Alright.. we've tried everything to get our bassline to march correctly. Even making the rest of band run for them. I'm tired of getting my section called out. Any suggestions on how to march correctly that I should give em. I don't know, I think they still have the "it's just practice, it's ok to make a mistake and march half butt mentality!!!" (frustrating). Cause i'm out of ideas! : /
Thanks!!!! And i'll tell them and apply it on my marching as well.

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Being off step isn't the issue. They just look heavy.. they don't flow. Do I make sense? Lol. They don't get on thier toes when they march backwards. That's the main issue. Crabbing sucks too. I just want suggestions on what to say or do that might help?

well, i suppose it's just practice, practice, practice, and when you get tired. More practice. However, I'm not too clear as to what the problem with your bass line is exactly.

Like, are they marking time wrong? Crab stepping sucks? all those things. You need to be specific in what is wrong with your basses exactly so that we may be able to help you with your problem better.

What you've given is preetty vague. Is it their actual marching, keeping in time, steping off, or what?

You're right.
Being off step isn't the issue. They just look heavy.. they don't flow. Do I make sense? Lol. They don't get on thier toes when they march backwards. That's the main issue. Crabbing sucks too. I just want suggestions on what to say or do that might help?

Well not being on their toes is dangerous. If they're rolling on their heels while crabbing or backpeddling, they can trip when going fast, and that bass could crush their ribs. Or they could hit a flute, and we know how flutes are. ^_^

Are they rolling their heels when going forward?

HAHA. Flutes. Hm.. Crushing of ribs, i've never thought about that.
Well yeah, they're supposed to roll step going forwards. They prolly probably aren't, they prolly probably take a stroll in the park or something. : /

It's kind of hard to tell exactly what they are doing wrong with out seeing it, but I think I may have an idea. Watch how they are putting their foot down. If they are putting the whole foot down at the same time (we used to call it flat footing). This will cause what I think you mean by "looking heavy". It also causes a lot of stress on the knees and ankles and can cause serious damage in the future.

The way I was taught to march is a 3 part process. The first part of the foot to touch the ground is the heal, followed by the ball of the foot and finally, the toes. This is done in a fluid, "rolling" motion and the timing is the same as a triplet. Pointing the toes upward can help this process, just make sure they are starting with the heal only (not the heal and ball).

Hope this helps.

Damn, Gissel, I never thought you'd need help on this, dude. Speaking as a Rookie who used to have the same problem, all they need to do is . . . stop being lazy? I mean, it can't be anything else. When I was (blank)-out, I'd just march like crap. Just push 'em. If motivation isn't the problem, I dunno what is.

Oh, welcome to DLO.

lol i'm not the one with the problem!!! i'm always on my toes! Lol. AH! the problem is that theyre not thinking. That's it I believe, cause they've been taught the right way how to do things! : )
. high five .
Our game against each other is 09/17 on a Sat. See you there. : O
I'm gonna see if I could stop by... um sometime this month or next @ Braddock. Lol.
Take care.
(and it's Gisell : D )

when you see them marching wrong make them do "reminders..." or something to remind them to do it correctly next time. in our band, if your moving from set to set, and you mess up music wise, or marching wise. its five pushups ( for the drumline, some of the lazy people in the band do jumping jacks cuz they don't want to get on the ground)... see if it helps. sure it might makes their arms tired to play, but it will all work in one motion. if they're too tired to play from doing all those pushups, they'll start marching right so they can play to their full potential without sore muscles.