How to Use American Sign Language in Drumline Rehearsals (While They’re Playing)
How to Use American Sign Language to Teach Drumline (While They’re Playing)
Drumlines are loud. That is not a complaint, it’s the job.
So why are we still yelling over them?
Trying to shout instructions during a rep is inefficient at best and completely ineffective at worst. Most players cannot hear you, the ones who can get distracted, and whatever you said is usually misinterpreted by the performers. It breaks focus and slows rehearsal.
There is a better way to communicate in real time without stopping the music.
American Sign Language.
Why ASL Works for Drumline Rehearsal
Visual communication solves a problem that audio communication cannot.
When the line is playing, their ears are already busy. But their eyes should be engaged anyway, especially in marching environments where visual awareness is part of performance quality.
Using ASL gives you:
Real-time communication during reps
No need to stop and reset constantly
Increased player focus and accountability
Clear, repeatable instruction with no ambiguity
If you have ever seen a construction crew guide a crane operator, you already understand the concept. When sound fails, visual language takes over.
Most instructors already use some form of hand signals. The problem is that those signals are often inconsistent or unclear.
ASL gives you a standardized, repeatable system.
Build on What You Already Do
You are probably already using ASL without realizing it.
“Think”
Most instructors point to their temple to signal awareness or anticipation.
That is already the correct ASL sign for think.
Instead of yelling “THINK AHEAD” or “REMEMBER THE CHANGE” over the ensemble, this reinforces awareness and responsibility. Players learn to stay mentally ahead of the music instead of reacting late.
Fix Common Miscommunication
Some common hand signals in drumline culture are actually misleading.
Many instructors use a circular motion to indicate “faster.”
In a drumline context, that creates confusion. Are you telling us that we’re rushing? Or maybe you’re saying we’re slowing down and need to go faster. Or, maybe you just want the center snare to tap off the next tempo.
Better Options
Use signs that match your actual intent:
Rushing/Too Fast for when performers are playing ahead of the beat
Dragging/Too Slow for when performers are playing behind the beat
Next for taking the next tempo for a warmup, or even the next exercise/assignment
This removes guesswork and gives your performers clear direction instantly.
Core ASL Signs for Drumline Rehearsal
Below is a practical set of high-value signs that translate directly to marching percussion instruction. These are easy to learn and become second nature with repetition.
You can link each of these to your own video demonstrations.
Timing and Ensemble
Go
Stop
Early (played early, or entered too soon)
Late (played late, or entered too late)
Rushing (see above example)
Slow (see above example)
Awareness and Focus
Think (see above example)
Look
Listen
Hold On
Dynamics and Sound Quality
Loud / Louder (Can combine with you pointing upward)
Quiet / Quieter
Open (great for rolls and diddles when they’re commonly crushed)
Rehearsal Flow
Next (see above example)
Yes
No
Sorry (you will all use this one more than you think!)
How to Implement This With Your Drumline
Do not overcomplicate this.
Start small.
Pick about 5 basic signs you will use every rehearsal
Demonstrate them clearly beforehand, and use the ones that are fairly intuitive, which require the least explaining up front
Use them consistently during playing time
Let repetition do the teaching
Within a week, most groups will respond instantly without needing explanations.
Within a month, it becomes part of your ensemble culture.
Better still, if you’re up on the press box and your drumline wants to know if they were rushing after a rep, you can communicate with them instantly without a microphone, and without disrupting rehearsal!
The Real Advantage
This is not just about convenience.
It changes how your drumline rehearses.
Players stay engaged instead of waiting for resets
You correct issues in real time instead of after the fact
The ensemble becomes more visually aware
Rehearsals move faster and feel more professional, more reps, less talking between reps!
And most importantly, you stop yelling into the void while a battery at full volume politely ignores you because they can’t hear you.
Final Thought
You are working in one of the loudest musical environments that exists. It makes no sense to rely only on sound to communicate.
Use your eyes.
Teach your students to do the same.
And if you build this system well, you will be able to communicate with your drumline from anywhere on the field without saying a word.
Use these signs with my Drumline Rehearsal System: The Performance Ready Method!
