BD 79-82 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I was the BD timpanist in 1981 & 82. Mike Moxley (BD's drill designer at the time) told me at one point during the 82 season was that the real motive behind the creation of the off field pit was because the visual designers wanted use of that prime real estate in the front part of the field. Drill design for marching mallets and timps back then mainly consisted of having them stay upfront and that consequently occupied a good portion of the "stage" between the 35's yd lines. Grounding the timps (1980 was first time for BD) took up the center part that valuable space as well. By moving the grounded percussion off the field it opened up that space to the design team, and for BD in 82 that meant great staging for featuring our winged dream girl color guard. Oh, and of course, seeing that there is a BD hornline in the equation it naturally meant more room to bring more lead soprano's down front and plant them on the 50 yd line 😉. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarimbaManiac Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I remember you making this argument last year (and illustrating your pride in your son! Good for him!). I have never been able to square your contention, however, considering the pit is the one, singular section of the drum corps that has a nearly continuous, unobstructed view of the drum major(s). The pit does not/can not watch the drum major....because science. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfield Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 The pit does not/can not watch the drum major....because science. Go on, Dr. Nye, explain the science while I wait... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snare_guy_83 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Go on, Dr. Nye, explain the science while I wait... I'm on pins and needles for this science lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xandandl Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Go on, Dr. Nye, explain the science while I wait... four hours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmurrey74 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Go on, Dr. Nye, explain the science while I wait... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMPfLctjXbY&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamarag Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMPfLctjXbY&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop The pit does indeed watch the drum major...at times. Mostly they listen back to the most stable source of time (which isn't always the battery). But there absolutely are instances where they do watch. As for the video, the science is nice, but it's not really quite that simple in practice (which is why corps that insist on keeping time only one way tend to be giant ensemble errors). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfield Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMPfLctjXbY&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop Umm, this doesn't really answer the question, does it? I might give you points if the pit was clear across the field. But we're talking about the FRONT ensemle. Besides, 'Coats provided the solution to audible cues this year by providing ear-pieces all pit members and speakers spread across the backfield. Still waiting for the science that suggests why pit members "pulse"-bob to keep time with each other. (There's also science that suggests that FE players can't see each other when they're staring at their keys, so there's that...) Edited August 31, 2016 by garfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfield Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 four hours? If I've only got four hours I'm not waiting for any science explanation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liahona Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMPfLctjXbY&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop This video reminds me of a podcast interview with Gino Cipriani about effective full ensemble rehearsals....talking about the biggest mistake that many groups make is putting the DR. Beat on the drum majors podium... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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