The Yellow Board

The Yellow Board
[ The Yellow Board ]

Marking Time

Posted by AbD on 11/7/2024, 4:29 pm

I feel like I saw a many more bands using "mark time" this year than in the past for standstill, or rehearsal purposes. For the first time, I saw what seemed to be many different variations of this.
For those of you that spend time on this, how do you teach mark time, and do you have a reasoning for it? I know there is no "one size fits all" but I am very curious about this.
I am not talking about step outs, but purely just how you teach your students to keep their feet moving when they are not marching?

Re: Marking Time

Posted by Zeus on 11/10/2024, 4:45 pm, in reply to "Marking Time"

Reason I continued to use marking time on most halted formations during my teaching career is that it enables performers to make "micro" adjustments to spacing without drawing attention. I grew up in a program that was known for extremely clean formations and marked time (SMC every cycle), something that I think is being lost to a degree amidst all the visuals & ballet movement. I think there is a way to balance both approaches out. It also depends on the application, that is, what size school or program it is, as well as the groups' pulse maturity.

Re: Marking Time

Posted by Veteran on 11/10/2024, 6:28 am, in reply to "Marking Time"

The most impressive mark time I have ever seen was when Paula Crider was the director at Crockett HS in Austin and then later as the director of the Longhorn Band at UT. It was a stiff, pop the knee approach that must have been difficult to perfect but it was an impressive thing to see executed by her groups whenever they were lined up and down the yard lines.

Re: Marking Time

Posted by older than dirt on 11/8/2024, 12:41 pm, in reply to "Marking Time"

Function drives what we do. I use the toe connected/lifted heel to keep continuity in the pulse. When my bands were stronger, we kept feet still. I felt it was more effective setting up visuals. I have used heel lift and a "high knee" for step off. It is unique, but makes every one step off with the correct foot at the correct time. Focus on what you want the look to be, then define the idea and share with students.

Re: Marking Time

Posted by Wind player on 11/8/2024, 11:34 am, in reply to "Marking Time"

Wind players keep toes on the ground. Percussion pick up their whole foot. Not sure why, that's just what we've always done.

Re: Marking Time

Posted by Me on 11/8/2024, 7:44 am, in reply to "Marking Time"

I've done it two ways.

I prefer heel-lift mark time - heel comes up two-three inches as knee is bent forward for mark time.

However, when I've taught show style, they do a full foot lift to the top of the ankle - except when they do a high knee mark time (for effect) which lifts the arch of the foot to the side of the knee.

That being said, I've even seen show bands do a mark time with only one foot.

« Back to index

[ The Yellow Board ]