#memorizing

I took a break today.

An accidental break, but a break nonetheless.

disclaimer: i only marched 2 years because i became drum major as a junior, but i did memorize 2 70ish set shows, so...if you see advice that conflicts with this by someone who knows what they’re talking about more then me, definitely take their advice. 

general

do not memorize by looking down at the field. you WILL fall at some point in the season

do not memorize by remembering who you’re near. when everyone is in uniform, you don’t know who anybody is. that’s the whole point. 

when you’re practicing the music, mark time when you get to parts that you’re marching for and practice your step offs (bonus points: step off at the correct angle)

auditory learners

memorize the music asap (this goes for everyone, but especially auditory learners). don’t just know your part, but know what the whole show sounds like

match up your sets with the part of the show. for example, if you move for 16 counts, listen to the part of the show that goes with that move (maybe it’s 4 whole note power chords)

visual learners

you kinda look at the field, but just don’t look down. use your peripheral vision 

memorize what the field around you looks like when you get to each set

you can also memorize what the sheet music looks like and visually match up your moves (for example, if your music starts with a 4 bar rest, you can match up your first set with that)

kinesthetic learners

y’all are definitely at an advantage in marching band, because the whole way you learn the show is thorough movement

make sure you pay attention to your step size and how it feels to get from one set to another (”oh this is the set where i need to take massive steps” or “oh here’s the set where i’m moving 0.25 steps in 16 counts so i basically just mark time here while slightly drifting in the correct direction”)

IF YOU ONLY TAKE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE FROM THIS (this is from someone who marched 5 years of dci, so it’s legit):

once you get used to setting drill, it should take you 3 runs to learn any set:

overshoot your endpoint (take steps that you think are way too big)

undershoot your endpoint (take steps that are too small)