I currently play the trombone in the band, and the flippin thing got tore up during marching season due to me and 2 other people dropping it. So I want to play something in the percussion section, as i have for 4 years now (I'm going to be a sophmore next year.) The problem with that is that the band is getting bigger, but the percussion is getting a lot more freshmen than the low brass, 10 added to 5 in perc to 5-6 in low brass, only one being trombone, and from what I have heard, she is goin out for the danceline. I have been practicing my rudiments and exercises for far to long for me just to give up. May and the end of the year is fast approaching, what do you think I should do?

Play trombone. A band without a good low brass section is a weak and thin sounding band. There are plenty of percussionists coming in.

If you love doing both Then I would say go Trombone because it sounds like they need you, but if you rather play in perc then do that.

It all comes down to what you want to do because if you doing something you hate its going to sound like that.

The thing is I quit percussion last year to play trombone, but then marching band came around and I missed it so much and I got so mad at myself; I never signed up for trombone, except last year, and since I hadn't played trobone in over a year at the time, my skill with both was equal.


I don't hate playing the trombone, I just really don't like it and never have, except a 4 month period last year. I'm not the best trombone player anyways, being last chair in all low brass for the plast 2 years (though I was fourth out of seven at my old school) I just think I have spent to much time just for it to go to waste. I'm thinking about goin one year, or trying, then deciding from there, as there will be plenty of seventh graders coming up the year after next in regards of low brass.


P.S. the only reason I got trombone is because I had access to one my uncle had when he was in band IN 1984! and then a flute of the same year.

I also do the same thing, just not quite in the prediciment as you

Trombone for concert, precussion for marching, I would have to say, to talk to your band director, if he really needs you on trombone, give it a go, its A LOT easier to make a hornline for big corps then a battery, notice how the battery dosnt usually have spots open while their are recruiters everywhere throwing out money (for the same corp) to get some horn players

That is all assuming you want to march a corp, most trombonists go in and march baritone bugle

But, If you really wanna do drums, and your BD gives you the OK, go back, The BD is a powerfull person, and if you can get a high ranking percussion spot, he juust might be able to pull some strings and manipulate people like the cymbal players (who usually are mad for not having a big roll) to play a horn

Im a sax player through and through. I've played it for 8 years of my life. I play alto and tenor and love jazz. I teach Jazz ensemble at my school (im a 12th grader) and I play Tenor in Wind ensemble. Im a marching percussist with 3 years experience, having played a year on bass and two on tenors. I was captain of the drumline this year.

-Justin

I'm first chair trumpet in concert band and center snare for marching band and although I have never been in this position I can honestly say I rather put on a great show while marching brass then just an ok show with weak brass and good percussion.

thank you all the posts.

I have just written and sent a long email to my band director. I just hope he will let me play.

Well, it was an intersting conversation, even though I siad nothing, except at the end.
Here is what I said in the email:

Quote:

---

I have been waiting for the time to ask you this since band camp last semester. I'm going to ask straight up: Could I march percussion for marching season, and either percussion or trombone for concert season?

Yes, there are PLENTY 8th grade percussionists coming up next year, and only 3-5 low brass coming, but I have practiced many things.

Some just like 8 on a Hand, or even a watered down version of Santa Clara Vanguard's Electric Wheelchair and snare part to Double Beat. Granted I don't not all 40 PAS rudiments, but I do know most of them, but I'm sure that it will not take me long to learn the rest. I own a Vic Firth Slimpad and Quadropad, and they have helped me not to develop much of "pad hands." The Quadropad is built to be the exact specifications of a normal set of tenors, and it has helped me to develop at least some technique for the set. The slimpad mimics the feel of a kevlar heads snare. I got Electric Wheelchair on Friday, and I have sight read it over 10 times, but with no metronome, as I do not have one, but I should have on this week. 8 on a hand, doubles, 6's, on snare, the same on tenors, but with added ratamacue exercises, are the things I play almost every day.

