Rehearsal Technique

[cg0865]

I'm a young front ensemble tech (junior in college) and have a pretty big group of pit kids this year (22 to be exact). While we have a "set" established that everyone in the group follows we aren't the type of group that stays set all rehearsal mostly because the kids have to shake it out. However recently the kids are becoming chatty when they are not at set. Even the vets/marimbas/centermarimba are talking too. As an instructor I want to be fun a not be pit Nazi but at the same time it really reflects badly on me as a tech when they do this in full percussion ensemble or even worse with the full band.

How strict is your pit? Set all the time with no talking at all?
What do you do when everyone in the group is the problem?
What do you do when your center marimba is not on board?
Any other comments or tips pit or drumline related would help too.

Please help. I really do want to do this the right way but every time I give them an inch they take a mile.
Also keep in mind every kid in the pit is a 9th or 10th grader except the center girl who is junior.

Many thanks,

mallets4lyfe

[NGPercussion]

They'll have to learn sometime. Obviously, you can't just come in (especially as the new guy) and start yelling and being super strict with all of these changes. They obviously aren't used to having that discipline, so maybe explain it to them. Try the whole "be silent and wait" thing and sooner or later they'll catch on that they need to shut up. explain the importance of it, show them DCI/WGI videos and tell them they can aspire to that level of musicianship by doing stuff like having the discipline to cut down on the talking. Have the director get on to them, or the main percussion guy (you said you were new, I assumed you're working with someone else on staff). And you even might have to use your teacher voice and "yell" above them to get their attention. Sooner or later, they'll catch on.

[joe356]

What you allow is what will continue. I've learned this the hard way through years of teaching. You have to have an established rehearsal protocol, and you have to stick to it. As you said, give an inch and they'll take a mile. That being said, that doesn't mean they need to stand at set the whole time either.

Here is my basic rehearsal process for small sectionals.
The front or battery basically lives at standby. That means that they can relax their feet (shift weight, second position, etc). Their hands are folded in front of them (for front), sticks in right hand on the drum, left hand on top of right (upper battery), or relaxed by their sides (basses). They can look around, check their music/dot books, whatever they need to do when they are not being addressed by a staff member. Talking is not allowed without a raised hand and a question. I have techs on staff for a reason. Section leaders do not correct other members. They are there to set the example. Everyone is accountable to their own job.
When a section is being addressed by staff, they are required to look at that staff member. If a correction is given, they are required to respond (I usually ask "make sense" and they answer "yes"). Once the instructions are given out, the section leaders go to set, and the rest of the group follow suit. The met comes on, the rep is tapped off, etc. At the end of the rep, nobody goes to stand by until the section leader clicks them out (or in front, brings the mallets down).

This seems very formal, but I move the pace of rehearsal along pretty quickly, and this allows for that. I do my best to give them ample time to relax and take breaks. If I need to work just one section, I'll allow the others to relax beyond standby etc. Its not as tense as it sounds. The silence allows the kids to stay focused and relaxed. Its a very calm and respectful environment (when its adhered to).

When we get onto the field there are a few extra details. A rep will look like this:
Drum major calls standby. All talking on the field (including staff) stops.
Drum major gives out the instructions for what the rep is.
Set is called and the ensemble goes to set.
Met starts.
Tap off from timing source (usually snare).
Rep.
Check is called. Nobody moves other than to look around and notice how far they are from their dot, weird hand positions, etc.
Adjust is called. Feet together, on the dot. Drums and front click and go to standby.
Box makes big picture corrections.
Field is called and field staff makes corrections.
Either reset (either to the same place or otherwise), or standby is called.
Process starts over.

It seems pretty militaristic, but at the end of the day, part of my job is to teach the kids to be young professionals. This means staying focused when there is a job to do, and understanding how to work within a defined set of protocols. It takes a while to build the culture and get the kids to buy in, but I've used this same process at several high schools of varying age levels and skill levels and its always made a difference. At some point, it clicks in their heads that while goofing off in rehearsal is fun, accomplishing something and being really good at something is more fun. We have a blast off the field, but when its time to rehearse, its all business.

One thing that has always helped in convincing the kids to get on board is to show them some videos of great ensembles, and how they rehearse.

Again, if you are inconsistent with your expectations, they won't know what the limits are, and you can't expect them to be consistent in their behavior.

[cg0865]

Thank you guys so much. I definitely agree with the way you rehearse. Going forward from this I think the biggest thing that I need to change is
1. Not changing my expectations (Because I do that from time to time)
2. Not letting the center marimbas tell others what to do.

With such a big group I was grateful for their help at the beginning but now that we are getting into the season it has become a problem especially with the center marimba telling people what to do. And in a mean/ almost bullying way. I feel bad because I really do appreciate a lot that she has done however I think the biggest thing is that she needs to realize that she is also a member of the group which means leading by example and not talking in order to set a good example for the young kids.

Again thanks for the help. Going into this I really was not expecting such a young group and not as large either. I think that we need to just work on getting our work ethic on track especially going into winter percussion it is crucial to have good technique. I just have a couple more questions.

