I think what he's saying is that crabbing was invented because carriers make it very difficult to flank unless you have the bottom of the carrier strapped to your body (I know this is possible because the quads at Ohio State have done it for years), not because "the drums are meant to project one way" or something like that.

indirectly, yea.

the carriers make the drums project in one direction (forward). the carriers restrict the player from doing flanks while still projecting forward. therefore, the drums, when used with a carrier, are meant to project forward, thus the reason the crab step is used.

Yea, I'm not doing such a good job explaining this because its a simple concept that shouldnt need explaining and theres no point in arguing it.

Close.

instead of tan and co-tangent, it should be sin and cosecant.

If you take the log base(# of lugs per rim) of that entire equation, you'll get your step size.

They can walk one way and have their head, torso, and intrument forward. That's exactly the reason Edison made the spine.

Can't really get a lot of positive Flank stuff here 'cuz, well, most of us are Drummers. Personally, I like the Crab more than the Flank/Slide. Even if I wasn't a Drummer.

Crabbing, hands down.

I'm imagining a drumline flanking/sliding right now, and I must say, it looks pretty weird.

Crabbing.

To add to the invention discussion, one must consider spacing as well. You extend spacing when you flank. I think it is 90% projection and facing a drum major, etc.; however, it's also difficult to listen in to the center in certain flanking positions (tenors and snares). Don't y'all think it would look funny if the snares were marching drum to butt, drum to butt the whole show?

On crabbing, you gotta keep it uniform too. Some lines don't make it look slick. It's hard to get the step space right, also.

Honestly, when you have the right drill, take the drum off and I'd rather flank. Crabbing is great and all, it sure looks cool with a drum on, but the only reason it exists is BECAUSE of the drum...could you imagine a hornline crabbing for an entire show? Now, when talking about cymbals, that's another discussion all together.

I think it was DCI '95 and Phantom (I believe?) crab stepped off the field. The whole band. I can remember the announcer, "Look, they're crab stepping off the field!!" I just remember the excitement when the whole band crabbed off. That was sweet.

Jon, I think I hear your opinion, but the fact of the matter is that there will be a drum. Always. This is drumlines.org, not hornlines.org. And cymbals will march both, depending on whether they are holding for snares (and they choose to crab also).