I have wanted to march percussion for as long as I can remember, and I have drummed for as long as I can remember, also. I never wanted to play trombone, I just got it since my uncle owned one he never uses, and hasn't used since the 80's, the same on I still use today. I know the musical importance of Low brass, but I don't have as much fun as I did when the middle school played at their home games. I am not the best trombone player because I never really try to play, except on some days when I'm in the mood to play it. I would try if I only played it for concert season and percussion for marching. When I practice my percussion, I am devoted to it; I have fun in the process, whether it be watching DCI videos, videos of anything percussion, listening to mp3s of other lines, or practicing myself. When I wrote and gave you those cadences, it was to give you a hint that I could play and read percussion. I memorized most for Aztec fire by when the line played it. I memorized all parts of the cadences, and it is a part of my warm ups also. At the Christmas Parade, when my trombone was damaged after I dropped at the last practice, I hoped that I could play the middle bas because Cadarius wasn't there (also you gave me the wrong trombone part, 1st part instead of second.) The only reason I left it last year was that I failed 2 pass offs on mallets, but now, since I have had time to really practice, it would be easy.

All I ask, is just one year. If I don't like it I'll leave and go trombone, If I do, well I would want to stay. I can't wait another year, I have already waited over 5 years to at least try it. I am not very good at it because I have had to teach myself, and that is another reason why I want to play. I am willing to put 14-45 pounds on my back for 5 months, and then again if we somehow get an indoor program, competitive or not. I spent $60 on a PAS membership in February, and I do not want that to go to waste either.

---

He eventually said that, he wouldn't even consider it in the first place, then he found it comical that he should let me play percussion when I don't try 100% on trombone.

When we talk to him at spring concert (we, as in me and my parents) we are going to say that,

A. it is not my trombone, it is my uncles
B. we are not going to rent one from him or a music store, because we already have spent a few hundred dollars on what I WANT TO PLAY.
C. just because I don't try 100% on trombone doesn't mean that i won't on percussion, for example, my mother worked as an ER nurse, and she HATED it, and didn't give 100%, but when she got t what she Wanted, baby delivery, and such, see gave 110%; also, my current events teacher, doen't EVER give 100% in my class, but when he is coaching the wrestleing teams, he gets Coach of the Year in the county.


My only fear is, that if, and when I play percussion, i will not like it, for whatever the reason.


oh, my uncle is a leader at the Alabama Musical Educators Association.

Ok, say if you also knew how to play... some other instrument, but you always practice and give 100% on percussion, but not on the other, would you want to give 100% on percussion. If you made mistake of switching from percussion to the other instrument, just for 1 year, wouldn't you want to go back after that one year, since that was what you planned? If the director didn't let you, wouldn't you be more demoralized than you already were?

That is what happened to me,I was on percussion for 3 months, then I decided, for just the rest of the year, go trombone. I was ok with it, then came band camp the next year, still on trombone. It has almost bbeen 2 years since I switched. It sucks having to play an instrument last played in 1984, before I played it.

No, I'd still give my 100% because it should be about playing music. I was a drummer all my life and then my junior year, the director said "We need a trombone for jazz band... and you're it." I picked it up and had a great time. Similiar situation with tuba in concert band.

The director wouldn't let me switch band to percussion, because I was good at what I did - and I realized that and was happy with what I was doing. I would rather have a cohesive ensemble that sounds good than appease myself with percussion.

So, if speaking to him doesn't work you have two options... suck it up and play trombone or quit.

Hmmm...I started on piano when I was 5 and percussion when I was 10. I am primarily a percussionist, however I still practice piano every day and give it 100% every time that I do. I can also play cello if needed though I am not good at it. When called upon however, I give go at it 1005. What fun is learning an instrument if you aren't going to give 100% to learning?

I'm with Chris on this one, if you aren't giving 100% on something, I wouldn't let you switch either.

What is best for the band is what you need to be asking yourself. If there are a lot of incoming freshman in percussion, then let them play percussion and you stay on trombone since there are fewer and a band without a low brass section sounds really thin. THAT is for the better of the band.

