Doug's Helpful Hints for Visual Design: The Rest

Timing Considerations:                                                                                                                                        

1. Avoid having the primary time keeping source (usually percussion, but can be other sections as well depending upon scoring) from jumping from the front to the back of the field or too far from either side of the 50 yard line. It’s better to have time keeping move from back to front than the other way around.                                                                                                                                         

2. Keep the battery percussion central to the wind section or if a remote effect on the part of the percussion section is desirable, reunite the winds with the percussion before the winds have to enter musically.                                                                                                                                                    

3. Front Ensemble Only Moments are wonderful, but keep item #1 above in mind when staging the winds or battery percussion entrance after the front ensemble moment.

For more information on Timing and the Percussion Section use this link to Bill Bachman’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtciWHkEDbc

Instrumentation/Instrument Grouping:                                                                                                                    Keeping sections together is easier said than done in the modern era of visual design. Asymmetrical visual and musical forms as well as constant motion lend themselves to dividing instrument groups. A good visual design will always consider the sound of the ensemble first. Instrument placement is vitally important to balance and blend not to mention timing of any musical organization.

Inspiration:                                                                                                                                                         Watch as many performances as possible. Bands of America, DCI, college/university bands, etc. YouTube is great. Watch performances of dance, opera, drama, musicals, or anything else that utilizes staging, color, set design, and production. A great book I recently discovered is: Picture This; How Pictures Work by Molly Bang. If you have Netflix, check out Abstract: The Art of Design. It is a documentary series highlighting artists involved in the field of design. I just discovered that full episodes are available on YouTube. No excuses! Finally, spend time with other designers. Attend clinics and workshops. The more you design, the better you become.

I love to hear from readers like you. Please leave a comment!—DB