A successful drum major should practice conducting, vocal commands and directing techniques on a regular basis.
The position of drum major in a marching band involves field direction. The drum major either conducts from an upraised podium or marches in the lead position to demonstrate a constant tempo, or speed of music, so the band will play and march uniformly.The drum major has to remain attentive and focused at all times during a performance. A successful drum major should be familiar with conducting, providing vocal commands and familiarizing himself with the band's musical program. As a drum major, it is necessary for you to practice all aspects of the responsibility, including the music, field marching and directing techniques on a regular basis.
Instructions
Vocal Commands
1. Use a loud, clear voice when giving vocal commands to the band and enunciate your words carefully. Breathe into your diaphragm and open your throat before speaking. This will help your voice carry farther and convey a greater sense of authority.
2. Know when to use a proper vocal command. Examples of directives you may give to your band include the following, which will tell them what to do next: "Band, parade rest," tells the band to rest; "Band, attention," prepares the band for marching; "Band, horns up," prepares the band for playing as the word "horns," in this case, refers to musical instruments in general; "Band, horns down," instructs players to bring their instruments down from playing position. "Forward march," instructs the band to begin moving forward and "Mark time, one!" sets the tempo for marching in place. Each command should consist of three syllables. The band will then execute the command on the fourth beat, with the exception of "Forward march," and "Mark time, one!" These commands are executed after a one-beat delay.
3. Call the band to attention before giving any marching orders by issuing the command, "Band, attention!"
Conducting Different Time Signatures
4. Conduct 4/4 time by bringing your hands up to throat level. Bring your hands down to the bottom of your rib cage on the first beat, keeping your arms extended. Move your hands up to mid-chest and toward the center of your body on the second beat. Move them out on the third beat and up to their starting position on the fourth. The path should resemble a plus sign.
5. When conducting 3/4 time, which consists of three beats per measure with quarter notes valued at one beat, move your hands down, then out, then back up so you form a triangle.
6. Conduct 2/4 time by moving your hands downward, then back up.
7. Avoid exaggerating your motions and keep your fingers together while conducting. According to the website The Method Behind The Music, songs played at a faster tempo require smaller motions of your hands and arms and allow you to move them into position without disrupting the tempo you've set.
Musical Aptitude
8. Study and learn the different keys of musical instruments in relation to concert key or piano. According to the website Music Arrangers, common instruments that play a key other than concert are the clarinet, trumpet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and French horn. The trumpet, tenor saxophone and clarinet play in Bb. The alto saxophone plays in Eb and the French horn plays in F. Having this knowledge will allow you to read and learn the scores for each instrument.
9. Familiarize yourself with the timbre, or sound, of each instrument at concert Bb key. This will enable you to tell when a given player, or instrument, is out of tune.
10. Ask your band director for a copy of the conductor's score of your music. Study it so you can learn how the individual instruments will fit together in the context of the entire piece.
Marching
11. Excellent posture is extremely important when marching. Keep your feet together, hold your shoulders back and keep your head up as you look straight ahead.
12. Start marching on your left foot. Pull your toes back and up, making contact with the ground first with your heel. Then roll your foot until your toes are touching the ground.
13. As your left toe touches the ground, bring your right heel forward just past it and continue to march. According to authors Wayne Bailey and Thomas Caneva, who wrote the book, "The Complete Marching Band Resource Manual," you should march at a tempo of approximately eight steps every five yards.
