I Switched Instruments in Marching Band-Now What?

Millymellophone is back with another helpful and hilarious marching band post!—Sparkitors

Every once in a while, a band member switches instruments. Maybe they’re tired of getting smacked by trombone slides, or their shoulder is sore from marching contra, or they’re simply needed elsewhere in the band. Switching from saxophone to mellophone (yes, that is woodwind to brass) has been simultaneously the coolest and weirdest thing I've ever done. If you're going through a similar situation, here are some tips

1. Smile at everybody. Super big, so your new sectionmates can see past your braces all the way to your tonsils. If you used to march, say, saxophone, you probably have a lot of friends who play saxophone. During this time, however, you most likely avoided low brass like the plague. Now it’s time to find new buddies to awkwardly stand around with on Friday nights.

2. Get a fingering chart. Unless you have either switched from any saxophone to any other saxophone or from trumpet to mellophone, you have a whole new set of notes to memorize with your fingers. Good luck with that.

3. Figure out your horn positions. Attention, to the ready, at ease, standby, horn angles in general…If you don’t stop to ask somebody, you’ll be as lost as a freshman during these commands. You’ll just be stuck flicking your horn up and down aimlessly while the drum major thinks of creative ways to end you.

4. Don’t be afraid to laugh. You have probably been playing the same instrument for five plus years, and now you’ve switched gears completely. Some pretty funny stuff is going to happen. Though your face may turn completely red, it’s okay to poke fun at the situation.

5. Learn the meaning of “piano.” Unless you are a spectacular prodigy on your new instrument, or have just switched from a very similar instrument, tone is probably an obstacle. This is a nice way of saying that your tone is terrible. Don’t be the loudest if you’re the sharpest.

6. Ask lots of questions. I learned about two weeks into my brass-playing career that a quarter-twist of one’s mouthpiece can keep it in the instrument. Also, did you know that those three keys are called “valves?” Well they are, and I probably should’ve asked sooner.

Switching instruments to a smaller section is a great way to earn brownie points with your band director and self-confidence points with your self. I made lots of new friends (mostly boys, winky face) and learned awesome things, like what “take it up the octave” means. Also all the mellophones in my band may or may not have names now. Switching, however, is a process, so you can’t expect to be good right away. Just know that the more you work at it, the better it’ll get. Practice makes acceptable!

"Practice makes acceptable" is our new mantra for life. Have you ever switched instruments in marching band?

Related post: How to Make Your Band Uniform Less Awkward