How a moving band looks

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How a moving, marching band looks

Anyone keenly aware of the movement of a marching band along the lines of: How can the marchers maintain so easily such a graceful rhythm with their feet for so long?

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Words

Body balance
Crossing the midline of the body
Gross motor control
Hyperactive body movements - Hyperkinesis
Normal body movements - Normal kinesis
Hypoactive body movements - Hypokinesis
Sustained coordination
Mild dyspraxia

and so on

Um, I did marching band as a child.... we were clumsier, but basically the walk is steady and rhythmic. Usually keeps rhythm with song. You know your movements for yourself, but also have to be aware of those around you. For more competitive band, idk. But it's impressive!

I used to play brass instruments, and moving while playing was beyond me. Far too much coordination. /stops fast touch-typing

I think you are supposed to watch the guy in front. He sets the pace and rhythm. In the military, it is a repetitive count pace.

I really like the show bands who sway to the side and coordinate their movement with the music they are playing. I have none of that ability.

First there’s practice. Learning is the tough part, once you know how it becomes natural like walking. They learn by slowly moving their feet at the same time by counting up to eight. Then once the basic movement is learned it’s sped up so that each step is on each number. While playing the music becomes like the counting, a way to keep a steady beat so that everyone steps at the same time together. As for being able to march together for a long time has to do with endurance – marching band is exercise. In a parade the marches have to guide to one another by using their eyes to look left and right to see if they’re in line or not. On the field there is two different ways that I know of. One is by marching with directions and everyone takes the same size step. The other is to march to a spot by a certain amount of counts then to another spot. Both require lots of practice like sports. Hope that explains it!

Dr. Charles Casavant's rules for marching:

1. Keep your head up!
2. Stay equidistant between 2 people
3. Do not anticipate.