The Military Band - Regimental Drum Major Association

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CHAPTER 5 THE MARCHING BAND Section I. GENERAL 40. Uniformity perform while marching over terrain which The marching band formations and movements provides insecure footing. Under such conditions, prescribed herein have evolved through years of maximum effectiveness in band performance will traditional usage commensurate with Army be achieved by allowing the band to remain staneeds. They also are considered the most practi- tionary while playing. When it is imperative that cal from the standpoint of ease of instruction and the band march under these conditions, the perprecision associated with military ceremonies. cusion section alone should provide the marching The marching band formations and movements cadence. prescribed herein should be applied uniformly d. Continuous Performance Without Relief. It throughout the Army to attain maximum musical is physically impracticable for a bandsman to and military proficiency in the marching band, to play a wind instrument for an extended period of increase the spectator appeal of these units, and time without relief. Excessive embouchure (lip) to alleviate the necessity for retraining personnel fatigue may be alleviated somewhat by alternaupon transfer from one band to another. tion between bandsmen within sections. If it is required that continuous cadence be provided beyond the time duration of a standard march and The military marching band has certain capabili- one repetition, the bandmaster will cause the ties and limitations which should be understood drum major to signal the band to cease playing fully by commanders responsible for its utiliza- the march while the percussion section continues tion. Any of the following malpractices may re- to maintain the cadence. The time interval besult in failure to attain effectiveness in marching tween marches will be determined by the bandband operations. master. a. Division of the Marching Band. Personnel e. Performance During Inclement Wenther. and instrument authorizations of a 28- or 42- The band, being equipped with precision-made inpiece Army band preclude subdivision to provide struments, cannot function out-of-doors under more than one effective marching unit. certain climatic conditions (e.g., rain, snow, or b. Improper Selection of Music for Marching. freezing weather). Such conditions not only pre- Parade marches should be neither too difficult of clude the effective performance of the individual execution nor too extreme in instrumental range. bandsman but also will impair seriously the me- They should be rhythmically and melodically chanical operation of certain instruments, thus strong and of a character that sounds effective at requiring replacements and/or major repairs and a marching cadence. The arrangements should be overhaul. There are many other factors bearing rich and full. Melody, countermelody, harmonies, on the utilization of a band during periods of exharmonic rhythm, and metric rhythm should be tremely cold and freezing weather which require well defined and properly distributed within the consideration. A few of these are: instrumentation. The selection and preparation of (1) Extreme temperature changes cause the music for marching is a prime responsibility of various and dissimilar band instruments to conthe bandmaster and must be carried out in ac- tract and expand at different rates, thereby creatcordance with the above recommendation for ing poor intonation. achievement of best results. (2) Some instruments produce their tones c. Performance on Unsuitable Terrain. Profi- through segmentation of the vibrating air column ciency in the performance of the marching band by means of closing open tone holes with the is reduced extremely when the unit is required to fleshy portion of the fingertips. IT IS TMPOSSI- 15
BLE TO PLAY SUCH INSTRUMENTS WHILE ble practice is that of having the bass drummer WEARING GLOVES. This factor applies to of a band accent or emphasize the first (left foot) these instruments under any climatic conditions. beat of each measure of music to the extent that (3) It is possible for a brass instrumental- musical phrases, dynamic balance, tonal balance, ist's embouchure (lips) to become frozen to the and the continuity of musical context is totally mouthpiece of the instrument. This can result in destroyed. Another equally undesirable practice physical injury. is that of having the band render an entire march f. Use During Athletic Events. The marching at the loudest possible dynamic volume. Still anband may be presented effectively at athletic other is requiring the band to render personal events in most instances. The band should be used honors in such a manner that the last note of the in connection with those sports events that per- music coincides with the last round of the cannon mit intermittent band performance. At certain salute. Such and similar practices not only distort athletic meets, the band may impair the conduct and diminish the musical and martial value proof the event by disrupting announcements of vided by the band's presence at a military cerejudges, referees, and starter, the timing of ath- mony, but also are contrary to professionally acletic participants, and the attention of the specta- ceptable standards of musical performance, traditors (e.g., track, swimming, golf). tional renditions of ceremonial music, and the ing. Musical Distortion. A particularly undesira- tents and desires of the composer. Section II. FORMATION 42. Interval, Distance, and Formation b. The placement of certain instruments within In normal playing formation, both interval and the marching band is, to some degree, predeterdistance are 60 inches. When the band is to be in mined by their size and construction. Trombones, close formation, personnel will fall