’ve all gone down band, a student must stand correctly also begin to develop and define your
the road of teaching the students to play and use proper horn carriage when musical sound. As we begin to work
in place, teaching drill without music, learning to move and play. The basic on the music side of things, students
and eventually becoming frustrated fundamentals are non-negotiable are set up in an arc form. All of the
when the band doesn’t sound good and are continually emphasized with visual details matter in this form. The
when we ask students to do both early skill development. arc is always symmetrical based on the
simultaneously. In reality learning The next step is a movement-based mid-point and intervals between all of
to play and move is a completely approach. This can be very intimidating the students are equal. It is important
new skill for most students. It’s not to most band directors. Students that students start to realize that there
comfortable, it’s not easy, and it really need to learn to use their bodies is importance in the details. This will
doesn’t make a whole lot of logical through movement development. help their level of visual awareness in
sense. Most musical instruments The implementation of basic dance the drill. The arc allows us to change
are not designed to be played while fundamentals pays great dividends the listening environment from the
moving. Therefore, we must approach with marching technique and musical traditional concert band set-up. As the
the fundamental development just as expression. Simple plié, relevé, and listening environment in the marching
a middle school director approaches a tondue dance exercises explored each band is constantly changing, it is
6th grade beginner class. The students day help the students learn proper important to push students outside of
are “beginners” of marching while balance and postural techniques. their comfort zone from the beginning.
playing and need a logical progression Many local dance studios are happy Many times, they will feel like they
that layers their skill development. to come in and work with students, or are playing all by themselves. This is
The first step in beginning band searching for basic movement exercises a great opportunity for students to
is teaching students to sit properly on Youtube can be an answer. Many address individual playing issues and
in a chair. Correct hand position, students in our band programs have develop confidence playing in the full
breathing structures, tone production, grown up with dance. A simple Youtube ensemble.
articulation, flexibility, technique, and video demonstrated and taught by a The fundamental exercises that
music literature eventually follow. student to the rest of the group can are used outside with the marching
The marching training can follow the be enough to begin the movement- band are many of the same that are
same progression. Students should based training. While working on used inside. Long tones, technique,
learn how to stand correctly with these exercises, understand perfection articulation, and timing should all be
correct hand position and instrument is not the goal. The development and addressed in the music fundamental
carriage, followed by a definition of leg understanding of movement is the program. There are many great
shape moving forward and backward, ultimate goal leading to better control, exercises that address all of these
and definition of the initiation and flexibility, strength, and presence. This concepts and any will work for
completion of movement. These process takes time, but eventually the marching ensemble. Volume
concepts are the basis of the visual students gain balance control and production is a concept that should
fundamentals program and should develop the ability to play on the move also be taught during this music time.
be the major focus early on. Just with much more confidence. It is important that students are being

Bandmasters Review • September 2017 17 Texas Bandmasters Association