Drum Major Lesson I

[thecoldto1234]

Hey, I watched this a video about a week ago and got really helpful tips for my drum major audition, and guess what, the judges asked me the question about dealing with fights on the field and drama during practice (the one the guy in the video discussed) and I knew exactly what to say, and now I'M A DRUM MAJOR!!!! I'm an 8th grader now but I'll be starting practice as a freshman! I'm so excited!!! Thanks dude!!!!

[OTooleBoy213]

thank you for this!

[SWEJEHTKCUF]

awwwwwwwww little stunka how cute

[MattieEatsCookies]

I'm a freshman in guard this year, our current drum major is a sophomore and she is also in guard. When she graduates, I plan on becoming drum major :) I'm even goin to camp for it. Thanks so much for helpin me get a head start

[shrimpcookie72]

I love how you said "you can't show it in your face if the band is in trouble, you can't be like HOLY SHIT we're in trouble!"

[TaylorTeareyes]

hey; im an eighth grader and i plan on trying out when opportunity hits, and these videos helped a lot! ;) thank you so much

[Oreo493]

Thanks, Im at Southview in Hope Mills. I saw Scottland 2 weeks ago at the Union Pines competition. Pretty decent band. Which is also my current director's old high school. But thanks, this really helped.

[MsBabycrime]

love your ghetto drawing lol

[AldenZuck]

what if we have a 700 band :P

Allen high

[insyet128]

im a freshman and im trying out for drum major the end of my somphmore yr so i can do it my junior yr.. :) Carter high.(:

[cathlina1]

I go to anchor bay hs, and we have three drum majors for 205 people this year

[idrumcolerain]

Im a freshmen this year and im running against a junior for drum major, any tips?

[FurCueRenea]

I was in color guard for two years before i become drum major my FRESHMAN YEAR...Man that was hard....but i am one of the best at what i do in the state of Tennessee...I am now a JUNIOR...i still have this year and next year left....I LOVE it SOOOO much(: your right. It is WAY more than just directing.....My band doesn't really realize it...but your right.....lol I usually "talk" to my band while i'm on the podium...and they usually go with it.....i do have a very VERY good teacher as well.

[trumpetplayer330]

Thanks I'm in 8th grade in high school marching band to fill in the "holes" as my band director called it. My drum major has helped me out so much I wanna give back........... Have u ever heard of a freshman drum major

[GabbieOlds90]

Your video lags, so it makes it look like you're counting the beat of 1 on the upbeat, ;P

[zomgizjz]

i want to try and be drum major so thanks

[vanessap911]

This helped so much! Thank you!♥

[bobbymapes]

I'm in the Homewood high school band in alabama. we have FOUR drum majors. they have to work so hard to stay on beat.

[kratos553]

Love it!! That was so helpful, and it's only first part!! Tonight's my first practice I'm going sophomore, and I'm becoming drum major :D thanks, Tyler was it? Oh and btw I think youre cute.. :P just saying

[BandolAFL]

Nice video to get some basics down, although I feel like your technique could get a little tighter. Although, I'm sure this is quite helpful for anyone without any outdoor conducting experience.

[xXMusicLoveXxKrissy]

i have over 300 people in my band lol

[LNR96]

I'm running for drum major wish me luck !!

[livintex]

Thank you. Rumor has it that my band teacher and Band teacher are trying to get me to do drum major.

[jadelevasseur]

tThanks i just made drum major and i feel completely lost this did help out but i still have more questions

[DrumlineChick2011]

Lovved when you said "Holy shit we're introuble!" hahaha

[bandmuffin]

Gahh ! Michael Turner ! I LOVE YOU ! I watched all three parts , and I gotta say , YOUR videos are what helped me get drum major . Thanks-you , so much !

-Oh , by the way , that "love" thing is just a figure of speech . Don't stalk me . :D

[akira568]

"holy shit were in trouble" lol great

[ratsnacks]

2:27 - 2:33

[AllisonnAttackk]

I was a rookie this past year, and I kinda enjoyed it. But this year I was hoping to be Drum Major, but I just don't think I'm good enough. These video's have helped a little, It's just that I'm still kinda clueless. :/

[MusicLvr387]

Awesome video! Really helpful. Haven't watched part II yet but im sure its just as instructive. I tried as as a freshman for this year (sophomore year) but for experience, but now this year im trying out to become drum major for my junior year. Im not sure if you talk about this in your second video, but what about elbow and shoulder, shoulder, finger posture?

[HokShanMurray]

THis is good info. im going to follow this. Hopefully i become drum major for my high school

[iLuvmusic924]

This video helped me so much! I auditioned for drum major this year and didn't make it because of my age, but this is definately preparing me for when I'm old enough!

[canyoureadthis123]

Thanks for all the tips bro, they helped a ton. I'm trying out as Assistant Drum Major, and then if I make it i'll be next in line to be Drum Major the following year.

