The name's Greg. I'm initially a musician (graduated in may from Central Missouri State University with a BA in music), but my passion (I know, weird) is marching band design. That's why I'm here. No one ever really thinks that marching band shows can be art, but it takes a real eye to make a well-designed show (and, trust me, there are a lot of really bad ones out there!!!). I want to improve in drill design (where/how they actually move on the field...lots of geometric progressions), in uniform and costume design, and in flag design (so, I guess a little bit of fashion design). But anyway, I would like to improve in those areas, but basically I want to be a visual artist...pure and simple. Once I start getting stuff up, PLEASE let me know what you all think. See you around...

Hello Greg and welcome,
There are many things to be said about the connection between music & visual arts... Too many so I will shut up .
Drills? Try the Army manuals for parades and such. It's basic principles on how a a mass of people moves, each man in the right place, timing, tempo, sounds, etc, you know better. As for the eye, it's the same sense of ensamble as for the ear; look at it as a composition. However, a basic education of the eye cannot harm.
So welcome again, lots of good people in here and very good drawing lessons.

Fatcat
PS: Have you seen the movie "Drumline" ?

Drumline now that was a stoming movie!!
Welcome to the site, you can certainly improve your art skills on this sites lessons. Any help you need then post it and someone will have an answer.
Welcome again,

RJS

Yes...good movie, but I wouldn't say that type of marching band is representative of what I do.

If you want to see the type of material that I write, then watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUCMUwiuazo It is a clip of The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, a member of Drum Corps international. This is their 2002 finals performance (which I am in). This particular show is generally considered one of the most well-designed and well-performed shows to date. I want to be able to design like that...
By the way, the show is entitled "Frameworks"...so look for that framing theme as much as you can...good visual exercise (the "framing" in the music is executed by emphasizing melody, harmony, and rhythm...the frameworks of music...at different points in the show). Sorry the quality of video isn't the best, plus it's starts about 1 minute into the show.

Enjoy...

Hello Greg,
Yes, too bad the quality of the video (or my computer's) doesn't allow an appropriate view, but I understand what you mean; I saw a show of "Stomp"-if I remember correctly, with lots of flags, acrobatic performances and brass. I will try to watch the show from other more powerful computer.
Parade arrangements seem computer-generated (line becoming a square which becomes a kind of cross/star, kind of recall computer-screen-savers). It's impressive, don't get me wrong; but if you get me wrong, take it as a kind of encouragement . The concept itself, like it is, doesn't come only from the computer .
I will also try to understand what you said about "framing theme", if the marching routine is a kind of reflection of graphic representation of music.
I'll be back soon,
Fatcat

Wow! Impressive!

Greg,

Marching bands have come a long way from the High School bands that played during halftime and during the routine formed the letters of the High School logo on the field. I always cherished those moments when the band was performing their routines. The music was always upbeat and high tempo, the marching very precise, and the correography(sp) was outstanding. But, I have to admit the performance you provided by the Cavaliers was well above the "A Mark" at any High School.

To me, the most pleasing effect of the performance was when the players seemed to be in chaos and mixed up, then magically progress themselves into an orderly group, only to be disorganized again during the next transition. My eye was always puzzling on the next move of the masses to try and be ahead, only to be surprised by the actual outcome. This, to me, was the key entertainment piece.

Hope this helps you with some feedback, and thank you for sharing this with us. I hope you find what you are looking for here, and if we can help in any way; just ask.

Eric

hello and welcome to drawspace have fun