Question for Buglers

jhatpro · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 7:09 am Post subject:

I was given a new Getzen field trumpet with a Bb slide for Christmas. Is there any particular reason to have the G slide as well?

I've read that Bb has become the preferred key for Taps at Arlington National Cemetery. I've also read that G remains the "official" key for USMC funerals.

Any advice?
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.â€ Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

tapsbugler · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 3:46 pm Post subject:

>I was given a new Getzen field trumpet with a Bb slide for Christmas. Is there any particular reason to have the G slide as well? I've read that Bb has become the preferred key for Taps at Arlington National Cemetery. I've also read that G remains the "official" key for USMC funerals.<

Jim

Short answer-no, unless you perform with other G bugles.

The Getzen American Heritage Field Trumpet was designed after the Bach Strad Bugles used by the US Army at Arlington. After Getzen made the prototypes, they were informed that a G slide or crook would be needed to allow players who could not sound calls in B flat (concert) the ability to play calls in a lower key. This crook was a compromise to having the GAHFT completely made in G. Although that would have been a quality bugle it would have been just another "regulation" bugle. The fact that it plays in B flat and is made to high standards sets it apart from other bugles and makes it more appealing to trumpet players who are use to sounding calls on a B Flat trumpet or cornet.

There is no "official" key for Taps. The key depends on what instrument you sound the call. A "Regulation" G Field trumpet-G, A M1855 British Duty Bugle- B Flat, A CW officer's bugle-C. Buglers at Arlington sound the call in B Flat because they play on their B Flat trumpets or cornets. Logistically they do this because the same musician must play in the band then step out of formation to sound Taps. US Army buglers use the B Flat bugle at ceremonies at the Tomb and at Standard Honors funerals where there is no band. I hope this tradition would be carried on by the Air Force and Navy. The Marines send members from the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps to sound Taps at Standard Honors funerals at ANC. They use their G Bugles which they are accustomed to performing on. Since I have not heard them lately they may be using B Flats since DCI, I believe, has made the big move from G to B Flat.

Anyway, Use your new Getzen in good Health! I think you will agree it is quite a good horn!

Jari Villanueva

[ This Message was edited by: tapsbugler on 2003-12-30 19:39 ]

loudog · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2003 8:58 pm Post subject:

These look like great horns, and I've been thinking about purchasing one. I can't find out how much they run for though...

Louie

_dcstep · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 5:53 am Post subject:

If I were buying a bugle I'd seriously look into the offerings at Selmer- Paris:

http://www.selmer.fr/html/english/cuivre/cuis/cui26/cui26.htm
http://www.selmer.fr/html/english/cuivre/cuis/cui25/cui25.htm
http://www.selmer.fr/html/english/cuivre/cuis/cui21/cui21.htm

They offer a range of great looking bugles.

Dave
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

DavesTrumpet · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 6:06 am Post subject:

OCTA-C · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 6:29 am Post subject:

This might help. http://fieldtrumpet.com/OrderInfo.html
_________________
Jay S.

"May the good sound be yours!"

"Always remember to blow into the proper end of the horn!"-circa. 1900 (Harry Gardoon)

jhatpro · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 6:36 am Post subject:

Jari,

Thanks for the extremely informative reply!

Interestingly, I was experimenting with various ways of holding my new Getzen and discovered that, even though I'm right handed, I'm a lot more adept with my left hand. Guess that's from all these years of holding a trumpet with my left and keying with my right.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.â€ Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

tapsbugler · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 5:32 am Post subject:

>>If I were buying a bugle I'd seriously look into the offerings at Selmer- Paris:
http://www.selmer.fr/html/english/cuivre/cuis/cui26/cui26.htm
http://www.selmer.fr/html/english/cuivre/cuis/cui25/cui25.htm
http://www.selmer.fr/html/english/cuivre/cuis/cui21/cui21.htm
They offer a range of great looking bugles<<

Dave

These are great horns in the French Clairon style. I did look into purchasing one. They are expensive-more than the Getzen and the model 520 and 530 is no longer available I was told by Semer. If you know of how I could get one, I'd appreciate the information

This is the info I got from France-
Models 520 & 530 do not exist anymore. The only Selmer bugle available on the catalog is the Pro line model.
Prices:
Unlacquered: 382 €
Gold lacquered: 397 €
Mat finished: 404 €
Silver plated: 453 €
Price include mouthpiece & cover.
Price is 100 € for insured postage by Fedex ( usually takes 2 days )

The Getzen is more in the American style of field trumpets and at a less expensive price. The clairons are very nice (I love the big mellow sound!) and are more of the type used in the Civil War period although there are instances of it's use in the US Army following WWI.

Best Regards

Jari Villanueva
jvmusic@erols.com
_________________
The toughest 24 notes in music are Taps

Coltssop01 · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 8:28 am Post subject:

>>The Marines send members from the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps to sound Taps at Standard Honors funerals at ANC. They use their G Bugles which they are accustomed to performing on. Since I have not heard them lately they may be using B Flats since DCI, I believe, has made the big move from G to B Flat.

