The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community

Dominic · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:44 pm Post subject: Ummm Advice?

Hi,
Iv just got back from the Careers office with all the info i need to join the Band, Im a drummer bugler and have been playing for around 8 years in a youth marching band, Im now 21 and feel its the right time to go on to bigger and better things, BUT, i find it very hard to read music (well iv never been showed how to) im starting a fitnes routine that wll help me get through, but what if i dont get to the standerd i.e 1.5 mile run in 15min will i still get an audition for my enthusiasam or the potential?

Will the lack of reading music skills go against me in the interview process and how many auditions are there are year and when abouts??. This is the only thing i want to do in my life!

Also what did peoples gf/bf say when you told them you wanted to join the band, mines going crazy and dosent want me to do it because i will be away, What do i say to her?

Any comments would be great.

PS, Does anyone know Heather Ford, Bugler at Scotland i think?

Sharpy · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:55 am Post subject:

Yes I know Heather. Cant say for definate but Im sure that if you show enough talent and potential then you will get taught how to read music.

As for the missus, she'll get used to it when she see's the uniform!!!
_________________
"I'm not fat, this is a well exercised diaphragm!"

"I reject your reality.....And insert my own!!"

Dominic · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks Sharpy i just hope i can get fit enough to have a good enough chance of getting in.

If you see Heather can you ask her to look me up and PM me, We were in the same band before she joined.

admin · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject:

You need to hit the sub 15 min for the 1.5 mile test... if you don't you will not be offered an audition, it is the PJFT you are talking about I assume. That is a must pass to go on with the rest of recruiting process.
As to reading music you could start now, go see a music teacher or college and ask them to help. Reading music is essential but you can be taught it. Use the time you are taking to get fit to try and learn, you can't run 24 hours a day so you have time to try and learn to read music. You could also try local youth bands, cadet forces or even a Volunteer band etc.
As for your girlfriend... that is one you have to tackle on your own!
_________________
http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk
The online home of the Royal Marines Band Service
RM Band Forum
Volunteer Bands Forum

Dominic · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:13 pm Post subject:

ok, i will try my best with the running fingers crossed, I have kinda got the jist of what the music is when trying to read it its just the tec side of things,
Iv told the mrs im going to try and see what happens, its up to her if she want to support me.

Thanks

ZedHorn · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh (given that I'm just a civvy and a volly) but.... if this is what you really really want to do then get your butt outside and get fit, then buy a teach yourself book and learn how to read music dots.. Enthusiasm and potential won't count for nothing if you can't do the job... this is the best military band in the world and you need to be fit and be capable!!

You may even be sent to Cyprus....

As for the girlfriend thing - I agree with Deli, she'll cope or she won't, as a woman who went through her other half applying, being selected, going through training hundreds of miles away and came out the other end... the uniform does make things a bit more pleasant but hey.. if it's meant to be it'll work out! if not and you get in, you'll be in Portsmouth with tons of birds down Gunwharf every weekend... you won't starve!

And there endeth the gospel according to Zed

_________________
Horns are for life not just for Christmas...

Hornblower · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject:

ZedHorn · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject:

no you muppet... I was the girlfriend!!! of my ex-boyfriend, turned ex-husband!!

d'oh!
_________________
Horns are for life not just for Christmas...

Hornblower · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject:

MJ · M2 Passed Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 153

You WILL get to the standard - that's the attitude you need for your fitness.
Eye of the tiger mate, eye of the tigrrrrrr!!!

I'm not in the Band Service yet, though I do start in september; I don't feel comfortable commenting on the music related side of your question seeing as I'm a complete newbie!

Good luck

Dominic · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

Wow, thanks for the words of advice, i quit smoking in January to help my fitness and i do believe its working ( I went cold turky) if you wanted to no.
I did 1.5mile today and only stopped twice to walk did it in 20min (Thats a big acheivement for me) still lots of work to do.

As for the Mrs, i basicly told her to support me or not, its up to her she knows i want this! As for the reading music side should i get bugle or drum (learn to read music book) or just one for the whole lot?
And no it didnt sound hash its just the kind of words im looking for atm.

admin · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:11 pm Post subject:

Any sort of music will do. Drumming has the most intricate rhythms but with the bugle you need the pitch. If you can't read any msic, start at the begining and learn properly, nice and slowly.
_________________
http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk
The online home of the Royal Marines Band Service
RM Band Forum
Volunteer Bands Forum

Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject:

Top Tip.........if you can spell, dont become a bulger coz you will only feel left out.

RAB · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject:

Dominic · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject:

5 notes??? please explaine.
Me spell hahahaha dont be silly thats like saying i can play a glock, hahaha which i cant! As for the pit stops they will eventuly be cut out once i start getting used to the running. A PTI arfter selection (if i get there) dose not sound good, was that from experance RIB???

Lets just hope she will sense and see its a better life for me.

If i did get to an audition what kind of peices did ppl play for the bugle? Is it best to do a well reconised one or not? I will give it my best short on the reading music front!