Drumline Quotes

“Myron? My brain screeches to a halt. I’ve transferred to a school where they name kids Myron?!”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“Myron, all six feet of super cuteness, comes forward. He smiles and I almost die, because he has one adorable dimple. Instead of getting embarrassed about his first name, he offers his hand and says, “Call me McDaniel.”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“Denny and McDaniel go into the percussion room and grab a bizarre metal contraption. Denny lifts it over his head and I give him a strange look, to which he responds like I’m a five year old, “Carr-i-er.”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“Denny gave me a strange look when I showed up in the band room, but I have always believed playing drums is no excuse not to look cute. Besides, if McDaniel shows up, I want to look my best. Oh, crap, I should be paying attention.
“Did you hear anything I said?”
I answer honestly, “No.”
Denny runs a hand through his spiked hair and asks, “Do you really want to learn how to march?”
“I have to learn to march if I want to be a part of the section, right?”
“Right.”
“Then, it doesn’t really matter if I want to do anything. It’s something I have to do.”
Denny looks confused and partially like he’s completely regretting the decision to add me to his section, but proceeds to teach me drill for the better part of two hours. While we run through the steps, I look longingly over at my quints, which I have secretly decided to name Quincy.”
― Courtney Brandt, Confessions of a Teenage Band Geek

“Sophomore Lucy Karate took a deep breath and concentrated her moss green eyes on the black squiggles in front of her. The sheet music on the page was exactly the same it had been for the past ten months. The difference wasn’t the music; it was the day. This was the day before auditions – her last opportunity to practice before her fate for the next school year was ultimately decided.”
― Courtney Brandt, The Line

“If you wanted four eighth-note triplets in one measure you’d run into the same problem. 4/12 will suffice as a time signature in that instance.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Quadratics: The Tenor Drum Equation

“The most important emphasis in the allotted warmup time is repetition. Don’t talk more than they play!”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Drumline Information and Warmup Packet

“Rule number one, in general visual design, is to create an exceptional listening environment.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“Learn with your group. Take as much information away from this season as possible to start the next one with momentum.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“The on-field warmup should invoke confidence in the members, don’t have them play something that isn’t ready, or above
their level here. Remind them to listen to the environment while playing to understand as much as they can about the overall listening situation. You might try ending the field warmup session with a very loud single note from everyone in order to listen specifically to the reverb and echo of the stadium.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“It will be necessary to communicate within a loud environment most of the time. ASL signs can help you understand or communicate information without being able to hear it and continuing to rehearse without stopping for minor comments.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Drumline Information and Warmup Packet

“The on-field warmup should invoke confidence in the members, don’t have them play something that isn’t ready, or above their level here. Remind them to listen to the environment while playing to understand as much as they can about the overall listening situation. You might try ending the field warmup session with a very loud single note from everyone in order to listen specifically to the reverb and echo of the stadium.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, The Field Percussion User Manual

“The wind announces itself through my open bedroom window. Sheet music is blown face down onto my floor, but the birds outside sing it from memory. Accompanying them are four steady-sounding knocks on my door, very evenly spaced, about mezzo-piano, my mom must be practicing drums too.
"Let's leave now, so we get a good view for the parade," my mom adds lyrics through the closed door.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music

“Percussion is my religion, and the band room is my cathedral. Inside this holy place, I don’t believe in anything more than myself.”
― Patrick R.F. Blakley, Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music