The last time I saw the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps they were still using their two-valve bugles. I saw them about a year ago in Texas at the State Fair (I think, I was visiting a friend and was dragged there). I didn't ever see them in August at DCI.

trombapaul2 · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 11:00 am Post subject:

Keep in mind the figures given at the site OCTA-C suggested are special
prices for BAA members. A couple of months ago, I got some quotes from
Marshall Music in Lincoln Park, MI and was given the following:

M2003 - $428.00
M2003-S - $485.00
M2003E - $520.00
M2003E-S - $558.00

These should be comparable to any other Getzen dealer. Seems like a pretty good reason to register with BAA.

Paul

[ This Message was edited by: trombapaul2 on 2004-01-03 14:01 ]

a-okay · Veteran Member Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 168

as for the Bach Strad Bugles - I have a rather rare one for sale on Ebay right now - if you'd like to take a look:

item #236954237

Happy New Year

[ This Message was edited by: a-okay on 2004-01-03 15:27 ]

_dcstep · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2004 12:29 pm Post subject:

Tapsbugler, I'll ask my connection at Conn-Selmer about the possibility of getting any of those older Selmer Paris bugles in the US. I'll send you a PM when I find out anything.

Dave
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

TPTXC · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Nov 2001 Posts: 112

"The Marines send members from the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps to sound Taps at Standard Honors funerals at ANC. They use their G Bugles which they are accustomed to performing on. Since I have not heard them lately they may be using B Flats since DCI, I believe, has made the big move from G to B Flat."

I saw the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps this summer. It looked like they were playing standard Dynasty or Kanstul Soprano Bugles in G like all the Senior DCA Corps still use.
_________________
Brian Montgomery
Bach LR180S-72 Bb
Yamaha 6445HSII C
Curry 1 1/2BC
Curry 50m or 3c

edtaylor · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject:

I usually play Taps in A based upon a recommendation by Tom Turner. Bb sounds a bit thin and A is mellower. Since neither the Corps nor the Army shows up for the funeral I figure that I am in charge of the key. Does anyone know if the ceremonial bugle is in Bb with and without the chip? Our post has one on order for months but so far no bugle.
_________________
Ed Taylor . . . a Messianic gentile

Horn of Praise · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 3:51 am Post subject:

In case anyone is interested, I played one of the new Getzen Bugles yesterday (owned by Jim Hatfield). What a great little horn (this one was in silver plate).

Light, responsive, played very open, high quality...very good impressions. Holding it right-handed worked best for me.

All the best.
_________________
PAUL NELSON - Eclipse White Lightning / Getzen Eterna 900 Classic / Monette B4LD / Blue Juice

Dano · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 10:43 am Post subject:

Paul,
Glad to see some none Bugles Across America test results posted here!!
I have to admit, last May when I called the Getzen Company about the possibility of them creating a special instrument for honoring our Veterans, I really didn't think I would get much of a responce. Never imagined being so wrong!! Today Getzen American Heritage
Field Trumpets have gone out to buglers all over the country including Alaska and Hawaii!
A bugler in Saltford England by the name of Pete Latham is proud to be the first Brit to have purchased one! I have a table posted at http://www.fieldtrumpet.com showing some of the location they've gone to. Also have a feedback section there as well!
The Getzen site talks about several BAA members being part of the creation of the horn.
http://www.getzen.com

Those members would be;Tom Day BAA Founder, Ron Glazer, Jari Villanueva, Mark Elrod and myself. Also included would be all those who tested the horns and gave feed back before production began!

Taps can be sounded on any upper brass instrument. Through out history the key for the valveless instrument has varied. The invention of the valved instruments has just about altered this time honored tradition created during the Civil War. The poor quality valveless instruments we find on Ebay have also aided in the demise of the bugle!

Only one attempt at a high quality American made bugle has been made in the past. Back in the 1950's the United States Army Band requested 20-24 Bb Signal Trumpets from the Bach Company.
These were only availible to army buglers and are still used today around Arlington National Cemetery. None were made availible to the general public. The most famous use of this horn would be the JFK funeral! In recent years attempts to get Selmer to recreate these horns for public consumption have failed.

The Getzen American Heritage Field Trumpet has been created to fill this void!
It has been crafted by Getzen in a simular style as the Bach horn.

I don't think the army will retire their Bach horns, the horns themselves have as much tradition as Taps itself. Those of us who don't have access to the Bach and have started using the new AHFT have complete confidence that we have the absolute best possible piece of American made equipment in todays market place!

When you raise up an AHFT it's more than a horn. It's a symbol of a proud American tradition in honoring those who have served their country.

Dan Erikson
Wisconsin State Director
Bugles Across America http://www.buglesacrossamerica.org
Every Veteran should have a live bugler sounding Taps on their day of final honor!

[ This Message was edited by: Dano on 2004-01-11 13:49 ]

Horn of Praise · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 12:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Dan,

I appreciate your response. Like I said before...a great little horn...with a clear, brilliant sound. It is well made and well conceived.

All the best.
_________________
PAUL NELSON - Eclipse White Lightning / Getzen Eterna 900 Classic / Monette B4LD / Blue Juice