Does a show need a slow movement?

[Fortisimo]

I'm not sure of who Hazo is... However, if he is anything like Key Poulan, than I understand your sentiments completely. I don't know what it is, but something really irks me about that guy. He charges n arm and a leg for sub-decent compositions. I guess that because he made a few decent arangements he thinks he is some sort of marching band composing guru. Quite the opposite I would have to say though.

[CHS King Mello]

a contrasting section is needed, yes. That doesn't have to mean ballad (although that is what most people, including me prefer.) A show can't be all about a show going 210 bpm, with screaming trumpet solos, and flying mellophone runs, so on. Ballads can in fact be the most appreciated part of a show. Southwind '00, Crossmen '04 (as well as with ALOT of Crossmen shows... they always have great ballads) Santa Clara Vanguard 2000... I have a whole list. I think a show with Mood changes is much more enjoyable than a show with blazing fast temos/absurdly loud playing, the entire time.

 

-C

[CHS King Mello]

  Fortisimo said:

I'm not sure of who Hazo is... However, if he is anything like Key Poulan

Not one bit. Hazo writes music that differs with his other composistions. In other words, they dont all sound the same.

 

His music is a BIT pricey, but most of it is good, or great.

 

-C

[CHS King Mello]

  davidpowell said:

Oh so this is all about the marching arts? That makes more sense.

 

But still. If somebody would have the balls to do a whole show of slow(er) music, I would freaking throw my body onto the field. Just because I'm tired of Hazo's music on the field. Nothing against him, but common' originality. EVERYTHING is big and loud and bunches of impacts, it gets old for me.

well, for one, Hazo doesn't have that much music inthe first place... around 20 or so composistions. And if you think it all sounds the same, apparently you haven't heard or played Exultate, or Ride. Niether sound the same at all. AT ALL.

 

Not alot of his music is similar at all. All composers have a similar style... Gershwin does (although, I'm not partial to Gershwin) Barber, Bartok, Shostakovich... I could go on forever. Doesn't mean all of there music sounds the same.

 

~>conner

[MartinHorn]

  Quote

a contrasting section is needed, yes.

 

Boom! thats it, while this is all just about opinions, I can't say its the right answer, but it is the one I'm gonna agree with. All marching shows need a contrasting section. I should lock this forum now.

[euro_euph06]

Here are my two cents on the subject (going off a standard marching band show):

 

A slow movement is needed when it "fits" into the "grouping" of music. It can go at the beginning, middle, or end. But it must fit into the theme of the show. A slow movement is not needed when it does not fit into the entire selection of music.

 

But a slow movement allows for the marchers to relax their muscles and take a deep breath from playing and moving. On the other hand it allows for tone and intonation to become more "visible".

 

Most (if not all) successful drum corps have "slow movements." This allows for the emotional and GE portions of the shows to really hit their stride. The same could be said for high school bands.

 

My vote: YES for slow movements.

[Fortisimo]

Yes, it is true that they serve all these purposes. And of course shows need contrast within them. However, neither of these are being called into question. All these functions can be served, in my opinion, through the use of embedded slow sections without breaking the continuity of the show. That's what I think.

 

And I do like Ride.... lol. I know who Hazo is now, thanks.

[actualgirltrombone]

OH! I think what everyone thought you were trying to say is whether a show needs a slow section at all.

[euro_euph06]

  Fortisimo said:

Yes, it is true that they serve all these purposes.  And of course shows need contrast within them.  However, neither of these are being called into question.  All these functions can be served, in my opinion, through the use of embedded slow sections without breaking the continuity of the show.  That's what I think.

 

 

Then what is being called the question? Isn't the thread called "DOES A SHOW NEED A SLOW MOVEMENT?"

[davidpowell]

I'm not saying it does. I'm saying Sevens and Ride were put onto the field enough times that... something ridiculous could happen.

[Fortisimo]

True; Ride has been used a lot... perhaps even excessively.

