The Evolution of the Bugle

2 r e The evolution t p a h C of the bugle by Scooter Pirtle L Introduction activity ponders how it will adapt itself to the ceremonies, magical rites, circumcisions, When one thinks of the evolution of the future, it may prove beneficial to review the burials and sunset ceremonies -- to ensure bugle used by drum and bugle corps, a manner by which similar ensembles that the disappearing sun would return. timeline beginning in the early 20th Century addressed their futures over a century ago. Women were sometimes excluded from might come to mind. any contact with the instrument. In some While the American competitive drum and A very brief history of the Amazon tribes, any woman who even glanced bugle corps activity technically began with trumpet and bugle at a trumpet was killed. 2 Trumpets such as the American Legion following the First through the 18th Century these can still be found in the primitive World War (1914-1918), many innovations cultures of New Guinea and northwest Brazil, had already occurred that would guide the L Ancient rituals as well as in the form of the Australian evolution of the bugle to the present day and Early trumpets bear little resemblance to didjeridu.” 3 beyond. trumpets and bugles used today. They were Throughout ancient civilization, the color Presented in this chapter is a narrative on straight instruments with no mouthpiece and red was associated with early trumpets. This important events in the evolution of the no flaring bell. Used as megaphones instead could probably be explained by the presence bugle. As this chapter is read, a recurring of being blown, these instruments were used of blood at the various “rites of passage” at theme may be noticed. During the to distort the human voice enough to “dispel which these instruments were used. 19th Century, there are several occurrences evil spirits.” The color red remained with music of bugle ensembles applying radical design Trumpets were often representative of through the centuries, even being retained in and voicing configurations that resemble, on male virility and were played only by males. many of the uniforms of present-day military a smaller scale, the methodical evolution of Percussion instruments, representative of the musicians. drum and bugle corps competition in North womb, were often performed exclusively by Other aspects of military field music could American. females with their bare hands. 1 have also evolved from ancient rituals. As the present-day drum and bugle corps Ancient trumpets were used at religious Specifically, the use of trumpets during 63 BElvEdErEs, Schuylkill Haven, PA (approx. 1972). FlaminGos, Salem, OR (1974). EmErald GrEnadEars, Rockaway Township, NJ (approx. 1975)) . Photo by Moe Knox from the collection of DrumCorps World. Photo by Greg Coville from the collection of Drum Corps World. Photo by Joseph Zepko from the collection of Drum Corps World. military burials and at sunset is a concept still utilized by American and European military. L Early applications of the trumpet The military culture of early civilization utilized instruments for the purpose of conducting war. Specimens of ancient trumpet-type devices are documented in nearly every culture, including those of the Ancient Egyptians[Figure 1], Assyrians, Israelites, Greeks, Etruscans, Romans, Teutonic Tribes, Celts, as well as Asian cultures. These instruments were used for religious ceremonial functions and as [Figure 2] -- Tuba, Littus and Cornu used by Roman Military. Illustration from Edward Tarr’s The Trumpet. military signaling devices. 4 of a military organization appear first in the Bible for the instruments paralleled closely The Roman Legion. the construction methods of Egyptian Bronze Age of These musicians, trumpets created centuries earlier. the Teutonic called aenatores, In the fifth chapter of Joshua, God tribes utilized a wide instructs Joshua to attack the city of Jericho yielded the variety of with seven priests, each bearing a shofar. mysterious instruments The use of these instruments with the lur. Little is derived from the accompaniment of shouting soldiers caused known of the Etruscans, [Figure Jericho’s protective walls to crumble. purpose of 2] each with a Gideon utilized trumpets in a similar this specific function. manner, but on a much larger scale. instrument A collection of Supplying each of his men with a shofar, excavated in 43 signals for three companies of 100 men chanted and pairs from the these instruments blew their trumpets as they circled the moors of are evident by AD Midianites’ camp. As described in Judges Sweden, 200 in the Roman 7.16, the commotion was sufficient to chase Denmark, [Figure 1] -- Marching Theban troopers with trumpeter. Illustration from Edward Army. away the Midianites. North Tarr’s The Trumpet. Standardized The trumpet was also used as a means of Germany and Ireland. They were cast in signals fell out of favor after the demise of the fanfare in the Bible. Mentioned in II brass and demonstrate remarkable Roman Empire, not to appear again until the Chronicles 5.13, the dedication of Solomon’s craftsmanship. These instruments utilize a late 18th Century. 