[xbabby95g]

So I'm thinking about it because I've always been a large fan of DCI but I'm just worried that I won't be able to get to DCI-level fast enough to try out. I would preferably like to try out next season or the season afterward but with marching band, jazz band, woodwind ensemble, and indoor percussion I just don't know when I would have time to practice. I've heard that mello is the easiest transition for an alto because of tuning and the fact that they play the same parts but I'm kind of leaning toward trumpet.

So any stories or advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Martin Williams]

I switched to brass for marching several years ago, it was a great time. The marching band at my college was all brass, so I chose trumpet.

I never marched DCI, but I am a current marching member and brass arranger/instructor in a DCA (Drum Corps Associates) corp since I am to old to march DCI now.

I can tell ya though, going for a DCI corp is a rewarding expirience, but it will be hard work. Do your part and work on your instrument and get a private lessons tutor if possible, then try out! Look at all the options for DCI and DCA available to you and go for which ever one you think will fit you best.

If you want to talk more about this, drop me an email or a PM here on the site, I'd love to talk and help ya out. My email is [email protected]

 

[jzer21]

Are you looking at a specific corps? There's a wide-range of playing-levels from world class to the bottom of open class, so I'm sure that if you put in the practice, you'll be able to march SOMEWHERE next season. I have several friends who have done DCI but only one woodwind convert. He learned baritone and marched his first year in (what they used to call) a division III corps. Then the next year, he worked his butt off and was accepted in The Cavaliers. If it's your aim to shoot for one of the big boys, it's probably a good idea to use an open class corps as a stepping stone. You'll still learn a great deal.

 

[Dr G]

Ratz, I lost my TLA decoding ring.

 

[Bozman]

If you've never played brass before,you'll probably want to choose one of the lower horns. If you try soprano of mellophone you will need to spend a great deal of time to develop the chops required to play at the DCI level.