Morgoth Bauglir Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 People tend to voice opinions more when they disagree with something, like the old comment that newspapers never print articles about airplanes that don't crash.And I would guess most people neither love nor hate anything in particular at such a show, but they simply accept it as being what it is. If we heard "I love that" after everything fans love in a show, they'd be talking through much of the show as there is simply so much to love in a field show. (Otherwise, why would we bother going?) Many people who've attended marching band shows in certain parts of the country are so used to amplification of voices, pits, woodwind features, small farm animals and the such that it just doesn't faze them to see in on the field in the summer. I get a number of e-mails over the year from fans complaining about fans that complain about something. (Yeah, it sounds strange to say it that way, but that's the truth.) I don't get e-mails from fans expressing solidarity with fans complaining about something. That's just the way life is, I guess. I'm not really sure that is the case. I have heard just as manny comments at shows or on DCP about how awesome "corps x's" drumline or drill is as I have heard about how unbalenced their hornline is or out of time the guard is. There are positive and negative comments and opinions all over the place. If something goes wrong, yeah yo're gonna hear about it. But if some corps is downright amazing, you'll hear just as much about that as well. The only comments I have really heard about singing and narration are either that is is terrible, or just "not bad". No really good comments, just bad or "at least it wasn't too distracting". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobchilds Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 It seems like the Cadets love of amplification is catching on in the marching band world. My old high school marching band this year is having a vocalist sing for one of their songs. I personally think this is a bad idea, but it seems like amplification is slowly taking over drum corps. While others have pointed out that marching bands have been using amplification and singing for years -- and they have -- I would suggest that cavaliers2287 is probably right too. I foresee that many more bands will now follow suit now that Cadets and other corps have been featuring singing, narration and amplification. You know, if the goal of DCI is to innovate, then why not try an avenue that has not been done? Woodwinds are old hat! What about strings? I don't know of any marching art form that has used strings. However, not being a string player, I don't know how feasible that would be. I'm sure that amps would be necessary, but it would at least be new. I guess some of the board of directors will still think that adding clarinets and saxes is somehow innovative -- perhaps they should become band directors. I just don't see the value in reinventing the wheel. If I had my druthers, DCI would have stopped "evolving" around 1999. That is, G-bugles with any number of valves, no amplification, no synths, only non-amplified singing and non-amped speaking parts, full pit, etc. Not that I haven't enjoyed drum corps since 1999, because I have (BD 2004 is among my favorite shows of all time). I would have just preferred that some of the coming rule changes had not occurred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 (edited) A lot of marching bands have been using electric bass guitars using a battery pack being pushed around by another band member, behind the bass player, since the 70's !!! Nothing new here !! B) Edited August 21, 2006 by ODBC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildabeast Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Amplification has been used in the California band scene since at least 1991. I've been used to it, and I've seen/heard it used very effectively. Of course, I've also seen it used quite ineffectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOOHOO Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Well, I've noticed a lot of high school marching bands use it in a attempt to cover up poor playing on the part of the wind players. Kind of a "look over here!" tactic. I have seen it used to enhance a show concept as well, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madalumni Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I've never heard one person directly or indirectly say "wow, what a great vocalist" after it being used in a drum corps show. I have heard many people say how unpleasant it was though.~G~ That's my point. At best, it is simply tolerated. At worst, people complain about it and wish it could be done away with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbc03 Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I've never overheard someone at a show say "Wow, I loved that singer and those amps!" I've never heard one person directly or indirectly say "wow, what a great vocalist" after it being used in a drum corps show. I have heard many people say how unpleasant it was though.~G~ The only comments I have really heard about singing and narration are either that is is terrible, or just "not bad". No really good comments, just bad or "at least it wasn't too distracting". Lots of people, myself included, have stated that they liked the singer in the Cadets ballad this year. You people have selective memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I saw high school bands use a singer when I was in high school and that was just over 10 years ago. Its nothing new. exactly, it's been in marching band for some time now. we used amps when i was in high school, not proud of it :P but that was back in 2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I would rephrase and say... "It looks like amplifaction is catching on in the drum corps world." As many have already said, it has been in the marching band world for YEARS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahamay Oton Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Lots of people, myself included, have stated that they liked the singer in the Cadets ballad this year.You people have selective memories. Lots? I count at least 1 so far. You have a very vivid imagination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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