Hi, I was wondering if I could get some advice. Although I am also a drummer, in marching band I've concentrated on cymbals since 7th grade. It always confused me how the rest of the line could claim they were devoted to percussion when they don't have respect for all of it. They say a bunch garbage about how "cymbals should be the punishment of all that shame the line" and talk about how they'd rather be burned alive than ever be caught having to play them. Of course, I am agrevated beyond belief. Especially since our line wasn't always this way. In the old days before we lost the best of of drumline captians everyone respected everyone. Literally. I mean, it didn't matter that I was the only girl or the only cymbal player, they treated me with respect & we always had a ton of fun together. Now, I'm a junior and all the people I valued most have either graduated or moved away, replaced by listless, unmotivated eigth graders and a upperclassmen that are very bad examples of percussionsts, like they've forgotten why percussion is awesome.it's a line I don't even recognize any more. They doubt me all the time and think I'm not worth much but are some how shocked to realize that I also play snare and play cymbals by choice because I love to play. The rest of the line is like "Hey which one of the guys is playing?" and then they look around and see it's just me "Really? Oh my gosh, you're a drummer? Since when did you play drums?". I've only been drumming practically all my life. Anyways, the line got a lot of new equipment over the last couple of years, everything is practically new. There are four brand new pairs of sabian AA marching band 16" plates and guess what? I'm playing all alone. Since our band director is lieniant I always wanted to try some more advanced techniques to cymbals so at least I'm making an effort to change the line and maybe when I graduate next year some one else will actually want to play cymbals and the rest of the line will be forced to make an effort at their instruments. I have the cymbal video (and it was really good), I'm going to try to go to the illini drumline clinc and I've been trying to lift wieghts to become stronger. Is there anything else I can do to truly become good? Even if the rest of my line dosen't realize it I would love the satisfaction of knowing I was actually doing somthing with my instrument. I also would love to join a DCI line someday soon but I want to improve my technique first. I am as dedecated as any and I'm willing to work hard, but it's difficult when your up aganst a situation like this, all alone. I hope someone has a suggestions that I could try because I really want to improve. I appreciate your help.

I would also recomend going to a DCI camp. People their are just as devoted as you. Fitting in would be simple for you.

You guessed it, I'd recomend going to a camp anyways as well. Even if you don't make it, it's the experience that counts. You'll be a much better player having been there. One of the things they look for the most in prospective members is their attitude, and your's is just what they're looking for, so you have that going for you. Granted, I don't know your skill level, but from the way you talk, you know your stuff. Good luck with whatever your decision may be.
P.S. Go to Glassmen, I'll see you next year lol.

Your technique doesn't have to be absolutely perfect, the tech will teach you his technique when you get there. If you are willing to work hard, you can definitely make a line. You really seem dedicated and exactly the kind of person that would fit in on a DCI cymbal line.

cntralsnare.. glassmen is no loger feilding a cymbal line, you have to get your kicks somwhere else next year...

Everyone is taking the right approach here. It will help you to learn the basics of the cymbal crash, the flam technique. From there, you will learn the technique from which ever DCI line you join. The main thing is to be smart and adapt to the program.

As for your line, the other drummers need to see a great cymbal line in action. Get them to a drum corps show and point out the good lines. Usually people bash things they don't understand. If they knew what a good cymbal line looked like, they would be more positive about having one.

Yeah, you should totally go find a drumcorps you like with a cymline and audition. I wouldn't worry too much about technique, because there are sooo many different techniques, and the one you use may be different then the one a drumcorp you try out for uses. But anwyay, good luck, with that kind of determination, I'm sure any drumcorps would love to have you! *Last minute thought: Make sure you're prepared, because different corps use different cyms, my corps is marching 20's and its alot a lot different from the 18's I learned to play on*