How To Be a Band Geek

meganpikalvr12 engages in some serious band stereotyping. Does she speak the truth? –Sparkitors

I've already told you what it's like being a band geek. Now I'm back with a guide on how you—yes, you!—can become a band geek yourself!

1. Pick the instrument that’s right for you. If you’re a quiet person, you might enjoy flute. If your friends describe you as wild and crazy, go with clarinet. If you’re obnoxious, you would enjoy saxophone, and if you have a big ego and a reputation for being perverted, you'd be perfect for the trumpet. If you like to beat on things, well, you`ll make a good drummer. If none of these describe you, you should be in low brass.

2. Bond with your section and make alliances with others. Make sure to get really close to the rest of your section for when marching season starts. You'll need all the friends you can get! Just kidding about making section alliances—they`re already made for you. Woodwinds hate brass and percussion. Brass hate woodwinds. Flutes and clarinets hate each other. Flutes and color guard are perfect friends.

3. Learn to love Monty Python and classic rock. If you’ve never heard of the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog, you need to get on Youtube immediately. While you’re there, check out some Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Queen, and the Beatles—they’re the band geek’s favorites.

4. Know the right people. Befriend the upperclassmen, especially the drum majors and section leaders. These friendships will be very useful: not only do they tend to know the best tips and gossip, but you’ll be guaranteed protection from non-band upperclassmen.

5. Dress like a band geek. This means a lot of t-shirts: funny ones, concert ones, ones from band events. Jeans and Chuck Taylors are a necessity, and you can always pick out a band geek in a crowd during marching season: we’re often wearing a brace or splint somewhere on our bodies because of marching-related accidents.

6. Strut your geekdom. Don’t hide your light under a hi-hat. Let the world know you’re a band geek!

Now we're mad that people are always trying to give us a trumpet for Christmas. How do you let your geek flag fly?

Related post: The Benefits of Being a Band Geek/Orchestra Dork

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