Last year I had the privilege of traveling to Argentina for a clinic hosted by the Tchedagaa Drumline, where I experienced the passion and commitment of the local drumline community. After the clinic, one of the organizers asked a question I had never encountered in the United States:
“What should I focus on if I’m already too old to march in DCI or WGI?”
In the U.S., high schools often have marching bands thanks to football culture, providing many young people with exposure to drumlines. But in many other countries, marching percussion often exists outside formal school systems. Many enthusiasts discover it through social media or are lucky enough to have a nearby drumline, but some only find it later in life, beyond the age for competitive groups.
This question lingered with me, and after some thought, I’ve come to a few conclusions. These are just my perspectives, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
The key is to define your Goal
The first step is to clarify your goal.
Ask yourself this: What drives your passion for marching percussion?
Goal Example 1: Pursuing Mastery Like a Pro
If it’s to achieve the skill level of a top DCI or WGI World Class player, I recommend approaching it like the game of golf. In golf, a "perfect" round would be a score of 18 (a hole-in-one on every hole)—almost impossible outside of mini-golf! Instead, pro golfers aim to shoot the lowest score possible, honing every detail, every angle, and every movement with precision to maximize consistency and accuracy.
The pursuit of drumming perfection post-marching years is similar. Start by selecting a challenging piece from your favorite drumline and focus on playing it as flawlessly as possible, just like you’d aim for your lowest score at Pebble Beach. At first, your "score" might be high, but as you isolate challenging sections, build a solid foundation, and prioritize fundamentals, you'll see steady improvement—a lower score, in other words.
Once you’ve mastered one piece, increase the difficulty and tackle something that challenges new skills.
Goal Example 2: Broadening Your Percussion Skills
If your goal is to improve your skills on drum set or other percussion instruments, your approach might look different. In this case, focus on areas such as foot timing, hand independence, and isolation exercises. This could mean diving in with a heavy focus on grids and rhythmic modulations, which strengthen coordination and timing. Each step in your practice can open doors to new areas of musical growth.
Goal Example 3: Drumming to De-Stress
De-stress after a long day by playing the drums to familiar music, playing favorite exercises, or just chopping out. Drumming releases endorphins, which can help reduce stress and can potentially improving mood.
Conclusion
Whether you're drumming to master a piece, improve a specific skill set, or just looking for a way to destress after work, there will always be something you can improve on. Whatever your end goal might be, stay deliberate and consistent. As always, drum smart.
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