advice!!!!

[$@M1K1N$!]

ok, so i am in eighth grade and this summer i start marching band, i've never done it before and have NO idea what to expect so, i was wondering, any advice for what to expect in the first year?? thanks!

[piccolo + ADD = fun]

Hmm...alot of hard work to be honest and also to have alot of fun. Marching Band is fun in general imo. ^_^

[twirlgirl]

OMG!! band is awesome it's my 4th year (even though i'm in guard...) but... it is sooooo much fun it takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it's worth it in the end oh and ya band people are crazy

[~*Not~a~Stalker~*]

I would suggest this: Don't be dumb. Just...a general rule of thumb. Don't talk when you know you shouldn't, practice on a regular basis, and don't ever, EVER miss practice unless it's absolutely necessary. (As a drum major, that's one of my biggest pet peeves.)
After not being dumb, the thing is to have fun. Cause if you aren't having fun, you probably won't work to your full potential.

[the_sousabone]

I'm in my 6th year of the marching arts. Went from HS to corps and now to an instructor. The best advice I can tell you is always try to reach your full potential. Theres always that kid that doesn't like it because basics get in the way. They hate marching because they didn't get their basics under their feet, or they hate playing because they're not comfortable with the key. Get your basics out of the way and it will become alot of fun really fast. also enjoy every minute of it. It becomes alot of fun once you can do your basics without any challenge.

The best way I can suggest doing this is practicing at home. It may look stupid to your neighbors but marching back and forth across your back yard (or sidewalk if you don't have a back yard) playing major scales in wholes, halfs, quarters, and 8ths. You're not only learning how to move your feet in time and play your major scales, but you're also learning how to play and move which is a challenge alot of my kids have.

But now that I've written alot more than I should've tl;dr Learning your basics will make marching band alot more fun

[$@M1K1N$!]

thank you guys so much, i will take ur guys' advice to heart.

[hansel2011]

Just go out there and have fun. This is most definitely the one thing that you will always remember, make friends that you will keep for the rest of your life. Its the best thing in the world and you will love every minute of it. Time flies by and you need to enjoy it while you can. Its my junior year and being drum major has just made it go by so much faster. You get to know people. Its hurts when they leave but you meet new people. It hurts when you get close to them and something happens. It hurts when things happen in their lives and you get hurt by seeing them hurt. It hurts during the long days during camp and it hurts your very last performance. But these are the memories that will always be with you. So just enjoy it when you can. Perform each note, each step, take each breath like its your last....because one day it will be...and it comes so fast...