The Military Band - Regimental Drum Major Association

63. Purpose
Verbal commands to the marching band are not
practical when the band is playing. For this reason,
certain signals have been devised for the
purpose of transmitting commands to the band
through the use of the drum major's baton. Commands
so delivered are known as baton signals.
64. Signal Classification
Baton signals are classified as preparatory signals
and signals of execution.
65. Whistle Signals
Blasts from a whistle, delivered simultansously
with baton signals, may be used to invite the attention
of bandsmen to signals from the baton.
The preparatory signal is accompanied by a sustained
blast from the whistle and the signal of
execution by a blast of short duration. The use of
the whistle in conjunction with baton signals
should be discontinued when the marching proficiency
of the band so justifies.
Section V. BATON SIGNALS
66. Execution Signals
The baton signal is the visible counterpart of the
oral command and should be executed in rhythm,
with precision and decisiveness. The time inter- (1) Withdrawn position
val between the preparatory signal and the signal
of execution is as prescribed for oral commands
in FM 22-5. As with oral commands, the quality
of response is is directly dependent on the the manner cutes Ready port Instruments. baton (fig. 9), signaling the position
in which the baton signal is executed. The drum
major will execute all baton signals while facing b. Signal of Execution. The right arm and
front unless otherwise directed. baton are fully extended overhead and to the
right at a 45 ° angle from the horizontal (fig.
67. Forward March 14), signaling the position Prepare to Play. The
The baton signal for forward march is executed left hand is placed on the left hip at the waist
as follows: line, fingers extended and joined to the front,
a. Preparatory Signal. The baton, grasped at thumb to the rear, wrist straight, with the elbow
the ball end by, the right hand, is thrust smartly on a line with the body.
to full arm extension forward and upward at a
45 ° angle from the horizontal ( (2), fig. 13). 69. Down Beat
b. Signal of Execution. The baton is withdrawn The baton signal for the down beat is a signal to
in cadence but without emphasis, lowered until cause the band to commence playing and is exethe
ball is at chin level ((1), fig. 13), and then cuted as follows:
thrust back to the position outlined in a above a. The right arm and baton are fully extended
((2), fig. 13). The left hand is placed on the left as prescribed in paragraph 68b.
hip at the waist line, fingers extended and joined b. The down beat is executed from the position
to the front, thumb to the rear, wrist straight, described in a above by moving the baton in a
with the elbow on a line with the body. small downward arc to the left, swinging back
upward to a point slightly above head level (fig.
68. Prepare to Play 15), and following this by a decisive return in ca-
The baton signal for prepare to play is executed dence of the baton to the port position (fig. 9).
as follows: The left hand is placed on the left hip at the
a. Preparatory Signal. The drum major exe- waist line, fingers extended and joined to the
29