Hi, I've been a percussionist for two years and played in my high school drumline for a single year so far. I had played bass drum this marching season and will be playing tenors for my senior year. I will be one of two upperclassman and I am excited for my future since I plan to do my best and go to a university and play in their marching band... Currently I plan to go to Winston-Salem State University and join the 'Red Sea of Sound'.

But aside from my plans, I would like to go back and explain what leads to my question; (skip ahead to the next paragraph if you just want to see the question, I really like to go into depth! :p).
Last year was my first year as a percussionist, after I took lessons and learned the basics, I was allowed to practice with our relatively small drum line. However, last year was quite different. We had a percussionist instructor who was a basketball/football coach, history teacher, and former WSSU RSOS Drum Line member (smallest bass drum) who kicked us into shape with relatively complex (well, to us) bass parts, which relied on different parts for each bass drum. He taught us many warm-ups and helped develop my chops.
Anyway, due to attendance problems and an incident involving our band director, the practices were canceled, drummers quit, and we were terrible this year; as we only had few cadences and they were pretty lackluster in quality as we only had three percussionists, who the other two just didn't want to stay after and practice. (I was one of the only serious drummers)

Back onto subject. When the instructor was there, he used certain terminology and addressed certain aspects of Drum line culture... For instance: he made the term a 'Punch' sound as if it was a cadence played at challenges or in the stands to get the opposing drum line to respond back.

I was wondering if there are any ethics or terminology that I should know that I could teach the other drummers?


Ex: How do we challenge another drum line? And what are some other terms?
I am familiar with the terms 'chops' and 'punch' so far.
But I want to be able to be respectful when performing but at the same time organized and as professional as we can be.

I didn't go in real depth with my search so I apologize if there is a sticky about this exact issue.

Thanks!

Why don't you check out this thread http://www.drumlines.org/threads/ubbthreads.php/topics/56915/Common_and_uncommon_term_used_.html

Thanks! Can anyone help me on the other half?

We challenge other drumlines in a rather simple manner. I, as the captain, just get in touch with the other captains ahead of time, they discuss it with their BD, and then get back to me preferably before the game starts. I've always discussed it with the other captains AT the games during our 3rd quarter break, if you have those. You could also try getting a hold of them during warm ups as they (or as you) unload the buses.

When you're being a respectable performer, chances are you you're being organized and professional as well, they tend to go hand in hand. There's a difference between being obnoxious, arrogant, rude and cocky, and performing for a crowd. Don't go out there trying to be Nick Cannon. If you're having a drum off, then play to perform, but keep it clean and keep it respectable. Go shake hands with the other captain ahead of time, and go from there. When it's over, tell everyone to give the "away" drumline a round of applause first. Just don't be arrogant. Most high school people get so caught in the moment, they can't behave in this way, and are rude, and honestly, don't deserve to have drum offs, but that's just my opinion.

Good luck.

We have third quarter breaks, so that will be a good opportunity to! Thanks!

We are having thoughts of certain cadences (punches) that should only be played if we have a drum off.

Do you happen to have unique cadences for your battles?

that is one of the problems for many lines. a lot of lines simply don't have enough cadences or the time to practice and perfect those cadences. if your line has the time or ambition to get some extra cadences or just simple grooves about 30 to 45 seconds long with optional fills, then it will give you the opportunity for drum battles. but don't sacrafice the quality of your show music, the music that actually counts, for a drum battle or two.

hope this helpes

i forgot to look at the date of the last post. sorry for reviving an old thread