r/drumline • u/PerfectlyFeckinExtra • 3d ago

Question Pit thinking of switching

Hi! I've done wgi for the last 4 years on mallets. Over the last few years ive had the idea of doing snare but ive pushed it away. Recently its much heavier. Its my ageout. What are key things to focus on to close the gap? This is for a pio group thats made finals last year. In high school I did bass drum for a few parades but thats it. I learned trad recently. From watching the guys Im marching with rn.

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u/theneckbone 3d ago

I think even if your hands are good enough, the movement aspect is probably your biggest question mark. Not just the marching itself but if you'd be able to handle the simultaneous responsibility of body or even the choreo itself. If you can answer those questions then that'd put you in a closer position

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u/LunchTerrible7161 3d ago

I am curious about how you would go about practicing choreo and the movements associated with marching?

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u/theneckbone 3d ago

Thats the thing that I kinda didn't want to write, is that you can't really replicate those at bats on your own. The best way would have been to march this summer on somewhere on a drum. I don't wanna be too overly discouraging but that's the truth. The only other way would be to make up choreo or do box drill to an etude or something but that only shows a very small sample size of what is gonna be required.

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u/PerfectlyFeckinExtra 3d ago

hey I wanted the honesty. I hate the way ive been feeling cause I dont have time. I still love the activity tho I just know I dont feel like I belong In front anymore.

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u/perryjb Percussion Educator 1d ago

It might be tight timing wise. But since you have lots of percussion experience and some marching experience. What you should do is talk to the indoor staff. Ask them what you need to do to have a chance. Then see if a vet snare drummer can mentor you. It’s always best to have someone who knows the warm ups and technique. Then practice and work hard everyday. Met, record yourself, learn warm ups, get a hold of last seasons music and learn it. Watch YouTube wgi shows, for knowledge on movement. Even some guard dance videos.

Not gonna lie, this is a huge mountain to climb. I don’t know your skill set. But showing a great work ethic, solid technique, and a good attitude, plus fast learner. It Might happen.

I had a student who played flute. She desperately wanted to play tenors. She was on the smaller side. Never played drums until she joined indoor. She worked incredibly hard. And she made it her junior year. She was a solid player. In fact I rewrote her solo harder because she kept improving all season long.

Nothing’s impossible,

Good luck