7 temple was celebrated with 120 priests conical bore similar to an animal horn, but playing trumpets, “It came to pass, as the feature an ornamented flat disk instead of a L The trumpet’s use in the Bible trumpeters and singers were as one, to make bell flare. 5 The trumpet served an important function one sound to be heard in praising and Military music produced by other early throughout the Bible as an instrument of thanking the Lord . .” trumpets were often little more than one or communication and great fanfare. The trumpet also plays a crucial role in two crude pitches that were produced by the The word trumpet can be found in over 60 the book of Revelation. In chapter 8, the end vibration of the player’s lips. These locations in the King James Version of the of the world is sequentially signaled by seven instruments were used to maneuver soldiers Bible. The vast majority of these references angels, each bearing a trumpet. As the into battle and announce victory or retreat. were somewhat erroneously translated from seventh angel sounds the trumpet, the Greeks included trumpet playing in their the Hebrew word shofar (ram’s horn). world ends, becoming one of the kingdoms early Olympic games. Instead of musicality, However, at least one specific reference is of the Lord. these signalers played a salpinx and were made to a metal “trumpet” in the tenth more likely adjudicated on the greatness of chapter of Numbers. Military music from the Middle Ages their volume and endurance. A trumpeter In Numbers 10.2, God commanded Moses through the 18th Century named Achias won Olympic honors three to make two trumpets of silver for use by times and had a column of honor erected in Aaron and his descendants to provide signals Medieval musicians did not leave an his name to celebrate his excellence. 6 and directions for his journeying camps. The overwhelming amount of evidence regarding Signal musicians used as an integral part method of construction mentioned in the their musical instruments, but constant 64 Brass Factory, Alliance, OH (approx. 1982). catholic dauGhtErs oF amErica, Butler, PA (approx. 1975). BluEwatEr BuccanEErs, Sarnia, ONT (approx. 1972). Photo by Ed Ferguson from the collection of Drum Corps World. Photo by Dick Deihl from the collection of Drum Corps World. Photo by Paul McCusker from the collection of Drum Corps World. contact with the Oriental and Roman The philosopher Machiavelli wrote of the least two-thirds of its length. A flaring cultures likely impacted the type of Italian military’s use of the trumpet, drum occurred during the last third of the length of instruments they used. Animal horns, and flute in 1521. In his Libro della arte tube. This tube was coiled once and played including large steer horns, were also known della guerra, he suggested that the trumpets by a cup-shaped, removable mouthpiece. to be in common usage. used to signal the cavalry should be of a These trumpets were available in several As Germanic tribes began to become lesser sound from those used by the keys, most often made between the keys of skilled metal workers, man-made trumpets infantry. 12 It’s unclear if this suggestion led “F” through “B-flat.” 18 These instruments and horns, featuring the distinctive conical to the pitch variety of military bugles of the were twice the length of modern trumpets. bore associated with animal horns, were 18th and 19th Centuries. being fabricated and used. However, L Natural Military calls had disappeared along with as the [Figure 3] trumpet the Roman Empire. It is believed that the infantry overtones reintroduction of military music occurred began to The extension during the Crusades (11th, 12th and 13th utilize of the playable Century) as Europeans were exposed to the trumpets, range of the Saracens. As the third Crusade progressed, many military trumpet [Figure the Europeans venturing toward the Holy cultures 3] evolved slowly. Land had already adopted the instruments chose to Initially, and musical customs of their enemy. separate the keys of the instruments by four European trumpeters of the 14th Century It was during this time that straight steps between infantry and cavalry -- a critical would have reached, but not surpassed, the trumpets, field drums and kettle drums were trait that would have a significant impact on fourth partial. first incorporated into European military American drum and bugle corps. During the next 200 years, players tactics. 8 The earliest known military signals extended their range to the thirteenth partial. Saracen military bands were used in at captured in musical notation are believed to Trumpeters began to specialize as upper or least two distinct manners.

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