Monday, October 4, 2021
It's marching band season...the time for highly amplified metronome, haunting our dreams with its infernal and insistent time-keeping assault. You can hear it right now, can't you?
What if I told you there were alternatives you could use part of the time that actually gave your students better training? What if I told you it was actually affordable? What if I told you I have 9 different proven ways you could use one piece of technology to make your percussion and band's field timing better? You would say, "No, Kent, this pleasant fiction can't be true!" Well, dear reader, have I got a deal for you!
All it takes is a set of In Ear Monitors (headphones that cut outside sound significantly), a cable, and the metronome you already have.
When I was Percussion Specialist / Assistant Band Director at Rockwood Summit High school, and later Blue Springs High School, I used this technology to great effect. I put all the tricks and hard-earned lessons into a handout and presented this info at the Kansas Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion in 2017 during my time with the Blue Springs band program.
The handout is a few years old, so some of the equipment recommendations are discontinued. For instance, the Etymotic in-ear monitors referenced have been replaced with a newer model. However, the techniques are the important part, as long as you get well-made in-ear monitors with strong attenuation (30db+).
These techniques foster timing and listening skills that will transfer to every facet of music. It is truly remarkable seeing this in action. Give it a try! You can let me know how it's going or ask questions by emailing me at [email protected]. Happy Marching Band Season!
Click HERE to download the PDF.Here's a great resource for Missouri directors and students. Click on the picture to link to practice guidance for all instruments.
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