There is a snare player just like that on our line. All my drum captain does to shut em up is say "Get down and give me twenty!" But were all always goofing off. It's just that this one is really bad and he is a really dirty player too. Without him, were clean.

Dude, stand up. Don’t let her play. That’s what it comes down to. Take apart her harness, take apart her drum. Don’t let her play. It’s your line. And get the rest of your line to support you when the director and drum instructor come and reprimand you. Seriously. When it comes to it they will have to listen. If the people in charge wont do anything you have to stand up man. So she's not cut, she just doesn’t have anything to play on.

Dude, that totally sucks. Our drumline here at NMSU has had the same problem this whole season, and it's all because of TWO snare guys. They aren't even snare players to begin with. One of em' was fifth bass player last year, and another guy is a tenor player. TOTAL DIRT! The bass player only got a slot because he played pit for a Div 2 drumcorps. I dunno what our instructor was thinking. He should have made cuts at the beginning of the camp. As a matter of fact, our section leader quit the line because he got frustrated that these guys could not play. And well he marched snare for Blue Knights, so being in a really dirty line got to him. So I feel your pain dude.

Yep,
This snare player is not a drummer either...she played sax last year. In fact, I don't think she had even hit a drum until band camp started. Thank god the season is over, I was beginning to lose it.

My concern for next year, is that she recently spent like $100 to donate stick bags for the snares. I cannot see ANY reason why she would do this (i mean, after next year she will graduate) except to buy her drum spot for next year. What's funny is she didnt clear the stick bags with anyone on our drumline, and I get the impression that no one wants to use them.

you know what makes me sick! ever since that drumline movie came out, tons of people suddenly want to be in the drumline.

and also, this year, there are going to be about 10 other people trying out for JUST SNARE ALONE that play tuba or trumpet or anything...you name it. most of them think they can just tryout and make it...even though they dont know how to read music for what they are trying out for, have horrible technique, and just plain out suck. makes no sense to me.

We had the same problem most of you had, but it was with our 5th bass player. The runs were messed up so bad just because he played to freakin soft, you could never hear him. he hardly showed up for important practices too...so he is kicked off next year if he trys out a again.

yeah, what gets me is when 'people' flirt with the instructors and make it on the line...that really makes me mad. i play flute, but i've done percussoin for two years and i can play any rudiment you set before me and some pieces, depending. and even I'M not going out for snare! i'm just going out for bass cuz its easier and thepeople w/ more experience should have snare! but then there's this girl who might get my spot cuz she hits on our instructor, and she cant even play a paradiddle. ERRR.....sorry.

I'm not too good at advice, but I say if she is there to make your life miserable.....make hers even more miserable. Have a time set for the drumline to reherse their music (one by one) for music memorization testing. If she plays in front of the entire drumline and completely bombs it she will feel as miserable as she has made you feel. Well what i'm getting at is eye for an eye.

Here is what I would do. If your line REALLY wants to see her practice, you will have to kinda trick her into practicing. For in-school rehearsal (drum class) get a whole
bunch of extremely easy exercises for the snare line that work your diddles. Take the exercises very very slow and, with time she will be forced to learn how to play diddles.
Then repeat these on any other thing she needs to improve on. Sooner or later she will learn how to play snare and may even find a interest in practicing. Of course this is only if you really want her to get better.

I hate those types of people who are just in the drumline to look cool for all of their friends. I have a few that are in my line now. What I did and am planning on doing is to let them stay on the line and then make them audition for a spot. If they can't hack it and their attitude still sucks then they will not be on the line. Or as my Band Director nicely puts it, "They will be invited to not join the band next year."

WOW, your band programms sound nothing like my old High schools. Being in band made you a dorky band geek. Being in the drumline meant you were less likely to get in fights.
I say sit down with her and let her know what you as a line want to accomplish and what easch of you need to do to allow that to happen. I would however sit down with your B and Director and or drum staff. Also let her know what level of committment is expected and what amount of pracrice time is reasonable. Set up a support network for your line. Where you can call each other and ask question so you can practice the right things the right way.
Obviously this is all geared towards her but it can still be ebenifical for the rest of the line. Make it an open forum for comments as well good or bad.