Playing Taps.

[trjeam]

It's that that time of the year again. When all the veteran groups like the VFW and funerals ask me to play Taps for them. I guess I might of well be called the bugle boy but i'm not really a bugle boy since I play with a trumpet but that's a different thing.

So anyways, I already got a couple of calls to go play taps a bunch of places for memorial day. And every year I do this but this year is a little different because of what happend so I want to make this a great performance.

The first taps performances will be with the school. Where me and this other kid are going to do taps but like a echoe version where I echoe what the first guy does. My teacher came up with that idea. I don't like it all that well but it sounds nice.

But the other 4 times it's going to be solo. So I am here wondering a milling questions. What is the proper fingering that should be used?? Every year I just usually pick one at random. Where should i add cresendos , decresendos and all that. I never play taps with vibrato so should I add it in this year?? How do I make my sound project if we play inside or out side?

Well thanks for helping.
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Jorge Ayala Jr: Trumpeter/Producer
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[vivace]

when i play taps.. i put a lot of emotion into it.. i usually play with a normal vibrato. I cresendo on the leading notes ( G G C).. cresendoing on the the G's.. holding the e.. then sorta fade a little bit.. same thing for the G E C .. after the climax.. or highest part.. i diminuendo on the E C G.. then play the last line G G C soft and hold the C and fade.


that is how i do it.. but it should be up to you.. you are playing.. i have played it different ways and gotten positive results. Most veterans just remember the melody (day after day the bugler just became a robot of playing.. after a week of scount camp.. i know how it is.).. so putting any emotion into it will make it even more meaningful.


good luck on the playing.

oh yeah.. i use all open when i play if i don't use my bugle. open or first valve i feel gives the best sound.. not a lot of extra tubing so it is more like a bugle.
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"All music is folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing no song." - Louis Armstrong

[sean007r]

I like to play taps on my trumpet using 2-3

However, compared to both of my bugles, 1-2 is closest.




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TTFN
~iii<0 Sean 0>iii~

[ This Message was edited by: sean007r on 2002-05-18 07:28 ]

[_Don Herman]

I believe bugles are generally keyed in G, so 1-2 on trumpet should match (A on Bb trumpet = concert G). I also think that whatever you can do best (i.e., make the best sound) is going to be best for all. I've only played it a few times, but I play it open just because I feel most comfortable and get the best sound. YMMV - Don
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Don Herman/Monument, CO
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music." - Aldous Huxley

[pedaltonekid]

I usually play it with the first valve, but always with a lot of emotion. If you are going to play a version with a second trumpeter doing the echo - make sure that you both play it in the same key. Goes without saying, but I've seen people have trouble with this.
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Best Regards, Play Well!!

[Garroid]

I play a lot of taps, always open. For what its worth, you can hear me play taps http://www.bamberg.army.mil/1idband/mp3/40.mp3
Play taps with confidence, but not to the point of losing style.
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Gary A. Wilder