Wow. Did more than half of this thread turn into another show style vs. corps style? Heh...

*re-reads the first post*

I personally HAVE seen some amazing show style snare players. In fact, a couple of them have tried out for cavies a couple times but barely fell out (some due to money issues).

Think of it this way: show style drummers aren't there just for the crowd - they're there because they like to do what they do and nothing more.

Proper instruction is the KEY aspect of snare chops. In a Drum Corps you are usually going to get excellent instruction. That is because the instructor IS a drummer. In the typical band some sax, trumpet, or tuba playing Band Director who actually and DANGEROUSLY believes that he can TEACH percussion will most likely misteach all sorts of wierd and totally incorrect concepts. That's why after teaching history and being the Drum instructor at my High School for 17 years and 7 Band Directors, I finally started a Drum Corps for our Navy JROTC. Should have done it long ago. The band switched to show syle and were more interested in dancing and visual tricks than in the HARD AND LONG ROAD to rudimental excellence. I marched with the Marine Drum Corps in Wash. DC 1975-79

Rudimentally, showstyle bands to not show much. However, the combinations of visuals make it much harder than the average corps style band imo. I've seen many HBCU bands throw down visuals that seem 100 times more complicated than anything I've ever seen Jeff Queen do. Jeff Queen...eh, he doesn't think outside the box.

Oh and yeah, the drummers, even though they may not use it in performances, they usually know hundreds of rudimental hybrids, especially those on desirable lines like at NC A&T, and PV.

I don't know if this is the right time, but I would like to state my opinion. Just because a show style band dances and has a lot of visuals doesn't mean that they are not a good as every other band out there. One reason why this is said is because of the fact that the band doesn't sound good. The reason why this might be stated is because they are dancing and grooving. That is what affects the tone so dramatically. Another thing is that the drummers are not as good. Just because the don't play something as challenging doesn't mean anything. Musicality is a key element for music, you can't just play what you want all the time and get away with it. True, they don't have parts as hard as a drum corps, but they are still percussionists. That puts us all in the same league with one another. You forget the fact that they might still practice outside of band, which means you can't judge them because you might not have seen them play to their full potential. This is all of course my opinion though.

Look, nobody is saying that Show Style Bands aren't as good as traditional marching bands. This thread isn't about bashing either style of performance.

As far as chops go, one can't really compare without having a large exposure to both styles. But I won't say which style has more chops... but I can say that the top corps. are CLEANER and more TECHNICAL. I know for one that my line plays technical rudiments, etc. and still keeps the funk. We strive to be clean and uniformed in EVERYthing we do. I have posted clips of us in the thread entitled "NSU Clips". We are a showstyle line with corp. style concepts.

Of course I'm being biased. It's what I know. I have taken plenty of time watching jeff Queen and he repeats the same visuals all the time. You should take some time to watch show style lines play. Am I knocking corps style? Yes, personally I think it has no flavor, but I can understand why people like it. It's just not music to me. Of course

- Edited for double-posting. you have up to six hours to clisk the Edit button and add thoughts or comments to an existing post. -

Of course I'm being biased. It's what I know. I have taken plenty of time watching Jeff Queen and he repeats the same visuals all the time. You should take some time to watch show style lines play. Am I knocking corps style? Yes, personally I think it has no flavor, but I can understand why people like it. It's just not music to me. Of course I respect corps style lines but it always sounds like the majority people on these forums don't really understand what it is like to be on a show style band.

For example, a sophomore from a Florida high school transferred to our school recently. He has never heard of Electric Wheelchair or the Ditty, but he ripped them both up at almost official tempo within like 10 minutes. There is so much to show style bands that is no where to be found on the Internet or in books. Free styling on quads in HBCU or Florida A&M's cadences belong to what is almost a secret society of show style drummers.

I'm sorry my thoughts are all over the place I was on the phone while typing this.

On a final note...last season our drumline has heard people from other drumlines say things "I wish we could do what they do", because we are the only show style line in our division and area. Also, we're always invited to major parades where all the other drumlines are collegiate drumlines. We kick butt (in a biased sort of way).