 

 

What is being called into question is not whether a show needs slow material, but whether it should be lumped together into solid movements. You would have realized this if you had read my entire post and perhaps used just even the smallest touch of inference. Oh, and using all caps doesn't make your arguement any stronger- it just irks people, so my advice is to not do so. Once again, take it or leave it.

 

So now that you understand what the issue is, do you think that movements are better or worse or equivalent to embedded slow sections?

[euro_euph06]

  Fortisimo said:

What is being called into question is not whether a show needs slow material, but whether it should be lumped together into solid movements.  You would have realized this if you had read my entire post and perhaps used just even the smallest touch of inference.  Oh, and using all caps doesn't make your arguement any stronger- it just irks people, so my advice is to not do so.  Once again, take it or leave it.

 

So now that you understand what the issue is, do you think that movements are better or worse or equivalent to embedded slow sections?

Fortisimo--calm down dude. Its just a thread. The reason I asked the question was because I wanted clarification. I was just answering to the question posed in the title without reading the thread entirely. As for the question posed in the title read my earlier post. As for the clarified question:

 

 

 

In Jupiter, there are three distinct sections of music. First being the triplet feel, next being the ballad, and then the outro. Let me pose a question to you: Would Jupiter be the same on the field if you just took out the ballad? Think back to '04 Cedar Park at State Finals (I would advise to watch it--at least the ballad in Finals). Would Cedar Park have been awarded 2nd place? I dont think so. It showed the performance ability, great balance, loudness, and cleaness of a 200+ marching unit.

 

Bohemian Rhapsody is also another piece (I know a vocal one, yet has been done on the field) that has a slow section. Another question: Would Queen have sold as many records if Bohemian Rhapsody wasn't good? Listeners must have heard something that struck a thing in their brain saying "Listen to Me."

 

Answer to the Clarified Question: BETTER

[CHS King Mello]

if "Ride" has been used excessively, "October" should have been retired by now. Just because a song is used alot, doesn't mean you have to do something drastic. I love everytime "October" is put on the field (well, most of the time.)

 

If a corps/band thinks they need a particualr song for the show, then okay.

 

NOW on to my point. To say Hazo's music sounds the same, based on two songs you've heard over and over again, isn't fair at all. I really do suggest you go find a recording of Exultate, and listen.

 

-C

[MartinHorn]

Lets get the question straight because there seems to be some confusion. Does a show for marching band need a slow movement?

[CHS King Mello]

while the difference between drum corps and marching band is obvious, both are apart of marching pagentry, and do share alot of the same elements. That is why I refer to both of them when I speak about slow movements.

 

-C

[MartinHorn]

  Quote

while the difference between drum corps and marching band is obvious, both are apart of marching pagentry, and do share alot of the same elements. That is why I refer to both of them when I speak about slow movements.

 

-C

 

Yes, Drum Corps should go in there too.

[euro_euph06]

That was noted earlier in one of my previous post.

[I<3thebox]

tru dat^^ lol

 

thoughts:

 

To me, a show is about emotions or a journey or something

so from that I base my opinion:

In a show I like to see a range of emotions (or... moods I should say):

powerful, sad beautiful, angry, triumphant, psychotic/chaotic, hesitant (but thats tricky), ummm and forboding? or ... I know of a school who did a 2 minute long intro - the ostinato from Feste Romane I believe... mvt 2? the procession or something - anywho I LOVED the way it just built and built and built until the announcer goes "please welcom....!"

just like "here it comes.... wait for it, wait for it, almost...... BAM!!!!!!!!!!!"

but then again I write nearly minamalist music and ostinatos are my lifeblood

 

that being said - in order to show the ... shall I say gentler? moods/emotions

I believe its nescecary to have a slowER movemnt or as fortissimo has suggested slower sections. unless someone can show me how to convey beauty or sadness or reflection through fast high brass impacts... do tell.

 

Also I have to disagree a little on the "separate mvts are bad" assertion - while I dont think I like this is 1, this is 2, this is 3 kinda deals - I also dont like when a band just runs around for 8 minutes w/ music and at the end you go... ok that was forgettable.