in facing the by virtue of their projecting slides, should be drum major in such position that the drum major placed in the front rank. Tubas (Sousaphones), will be 60 inches in front of the band at a point whose construction is such that their tones are rmidway between the flanks. This drum major po- projected in a forward direction and whose size sition is used only as a reference point when the constitutes a visual obstruction, should be placed band is to form. Refer to paragraph 44 for the in the rear rank or in the flank files of the band. drum major's position after alinement (cover and Other instruments, whose construction causes dress) has been accomplished. In close formation their tones to be projected in a definite direction, the interval is 9 inches and the distance is 60 should be placed so that their tones will be proinches (para 46). jected into, rather than away from the band (e.g., French horns and baritones). 43. Instrument Placement c. Placement of instruments not covered by the Differences in instrumental composition of Army foregoing recommendations is left to the discrebands preclude any particular pattern of instru- tion of the bandmaster, who should be guided by ment placement. There are, however, certain the following principles: basic principles which must be followed if the (1) Instrumental sections should not be diband is to operate effectively as a marching musi- vided. cal unit. These fundamental principles pertain to (2) Instrumental sections with similar tonal marching appearance and musical performance registers and timbre should be grouped in close alike, and are as follows: proximity. a. One of the most important elements of the (3) Individual proficiency in musical permarching band is the percussion group. This formance and effectiveness in unit appearance are group derives its importance from its function of factors of equal importance when considering providing the cadence to which the band and placement of instruments in the marching band troops march and establishing and maintaining formation. the tempo at which other instrumentalists in the d. To preserve a balanced appearance and provband will perform. In view of its contribution as ide for file and rank guides, the band should be the unifying and stabilizing force, it is impera- formed so that the center and two flank files and tive that the percussion section be placed as near the front and rear ranks are completely filled. to the center of the band as possible in order that its cadence may be sensed equally well by all in- 44. Position of Drum Major strumentalists within the band. The drum major acts as a guide for the band 16
Page 1 and 2: Copy 3: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FIEL
Page 4 and 5: CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Section I. P
Page 6 and 7: experience is advantageous and comp
Page 8 and 9: istration of supply procedures. The
Page 10 and 11: The drummer should have a dependabl
Page 12 and 13: CHAPTER 3 THE CONCERT BAND Section
Page 14 and 15: CHAPTER 4 STAGE BAND, ENSEMBLE, AND
Page 18 and 19: I~·- o FRONT RANK BANDMASTER BANDS
Page 20 and 21: cutes a right face, and proceeds to
Page 22 and 23: (1) Diagonal position CSTEPS 1 7 SE
Page 24 and 25: k5IDE _ . .. _ _ _ _ _ _ ._ -, I :
Page 26 and 27: ,~~Ik sI s t Figure 6. Order baton.
Page 28 and 29: - ill~ I~QI -N 'Nt \ ) l ^ in\_I f
Page 30 and 31: 63. Purpose Verbal commands to the
Page 32 and 33: (1) Preparatory signal Figure 16. T
Page 34 and 35: Figure 18. Half step, preparatory s
Page 36 and 37: (1) Preparatory signal (2) Signal o
Page 38 and 39: (1) Half left turn, withdrawn posit
Page 40 and 41: (3) Preparatory signal (right) (4)
Page 42 and 43: Sn, Dr I II 1 1 1 1 Alternate Roll
Page 44 and 45: Figure 30. Rim cadence. (1) Baton s
Page 46 and 47: 91. The Mace The drum major's mace,
Page 48 and 49: ing position for the preparatory si
Page 50 and 51: ing the left elbow into the side, a
Page 52 and 53: (1), Preparatory signal (2) Signal
Page 54 and 55: Section VIII. MANUAL OF INSTRUMENTS
Page 56 and 57: (1) Carry (2) Ready instrument (3)
Page 66 and 67:
(3) Alternate carry Figure 48-Conti
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..Smh (3) Prepare to play (4) Inspe
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(1) Carry (2) Ready instrument (3)
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CHAPTER 6 FIELD MUSIC Section I. UN
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ody, bell toward the right, and is
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DAILY SUNDAY FIRST CALL FIRST CALL
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a. ASSEMBLY Quick b-. ADJUTA_ · CA
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e. OFFICERS' CALL Moderato f. PAY D
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1. TATTOO Quick % - f 14'1-J"'J V -
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personal honors to flag officers (A
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(4) When all units are on the final
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passed the reviewing stand and has
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(3) Honors to the Nation (concurren
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of "The Army Song" officially termi
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funeral for a person entitled to pe
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priate music as the flag is folded.
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CHAPTER 8 THE BAND LIBRARY Section
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INDEX Paragraph Page Paragraph Para
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Paragraph Page Paragraph Page Manua
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Paragraph Page Paragraph Page Cut o
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