Marching band techniques midterm

Adjacent forms

groups combined in horizontal planes

Axis

the point from which a form rotates

Choreography

any movement or visual effect other than drill

Closed Spacing

individuals or forms spaced 22.5’ apart"; used only in front positions

Control

maintaining good tone quality at all dynamic levels

Conversion

an organized drill connecting two predetermined forms

Cover

command used to check vertical alignment

Diagonal

two or more individuals placed at an angle

Diagonal space

space between individuals or forms in an angle

Distance

space between individuals or forms placed one behind another

Dress or Guide

command used to check horizontal alignment

Drifting

gradually shifting left or right from the intended direction during movement

Even Positions

individuals or forms placed on the grids; even number positions using two-or-four-step grid

Fanning

the opening up of intervals during a movment

File

two or more individuals placed behind each other

Front

two or more individuals placed beside each other

Freeze

a command used to encourage no movement at the end of a drill

Grid System

a mathematical subdivision of measurements on paper

Horizontal form

forms appearing mostly horizontal on paper, or to the audience

Intermeshed

two different forms passing through, or placed in between each other

Interval

space between individuals or forms placed beside each other

Leaning

hips not in line and square with the shoulders

Odd Positions

individuals or forms placed between the grids (odd number positions using two-or-four-step grids)

Offset position

forms not positioned between the planes of the zero points

Open spacing

individuals or forms spaced 90” apart

Phasing

lack of rhythmic precision between sections within an ensemble

Pivot

person nearest the axis

Precision

uniformity of movement and/or sound

Rank

grouping of two or more individuals into a unit, usually within a block formation

Regular spacing

individuals or forms spaced 45” appart

Sagging

the closing of intervals during movement

Sequence

the same movement executed at different times

Squad

grouping of two or more individuals into a unit; usually four individuals

Stacked Forms

grouping of forms combined in vertical planes

Stage

the total visual picture of a static form

Timing

the movement which occurs between the starting and ending positions

Vertical form

forms appearing mostly vertical on paper, or to the audience

Zero Points

reference marks placed on the field creating a 180'“ visual grid system

Syle

the overall characteristic sound and/or appearance of an ensemble

Precision

the uniformity of sound and/or movement

Execution

movement and/or music in action

Point ‘a’

the clearly defined starting position of any movement

Point ‘b’

the clearly defined ending position of any movement

Timing

defined movement between points ‘a’ to point ‘b’

Anticipation

beginning movement and/or sound before the proper time

Hesitation

beginning movement and/or sound after the proper time

Dragging

executing movement and/or music increasingly slower than the established tempo

Rushing

executing movement and/or music increasingly faster than the established tempo

Smooth Movement

moving from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’ evenly, in ration to the tempo

Snappy Movement

moving from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’ as quickly as possible, regardless of the tempo

Tempo

the speed of the rhythmic pulse of music and/or movement

Inner pulse

subdividing the pulse mentally to achieve ensemble precision

Subdivision

dividing beats into smaller increments to clearly define the timing of movement and/or sound