I in NO way mean to bash - but a good example of this (for me anyways) was LD Bell '03 - now maybe Im not quite attuned enough to catch it but it was called Convergance - 5 works by Samuel Barber and all I remember is sitting there and it ALL sounded the SAME and aferwards I couldnt remember any MOMENTS and "THAT WAS AMAZING"s nothing stood out. Conversely Ronal Reagan did the movement thing, but they flowed into each oterh (IMO) snippets of every movement were in the others, or at least there were allusions all over the place which I feel tied it together and it was much more of a package instead of 3 mvmts.

 

(dang this is long)

 

so my verdict:

 

I want to see a RANGE of emotions, and I want to REMEMBER different parts of the show - so Id like at least a slow section, but it must be PURPOSEFUL and be connected to the rest of the show

if you did

Anger first mvmt - then I want some sadness/ agony kinda thing

if you did chaos - I want some peace

if you did ugly I want beauty

 

like so^

 

ok Im done

[AndrewPCarr]

I am pro-ballads to the max, be it embedded or not, that's all semantics dictated by your means of transitioning between the style change.

 

Saying a ballad is not technically demanding is quite an exaggerated statement. As far as music goes, the aformentioned "easy sustained whole notes", are one of the more unheralded technical elements of music. Avoiding gaps in the sound at both high and low volumes/registers, maintaining pulse and tempo, breath control after having just run your butt off, finishing phrases, clean releases, and creating music in the silence. A ballad is in no way a chop break, at least from my experiences. It's an opportunity for a mood change, let the audience relax. A non-stop, intense show can also come off as superbly boring in the sense that, although cool, loud and intense can become mundane.

 

Visually, the ensemble gets a chance to rest, but at the same time, display phenomenal technique. An ensemble that can look "big" in a ballad is sayin' something, with good foot phasing of course.

 

All in all, I heart ballads.

[EODrillDesigner98]

  AndrewPCarr said:

I am pro-ballads to the max, be it embedded or not, that's all semantics dictated by your means of transitioning between the style change.

 

Saying a ballad is not technically demanding is quite an exaggerated statement. As far as music goes, the aformentioned "easy sustained whole notes", are one of the more unheralded technical elements of music. Avoiding gaps in the sound at both high and low volumes/registers, maintaining pulse and tempo, breath control after having just run your butt off, finishing phrases, clean releases, and creating music in the silence. A ballad is in no way a chop break, at least from my experiences. It's an opportunity for a mood change, let the audience relax. A non-stop, intense show can also come off as superbly boring in the sense that, although cool, loud and intense can become mundane.

 

Visually, the ensemble gets a chance to rest, but at the same time, display phenomenal technique. An ensemble that can look "big" in a ballad is sayin' something, with good foot phasing of course.

 

All in all, I heart ballads.

 

 

I totally agree with AndrewPCarr!

 

 

 

 

[HashBrownJM]

Maybe I'm going to be a bit out of the box here, but bear with me.

 

I feel there probably needs to be a slow part of a show, but if it

[MartinHorn]

  Quote

Maybe I'm going to be a bit out of the box here, but bear with me.

 

I feel there probably needs to be a slow part of a show, but if it

[Lustra.exe]

This year the group 'Surround Sound' did a show (winter drumline) that had no slow breaks and the show package was just as effective. This being said, I realize it is a drumline show and not a marching band show. But the topic does not specify so I thought I would add that in.

 

As for marching band, I do believe a slow movement is needed. However, my feelings for that are neither strong nor adamant. I simply think it would tire the crowd more if it was nonstop fast paced music.

[thesnareguy]

A slow movement is needed. A show needs variety. The last thing it needs is the same thing over and over again. Thats my poinion. Need different tempos.

[MartinHorn]

  Quote

A slow movement is needed. A show needs variety. The last thing it needs is the same thing over and over again.

 

Just because there isn't a slow movement doesn't mean the show doesn't have variety.