So at my school, we only have 2 snares. 5 Basses and one Quad.

One Sophomore who played Bass this year is pretty much guaranteed a snare next year. (We don't hold tryouts or auditions, our Instructor just selects who he wants)

Now, the problem is: Next year our band is most likely going to be so small that we would probably be short on basses and the snares would over-power the band too much.

See, I have no modesty in admitting that I'm way better than the Sophomore. But the problem is also the fact that hes a friend of mine. I couldn't send him back to bass for his Junior year. But then again, he did quit band last year and just rejoined at the beginning of marching season.

What should I do? I've been to afraid to speak up about anything for the entire year. The Sophomore sympathizes with me, but it doesn't help. It's easy for him anyway. He's already got his name on a snare.

I know it probably sounds like I'm whining, and it's really not that big of a deal, but playing Snare means a lot to me and everybody got my hopes up all marching season. Then come after marching season we start talking about it, and all the sudden:

Phail.

Just do the best you can & let the instructor select who he or she wants. Let the chips fall were they may, if he is a true friend it will not matter who plays what. Don't hold back your skills for anyone. They are responsible for themselves. Best wishes...

Uh, whoa, dude.

If he quit, he shouldn't even be allowed to come back, let alone get a coveted spot.

Speak up. What's to gaurentee that he doesn't quit again, leaving you with only one snare?

You are more dependable, obviously, and besides, he still has a year left to play snare. If he redeems himself during the upcoming season, only then should he even be considered for snare.

Just my two cents.

It's all about continuity. Our drum instructor obviously favors him over me, because hes been on the line longer. I am way dedicated, I absolutely love marching band.

The Sophomore went through last year all the way, playing bass. Then he didn't sign up for band this year, and like 3-4 Games into the season he rejoined as Cymbal.

Should I straight up just talk to my BD about it? Thats one of the many things that I haven't done. All year I've been worrying about all of this, trying to find a clear solution, and not once had I talked to an authority figure about it.

Talk to your band director.

Even if he's been in the line longer, he obviously wasn't that eager last(this) year, or else he wouldn't have waited five or six games to rejoin. It really sucks to go over someone's head, but if it's a matter of this much concern to you, you should pro'lly go to the big Boss Man. Or Woman.

:P

Woman =P
But it is a matter of concern to me. Everyone says that I should just chill out because I'll only be a sophomore, but I spent all marching season playing some lame butt bell parts while all my friends marched.

I've always wanted to be in marching band. I've always wanted to play snare. Playing Bass is better than pit, but it just doesn't give me the same feeling inside

I'll bring it up with my Band Director.

I would say if you're just a freshman now, you'll be a better asset to the line and you'll be doing better for yourself on bass. You've got to build a foundation of marching and playing skills that's unique to drumline and by far playing bass is the best way to do that. That's what I would think anyways.


But see that's just my opinion, just like how Crashcrimson believes after quitting he shouldn't be let back in. They're not really gonna completely adjust for the details of the situation. I think the best (and fairest) thing to do is just practice your bass with no b off and if you're better you'll get the spot. If you go to the boss lady, you risk hurting your friendship and not even getting the spot, she could easily see it differently and I'm very sure your friend would see it as a cheap shot.

In all reality, I'd be better for the line to play snare, and him on bass. The only thing stopping this is his seniority.

I was going to go to the boss lady to try and get us both on snare.
I would not make him give up his.
Also, like I said, the way you GET spots on my line is talking. There are no auditions, no tryouts. The BD or Drum Instructor knows everyones talents. And if you flat out say "I'm playing snare."
And you just happen to be good at snare, then you'll get it.

Theres some who've tried this and we've said HELL NAW to.

Update. Our band director handed out next years show music to us today (woo)

And...
and...
and...





I got snare.
The sophmores playing snare too.
Were both happy. Everyones happy. Let's dance.

Even if you didnt get snare

Remember, youve never marched bass, you marched pit for one year, Now im trying to say your knocking the bass, but Im just saying, Bass is really fun, And if you would of gotten bass, oh well, for some reason, Marching bass seemed to be much funner for me then marching snare

But congradulations on this going how you want, now proove that you deserve this spot =D