Is your uncle telling you that he's going to take back the trombone? You hint at that, but never say that.

I've spent far more than a few hundred dollars for an instrument that I rarely play so the not renting something because it's not what you want to play argument holds no water. And for the record, I bought my cello while I was in HS.

Talk to your director, I think he or she can give you an honest answer. When I was in band many moons ago, we had a drummer who also played trombone. He wanted on the line really bad, but the director saw fit to keep him in brass. I would say whatever playing trombone or percussion, just be the best you can where you are needed & you will be successful. Trust your band leadership. Here is a suggestion if you really want to play drums and can't play in the drumline, you have a couple of options. There are some community drumlines out there that will let you audition as a high schooler. Also, possibly get a set of drums and focus on drumset on your own time. That's what our trombone friend did, & he still plays drumset to this day. Best wishes & good luck to ya.

There is no community drumline and I have played drumset since I was 2 years old. i already asked him

See what your BD is really seeing is, what if you decide there's a certain part of the show you don't like and so you don't give 100% learning it? or you're not feeling 'up' to performing at a game? You said you play trombone well when you 'feel like it'. Having somebody on the line who did that would be excruciating at the least.

And trust me, there are times when the last thing you want to do is strap on a heavy drum and do brutal, boring, run through after run through. Or to practice paradiddles when you could be out with your friends. You're enthusiastic now, and that's great, but it takes commitment to be a part of the band.

Your BD isn't going to be doing you any big favors without you showing some sacrifice and dedication to the greater good. And from what you've described, putting you in percussion would be a HUGE gift ahead of the rest of the band. And if you put in a really great year of trombone, who knows what next season will bring. =)

So, you basically shot yourself in the foot with the entire "I dont put up 100% on trombone"

I have a feeling what the band director is thinking, hes thinking about the band as a team, and it truley is, he wants you to benefit the entire band, not just try and benefit yourself

Telling your BD that you dont try on trombone, but you might on drums wasnt smart, in his mind, hes thinking why should he move you, when your not even trying in the first place, its doing you a big favor, that you havnt worked for at all

Just practice your drums to yourself, and start giving 100% to your BD, your only a freshman, you have 3 years left, People mature, your BD might notice that youve matured and are willing to work as a team player for the band, then you might be able to try and switch

don't worry... i quit anyways.... or i was going to, but then i found out to get a scholarship i had to have 4 years of band.

as someone above said u pretty much blew yourself saying you'd give 100% for percussion and not trombone and u have two options suck it up or quit...

i wanna play tenors on my school's line right? tryouts are this upcoming wednesday. plus u gotta think about whats best for the band etc. ok? so lets say i don't make tenors like i plan and he puts me on like idk snare.

i could either suck it up and play snare or quit. but this being me, i would suck it up and still give it 110%. i wanna play tenors more than anything..pretty much what i've dreamed of doin since i joined band. but still i'd rather play and enjoy playing music on an instrument that i don't wanna play..rather than not playin music at all..

... I regret to inform the DLO community that I quit band...

our band sucks anyways

Wow, way to take the cowards way out. I'm assuming you weren't planning on majoring in music in college then? Most universities frown on people that quit band.

I especially like the fact that you make a point of telling us about your band sucking. Perhaps you could've done your part and taken on a bit more responsibility and helped the band not suck so much. Instead, you don't get your way so you quit.

Ahhh...the innocence of youth.

in giving them several stands songs that I made myself. I havent officially quit. I'm waiting to see what the show is. There is 0 posibility of me getting percussion at all, so what is the point of staying if I have 0 chance of anything, why stay?

I nearly hate trombone, and everything I have been doin has been for the good of the band, now I'm saying what's in it for me? I hate playing something to whcih my heart does not belong. To the person that said earlier they want to play quads, at least your are on the line. What I am saying would be like you love percussion but then you move to french horn for the good of the band, until the french horns got bigger, but when they did, they wouldn't let you go back, wouldn't you be extremly mad? That is exactly what happened to me!

