I played cymbals last year(which was also my first) on my line and I'm trying out for tenors this year but I will most likely not make it because I am not too good at marching, so I figure I just get bass. so how would I improve my marching and my non dominant(left) hand? And what should I do to get myself in shape?

If you march a season with tenors you'd be in shape. Either way you dont have the attitude to march tenors. OT: For your left hand you should play your school warm ups on your left only. I helped one of the freshman bass players get tenor chops by telling him that since i had no idea how to instruct back then. On marching you should ALWAYS mark time when youre playing. All in all to get better you need to just practice practice practice.

Smuckers,

Try practicing your marching with a metronome. March to everything you hear on the radio or TV. Practice staying in step at all times. It's funny how if people that marched are walking around and a song is playing in the background, they will actually walk in step.

As for your hands. Practice, practice, practice. Take every piece of music you have ever played and switch the sticking. Try the book "stick control" by George Lawrence Stone. This book is amazing and should be the fundamental for every drummer. Don't forget to mark time while you play it!

Tan

Obama, help me understand something you wrote. Just what kind of attitude does Smuckers need to have to achieve the level of greatness that you have?!

Um... On this site we like to encourage young players that ask good questions. Looks to me that Smuckers seems smart enough to realize his or her weakness, so concerned that a question was posed so that a problem could be solved.

I don't think that your answer is what Smuckers was looking for. Go back and read the site rules concerning "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything" rule.

Ok now, Smucker, it's nice to see a young player concerned enough to ask your question. I think that Snaretan's answer is the most practical solution.

Now don't think that marching with a set Tenors on is any easer than running around with a Bass on. At least you can see where you are going with the Tenors!

If you are having problems with your Tenor technique then stick to your basics! Have a friend watch you and tell you what they see that might be areas of concern. Hard work and a desire will put you in any spot on any line!

P.S. If you ask real nice and ask Obama how he reached the staggering level of greatness, he just might tell you, lol!

thanks for the tips guys I also forgot to mention that playing bass helps me with marking time haha

Bass is nothing but snare drum mounted sideways, and tenors is matched grip spread across 5-6 drums. Your left hand will pick up by playing bass, and it will get there with some serious practice! The more you immerse yourself into percussion, the more your hands and mind will mature, so give it some time!

Getting in shape you say? Core, balance, endurance, cardio. The main four things you'll need for marching. Then again, you have marched, so you know what it takes! No need to worry too much (with the exception of larger drums like 28-32's). Just stay in shape, and learn to always be relaxed. In fact:
http://www.drumlines.org/threads/ubbthre...html#Post206093
http://www.drumlines.org/threads/ubbthre...html#Post206092
Just two topics that are still floating about. There are quite a few more on here, and the search bar will be your best buddy! However you go about doing it, ALWAYS STRETCH you muscles. Whenever you pick up a pair of sticks/mallets/drum to prevent injury and strain. Most importantly, have fun!