Drum Majoring (V2 S4)

Question 1

4 types of commands

Answer 1

Preparatory, Execution, Combined, Supplemental

Question 2

Non-verbal commands are given with mace except what

Answer 2

horns up/down

Question 3

Preparatory Command

Answer 3

Indicates movement will be made and in what direction (the forward in forward march)

Question 4

Execution Command

Answer 4

causes desired movement to be executed (the march in forward march)

Question 5

Combined Command

Answer 5

Given Verbally, preparatory and execution are combined (at ease, rest, fall out, dismissed)

Question 6

Supplemental

Answer 6

Commands that cause component units to act individually. The command “Pass in Review” indicates that the band will not execute what is required to do a pass in review (probably a forward march or something). The supplemental command doesn’t contain the information for the movement on its own.

Question 7

Techniques for verbal commands

Answer 7

• Stand at attention
• if facing away from unit, turn over your shoulder
• Consonants at the end of the word are emphasized (Atten-HUT)
• Execution Commands emphasized (Forward MARCH)
• commands are divided by their syllables, and some contain a pause that is one beat in length. (Forward… March)
• “Band” is not a preparatory or supplemental command, just a verbal alert for attention. (Band, parade rest).

Question 8

Drum majors will always lead a ceremonial band during what conditions?

Answer 8

Street parades, and military ceremonies where drill movements are required.

Question 9

Parts of Mace

Answer 9

Ball, Staff, Chain, Ferrule (bottom)

Question 10

Mace command techniques

Answer 10

• Don’t give verbal and mace commands simultaneously
• Free arm locked at side while giving command
• Mace signal should coincide with the last bar of a cadence point when possible
• mace should remain in the imaginary vertical plane in front of the body
• When executing forward march with no tempo established, verbal command is preferred here.

Question 11

Marching Tempo

Answer 11

108-120

Question 12

Step Size

Answer 12

Drum Major establishes, usually 24-26 inches

Question 13

Cover and Alignment

Answer 13

• Alignment is towards center file, or file to the right of the DM if even numbered
• Guide File maintains two paces between ranks, and either 5-6 paces OR one pace more than the number of ranks between the band and DM
• When turning, align in the direction of the turn (inside rank)

Question 14

Block Positions for Conductor and DM

Answer 14

• When conductor is conducting, DM is two paces to the right and in line with the first rank
• Conductor takes same position when DM is in front
• if space doesn’t allow, conductor can stand 2 paces behind and to the right of the DM
• When conducting, the conductor is in the center of the band but may adjust position so more musicians can see. Eye contact with bass drum and lead trumpet is essential

Question 15

Musician placement best practices

Answer 15

• Trombones in front
• Euphoniums and horns fill gaps throughout the band, euphonium filling gaps in front rank
• Trumpets near the back near bass drum
• Sousaphones in last rank, outboard files
• Fill front rank, outboard files, and guide files first
• Make every effort to group like instruments together

Question 16

What measures is instruments up executed for the Roll Off/Cadence

Answer 16

Roll off - measures 1-2

Cadence - measures 5-6

Question 17

Attention and Alternate attention

Answer 17

Right hand on mace below the ball. Right arm slightly bent. Ferrule in line with and touching right toe. Alternate attention - mace is perpendicular to the ground and ferrule is in the deck and not touching the toe.

Question 18

Parade Rest and Alternate parade rest

Answer 18

Position of rest for drum major. Executed while halted at attention.

Count one - as the left foot moves, move the mace to front of body. Left hand over right on the mace.

Count two - lower ferrule to rest on the ground centered between feet.

Alternate - everything same except it is a one count move. Ferrule stays where it was on the deck (in line with right foot as it was during attention when you called the command).

Question 19

Carry

Answer 19

Primary position used to carry mace while marching or when conducting the band when halted at attention. It is executed while halted at attention or marching.

Count one - move ball in an arc across the chest with right hand. Ball should be visible over the left shoulder, grasp mace with left hand.

Count two - return right thumb along trouser seam.

Carry can be executed with right hand instead (called a right carry), and the ball should be visible over right shoulder.

Question 20

Mace Salute

Answer 20

Form of greeting and recognition. Executed at attention or while marching.

Mace should be in carry first.

Count one - execute hand salute

When executing while marching, head and eyes turn to the right as right hand is brought to salute. A preparatory movement should alert the conductor to execute a salute as well. If reviewing stand is on the left, salute facing forward.

Question 21

Spin

Answer 21

Spin is used to alert the band of an upcoming signal. Executed while at attention or marching. One revolution per count at maximum.

• ready the mace by raising ball to eye level (center of body) while grabbing with left hand between thumb and forefinger
• release mace with right hand and allow it to rotate clockwise. Right hand grasps mace at the end of the spin (left hand is now upside down).
• on the march, spins begin and end on left foot strikes.

Question 22

Roll Off

Answer 22

Alerts wind instruments to prepare to play. At attention or while marching.

• ready the mace by executing a spin and bring it to right side of body. Grasp ferrule with right hand. (Left hand still upside down as in a spin).

