Flourish or not to flourish.. that is the question!?!

[Robbie.Crow]

well, i've decided i want to join the wacky world of the DM.. but i have only one question.. do YOU think it is important to fourish? i know that all the mace is really supposed to do is show signals but so many people expect it to be thrown now-a-days and i REALLY do not want to throw it!

Whats your views.. to flourish or not to fourish that is the question as sheakspear wrote :D

Robbie :hatoff:

[No, that's me over there...]

Robbie,
Welcome to the fold! I am a recent 'convert' to Drum Majoring, myself.
I saw your profile pic, and since you wear #1 Dress on some occasions, I would be very selective about what if any flourishing you do... Even standard mace Commands can get caught up in the plaid!
Since I am still new to DMing, my personal strategy has been to try to get a grasp of the essential mace commands, and to do them very smartly. I think to many audiences this is AS impressive as flourishing, if done well.
I am planning on expanding into "dignified" flourishing as my competency in the basics increases.
Take a look at the Edinburgh Tattoo videos... Any of THOSE DMs flourish? NO...
Any of them look any the less for not flourishing? NO!

In case you have not been steered in this direction yet, here is a link to the Regimental Drum Major's Association Manuals which may help you.
Keep in touch!
BILL
http://www.drummajor.net/1Manuals.htm

[PMB]

As a PM I have a VERY strong preference to always march with the band preceded by a DM. Why? Part of the public spectacle of the band and VERY appealing (imho) to the public. More importantly the DM's signals (when done well) improve the ability of the band to navigate from A to B and deal with any and all of the unexpected obstacles on the way.

I have a preference for the DM to flourish as much as he/she is able to do so competently. Again because it adds to the public appeal of the band on the move.

Regardless of flourishing or not, godd, well timed, consistent and clear mace signals are a must.

I for one never underestimate the amount a good DM can add to a band.

(Perhaps I should mention that we are doing our best to drive our current DM to drink as he attempts to improve the general standard of drill within the band?)

[Colonel644]

The only advise I can add is to be very careful when practicing or attempting any flourish.

[the fishiologist]

*warning - flourishing may be hazardous to your dental health*

:lol: Scott!

[Phil Lenihan]

Regimental flourishing is mentioned half way down this Thread. (http://www.bobdunsire.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000155#000012)
Flourishing does add to the show and entertainment and in some cases helps relieve the monotony of just beating time. Go for it!!!!

I agree with Bill's comments above about watching the Edinburgh Tattoos. But I remember seeing one of the D/Ms doing a toss on the March Off. I don't remember if it was a Pipe Band D/M or a Brass Band D/M. I'm pretty sure it was the 2006 DVD but I was unable to find it in my quick review of the DVD. I will have to watch it again, not too difficult a task.

Cheers! PHIL

[No, that's me over there...]

Phil, I saw that again the other night. It was the DM of the New Zealand Military Band.
In light of the entire show that they put on, it is not out of character for the DM to do a bit of a toss!
I particularly like (and have 'adopted') his breakout from the counter-march, where he does a double-side-spin before returning to the carry.

Kirsten, Why are you still working if you have discovered a "screaming fish"? :lol:

[Phil Lenihan]

Well that save me a bit of time today. The DVD is still in the drive, I'm off to find that part.

Cheers! PHIL

PS - Great show.

[Pipin' Paramedic]

A couple of years ago the DM from the military band of the French Forces in Germany did some high tosses -spectacular but not at all military.

As far as the UK or Commonwealth pipe band drum majors, the most I've seen in 10 years of faithful study of Tattoo and Bandleader videos has been the embellished "forward march," either a four-count or eight-count right handed sidespin signalling the band to step off (see, e.g., the drum major (RRS?) as the band played out the highland dancers and marched off in the 2006 Tattoo. D/M Peter Toole used the same move some years ago leading out the massed pipe bands after the opening set.

[Paul Olson]

You will not see UK Military band do much in the way of flourishing and tosses. Their maces are 1) quite heavy, 2) metal parts are usually Sterling Silver (expensive), and 3) if the DM drops the mace, disciplinary action will occur.

If you are in front of a band, your first priority is to get the band marching well and to get them from the beginning of the parade route to the end of the parade route looking confident and smart. Your entire emphasis is to make your band look good and not the other way around.

Once this is down, then you can do some flourishing. A confident band with a DM that can cleanly flourish looks great!

However, like any other endeavor, you have to start with the basics before you can add the fancy stuff. Also, do what you are comfortable with. If you don't want to toss - don't toss. If you are not confident in tossing the mace then there is a high likelihood that you will drop. If you drop the mace then you will have to chase after it - which never looks good. And hopefully, this all did not occur just before a turn in the road.

The more gigs you have under your belt, the more your skills will improve and you very well may be flourishing and tossing sooner than you think!

[d4g77]

Any idea where one can buy a mace?

[No, that's me over there...]

Maces R Us!

Despite the slagging that the pipes receive, the Pakistani Maces are very serviceable, if you remove the chains. (Many competing DMs do this, it seems...) If you are looking for a useable, not-too elaborate mace. I would suggest that many of the maces from anywhere else, are likely from the same source anyway, unless you get into the very elaborate or expen$$$ive ones from the UK.

Phil has purchased one from a Pakistani company, and I think he was happy with it. You can search the Forum Archives for his posting, or PM him.