The Two Parts Of Every Command
There are two parts to every command. They are: (one) the preparation and (two) the execution.
The preparation tells the band what they are about to do. The execution tells them to do it. For example...
"Band...Atten (preparation) Hut!" (execution)
"Mark Time (preparation) Hut!" (execution)
"Band.....Parade (preparation) Rest!" (execution)
Both parts of every command must be done to complete a proper command. The Band/Corps must know what they are supposed to do and when they should do it.
Since whistle commands evolved from oral commands, they also have the same two parts. Usually the preparation whistle is done while the drum major does some type of signal with a baton or mace. The execution whistle is a short whistle, or series of short whistles that tells the band to do the command.
Make sure that every command is done clearly and has both a preparation and execution. This will keep your band/corps executing your command crisply and will eliminate confusion in your directions.
(Get more information about using a whistle by also reading "The Classic Drum Major Whistle.")
1. The whistle has to be loud and in good working order. I don't know if they sell them anymore but a simple "Acme Thunderer" is all you need.
2. The whistle commands have to be in tempo with whatever beat your either marching to, or music your performing to.
That being said, drum majors have their own whistle commands they use, but again, there's nothing "written". For me in my DM days, I used the following...
Forward march....tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet (3cts), pause 1 ct, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet (each on the beat).
Mark time....tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet (3 ct), tweet...NO pause, and one tweet, but I was also using a mace to add to that command (that would be A MACE, not a can of mace...lol!!...oh I kill me)
Halt....tweeeeeeet, (long one ct with the release on the 2nd beat), tweeeeet (same thing as before except you start this on third beat with a release on the 4th beat), tweet tweet tweet (on the next 1, 2 and 3.) Think of the halt as an eight count "phrase"...
Anyway--it's drill team...have fun with it...I don't think there's any set rules about WHAT to do, as long as the whistle commands are loud, in rhythm, and consistent.
There are two parts to every command. They are: (one) the preparation and (two) the execution.
The preparation tells the band what they are about to do. The execution tells them to do it. For example...
"Band...Atten (preparation) Hut!" (execution)
"Mark Time (preparation) Hut!" (execution)
"Band.....Parade (preparation) Rest!" (execution)
Both parts of every command must be done to complete a proper command. The Band/Corps must know what they are supposed to do and when they should do it.
Since whistle commands evolved from oral commands, they also have the same two parts. Usually the preparation whistle is done while the drum major does some type of signal with a baton or mace. The execution whistle is a short whistle, or series of short whistles that tells the band to do the command.
Make sure that every command is done clearly and has both a preparation and execution. This will keep your band/corps executing your command crisply and will eliminate confusion in your directions.
(Get more information about using a whistle by also reading "The Classic Drum Major Whistle.")
1. The whistle has to be loud and in good working order. I don't know if they sell them anymore but a simple "Acme Thunderer" is all you need.
2. The whistle commands have to be in tempo with whatever beat your either marching to, or music your performing to.
That being said, drum majors have their own whistle commands they use, but again, there's nothing "written". For me in my DM days, I used the following...
Forward march....tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet (3cts), pause 1 ct, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet (each on the beat).
Mark time....tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet (3 ct), tweet...NO pause, and one tweet, but I was also using a mace to add to that command (that would be A MACE, not a can of mace...lol!!...oh I kill me)
Halt....tweeeeeeet, (long one ct with the release on the 2nd beat), tweeeeet (same thing as before except you start this on third beat with a release on the 4th beat), tweet tweet tweet (on the next 1, 2 and 3.) Think of the halt as an eight count "phrase"...
Anyway--it's drill team...have fun with it...I don't think there's any set rules about WHAT to do, as long as the whistle commands are loud, in rhythm, and consistent.