I just took squad leader of my line this year. As i understand it in all the years before me the line just didn't care. They didn't stand in attention, didn't march correctly, and just fooled around the whole time.

Well my highschool band just started doing competitions a few years ago and I want the line to get a 1 at contest. I want to be a line that people are amazed by how good we look and sound. So I'm trying to totally turn the line around. We have no drum instructer which makes this even harder. The line just doesnt understand what truely being "good" is, and the freshman bass line just doesn't care, and no one wants to be "band dorks."

Is there any advice someone can offer me as to how to turn it around to be a tight drumline??? I'm turning it around, but I just think its going to slow right now. We've improved on a whole bunch of things, but theres just sooooo much more the needs improvement.

I dont know if this will be of any help, but show them some DCI videos. See if they are interested in what is being shown to them. If they are, tell them they could be like that, with practice and dedication. Other than that, i wish you luck. Considering they dont quite understand the concept behind being competitive, it might take a while to turn it around. Youve already taken the first step, which is making up your mind about this coming season. Just keep trying and remember, dont take it all on your self of the outcome. Any improvement is good.

yea i showed them that a DCI video and they were amazed, they thought it was so cool, (and i did too). I've told them thats what we can be like, and i went on a 10 minute motivational speach lol, we practiced that day awsomely. Ive never seen them practice so good. But come the next day they forgot everything I talked to them about. I need a way to make it stick in their heads. Thanks for the help.

Take them to a battle of the bands type competition. Let them see some good drumlines in person and on the DCI videos. Also have yall all seen Blast?

Well the only positive experience that I've had at being a leader was 2 yrs ago when I was on bass. The attitude there stunk, 2 of the four yelled at each other and one just didn't want to practice. Even though I wasn't the designated leader everyone else said I was, but that's besid the point so I'll get back to it. As you can already tell the attitude there was negative. The section leader at the time didn't know how to read bass music and the reason he was there was that he played snare the year earlier and came into the season that year late. I taught one how to read, went to the other one's persons house to get him to practice, and the other just mainly needed good motivation. Now one thing to do is to just keep a positive attitude towards your goal. Like most attitudes it should spread even though it may be slow. Make sure that you have your stuff down before you go and try to "bust up" on everyone else. Does everyone understand the music and everything in that matter, it may be a good question. I say keep with the positive attitude, which can't be stressed enough, with it you can go far.

There are no overnight fixes. You're making progress, be happy with that. Would you like it faster, yes, of course, everyone would, but you have to start somewhere. Just remind them of how well the other practice went and ask if they want it to go like that again. I'm sure most of them would. Once they get into the habit of working hard, then the rate of improvement should take off exponentially.

"Each journey begins with one step."

I know this may sound a little strange, but you might consider having an adult present during your practice sessions. It would help if they had some experience in music.
We had our share of problems 2 years ago when we couldnt keep a coach and the members of the drumline bickered amongst themselves. That was bad and it showed in competition. They did not end up in the top 3 positions.
We have since found an excellent coach, the musicians dont bicker, we always have a parent or 2 present to support the coach. The Music Director always makes his presence known before the end of practice.
Its not perfect. In fact, I have another post regarding a parent who was unhappy and went right to the top bypassing the Music Director. The parent finally came clean with what was bothering him and I think his issues have been resolved to his satisfaction. I have found that drumline can be an emotionally charged issue for the overwhelmed, overcommited parent. You must follow up. Things can get quickly out of hand. Dont be afraid to ask for help. You will probably find out, that most of the parents and musicians are on the same page with you. I believe they want their children to succeed.

Yes having an instructor is excellent. Also you need to impose your love of drumming on the others. Me and and a fellow snare have been interested in DCI and stuff for a while and its starting to wear off on the others. Its great when you're on a bus going somewhere for competition and you realize that a good amount of people other than yourself also are playing on pads.

I got a guy who wanted to play bass drum... Didn't even get that and is now stuck on cymbals. I'm almost absolutly sure he hates playing cymbals and doesn't want to be in the line anymore. The problem is that he doesn't have to be there, and can just quit since we're an independent band. Now I need somthing to keep him in long enough to get him interested again, or at least practice enough to take one of the bass positions. Any suggestions?