marching band

Marching band music

The art of playing and moving in co-ordination with your instrument can be hard to master but will come with time and experience. The thought of having to play songs without music is a daunting thought let alone having to move in time with a group of musicians! Therefore, if you can memorize your marching band music perfectly then the movement and synchronisation of the band will happen naturally.

Marching band is formed of sequences and patterns usually with a very solid beat (to be able to march to) as well as doubling of parts. By following a few simple tips and exercises, it should be easy to remember this music.

Try not to depend on the music from the very beginning. The music should only be there as a guide. Try depending on the music, before memorizing, a maximum of three times. It is also useful to practice marching band with the music at least twice so you are aware of when to turn, stop and move.

Marching band sections

 Once you have played the music a couple of times through, cut the music into three sections beginning middle and end. You should also try to note any repetitions, sequences and patterns within the music as it will cut down the time needed for memorizing it.

Beginning with the first two bars of first phrase, play while reading the music. Take note of the movement of your fingers and the position they are forming rather than the actual notes. Play with the music again three times. Turning your back on the music, immediately play the phrase you have just learned. If you think about this process too much you will forget the placement of your fingers and will have to start again.

Once you have remembered the first phrase the next should be easier. Use the same technique as above.Now you are starting to get the feel of memorizing marching band music.

Now try linking the two phrases together - without looking at the music for the first section you learned. Remember the placement of your fingers and again don’t take too much of a long pause from reading the music to memorizing it. You will forget the positions you have just formed.

By repeating the stages above you should, in time, link all the phrases together. Try memorizing the beginning in one sitting. Then come back either a few hours or a day later and adding the middle and then eventually, the ending.

Marching band takes time to learn and memory is something that can be improved over time the more you practice. You will need less and less time to remember each new song as time goes by. In the short term remember these quick tips for mastering marching band:

Don’t rely too heavily on the music

Separate the music into bite sized chunks to learn

Don’t try to learn it all at once – come back to it after a few hours

Remember the motion of your fingers rather than actual notes

Music is made of sequences and patterns – spot these in your music

Parts are often doubled. Try and hear what the surrounding musicians are playing if you become lost.

With these tips you should be well on your way to a great time with your marching band.