When (if ever) do you call people out in front of the group?
How often do you give your breaks and for how long?
How do you stress to the kids that you can have a productive/ maybe even fun rehearsal without all the extra talking and distractions?

Thanks so much, I will for sure take all of this into consideration!

mallets4lyfe

[NGPercussion]

I assume when you say "calling people out", you mean actually getting onto them for, let's say, always talking a lot? If it's just something like an incorrect rhythm or getting out of step, I'd just go up and tell them. Usually, even with stuff like that, you can call it out in front of everyone (nicely) and nobody will bat an eye (the "perpetrator" won't be embarrassed or mad, and the kids won't ridicule). If you're looking to get on to someone for a discipline issue, then just do it. Just don't lose your cool, and maybe try talking to them one on one first.

Break wise, you just have to judge that by yourself, I feel. Don't give a break every five minutes, but also don't make them wait four hours for a five minute break. I don't like to leave on a bad note, so if we're consistently falling short at something, I usually don't quit until it gets at least a bit better. If morale is really getting low, though, I'll take some time off and let everyone catch a breath. How long depends on what's been going on as well. I'll tell everyone to hack it out, or take a minute and work on it by themselves or as a sub (usually I'll set a timer), and if everyone stops working and talking, then I'll just continue rehearsal, even if the time I allotted isn't close to being up.

To your last question, they just have to grow into that. Like joe356 said, groups just kind of have to grow into that mold that the professionalism, attention to detail, etc. is worth fighting for, even if it means they don't get to talk in between every single rep. But never let your expectations change, always respectfully demand excellence from your students...they will thank you for it later.

[joe356]

You can call attention to any error in most circumstances if its done professionally. The key is to be demanding, but never demeaning. Keep your cool and stay patient. If they see that you're invested in them playing and rehearsing well, they will get on board.

As for breaks, when we're outside, we try to water every 15 minutes. As it cools down during the fall, that interval will get longer. Indoors it's usually whenever we get to a good pausing point (ready to move on to the next thing, new concept etc)

[sxetnrdrmr]

another key is to be up front with your expectations, and then explain WHY, so they know why they are doing stuff. Usually, if the you and the kids are on the same page in all aspects, things will run better. If they know that they are expected to be still after a rep b/c it builds strength, or helps a form set etc, and is NOT punishment or just you power tripping, they will be more likely to do it. If they know that everything has a reason, it should help. Then you have to be consistent in the enforcement and reinforcement. It doesn't matter if it is "uncomfortable", they will get used to it.

[TruePercussion]

It may help if you have some select members in the group (even if it just your centre) helping you out - shushing them when they start talking a lot.
Having an accomplice within the line. I found this helped when I taught a line over in the UK as the centre snare was always saying 'cmon guys' when certain people were screwing around and they understood he wanted the best for the line and would calm down. This way there would be two people that the discipline would come from.
Depending on what sort of a level you are on with them, you could catch the worst culprit for it while at lunch or on a break, and just speak to them and ask them 'look I need you to stay more focused I know you can do it, and you can be great' like a little bit of a pep talk as this may help - they may just need positive reinforcement of their ability to get them back on track.

Hope that helps a little bit, and good luck!

Chris @ TP

[NGPercussion]

Building on that, find the worst culprit and use them as one of those accomplices in the line. Provided he/she isn't a total jerk, they should be thrilled with the responsibility and be happy to be depended on, and it may help them overcome the issue themselves.

[rHarrisDrums]

Where I teach I am the percussion caption head. This season I only have 8 in drumline, and 10 in pit. However, I have taught a group with 24 total before, so I understand your frustration.

Discipline starts in the individual student's home. If students do not have discipline at home, they likely will not at school functions, and they are to learn about it from their teachers before showing up to their first job and being fired during training week.

Teachers/Instructors have a special place to help give high school students an opportunity to learn about "on-the-job" discipline and structure. You do not need to be a PIT Nazi in order to have respect. What I do is emphasize at rehearsals that we have short (2-3 minute chop breaks) which are meant to be for fun, socializing, and relaxing the mind and body. After the break, we are back "on-the-clock" at work, and we all have personal and group responsibilities.

The first time I tried this I had some push back from students, because they wanted that "break time" mentality the whole time... as if marching band were as casual as hanging out in the comfort of a friend's home. Make sure during breaks you interact with students, and do not just run off to the bathroom, band director's office, or stare down at your phone/tablet.

Students respond to discipline well if they know you care about them as human beings. You do not have to be buddy-buddy with them, but make sure it is never a staff vs. student(s) situation. Remember, you all are on the same team, with the same goals.

Concluding Thought: Goal setting WITH your students is always a good idea. This way they will know why they are at attention or focused 24/7 during rehearsals. If they are simply getting the formula of how to be a good percussion section from their staff, students do not get to put their heart and mind into the program from the get-go.

I hope some of my rant helps.

Happy Drumming/Teaching!
Rob