1. Practice your marching technique
- March in place and make your legs and arms move in unison
- Practice walking forward and backward while keeping your body straight and your head up.
- Practice with a metronome to help you stay on tempo
2. Practice conducting
- Learn the most common conducting patterns
- Practice with a mirror so you can see your movements and make adjustments as needed
- Practice with a group of musicians so you can get used to leading and following
3. Practice speaking and giving commands
- Work on your enunciation and projection so that your commands can be heard clearly
- Practice giving commands in different situations, such as during rehearsals, performances, and parades
- Practice giving feedback to your musicians
4. Practice your leadership skills
- Work on your ability to stay calm under pressure
- Practice being decisive and making quick decisions
- Practice delegating tasks and motivating your musicians
- Practice building rapport with your musicians
5. Practice your stamina
- Drum majors must be able to stand and conduct for long periods of time. To build your stamina, practice standing in one place for extended periods of time, and practice marching for as long as you can
6. Practice your musicality
- Drum majors should have a good understanding of music. Practice playing different instruments, and practice singing.
7. Practice regularly
- The best way to improve your drum major skills is to practice regularly. Set aside a specific time each day or week to practice different aspects of your skills.