Hey Sean---Was that bugler lip syncing?

Doug@GT · Post by **Doug@GT** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:15 pm

Just as Lawyers are expected to do a certain amount of pro bono work every year, I think we should expect every professional trumpet player to offer services to the military as a bugler.

Doug "noting that there must be more than 1800 professional trumpet players in the country"

windshieldbug · Post by **windshieldbug** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 3:50 pm

Doug@GT wrote:I think we should expect every professional trumpet player to offer services to the military as a bugler

I think that should be "any brass player that can play bugle reasonably". When I was in high school, I was one of the previously mentioned people that my band director tapped for veteran's funerals. I was impressed by the people I met, and the caring with which they took their responsibilities. Because of that, I, too, did it gratis. Now I can better understand why...

BVD Press · Post by **BVD Press** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 4:47 pm

For more information check here:

http://www.tapsbugler.com/

Some really neat info on the history of Taps, etc.

pg · Post by pg » Sat Nov 12, 2005 5:57 pm

There is an organization called Bugles Across America that exists to provide live buglers for veterans' funerals. I'm considerring joining once the kids are out of the house and I have a little more time.

See http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/ for more info.

<Edit - See this post for more info as well viewtopic.php?t=11134>

--paul;

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 6:56 pm

pg wrote:There is an organization called Bugles Across America that exists to provide live buglers for veterans' funerals. I'm considerring joining once the kids are out of the house and I have a little more time.

See http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/ for more info.

--paul;

Cool -- I was just about to post the link myself, but waited until I read through the thread to make sure whether Bugles Across America was already mentioned.

The more publicity, the better -- I hope that word gets about about them. Hopefully more people won't have to resort to a boombox, and more trumpet players will volunteer to cover the funerals.

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:36 pm

SplatterTone wrote:I have to ask why alto horn, trombone, and euphonium players are not used. I've experimented with taps on those instruments, and it sounded fine to me. It might be a little out of line with tradition, but at least it sure beats the pants off a recording.

Your point is well taken. Seems that folks expect a bugle and a trombone or euphonium just don't look like a bugle. I read some threads on the BAA site about this issue and the consensus is that trumpets, fluegal horns, and valved bugles are ok, but that's about it. Some feel that use of another instrument might be distracting to the family of the deceased veteran. My thinking is that the family has other things on their mind as they witness these last rites for their fallen family member.

Biggs · Post by **Biggs** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:46 pm

Your point is well taken. Seems that folks expect a bugle and a trombone or euphonium just don't look like a bugle.

I have also wondered this. Why was the bugle/trumpet originally selected as the original military signal instrument to begin with? Surely the sonorous bass tones of a tuba (the contrabass bugle) carry over much greater distances than any soprano brass.

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 10:52 pm

Biggs wrote:
Your point is well taken. Seems that folks expect a bugle and a trombone or euphonium just don't look like a bugle.
I have also wondered this. Why was the bugle/trumpet originally selected as the original military signal instrument to begin with? Surely the sonorous bass tones of a tuba (the contrabass bugle) carry over much greater distances than any soprano brass.

I am pretty sure its a portability issue

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 11:10 pm

Dean wrote:I am pretty sure its a portability issue

Oh, definitely...

It carries well, too, and isn't in the vocal range like the more tenor-voiced brasses are, so it won't get as lost while the troops are yakking at each other.

SplatterTone · Post by **SplatterTone** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 11:41 pm

I sometimes get to thinking a marching euphonium would make an interesting addition, but haven't come up with a semi-quasi-sort-of-plausible excuse to get one. If there is no chance it would ever be kosher for this, then I guess I still don't have my excuse for getting one.

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:03 pm

Unless the deceased had specifically asked for a change, I wouldn't want to see anything other than a standard upper-voiced bugle or trumpet. It just wouldn't "feel right", to put it simply.

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:32 pm

BOA definately needs publicity.

I signed up over a year ago. To date I've seen like 3 request, and all too far away to make on short notice. I've told the local funeral homes about us, but that hasn't helped. I don't the the military bother to mention us yet, or they just send someone with a recording.

As to marching brass instead. It would be less distracting than a trombone or concert euphonium. If you're not comfortable with a bugle, it's a start. If you can play it in the upper octave on one that's be better. Playing in G helps too. I do OK in G on a soprano (trumpet 1&2 down). So a marching trombone/baritone/euphonium in G would be OK. If you start taps on the D above the bass clef staff even better.

Personally, I'd rather a sousaphone than a recording, but not all would agree.

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:36 pm

ThomasDodd wrote:Personally, I'd rather a sousaphone than a recording, but not all would agree.

I totally agree.