Styles

of

Marching

There are many styles of marching which were mainly derived from the legendary director, Dr. William P. Foster. Here are just a few of the styles created by him. These styles are used by several HBCU marching bands nation wide.

-Double time marching is a marching style which consist of 240 steps per minute.

-Another technique which is commonly used is a death slow cadence of 20 steps per minute or one step every three seconds.

-Correlation of instatement arc and knee lift is 30-45-60-90.

-Specific degree of arc in instrument movement is 30-45-60-90.

-A technique which is sometimes used is a format of 45" spacing (three steps in perpendicular lines and 67 1/2" spacing and two steps in horizontal lines.

-Many bands use a division of band into two equal band units for parading through narrow streets. Each band alternates in playing different matches and the percussion section picks up and plays cadence after the preceding band starts to play its march.

-Multidrill is a technique that bands use to combine precision drill, patterns in motion and circle drill into one coordinated and correlated drill routine.

-Facing movements are used on the halt therefore eliminating the need for signals by the drum major.

-Triple time marching is a technique of 360 steps per minute, this is also used in black college bands.

-Another general technique is use of simultaneous execution of multiple dance sequences.