The "Natural" Method of Marching Technique: Weight Distribution and Transfer
Part 2 of the Series, if you have not read Part 1 - Introduction and Posture, you may want to start there.Weight distribution in posture and weight transfer during movement are vital to proper marching technique. Unfortunately these are often overlooked and misunderstood as they relate to marching fundamentals which accounts for many of the stride issues on display during performances.
In this installment of The "Natural" Method of Marching Technique we will deal with precisely where the body's weight is grounded to achieve excellent posture and movement.
Posture - Weight Distribution
- The weight at the position of attention needs to be pushed forward into the platforms of the feet (the area where the toes adjoin just in front of the arch). The distribution should be at least 70% in the platform with the remainder in the heels. As the students progress they will be able to achieve as much as 100% in the platforms with only small amounts into the heels as needed for occasional balance adjustments.
- This weight distribution tilts the vertical line created with the shoulders, hips and heels forward creating a more professional or aggressive presence.
- It also puts the body in a position which is prepared to move at any time.
- An excellent way for the students to experience this is by regularly utilizing releves (a dance technique).
Movement - Weight Transfer
- In preparation to move the weight must be momentarily transferred to the other foot. The goal is for this to be as motionless as possible. With the weight already in the platform this becomes a much easier process.
- A good method to practice this transfer is to slowly raise each foot while concentrating on internalizing the transfer so it is imperceptible to others.
- When the foot impacts the ground for each stride, whether forward or backward, 50% of the entire weight goes with it. The result is that the weight is balanced between both feet on the upbeat.
- The weight moves through the foot after impact until it is back to the platform. We will deal with exactly how this is done in the Movement section.
- As the movement progresses the weight is in continual motion without pauses.
- A common issue with weight transfer is a pause or stop of momentum at the impact of each step. To correct this use a very slow (40-50 bpm) tempo concentrating on the weight transfer moving slowly and continually throughout the entire stride. You should feel the weight transfer from the hips down and the upper body remaining unaffected.
Always remember, the goal of the movement is to allow for the best musical performance possible while remaining visually artistic. As you've probably heard before, marching requires students to be athletes from the hips down and musicians from the waist up. Weight transfer is a great aid in maintaining that separation.
In part three we will discuss movement and finally introduce what I mean by the name "Natural" marching technique.
<<
A Quick Overview of Marching Designs:
The Drill Designers page has articles from marching show design experts and listings of marching band drill designers for marching band, colorguard and indoor percussion ensembles.
On the Arrangers and Composers page you can find articles and information related to marching music and arranging as well as music selection and programming for marching band shows and winterguard.
The Instructors and Choreographers page deals with marching technique and marching clinics as well as colorguard choreography with in-depth articles and information.
Ever wonder where you can find a good camp for your drum majors or a clinician for your color guard? The Camps and Clinics page is the online resource for camps and clinics for marching band, color guard, marching percussion and drum majors.
Uniforms and Color Guard Equipment is more than just a listings of marching band and colorguard uniforms. You can find articles and information on band uniform design and great resources for color guard equipment, colorguard flags and rifles.
The Instruments page has information on everything from brass to marching percussion and drums with articles on maintenance, tuning and other topics related to marching band instruments.
All the Supplies and Equipment your marching band or colorguard could ever need can be found here - from metronomes and audio systems to band towers for marching rehearsals.
How did you build those big marching band props? Where did you get those custom printed flags for your colorgaurd? You can find those answers and more on the Printing and Props page. While you're here you can get some custom designed shirts for the directors and t-shirts for your entire band.
One of the hardest things to do is find a marching contest on a particular date or a score from last year's marching competition. On the Contests page you'll find a comprehensive marching contest events schedule plus links to the marching band contests and marching circuits to help you schedule and get information and scores from marching competitions around the country.
All the news, scores, and information for DCI and the Drum Corps activity is located on the Drum and Bugle Corps page.
The Software page is the best online resource for drill design, band administration and music notation software as well as information and articles on marching software.
The Audio / Video is your online resource for audio engineering and music production for winterguard, videographers for marching bands and information on how to use technology for your marching show.
You can find instructional videos, magazines and books marching band, color guard and marching drums on the Publications page.
The Associations page is a handy online reference of marching circuits and music education associations.
