Well, for our next year's high school marching show, we have and opportunity for a 4-bar Bass 1/Bass 2 duet. I'm the Bass 2, will be a Senior next year and have played Bass every year I've marched, and the Bass 1 will be a Sophomore on his 2nd year of Bass, even though he's really talented with timing and playing, and (most importantly) a hard worker so I'm not afraid that he won't be able to pull something off.

What I'm wondering is, what are some more difficult things that the two of us might look at trying to pull off for the feature? We're trying to go for a real shocker moment, something that will really mean something to a drumline judge. It would be a standstill moment for the two of us, so visual tricks would also be an option.

The tempo at that section would be around 156, to give anyone an idea of what speed we'd have to pull something off. Does anyone have any suggestions of what we might want to try out?

Are you guys writing your own parts? If so you should incorporate as much visual as you can into the playing. What i see alot in individual features is an accelerando/ritardando thing with some sort of stick flip at the end. Cool ,but overused. Have as much fun with it as you can

Well, the show itself is written, but the two of us getting some leniency with these 4 bars to come up with our own sort of duet.

As for an accelerando/ritardando, in context with the show it wouldn't make all too much sense, not to mention there's not too much time for a noticable one with only 4 bars of playing. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

You have TONS of ways you can go with it. You could:
-Go for splitting atoms and some tricks.
-Go for a big visual break with notes
-Even split between the two

Now that is the three basic ways that could work. From there though you have everything that you can think of. Personally, I would maybe shop around and see what sticks out to you. I have some fond feelings from RCC 2006 myself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWnTwpyXAkg 2:48

And don't forget you have time to perfect your splits! Don't start getting racked up about something that's only gonna get improved! You have good feelings about his work ethic, hands, and approach, so what's the problem? First try is never perfect by any means, but if he works hard then it'll be mad crazy bass action on the field. Trust him, hype your book, and show it.
Happy Drumming!