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How'd it go?

I just figured I'd weigh in.

My favorite band moment was with seven minutes and change left in the fourth. They started this thing that really just had bass drums going. It was quite funky, which is a word I've never used to describe our band.

Western Michigan's band had the same thing going a couple of years ago when they came in. At the time, I thought they blew our band's doors off. I was glad to see our band try something new.

That is actually something they've done as long as the traditional cadences have been around. I believe that one is called Latin. They've always liked to mess around with playing that one at faster and slower tempos when the bass line is in sync.

Kudos to them, the 6th bass quit at the very beginning of the season, so reforming that cadence to five basses when they all learned it on six is pretty impressive.

Its amazing what all can be heard from our new spot. My parents and friends keep telling me how much better it is for everyone when you can actually tell what we're playing from anywhere in the stadium.

The Niz wrote:That is actually something they've done as long as the traditional cadences have been around. I believe that one is called Latin.

Yes, they have played that for years. I believe they learned that back in the late 80's. They have played it as a ditty in the past, but I really wish the drums would do more ditties like this.

As Schad said, it's funky and can really get the crowd in a grove. I would welcome them to walk to the East stands to play it directly to the student section.

Not to rain on your comments Niz, but thought I'd take a stab at this...

Yes, the bass drum cadence is part of the traditional cadences that most of us know. and yes, the bass drums like to play this cadence at slow, medium, fast and rediculous tempos. However, the cadence is named "Relab". "Latin" is actually the very last cadence before the halt.

And where you might think kudos are in order, i may have to disagree. Prior to a few years ago, the FMB Drumline only marched 5 bass drums. And the orange percussion cadence books still have the 5-drum parts enclosed. Adding or subtracting a drum isnt overly difficult, but yes, it does take a few days to get the new timing down. So kudos, possibly. Just some banter from a former drumline guy.

Unrelated to the bass drums though, I agree with the comments about how the band does sound better when you can hear them from anywhere. Especially since Saturday was the first time i've ever heard the band from a distance. So mass kudos to the FMB for a pretty good home opener!

What I do not agree with is the overabundance of Athletic Dept. control over the FMB. Come on, scripting the games? The band (director and/or drum majors) are the ones who should be determining what is played and when, not someone up top in the booth. Granted some of the scripted stuff actually turned out ok...like Sweet Caroline, but still - you dont see the A.D. telling Coach B what plays to call at what point in the game, do you? We'll see how this scripting thing goes, but I still think it'd be better to leave the music & performing to the band.

PresBG wrote: What I do not agree with is the overabundance of Athletic Dept. control over the FMB. Come on, scripting the games? The band (director and/or drum majors) are the ones who should be determining what is played and when, not someone up top in the booth.

Agree 1,000%. Until the AD starts taking the FMB (and, more importantly, it's budget) under its umbrella, back off of the management.

Relab? I don't remember that one. Latin, I obviously do.

My favorite was to play it as slow as possible... then a couple of minutes later, play it as fast as possible.

always good for a laugh or two.

word

This year was the first year I have ever heard any of the cadences by name in four years of marching. Sorry I didn't get the name right. Just so I know we're on the same oage, relab starts with the descending bass line, and the hard tones from the snares on 2 and 4 right?

I wish they didn't control us so much either. However, even with the script, we did have one drum major who played only 5-6 tunes, and another who plyed all of them...

I'm sure as the season progresses everyone will get a much better idea of what is going on.

One thing that has been driving me insane since Boz and Kent graduated, is playing the fanfare every time we get the ball back. Matt did a great job of keeping us on top of that!


One more thing, can people hear the echo of the drum majors through the speakers bouncing off the sebo out to the stadium? Some of us within the band were a little worried about everything they were saying going straight out to the crowd...

The Niz wrote: One more thing, can people hear the echo of the drum majors through the speakers bouncing off the sebo out to the stadium? Some of us within the band were a little worried about everything they were saying going straight out to the crowd...

What, like "Clits and Boobs" instead of "Clicks and Booms"?

I'm not saying I ever did that, I'm just saying that's an option when calling entry commmands to the perks and maggots.

Heh. Yeah.

There's also another acronym beside B!G!S!U! followed by a motion with the mace. Again, I'm not saying I ever DID that; just stating options.

Heh. Yeah.

I'm partial to B.I.M.F. I believe there are only two or three people lurking around who will get that one.




Yeah

From a non-musician's perspective ...

The FMB rocked it Saturday! Noah - totally unprompted - told me he thought it was the best he'd ever heard them play.

Great job!

I'm not saying it WASN'T the best they've ever played, because it could have been, BUT I'm sure the new band seating helps make the band project better throughout the stadium, so that might have something to do with people saying that it's the best they've ever heard the FMB play. Regardless of seating arrangements, I'm sure the FMB did a fine job.

I was near the south end zone, and it was a little tough to hear at times. I could do for a better mix of music during time outs.

I thought half time sounded great. I was on the field, so it was tough to see some of the formations, but the sound was good. Could've gone for more bass, though

We dont have much say in what we play. The Athletic Dept wants certain things played at certai ntimes and thne there are only short spurts to play. Plus our stands tunes wernt soundign too hot overall on friday, so Dr. Hayward limited on what we could play. you can (hopefully) expect a bigger variety this time round.

And for the bass.....we're working on it murph.