It's not that I'm nott getting my way, its that I worked my butt off to get back on the line, while I gave as much as I could to the band, just to find out that all my hard work for the band has was not appreciated, and that I have wasted my time for 2-5 years teching myself how to play so I could join the highschool line. When I went to percussion camp to LEARN, NOT TO TRY TO GET ON, he kicked me out of the bandroom and said, "I have told you time and time again that I will gladly give you private lessons, and yet you have not come to me at all except through emails, and having a "confrence" with your parents, just after a concert of all places. Now, if you are here to learn, all I can do is give you the written things, but other than that you will just be a distraction."
I said, "alright, yes sir, I'm getting my stuff and getting out of your way."

We worte a letter to the principle saying:
When my son, Will Dennis became a student at McAdory Middle School, he was a percussion player. His father and I bought a drum kit in order for him to play percussion. For one reason or another, Will was switched to trombone. Now, Will wants to go back to his original instrument, the percussion. When he asked Mr. Pritchard, Mr. Pritchard flatly refused. So Will's father and I spoke to Mr. Pritchard after the Spring Concert and Mr. Pritchard still refuses. Mr. Pritchard says it is his policy that no student switches instruments. If that is the case, then why was he able to switch in the first place? At the time, Mr. Pritchard said if Will goes back to percussion, that the "horn line will suffer," but come to find out, many of the female horn players have been allowed to go to color guard, dance, etc. which if the truth is that the horn line is suffering, allowing these horn players to go to auxiliary, will make the horn line suffer more. When reminded that we spent hundreds of dollars for Will to play percussion, Mr. Pritchard said "that isn't my problem."

Today (April 30), Will was in the bandroom when percussion camp started. Mr. Pritchard acted very harshly toward Will, humiliating him in front of the students and complaining that my husband and I talked to him about Will going back to percussion "after a concert of all places". Mr. Pritchard said he would only give Will private lessons on percussion. Will wants to be in the percussion group, not play percussion as an individual. Will doesn't want to quit band, because he wants to go to college on a music scholarship and become a music composer/teacher. Mr. Pritchard has given Will an unfair ultimatum, "play trombone or quit." If Will quits the band, then he can't get a scholarship to any university. I very, very much resent the fact that Mr. Pritchard is holding Will's future as a musician over his head, instead of encouraging Will to be the best musician he can be. I don't think that Mr. Pritchard should have to power to ruin Will's future in this way, just because Will wants to enhance the band with the ability of playing more than one instrument.

we never sent it. I am not a coward for quitting, i was being a non-conformist, not a sheep.

I do see where you are coming from JacketSnare, that sounds like a very unfair situation and that would make me very mad. I say you send that email to the principal that an act of "singling out" if you ask me, but yeah, if that was me I would not take that and I would go to the ends of the Earth to get a fair chance to try and do what I love.

And about privae lessons, am I wrong or is drumline a group and team effort, and unless you're in a group, what's the point? Solos get boring after the 3rd or 4th time

we never sent that email by the way

Your letter has a lie in the first two sentences. You said in this thread that you signed up for Trombone last year. In your letter, you say you were "switched for some reason or another". You made the switch and you're attempting to portray the band director as a person who switches people arbitrarily. This is a false accusation.

Your teacher also can't inspire you to achieve if you readily admit that you won't apply yourself 100%. You also say you want to "enhance the band with the ability to play more than one instrument", and how will percussion do that? You've already indicated that there are a number of up and coming percussionists. How will adding you to the mix benefit the group. You also mentioned there are only 3-5 lower brass coming up. How will you moving enhance that section?

