Drumlines Of America

by Karl

Ah the nerdy Band geek! Throughout history (not always) but more often than not, we’ve been called nerds, geeks, dorks, weirdos and, you name it: every derogatory categorization in the book.  The jocks, the cheerleaders and the popular kids were the epitome of cool and we are just…band nerds.  To defend ourselves, we stay within our little band circles, never leave the band room and never try to make friends outside of our band family.  No, not always, but how many of us have identified with this on some level or know others who have?  So, if our school or society in general considers us “un-cool,” how can we make ourselves “cooler” in the eyes of others?  Here are a few suggestions:

• Be unapologetically proud of who you are and how much you love band; I think this one is pretty obvious and most of you probably already do this, but you cannot use this as a “tactic” to defend yourself or your ego from people saying how “un-cool” band is

• Try to make friends with people outside of band; most of the time, people make fun of things they don’t know anything about or understand.  Being friends with people outside of band helps them greatly understand who we are

• It’s ok to only like band and only talk about band, but be ready to be completely unrelatable to someone else who doesn’t know anything about band; better yet, try to relate to other people about things that THEY like.  If you are open to liking or respecting what they like, they’ll be more open to what you like

• When you proudly proclaim that band IS cool, you cannot get offended or insecure if another human being does not agree that band is cool; it’s ok, everyone is entitled to their own perspectives and you can go on thinking band is cool, without trying to change their minds

• Do not compromise who you are or try to supplicate to others or shape how others see you just to be part of the cool crowd; people are more likely to think you are cool if you have ZERO insecurity about being a band member and have an unshakeable belief in how cool Band truly is

• If you read everything I wrote and defensively (key word here) say “I’m not insecure about Band,” then you are lying to yourself; you truly are insecure or else you wouldn’t be defensive

What do you think?  How much do you get made fun of for being in band?  If people outside of band in your school actually think band is cool, what do you think are the conditions that made it possible?  I would love to hear from you! @karldrumtech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9T2fo_lgBY

When I was about 5 or 6, my grandad took my to the coolest thing i thought i would have ever seen! He told me it was a surprise, something I’ll never forget. All I heard around was this sound that just made me feel good inside. I was so excited to finally see whet it was! DRUMS!!!! The base drum was my favorite. Ever since, that day I’ve loved them, the sound is just like music to my soul! Im now I am a senior in high school, playing 3rd base because its always been my favorite!

I joined Band in the 7th grade when I figured that it would be something to do other than art. I was an oboe player. Once I got to high school, it was too late for me to learn a different wind instrument for marching band and the band director said that I could join the front ensemble.

It was the best decision I could have made. Band and percussion has always been the one place that I could have always gone for anything, such as advice or support. I’ve made some of the closest friends that I will ever have in band.

The people in percussion have opened me up to a completely new world of potential that I have and have become a sort of extended family for me. This school year has been by far the hardest for me for a few reasons; I’ve battled extreme depression and anxiety.  In spite of that, each day I know that if things get too bad, I can go to anyone in my family (section) and have support. It is truly the most incredible decision that I could have made to join band, especially percussion.

When I was a kid, my mom worked for the local high school band.  She was a majorette instructor.  I was always at every practice, even band camps.  When the band would practice, I would watch the tenors play.  I just thought it was so amazing.  How could someone play so many drums at once!?

When I finally got to the summer before 7th grade, the middle school band directors asked my mother and I what I wanted to play.  Of corse I said drums.  They said that there wasn’t anymore room for drummers at that time.  I was so sad, I almost started crying.

My mother explained to them that I had been watching the drums since I was a baby and that it was all I had ever wanted to do in the band.  The directors decided to allow me to be an alternate for the percussion section.

After that, I just practiced very hard.  And I tried to stay positive.  It wasn’t long before my skills were better than some of the actual percussionists in the middle school band.  That’s when I was taken off of my alternate status.  I was so happy.

Later, in high school, I ended up playing in that same band that my mother taught for.  I was on the drumline and eventually became the head drum major.  After high school, I got the chance to play for my college drumline as well.  It was always my dream to be on the drumline.  And I’m glad that I got the chance to do so, even after I almost wasn’t allowed to.

In middle school I was in orchestra.  I had never been in band and I never thought I would join either.  I had friends in the band, they were fun people, but I just never thought it was for me.

In the 8th grade, the indoor drumline came to our school.  They performed their show for us, and that was when everything changed.  I was so intrigued, the show was awesome!  After that, some of my friends decided to join band.  I really wanted to be on the drumline, so I convinced another friend to join with me.

We ended up playing cymbals the next year, and I love my drumline buddies now.  I still get teased about being in orchestra, but it’s all in good fun and I’m glad that I decided to join the band/drumline.