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FrontEnsemble302

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  1. During PASIC last year, there was a seminar on health and wellness for percussionists...they addressed a lot of wrist/hand problems and also addressed some back issues. I had stress fractures to me 6th and 7th thoracic vertebrae due to marching tenors my freshman year in high school when I was still a small framed person (I'm female). I didn't find out that my discomfort was due to those fractures until my senior year when I went to the chiropractor and had x-rays. The fractures had already healed but I was still having some discomfort. My chiropractor recommended certain back strengthening exercises for my muscles and this has helped TREMENDOUSLY. Its now almost 10 years since I was in high school and I'm a full time percussion instructor now. When I'm choosing placement on my drumlines I take the physical stature of the kid into effect. Just this year, I had an extremely talented freshman who had the chops to play snare, but he was too short (we were going to have to saw some inches off of his carrier) and I was fearful of serious, longterm damage to his spine if I let him march then. I made the decision to put him on top bass and I just wrote hella notes for him so that he could still max out his chops and potential. He ended up being happy with the decision even though it took MANY conversations with him and his parents in order to explain my decision. He's growing and getting stronger and I'm sure taht next year he will be able to carry the snare without hurting himself. So yeah, hopefully all perc. instructors take this into account. But some helpful tips: Practice good posture...make sure your torso is straight while playing/carrying your drum or keyboard. Maintain your flexibility by doing back stretches EVERY DAY when you wake up. Remember, it isn't a stretch unless you stretch the areas for atleast 30 seconds while taking deep breaths. Be smart...when your back starts to hurt, take some time off if you're able to do that. Hopefully your instructor appreciates the benefits of using stands everyonce in a while (especially for tenors). Keyboard players need to also make sure that they maintain good posture while playing...a lot of them tend to become hunched over, that isn't necessary to have a good quality of sound on the instrument. Good luck!
  2. we don't use stands , ever . the tenors don't even use stands. You all don't even use stands when learning music? that's interesting...I understand the concept of physical stamina and all that jazz...but that blows my mind that you all never use stands.
  3. I have had an all female bass section at the high school line that I teach for the past 3 years. We had some problems with our feeder middle school in regards to percussionists so I had to enlist the help of woodwind players to carry our bassline. They're freaking PHENOMENAL. The little girl who's marching #5 this year is a HAUSS...even though she's only 5'4 and about 110lbs. I say "YOU GO GIRL"...carry that bass drum proud. And hopefully your Caption Head appreciates the virtue of bass drum stands.
  4. a-go-go bells. nothing like a little groove.
  5. Mystique was great this weekend at SCGC championships...I'd look out for them. I think that Pariah from Ga is going to WGI now too...they're playing well also.
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