Originally Posted by
John Morgan
[snip]I recently obtained a Getzen American Heritage Field Trumpet (essentially a no-valve bugle). I also got the "G" slide option, which changes the bugle from a Bb horn to a G horn. The only piece I have to play is Taps, and by choosing to use the G slide, I can play it a minor third lower than the traditional Bb key, and it sounds fine this way. [snip]
About 55 years ago I was in boy scouts, got myself appointed the troop bugler, and bought the official boy scout bugle. I remember it cost $10 and it was pitched in G. I had thought at the time that bugles pitched in G were the official military standard. I also played bugle for my day camp, when we would lower the colors at the end of each day (different world back then, huh?). I recall that the one time I had my school horn with me (typical American baritone), I played taps in Bb because I thought it was always supposed to be played in the open key for the horn you were using.
Skip ahead five and a half decades. For Taps Across America this year, I played taps on my euphonium in Bb, as the sponsors requested. I have no idea what happened to that boy scout bugle, and I'm guessing my parents gave it away when I later concentrated on piano.
I am curious: did the U.S. military play bugles in G back in the mid-20th century, or was I mistaken? Have they since then switched to Bb? Or do they simply say that if Taps is played on trumpet, it should be in Bb?
Dean L. Surkin
Mack Brass MACK-EU1150S, BB1 mouthpiece
Bach 36B trombone; Bach 6.5AL and Faxx 7C mouthpieces (pBone on loan to granddaughter)
Steinway 1902 Model A, restored by AC Pianocraft in 1988; Kawai MP8, Yamaha KX-76
See my avatar: Jazz (the black cockapoo; RIP) and Delilah (the cavapoo) keep me company while practicing