Count one - downbeat of measure 5 of the cadence, raise made vertically. Return left hand to seam.

Count two and three - silent. On beat two of the 7th measure of cadence, mace is slightly raised as a preparatory movement for percussion section to execute roll off.

Count four - on downbeat of measure 8, sharply lower the mace. If required to play “roll off,” the percussion section cuts the cadence and plays roll off. This is the execution signal.

• grasp mace in preparation for the next signal. If required to play a roll off, count 4 serves as the command of execution for the percussion section to perform a roll off.

Question 23

Instruments up

Answer 23

Brings instruments to prepare to play. It is executed from the carry while halted at attention or marching. When marching, it is executed in conjunction with the roll off.

Ready the mace - execute a spin until the mace is in a diagonal position in front of the body with both hands grasping it. Slightly raise the mace one beat before count one. When marching, this occurs on a right foot strike. This is a preparatory movement and ensures maximum response from musicians on count 1.

Count one - sharply thrust mace down across the body (diagonally). Instruments move from carry to the ready. On the next beat, slightly lower the mace. When marching, this occurs as the right foot strikes the deck. Instruments remain at ready. This is a preparatory movement and ensures response on count 2.

Count two - sharply thrust the mace up and to the right. At the same time, release the mace with the left hand and return the thumb to seam. This is a signal of execution.

• during a cadence, execute instruments up on the 5th and 6th measures of the cadence.
• During roll off, execute instruments up on the 1st and 2nd measures.

Question 24

Cadence Mace (Mace Pump)

Answer 24

Established proper tempo while band is marching. It is only executed while marching. This movement is performed smoothly with an ictus on count 1. The left arm swings.

Count one - hold mace in the right hand slightly below balance point. The ball should be visible over the right shoulder. The right hand is positioned slightly in front of and below the chin. This is the downbeat of a measure.

Count two - extend the right hand down toward the right thigh.

• to execute cadence mace from instruments up, lower the mace in tempo before signaling the downbeat. To execute the cadence mace from the carry, execute the spin and bring the mace up for the downbeat on the next left.

Question 25

Cease play (winds only)

Answer 25

Alerts instruments to stop playing. It is executed while at attention or on the march. Last 8 counts of music. Percussion continues. Ready the mace - 5-8 measures before the desired cut, execute a spin and bring the mace to the front of the body. Ball slightly above head. Ferrule with right hand. A prep signal is given one beat before the last phrase by slightly lowering the mace. When marching, this occurs as the right foot strikes the deck. Count one - on the downbeat of the desired measure, raise the mace vertically (bass drums first double beat). Count two - downbeat of the next measure, thrust the mace out to the right in a 45 degree angle, keeping the ball directly over the head. (Bass drums second double beat). Left hand at side. Count three - silent Count four - on the downbeat of the final measure, bring the mace back to the front of the body. The left hand may remain at the side or be cupped over the right hand to stop the movement of the ferrule. This is the signal of execution. - to recover from cease play, slightly raise the mace on the next beat. On the march, this occurs as the right foot strikes the deck. Then on the next beat sharply lower the mace.

Question 26

Cease Play (full band)

Answer 26

- alerts full band to stop playing. It is executed while halted at attention or marching. Coincides with last 4 bars of music. If executed on march, drum continued to tap. - movements same as cease play for winds, except on count two thrust the left arm to the left at 45 degrees at the same time as the mace. Held in place until count four.

Question 27

Honors on the March

Answer 27

Informs the band when honors are to be rendered. It is executed while halted at attention or marching. Not a precision movement, has no counts. - slowly raise mace vertically to the right. This prevents misinterpreting the signal as cease play. At the same time, release mace with left hand and return the thumb along trouser seam. Then move the ball of the mace in a small circular motion above the head. Lower the mace and grasp it as required for the next signal. - if executed during drum cadence, signal roll off.

Question 28

Forward March

Answer 28

Signal causes band to march forward. At attention or marching. - ready the mace - execute spin and stop with ferrule up of the staff parallel to the deck with the ferrule to the left. Reverse the direction of the spin by rotating the mace with the right hand. At the same time, return the left thumb along the trouser seam. As the mace spins counter clockwise, the right hand swings the mace up and stops the ball on the right shoulder with the ferrule up. - Count two - pull the ferrule in a forward arc until the mace is perpendicular to the ground in front of your right foot. This is the signal of execution. - after stepping forward, grasp the mace as required for next signal. - when executing this signal from a turn, look over the opposite shoulder of the direction of the turn to ensure all files of the band have come on line. - alternate forward march - also lower the mace 6 inches on count one

Question 29

Counter March

Answer 29

- this signal reverses the bands line of march. This signal is executed facing the band while at the position of attention or on the march. - step through the band after the signal. Mace is help up and the ball is forward on a 45 degree angle. Normally, it is necessary to halt or mark time for four counts while inside the band to maintain proper distance from the front rank. - when maneuvering a band with an even number of files, upon clearing the last rank of the band, take one step in the left oblique to allow the front rank to regain its cover on the drum major. - if the band is playing, execute the spin and resume cadence mace.

