So yeah this upcoming marching season I will be march 5th bass. Only problem with that is I have never marched. (Except in a Christmas parade). Since last year was my first year and i was on the pit. But yeah thats not really my question. My question do any of you know whats are some good workouts and things that I can do so Im physicaly prepaired for marching. When I say that i mean legs, Abs, Chest, and arms.

Being physically prepared ain't gonna do sh*t.
You have to be mentally prepared.
Like seriously.

I agree with the above poster, you'll get the physcial just from repition and the training of those muscles. But make sure you mind is right, and everything else will fall into place.

While being mentally prepared is absolutely necessary, some good things to do to get in shape physically are just whatever gets your heart pumping.

Running, push ups, sit ups, swimming, whatever.

Something I do to get my calves ready for the marching season is stand on my tippy toes and play through warm ups or cadences, staying up the whole time. That'll definitely get your legs up to par.

As for your chest and arms, they aren't too crucial to your success as a bass drummer. 'Cept for your chops, but practicing tons will set that straight.

More than your arms or chest, you should focus on getting your back muscles toughened up for playing fifth bass. I'm not sure how to work on that, but I'm sure somebody else on here does.

:x

Good luck.

A lot of it does have to do with mental skills and you how you can take in learning how to march, etc.

Mainly if you want to work something out, it would be your legs, if you work out your legs it might seem easier to crab step (even though its easy as it is) and to roll step, etc.

Abs are the most important muscle when it comes to proper marching technique. Ways to work on your abs is the do circuit crunches, so like, 30 of regular, then 30 with your legs to each side, then 30 bicycle etc.

If you want to work out your lower back so its not so painful when you first start, just do reverse crunches. Lay on your stomach, and raise your upper chest and your legs at the same time. At first it feels like nothing is being worked out, but after several sets of 30 or so reps you'll feel it.

Calfs are also big when you first start marching. I'd say the main muscles you use are your abs, calves and lower back. So just work those out and run/swim on a regular basis and your fine. DO NOT lift heavy weights with your legs. Big muscles are not ideal for marching. If you feel the NEED to lift, do low low weight and high reps.

Hope this helps!

Ok so no heavy weight lifting for legs. Oh and I was wondering if it would be a good idea for me to take my drum home after school and practising marching at the track and such close to my house.

Thats up to you but I dont think that much practice is needed, you pretty much get used to the weight as you progress through the season.

And even though big leg muscles arent needed for marching band its not that their not ideal, its that their not requirement, dont take that the wrong way as I mis-interpreted cvdlcass to have said. Large muscles with not prevent you from marching, so no worries about that if you want to build up your muscles.

If you have joined a good band program, your band director will march your butt off. Believe me, if you guys have a summer band camp, you will get quite used to marching. You could do some leglifts, chairs, maybe. I would focus on playing eights, singles, doubles, with a metronome to build your chop strength. You could also start working with an experienced band student on your marching skills if you are worried. But really that is what band camp is for.

Posting to agree with Pantera. You don't have to worry about marching itself, because one way or another you WILL learn how to march properly.

But my times during band camp were both deadly and fun. I almost passed out 3 times because no one mentioned not to lock your knees at a tension. My legs were so sore, and by the end of the day my mind was rattled. That's why you have to prepare mentally. Marching with a drum is a big deal, and it can be complicated. But it's destined to get easier as long as your willing to mentally practice.

Lawl. I march home from school. I air play our cadences while moving my feet (left, right, left etc.)
People asked what the **** I was doing.

DOOD ME TOO

Yeah last year I played pit. So during band camp our section leader over perscussion made pit march till lunch. Then afterwards we would go into practicing our music. The pit leader made me work on my chops all band camp atleast an hour a day. So ill be used to that. Oh and I thought it was stupid at band camp when I had to march. But really when I had to fill 5th bass drum possion during the christmas parade. So it actually helped snugglebunny. But yeah its going to be difficult marching the whole time. But I dont care I wanted to march last year but I got sweet talked into being in the pit. Ok this is off the subject but do any of you have a myspace or youtube account.

Most people, if they have either a youtube or myspace account, will have a link in either their signature or their profile. [/offtopic]

Something else I forgot to mention (but someone else happened to make note of) is that you should NOT lock your knees at attention.

It pucks with circulation, and can lead to black outs. And if you're marching bass, and you pass out, you'll be in a world of hurt when you wake up. ;P

If you marched a parade, 2+ miles, it should be no problem with getting used to the weight and related thing with 5 bass. I marched th Heuytown Christmas parade, and it was full of hills. I marched trombone, but it was like doing 5 shows back to back, with cadence in between. Then again I had gotten out of shape since band camp, when I was swimming almost every day. Marching in step, playing music correctly, while going up and down hills in Alabama (Jefferson County) don't really mix that well with our band, but knowing other programs, they may exercise you enough that it won't be a problem

True. We had to march for and hour and a half because a float got stuck and our band director wouldn't let us stand at attention. so we had to just like march but in postion. and that hour and a half isnt including when we got going again.

Try jogging backward. Work those legs and give your neighbors a good laugh.
=)

HAHA I could see that. I live by some old people

hey, random question...i go to a small high school and we are looking to by new marching harnesses (because ours our crap!!!). any suggestions about what kind we should get?

dude i march constantly.. after my first year of marching it stuck permanantely. i now constantly roll my heals, any time im in a really tight space and i have to walk side ways to fit through i automatically crab step it, im always in step w/ the person beside me. etc. and im constantly playing cadences show music stand tunes and exercises whether it be air drumming tapping it on my desk at school..tappin it on my leg...steering will when i drive (haha which flips my mom out).... even now as i sit here on this computer..always. i seriously wouldn't be surprised if i drum in my sleep w/out knowing it

and like darfin said at first its a mental thing the physical will work itself out.

very off topic.

get whatever brand your drums are. I recommend Pearl or Yamaha, because they are easiest to get, but they may not work with Dynasty's or Premier's.