Run Your List

Been a while since I posted. There has been a lot going on this marching band season, and it has taken my full focus to get to this point. On top of that the winter season design has started and is gearing up for full swing. As one thing ends, the next one begins.

Today's post is really for students as we near the end of the marching band season, but is also for directors/instructors. "Run Your List" is something I said a number of times this weekend as we were prepping for our second competition. I am a big fan of quick hitter sayings, but most times that comes down to "push to count 1" or "don't be slow in the hand changes" or "more left hand." So what does it mean when you "run your list"?

At this point in the season, hopefully we have all identified our tendancies, or had them identified for us. We can have group tendancies, but we all definitely have individual tendancies. Like I know that I like to play fast. So that is one of my personal tendancies. Another is that I lack patience...regardless of how much I work on it.

So that's "The List." Everyone should have the same group thoughts - play with the technique, put more energy into direction changes, don't compress your 1-2 lateral stickings, stroke out the double strokes, etc. However, we have to add our personal thoughts there as well. "Don't squeeze the stick/mallet." "At set 13, make sure to not play slow." "Remember to end in open 2nd at set 53." That makes everyone's list different and personal. I tell my students that if you get the same piece of information twice, especially at this point of the season, put it on the list.

I also think that it is important to remember that while rehearsal is about "fixing" problems, the "fix" is usually "just think about this thing at this point." So the goal of rehearsing isn't to be able to go on autopilot in performance, but to have a solid stream of thoughts that lead to successful performances.

Directors, and instructors, can do this as well. "At set 52, check out what the bass drums are doing." "We had a tear from 60-64 last time, so let's focus on XYZ to diagnose the problem." The list can go on and one.

The list for everyone can also be personal. "Stay relaxed" is definitely on my list. Some people could have "Don't forget to eat/take care of yourself." Or "don't forget to do the laundry this week." There are a million things we can put on our "list." The most important thing is that "The List" should be the things/thoughts that help lead us to successful performances...whatever that means to you.

I will say that I don't for a second equate competition success with success. I will also tell you that I am VERY competitive, but will measure success with how a performance was compared to where we have been. I have won lots of awards/shows with poor performances, and the awards don't make it feel better. Conversely, I have lost more shows with great performances. Great is great regardless of if it gets a trophy or not.

So what is on your list? What are you thinking about to be successful in rehearsal? What about in performance? Do you have logistics on your "list" such as don't for to load XYZ for the show? I would love to hear what is on your list and see if it influences the things on other peoples lists.