beginner marching band player, it's a-must-read

reblogged from: http://msdrbeat.tumblr.com/post/6259847884/starting-marching-band-this-summer

Here’s some tips:

1. Don’t complain about how hot it is outside. Scientific fact that everytime someone complains about how hot it is, the temperature raises by three degrees.

2. If you’re female and you’re self-conscious about wearing a white T-shirt outside because someone ‘might see your bra’, don’t be. NOBODY will be looking at your chest when you’re marching/colorguarding. A white T-shirt is amazing.

3. If you’re male and you want to be lookin’ fly in your baggy shorts and over-sized shirts, don’t even try. The last thing you will be thinking about when you’re marching outside in 100 degree weather is lookin’ fly. Nobody will be lookin’ at you.

4. Don’t be the kid who brings out the Ozarka plastic water bottle for practice. Yo’ ass will get chopped up. Because the plastic is transparent, the sun will shine through and heat up your water. Oh and you have a chance of the toxins in the plastic to leak into your drinking water.

5. Put ice in your water bottle. DO NOT FREEZE THE WHOLE BOTTLE. The water will take longer to thaw out. And most likely, if you do over-freeze your water bottle and expect it to be hot enough for it to thaw out quickly outside, you’re wrong. The sun is gonna hide behind some clouds that day. Scientific fact.

6. Don’t be the kid who always has something to say after the band directors. You ain’t funny. You ain’t cool. It’s too damn hot for that.

7. Your instrument is hot? Damn, mine is, too. Complaining about how hot it is will only make it hotter. //see tip one.

8. The first few days are hard. Even after that, you will have some days when it is just not working for you. Just keep pushing. Even if it hurts. Just keep pushing. Always keep trying.

9. If you keep getting a drill or instruction wrong, do it wrong in a different way. Always try something different. You will get yelled at WAY less if you show that you are trying something new.

10. You know your limits. If you feel like you are going to pass out or throw up, go sit out. It’s okay. Just don’t be sitting out ‘cause you’re tired. EVERYBODY outside is tired.

11. Also, don’t be the kid who eats cereal for breakfast in the morning. The milk will spoil in your stomach and you will throw up. It has happened before and all you could see were the Lucky Charms on the 45 and 50 yard line.

12. Actually do the stretches. They help so much before you start marching. Your muscles and joints will thank you.

13. Be attentive and be open to anyone giving you advice. They want to help you. Don’t give them attitude.

14. Have pride in your band. Don’t look like you hate being out on the field. Don’t slouch when called into attention. This is YOUR band now. Feel good about that.

15. Lastly, take in everything that you can from marching band. You don’t just learn how to march with an insturment. You learn life lessons. Things like ownership, pride, time management….the list can go on and on. Marching band is a once in a life time experience that you either love or hate.

Number 11 is true.  Just saying.  I don’t know personally, but sophomore year we had to have the “what a good breakfast is” talk.