Paul Lintern
Marching band was that important, special high school time when I learned all of the essential, valuable lessons that would guide me the rest of my life. That was important to me, because I slept through kindergarten. Everything I need to know, I learned in marching band.
- We spend a lot of time marking time (moving our feet without going anywhere).
- Don’t blow it, unless you are a horn player.
• If someone comes at you with a metal tube, even if it is a good-looking girl, duck.
• If you want to get noticed, step out of line.
• If you don’t want to get in trouble, stay in line.
• It is best if everybody is reading off the same page; al least, hope that the clarinets and saxophones are reading off the same page.
• If someone is up front, waving his or her arms, it is good to at least take notice of that.
• March to a different drummer, but not at halftime.
• Don’t use an instrument heavier than you, unless it comes with wheels.
• Your mouthpiece is your friend; don’t share it with others.
• Don’t assume people will warn you when they are about to head off in a completely new direction.
• If you find yourself where you are not supposed to be, make up your own routine.
• Do let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
• Don’t begrudge others for stepping into your playing field, especially if they are wearing football uniforms.
• C-sharp or you will B-flat.
• Hope that your school has a fight song that is worth singing, because you will never be able to forget it the rest of your life.
• Don’t count too much on landmarks that can get rubbed off by a fourth-down pile up.
• The amount of noise a person can make is not necessarily dependent on the size of the instrument.
• The left foot is just as important as the right foot, and knowing which is which is most important of all.
• Practice makes perfect, but it you don’t have time to practice, redefine perfection.
• Let everything that comes from you be noteworthy.
• Take life one step at a time.