Marking Time - The Basics

Marching percussion brings an element to playing music that a lot of people take for granted: moving. I want to take some time to explain some of the more basic principles involved with marching and playing.  These include marking time, stepping off, and halting. 

For the sake of this article are going to make some assumptions about the music and movement.

1. The music will be in 4/4 time. That means that in each measure there are four beats (top 4), and the quarter defines the value of the beat (bottom 4). 
2. The movement is basic forward and backward.
3. Marking Time and Marching are initiated by the left foot lead.

Halted – this is the state in which the members are standing still, or Set. They are ready for the signal to mark time or to begin an exercise.  The general stance for being halted is heels together, toes out at a 45 degree angle from one another. The body should be standing straight up through the spine and the shoulders should be slightly back.  It is important to remember to not lock the knees or you may pass out.

     The picture shown is of the set position.

Marking Time – this is the state in which the members are moving their feet in place so that they do not move forward but keep time with their feet. To begin the Marking Time state generally a tap off is given or an instructor will initiate the mark time.  This is a 4-count command. This means that in our 4/4 time example the left foot will hit on the 1^st and 3^rd beats while the right foot will hit on the 2^nd and 4^th beats of the measure.  On count one the left foot will come to the center and be pointed straight ahead and will land on the beat with the impact felt in the front pad or ball of the foot.  On count two the right foot will come to meet the left foot pointing straight forward with the impact being felt in the ball of the foot. The beat is felt on the impacts and not in the knees. Bend the knees slightly to lift the foot during the mark time.

The photo shown is before beat 2 so the right foot is lifted. The mark time command is also used to stop the marching movement of the unit and return it to the marking time state. While Marking Time a halt command can be given.  This is a 4-count command that will bring a stop to the foot movement.  Using the 4/4 time example when a halt is given on count four the right foot turns out to the 45 degree angle and plants down followed by the left foot on count 1 of the next measure. And now you are back to the halted position.

Marching – this is the state in which the members are moving forward, or going through the routine or drill that they have.  Moving while playing is done so by marching in time.  The term “in time” refers to the fact that there is a meter to the music and we must place our feet in perfect sync with that time.  Let’s take our 4/4 time for example.  Standard marching practices dictate that each of those four counts gets a foot placed on it.  Once our Mark Time is initiated, there will be a command to move forward. Upon the 4-count command the left foot will step out first with a stride of 22.5” in length*. The right will follow and the forward movement will be underway.  The heel impacts the ground on the beat and you should roll through the step all the way to the toes.

The image shown is on beat two. The right foot has just made contact with the ground on the heel. Keeping time with your feet is what it’s all about!  You can practice when you’re walking down the hallways of school or listening to music at home. Move you feet with the beat and before you know it you’ll have the best time of anyone in the drumline!

*This measurement comes from the fact that on a football field the standard step size is called an 8-to-5 where a performer would take eight steps for every five yards.  Doing the math for the 8 steps gets you 22.5 inches per step.