[saxchick1493]

This is ridiculous, get to the point, you'd be a great politician.

[supreme281418]

im a fish and my current drum major, whom i really respect and admire, told me the same thing. A drum major is more than a conductor, he or she has to set an example for the band.

really like this video :D

[Basherman25]

Thanks for the help, I'm trying out for drum major this coming May and im really hoping to get it!! :D

[petalclarinet07]

HEY!!! I think this video is totally awesome!! i was drum major for my highschool my senior year last year.. and we have some conducting differences.. but i show this video to my students that i teach.. because the points you make about being drum major totally works.. and its something i never get to tell them.. :) Thanks so much!!!

[clarinetjheila]

This was a very helpful video :)

[ghostgirl300]

haha...he said shit

[doverdemon1]

im drum majoring in eight grade now for like a basketball game at a college im in eight grade thou lol

[trumpetchica6879]

please do not bag on freshman. we arent that badd. in my band, the freshman are the most dedicated class

[TCAproduction]

you never have your thumbs out when you conduct. im a freshman and know that.

[aldyraldy]

Allen band, 600 people, 3 drum majors

[doverdemon1]

im trevon i play the trumpet im in 8th grade and i sit first chair and im pretty gud but my freshman year nxt year i wanna be a drum major i think u r a nice drum major i just need help i got the time signutures and the hand movements i just need help with leadership and netrulizing probvlems and more tips on the hand movements when directing

[nap1596]

@doverdemon1 freshman as a drum major!? i don't think so! lol, you have to be at least a junior or a senior to be a good drum major

[doverdemon1]

@nap1596 im in eight grade and im drum majoring for a basketball game at a college

[VioLynn0803]

@nap1596 I agree as far as no freshmen drum majors, but I've known some beasty sophomore drum majors. It all depends on dedication and natural talent.

[louis8426]

dude thanks so much! ur awesome!

[bullsflutist]

Lol I want to be a drum major really bad and im a freshman so im gonna start learning now:)! We have 3 drum majors. And 14 people in a band? holy cow! My band has over 200 people in it!

[sweetylove305]

i want to try for drum major next year and can not conduct the way u did and thats how usually our drum majors conduct can u please help

[MrAfliction]

Lol i remember one time during practice when we were learning a new set.. and there was this guy on the field that didn't know how to roll stepp.. its pretty funny because my friend was like there's only 3 easy steps : Kick Roll and Repeat xD.. just wanted to share that

[crashbandicootyo]

this was a lotttt of help.

i hope i make it.

and i like that you said shit just out of nowhere.

you're extraordinary.

[cutiemousejr]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I am currently thinking about trying out for drum major next year to take the place of one of the seniors!! great video!! :D :D

[rzrctdknight]

Holla! Bro, you got it down to the T.

[chichip12]

im auditioning for drum major. at a brand new school, however no one else is auditioning. im nervous to the FIRST drum major a school has ever had. and i dont want to look like an idiot. your video has helped me a lot with what i should look forward too. thanks

[RoundTheBendFilms]

im a PCMB member (plymouth canton) the vis staff always yells at us for listening to the battery xD I got off a beat when doing backwards jazz running in this one part because they sort of accel. i stopped listening back when i realized that.

[gemini7873]

can you make a video about all of the commands and how to do them please?

[iiAngelic]

i like that painting in the background :D

[percussiondncr22]

this is an awesome video!

[swimmer7779]

Hey, i'm trying out for drum major at the end of this year, this video is really helpful thanks for posting!

[PhionexFantom]

haha his shirt's letters are backwards :P

[KristaBreanne322]

Thanks! These videos really help a WHOLE lot. lol(: when you tried out were you really nervous or what? Im going to be a sophomore this year and i wanna try out at the end of the year, i'm scared out my mind though! i dont know if im good at it or not and how am i supposed to know? How do you know if youre good at the conducting part itself? i understand the leadership and thats exactly how id handle it. lol(:

[ghlaekgh]

What instrument do you play?

[musicforall182]

This is absolutely right. I can't count how many times my band has almost crashed and fell apart. You CANNOT panic! Exactly like he said.

[phillycheesesteak36]

Great advice!!!!! I'm trying out for drum major next week and your video has really helped!  thanks so much!!!

[topfuel567]

Ive been a drum major for 3 years and I learned from u

Thanks

[hollisterboy090591]

Thanks for all the comments you guys! met some really amazing people... GoodLuck to your season!

[jaguars772]

@hollisterboy090591 do mind if i ask u a question

[steelroses666]

never conduct with the left hand

[hollisterboy090591]

@steelroses666 Video is mirrored i think... weird cam setting i didnt notice until a few months ago

[livintex]

@steelroses666 Drum Majors always do.

