Drum Majoring

What are the 4 types of DM commands?

Preparatory

Execution

Combined

Supplemental

All DM commands must be ____ & ____.

Assertive & distinct

Non-verbal DM commands are given with the mace except…

“instruments” (horns) up and down [which are hand gestures]

Of the 4 types of DM commands, what is “preparatory?”

Indicates a desired movement (and direction).

[In “forward March” the preparatory command is ‘forward.’]

Of the 4 types of DM commands, what is “execution?”

Causes the desired movement to be executed [in ‘left turn, March → “march” is the execution]

Of the 4 types of DM commands, what is “combined?”

The preparatory command & execution command are combined [such as “at ease” or “fall in”]

Of the 4 types of DM commands, what is “supplemental?”

Commands causing the component units to act individually [such as “Pass in review;’ different parts of the band move differently from one another]

When the DM calls, “Band (as in calling the unit to attention),” what type of command is that?

Neither preparatory or supplemental—just a verbal alert for the next command to be given.

When giving verbal commands a DM should:

1) stand at Attention

2) If facing away from band, turn head over shoulder

3) emphasize & accent commands of execution

What is this position?

DM at Attention

What position is this?

DM at Parade Rest

[Mace in front of body, left hand over right]

What position is this?

DM at “Carry”

[The primary position used to carry the mace while marching out conducting the band while halted at Attention]

What position is this?

DM at “Mace Salute”

What position is this?

DM at “Spin.”

[Alerts the band of an upcoming signal. Mace rotates clockwise.]

What position is this?

DM giving “Roll Off”

[Ready the mace,

ct 1 is raising the mace,

ct 2 & 3 are silent for DM,

ct 4 is sharply lowering mace- then Roll off is played]

What position is this?

DM showing “Horns up” (Instruments up)

[Slightly raise mace before ct 1 as preparatory mvt,

ct 1 sharply thrust mace down across body,

ct 2, sharply thrust mace up as signal of execution]

What position is this?

DM is performing the ‘Cadence mace’ or Mace pump.

[This establishes proper tempo during marching only]

What position is this?

“Cease Playing” for winds only.

[Ct 1, raise mace

Ct 2, thrift mace out-right, 45° angle with ball directly over head while left hand REMAINS at side, Ct 3 is silent

Ct 4, bring mace to back in front of body

What is this position?

“Cease Playing” full band

[All movements are the same as the command for Winds to cease playing EXCEPT BOTH HANDS are thrust outwards on ct 2, opening to a “T” position]

What is this position?

“Forward March”

[The R hand swings the mace up, stops with the ball on the right shoulder, the ferrule up pointing skywards.

Then pull ferrule in a forward arc until mace is perpendicular to ground in front of R foot]

What position is this?

“Mark time” while DM faces band, halts when band halts

[Ct 1, raise mace parallel with ground

Ct 2, lower mace while still parallel

Ct 3, raise mace above head while still parallel

What position is this?

“Halt,” executed on ct 3 of Mark Time

[Ct 1, mace is perpendicular to deck, in front of body (L step),

Ct 2, lower ball of mace towards knees so parallel with ground (R step),

Ct 3, raise mace above head, still parallel (L step),

Ct 4, lower mace still parallel (R step)