Ok, so here's a "new" post.

Here's the situation, our drumline has no instructor and our bd doesn't write drum parts. So I am writing the drum parts for our show. At first I thought it would be fun and pretty easy, because i love writing drum cadences. Now i realize i have barely any idea how to go about it. My parts are ok, but i don't think that they're good enough to get a superior or win a best in class drumline award at competition. So any tips? I would post a link to some of the show to show you all where i am at, but i didn't write the entire show, I just wrote the drum parts, so i don't know how that would go down with my bd. Thanks in advance for any help you guys can throw my way.

CarrollDrummer

If you need inspiration when it comes to creating parts, watch some drum corps shows. See where the music is similar to your band's show, and then see how the drum parts line up. That should give you a basic guideline for how your parts should sound. As long as the drum parts go nicely with the music, you should be fine.

I would start by making a basic "framework" of what you want from the parts, without actually writing them (sort of like putting up the frame of a house before you put in all the walls, floors, plumbing, etc.) Once you have a guideline worked out, you can flesh out the parts, adding all the cool licks and flashy stuff. That will help keep you on track as a composer, and not lose sight of the music.

Obviously, keep the parts within your line's playing ability. As long as the writing is tasteful, all you have to do is rehearse plenty and get the parts sounding good.

Good luck! This is a really cool opportunity for you.

Ok, first off, your band director is making a big mistake by letting you write the book. Not saying that a HS student can't write for their own school, but if you've never written a show before, this is not the time to start. Honestly, you should talk to your BD and see if there is any budget to get someone that has written a show before to write the book.

If not, here is the biggest mistake you'll make when writing...you will grossly overwrite. Don't worry, everyone does it when they start out writing. You'll have your chances to show off during the show, but not during the whole show.

Don't write to win. Write to be musical. I hear HS books all the time loaded with notes and I just shake my head.

I find it helpful to "copy" parts of the horn score. You can use frameworks from the horn book to use as a basis for the bass parts (and sometimes tenor parts). Then you can branch from there.

Also, do not think you have to write the score in order. If something jumps out to you, write that section. Do not say, "I will get back to that later."

I understand about not posting the music, but how about giving us a set list so we have an idea of what you have gotten yourself into.

I'll give it up for this guy because he had enough sense to ask for help.

Those of us that have been writing for a while now definitely have the horror stories of boneheaded things we did that seemed like a good idea at the time.

Go with Bill on this and remember that less is more, especially at the HS level.

completely agree....but remember you can write with very detailed dynamics and get some awesome sounds without necessarily having the most difficult parts.

Perfect example of how playing with great sound and dynamics greatly improve a drumline is Star '93. Hannum definatley followed the philosophy of 'less is more', and he wrote (in my opinion) one of the greatest percussion books ever that year.

Thanks for all the advice. I completely agree with you drumcorpbc. We were going to get a college instructor to write it, but that plan fell through. I think it is too early to start writing the entire show. I know I can write it because I can write some really good drum music for cadences (not saying that writing for a drum cadence and for a show are the same, quite the contrary) anyway thanks for all the help and advice, keep it coming. please.

p.s what is a set list? (again there's some of my ignorance to writing shows) lol

Carroll, shoot me an email or PM when you can and lets talk more about this.

a set list is the same as a repetoire. A repetoire is the names of the songs that your school is going to play, thus the songs you are writing drum parts for.

Ok, i had a vague feeling it might be that, so here they are.
Opener Fat Bottom Girls-Queen
2nd Carry On My Wayward Son-Kansas
I do not know the 3rd piece as of yet.
We're doing an 80's show

I'm going to ask my bd about putting a midi file up on putfile of the drum parts or something tomorrow to kind of give you guys an idea of how I'm doing. I've already changed a lot of the second number to make it more simple and musical, but enough blabbing. Keep the comments coming. and many thanks again

carrolldrummer

lol carry on wayward son is 70's not 80's. still popular in the 80's though.

I'd really like to hear the carry on wayward son, as I am rtying to arrange a percussion part for it as a stands tune.

How can it be an '80s show if the only two songs you've picked so far are both from the '70s?

Fat Bottomed Girls = 1978
Carry on Wayward Son = 1976

Our opener is Fat Bottomed Girls, unfortunately I have no advice to give you on that because there are no percussion parts in our opener, but theres a drum break after that for us, I'd say for the opener, don't load it with like crazy 16th notes, its supposed to be a slow harmonious song.

I have no idea how our bd made the connection with 80's to those songs, but there you go. Maybe I miss heard him say 80s when he really said 70s no idea. anyway thanks for the help

Ok, so i've pretty much got two all of the music done. AND my band director likes the ones I've shown him (the third one which is the "mediocre one" of the bunch) I couldn't have done this thing with out yall so thanks for all the help.

Wow, at my band camp two bands were doing carry on my wayward son, one as a march and one as a show tune, any chance you went to band camp in wv?

nope.. i reside in alabamer

Carol!?!?!?!
Dood I'm from Gardendale...
I think we play yah?
Or we did last year not sure..
But yeah it's cool seeing someone on here from alabama!
GO US! lol

off topic but..flippo im also from bama. i go to St. Clair County High School. i believe i saw you guys at a competition either last season or the '06 season.

and CarrollDrummer..you wouldn't happen to go to John Carroll do you? if so you're our last game (assuming we don't make play offs). and its on halloween how bout them apples.

wrong again, guys. I'm from ozark, and the school is Carroll High School

Take it to PM's please guys.

Whats up guys im also from Gardendale. And on the topic I wish our band director would let us write anything at all. If he is letting you write it make it fun but not to hard.