Question 30

Mark time

Answer 30

Signal causes band to March in place at quick time. Executed while facing the band while marching. Ready the mace - execute the spin and lower the mace parallel to the deck with the ball to the right. Count one - raise the mace, keeping it parallel to the deck Count two - lower the mace with both arms fully extended. Keep the mace parallel to the deck. This is a prep signal Count three - raise the mace, keeping it parallel to the deck. Arms are extended above the head. This is an execution signal. Grasp mace in preparation for next signal.

Question 31

Halt

Answer 31

Stops all cadence marching. It is executed from count three of mark time while facing the band. Count one - lower the ferrule end of the mace until the mace is perpendicular to the deck and centered in front of the body. Count two - lower the ball of the mace until the mace is parallel to the deck and arms are fully extended. This is a prep signal. Count three - raise the mace, keeping it parallel to the deck. Arms are extended above the head. Count four - lower the ball of the mace until the mace is parallel to the deck and arms are fully extended. This is the signal of execution.

Question 32

Left Turn

Answer 32

Changes direction of march to the left. Ready the mace - execute a spin and catch the mace near the ball with the right hand. The palm is forward. Bring the mace to a parallel position at about shoulder level. The ferrule is to the left. Return the left thumb along seam. At the same time, smartly turn the head to the left, this position is held for at least three steps. Count one - move the mace smartly to the right as the right foot strikes the deck. Prep signal. Count two - thrust the mace sharply to the left as the left foot strikes the deck. Execution signal. Execute left flank movement. Drum major may need to half step to regain cover and alignment.

Question 33

Right turn

Answer 33

Changes direction of march to the right. Ready the mace - execute the spin and transfer to the right hand at the balance point. Rotation additional 270 degrees, stop spin using the left hand with the ball on the left and the mace parallel to the ground. The right hand palm will be facing inward. Return the left thumb along seam. Turn head to right, position held for at least 3 steps. Count one - move the mace smartly to the left as the left foot strikes the deck. Keep the mace parallel, this is a prep signal. Count two - thrust the mace sharply to the right as the right foot strikes the deck. Keep the mace parallel. Mace should slide through the grasp of the right hand. Re-grasp the mace near the ball end. Execution signal. Execute right flank movement.

Question 34

Concert formation

Answer 34

Forms band in concert formation. Executed while facing the band at attention or mark time. Ready the mace - 5-8 measures before desired cut, execute spin and stop the mace perpendicular to the deck and in front of the body. Ball slightly above head. Grasp ferrule with right hand. A prep signal is given one beat before the last phrase by slightly lowering the mace. When the band is at mark time, this occurs as the right foot strikes the deck. Count one - on the downbeat of desired measure, raise the mace vertically. At the same time, release the mace with the left hand and return thumb along the trouser seam. Count two - on the downbeat of the next measure, smartly lower the mace. The mace should slide through the grasp of the right hand. Re-grasp the mace what the ball end. Count three - on the downbeat of the next measure, move the mace to the left. Keep the mace perpendicular to the deck. On the next beat, move the mace to the right. The right arm is held out and slightly bent at the elbow. The mace is perpendicular to the deck. Count four - return the mace to the front of the body. This is signal of execution.

Question 35

Segue cut

Answer 35

This cuts the band from one march and to immediately play the beginning of another. It is executed while at attention or on the march.

Question 36

Turn about

Answer 36

This movement is used to face the drum major about. It is executed while at attention or march. From attention, bring mace to front of body. The ball should be eye level. At the same time, raise the left hand to waist level. Palm facing up, and place the mace between thumb and forefinger. Shift the weight of the body to left leg, place right foot to the rear and left thumb back to seam. Rotate mace clockwise, keeping mace in vertical plane of the body. Stop movement of mace at the same time you face the rear. Grasp the mace as required for next signal. While on the march, pivot to the right as the left foot strikes the deck. Complete the turn as right foot strikes in opposite direction. Rise slightly on the toes and march backwards.

Question 37

Gate turn

Answer 37

This signal indicates the band will gate turn. While marching. Execute the turn about, but stop the mace between waist and thigh level, and parallel to the deck. The ball of the mace should be towards the left, with arms extended approximately 45 degrees in front of the body. From this position, begin to guide front rank through the turn.

Question 38

Mace Walk

Answer 38

Embellished carry. On the march Ready the mace - extend the right arm, planting the ferrule in front and to the right of your right foot. Prep movement. Count one - move ball across the front of body, leaving the ferrule in place. Count two - keeping ferrule in place, shift the ball to the right. Count three - bring the mace to the trail but with the tip of the ferrule remaining in place on the ground Count four - execute the ready

Question 39

Instrument positions

Answer 39

Carry - Primary carriage while not playing Alternate carry - carriage to provide relief from extended measures of rest (Semper Fi) Ready - Carriage to move from one position to another while executing the manual of instruments Prepare to Play - Carriage in the playing position Rest - Carriage while not marching or playing for extended time