End guys

[john powers]

In high school and college lines, the end guys are sometimes weaker than the center guys. In the top Div 1 lines however, everyone is for the most part on the same high level of skill and playing ability. The end guys actually have greater responsibilities when it comes to drill. When you watch a top DCI line warm-up, do you just focus on the center area of the snare and tenor line or do you view every player as equal and pan back and forth throughout the warm-up?

[mellobecka05]

i try to watch everybody, because you don't get the whole idea unless you watch the line as a whole...i just thought i'd share my opinion because your post looked lonely...

[kinane3]

When you consider the dynamics of a drumline (I'll say snareline right now, basses would be totally different) the answers become more clear.

You mentioned the end guys having greater drill responsibilities. This is true. The snareline doesn't spend a lot of time moving directly forward and backward (except in high school bands) so the dress is rarely at the center. The end guys set the pace and the line has to trust them without question. Without trust someone's gonna get hurt so if the line doesn't trust the end guys, get 'em outta there.

Musically the center guy becomes the audible "conductor" but this isn't always the case, depends on side to side situations. Usually this is the case thus the compulsory "listen in". The center guy must lead the line musically in most cases otherwise the line loses cohesiveness and lacks an assertive musical character.

If you were asking if the end guys are as "good" as center guys then I'd have to ask what your definition of good or equal are? Really, this is a team effort and lines that take on the philosophy of "the center guy is best" are both disabling themselves and giving the end guys permission to be "leakers".

Edited April 11, 2004 by kinane3