[bsaltzburg1]

As I have been drum major for my High school for the last three years (this season will be my third), this video is pretty much right on point. I love the point you make about being a role model and setting an example always not just at practice, but in school. You are the person that sets the tone for everything, how people look at marching in your school to how your unit feels before you perform at a championship performance. great job man.

[88Metallifan]

@bsaltzburg1

Absolutely right Ben, people look at you like a hero of some sort, and really look at you and just wanna be you

[fishtank1993]

ur cute. and im trying out this year

[1whiteiphone]

ohh yeahh, i signed up for drum major tryouts today :)

[TheNatashaCole]

To do the light grip place the point of the baton just before the handle between the end of your pointer, middle fingers and thumb with the end of the handle placed firmly at the fleshy part of the base of your thumb. The other fingers remain relaxed. Hope this helps with baton usage :D

[TheNatashaCole]

Coming from a music major, you DO want to grip your baton...an unsteady baton causes a double ictus and is hard to follow. Based on every book and personal study the baton should be gripped by placing the baton in the crook of your pointer finger at the second knuckle. then placing your thumb directly over it. then close your remaining fingers over the handle of the baton. A light grip has also been developed for more intensity and slower, softer songs.

[webmaster366]

This video helped me alot and I learned a few things I never even thought of. My Drum Major auditions are next month and I think with this video I have a good shot at it now.

[JazzBandie1]

*drum major. sorry, we call them field commanders at our high school.

[JazzBandie1]

We have four field commanders. Lol.

[anakain10]

i am auditioning for Drum Major Nxt year i am in my sophmore year trying out for my junior year. also trying out for Tenor Sax Tenor Section leader and WoodWind band captain.

-Francis. Shadow Ridge High School

[marchingbandflute]

what is the most improtan thing of being a drum major

[Moonmatt2]

@marchingbandflute

To inspire your group to go further by showing the leadership and the best example above everyone else.

[countrykid265]

haha well maybe ull be able to youtube us next year andsee me drum majoring lol thanks for this vid

[MissHollyMania]

I live in NC and think I want to go to UNCG lol Im in charlotte lol

[tiahcountry]

USA camps for Drum Majoring are the Best. i learned a lot from them :)

[theMullins100]

hey im going to be a junior next year and i am auditioning to be drum major. i have got the basic styles like 4/4 and 3/4 but im having problems putting in cues and creshendos... is there any tips you can give me? Brandon denton Tx

[countrykid265]

im a sophomore in high school and trying out for drum major and i know what u mean when u say its work haha... but i thought it funny when u said it was crazy to have 3 drum majors lol. we have 5 at our high school football games and 4 at competitions for our 358 person band...drum major outta be interesting....

-Dobyns Bennett High School Band

[ElPolloLoco4330]

@ countrykid265

I youtube'd your band and got the 2007 show... now BWV 578 is stuck in my head :P

Good luck! I'm tryin out this year too.

-Jason, PCMB

[lohanfan56]

You remind me of my drum major :) and that is a very good thing :D

[jae096]

Umm, your really good, but your video lags..

Like, it looks like your saying something, but the sound comes out like a second later..

But I think you are an AMAZING drum major instructor!!~ ^^

[hollisterboy090591]

@jae096 Thanks and idk it doesnt lag when i play it but i will look into it thanks!

[nikos1393]

Do you have to play drums to become a drum ajor in high school?

this may be a dumb quesiton...hahaha

[DanicaTheMink]

Nope

[isyouafish]

Not at all, but I'm sure in the past three months, you've learned this. Haha.

[punkguitarcovers182]

no. being a drum major has nothing to do with drums.

[Moonmatt2]

Nope, I'm a french horn player and have no experience on drums whatsoever. If you're a qualified leader and can conduct you have a chance.

[hollisterboy090591]

@nikos1393 No! lol but percussion experience definitely helps with keeping tempo. And as drum major you will learn that your drum line and front ensemble will be your best friend when it comes to tempo for the band. The three of you have to work together

[preacherboy90]

Good job Michael. You had great explanations and demonstrations. Great explanation with phasing problems. I remember my senior year when it was your first time as drum major the saxes and mellos were at different ends of the field playing the same part and we had phasing problems and tuning problems, but we did finally get it fixed. Overall great first lesson.

[precherboy90]

Good job Michael. You had great explanaitions and demonstrations. Great explanation with phasing problems. I remember my senior year when and it was your first time as drum major the saxes and mellos were at different ends of the field playing the same part and we had phasing problems and tuning problems, but we did finally get it fixed. Overall great first lesson.

[fantasygurl229]

lol you obviously know your stuff!! this is a great blend of standard "how-to-be-a-drum-major" type information as well as information from your own personal experiences. overall great job :D

haha love the drawing skills too

oh and is it just me or should i watch this video in a mirror? lol

[rastaman592]

What are you God's gift to drum majors? I think you should get a degree in music before you give people all these lessons... just saying