I also have to agree with your director. Why would you approach him after a concert? If you have an issue with a teacher, the professional thing to do would be to schedule time and have a meeting, not ambush him after a concert.

i also agree with this. anytime i talk to my director its always after a practice or in the morning before school starts. i don't set up a time like this person said. though i would but mr.cornutt has specifically said in the morning or after practice is perfectly fine.

also, i do understand where you're coming from. working yourself and then not getting it is a hard thing. ive worked myself to my heart's content and then some for tenors. now tryouts were wednesday but idk what ive made yet..how ever i do know there's a strong chance i'll be on tenors but also a slight chance i won't be. so if im not i will be sorely disappointed in similar way to your situation.

still...i don't think i would quit band completely if i were you..i know tons of people who have quit for reasons like yours and all them say they regret doing so..so think hard and long about it dude

"I nearly hate trombone," " Solos get boring after the 3rd or 4th time"

...What? I really couldn't take you or your efforts to make it on your line seriously after these statements. If you had any serious interest or love for music you wouldn't be saying that.

First off, dedicated musicians don't balk at instruments, I for one am apt to at least try and play anything I can get my hands on. Dismissing an instrument is completely the opposite of the attitude I'd want from any person I'm working with in a band. It shows that you have no real dedication towards improving yourself, no ability to work outside your comfort zone to improve yourself and your ensemble, and no understanding of the effort other people put in to be a part of the 'group and team effort'.

And solos boring? That really ought to stand on its own as a tragically comic statement. Any piece of music can be infinitely engaging if you're committed to it. Interpreting and perfecting (not just being able to play) a piece of music is something that can take a soloist months, or years. Look at Yo-Yo Ma's recordings of Bach's Cello Suites, for example. I'm not saying a student should take that degree of depth to everything they play, but to play music WELL you have to be able to work for something better than what you can already do, always, no matter what your conditions.

So basically any claim of yours to hard work has been thrown away in my eyes. I'm surprised your BD was as kind to you as he was.

after the concert was the only time both my parents could ttalk at the same time with him

Well, I need to ask, if your trying to get on percussion so badly, why dont you just take the private lessons from your band director?

Seriously? And having your parents trying to get involved in this, dont take that way, because if you do get your way, other kids wont like you, and theres a good chance the band director wont like you anymore, Its almost like having your parents fight your battles for you

Just buck up, march trombone if you have to, take the private lessons, seriously talk to your band director, dont bum rush him after a concert with your parents, find a time, to sit and talk about this

Ima do trombone next year, but I still push to get on percussion... thanks for the help

I just been so confused about it, thanks for the help, again

His argument about giving 100% for percussion but not trombone is legit. I played piano for tons of years, gave it about 50%. Now that I play percussion, I give it 100%. This is not because I "don't love music" or any of that crap, it's just that percussion is a perfect fit with me. Same thing is true for him. Keep trying to get in percussion!

im goin to talk to im this week about the private lessons

I would say it's very different playing solo piano versus marching an instrument in a band. When other people are relying on you, you have to be dedicated regardless of how much you enjoy it. One of the best things marching band has taught me is an understanding of being a part of something much bigger than yourself. You don't really get the same sense with piano. =PP

i guess i could have been more specific, this may just make it worse

I used to, as in before this ever was posted, gave about 60% in practice and 110% in performance, marching or concert, now its 97% practice, 110% performance.

Yeah, that's not helping your cause at all. I demand 100% from my students at all time. Remember, you perform like you practice. You may give 110% in performances, but that is only 110% of the 60% or 97% you were giving in rehearsal.

You don't sound like a person that is dedicated to your band program. Contrary to what you may think you've done to help or written, or anything, you are missing that team player attitude that all good instructors or BD's look for in a member.

im fully dedicated to the band, not the instrument i CURRENTLY play, other than that, band is what i give most of my dedcation to. I pratice every morning in the band room, I always listen, I just don't play my instrument as well as I could, but that continues to change.

You're contradicting yourself. You say you're committed to the band, but not to the instrument. Your instrument is a part of the band is it not?

that's just one part of the band that I'm not really dedicated too, like band boosters.

I need a new instrument, mine won't last another season, and I'm not sure if we got the $$$$ to rent/buy a new one.

Sure it will, Just take care of it

So if you don't play this instrument as well as you could, what proof is there to tell the BD that you would play your new instrument as well as you could? There isn't any. You have to prove you can give 100% before someone will actually believe you.