Taps Across America

cbtj51 · Posted: Mon May 30, 2022 11:26 am Post subject: Taps Across America

Reminder Taps Across America at 3pm your local time.

I am sounding in my neighbourhood.

Mike
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falado · Posted: Mon May 30, 2022 11:32 am Post subject:

I played Taps today at a Memorial Day service.
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WxJeff · Posted: Mon May 30, 2022 12:44 pm Post subject:

After seeing posts from some of you last year, I worked it out this year with my local city (heh, the mayor is a good friend) to use the bandshell/gazebo in the city park. The city made an announcement on their Facebook site, which I "shared." Had about 20-30 folks show up, including some friends from work I hadn't seen since I retired two years ago. Enjoyed some swapping of stories with other Air Force veterans. Everyone was very appreciative... I wore a dark suit as I do for BAA services... temperature in the sun was upper 80s

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WxJeff · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 6:03 am Post subject:

Later that same day...

My second Taps rendition was part of an hour long memorial to a local son veteran who lost his life in Afghanistan. I arrived on site and met several of the VFW/American Legion guys that were setting up and found out where they wanted me to stand, what the signal would be for playing, etc. Very nice group and I had a couple friends who lived in the community show up and we got to visit. Even got to meet and chat with the retired two star USAF general who was the keynote speaker.

At exactly the time the program was to start, there was a large crack of thunder and intense rainfall ensued. Fortunately the site was on the grounds of City Hall, so we all charged inside like drowned rats. While we were grateful for the large conference room, it was standing room only and people were trying to squeeze in even as the abbreviated program commenced.

The American Legion Commander did well under the circumstances to follow the program, but much of it was predicated on being outdoors, so multiple items were skipped. The General spoke well, the Pledge of Allegiance was given and according to the program, it was now time for Taps.

Bless his heart, the Commander forgot I was in the room and apologetically stated, "Well, we don't have the sound system in here set up, and we were supposed to have Taps." Simultaneously with the gentleman who had been my primary point of contact pointing to me along the wall, I raised my cornet and exclaimed, "We don't need a sound system, sir!"

That brought the house down

Once decorum was restored, I played, the benediction was given, and I received several positive comments after.
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cgaiii · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 8:51 am Post subject:

Played Taps at a local Memorial Day observance at 11 AM and then again at a cemetery on my property where 5 veterans, including my father, are buried at 3:00 for Taps Across America.

Thanks to all who participate.
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WxJeff · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 3:34 pm Post subject:

....and then there's Arturo

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tapsacrossamericagroup/permalink/3106264849590816/
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cgaiii · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 5:45 pm Post subject:

nieuwguyski · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 4:57 pm Post subject:

I work a retail job and didn't have Memorial Day off. I put out the flag in the morning before I left for work and sounded Taps off the deck into the canyon behind the house after dinner, around sunset, before bringing the flag back in.

Thank you to all who have served our country.
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J. Notso Nieuwguyski

trickg · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 7:38 pm Post subject:

As an Army musician, I've always thought it interesting how many people don't play the correct rhythms in this - most people want to play the dotted eighth/sixteenth figure the whole way through. That's not correct, although I can't really fault anyone - I didn't know that it wasn't correct until I went through the Army/Navy School of Music and learned the correct way to play it.

Check measures 2 and 3 - those rhythms are straight.

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cgaiii · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 7:48 pm Post subject:

A great place to get information on how to play Taps.

https://www.tapsbugler.com/
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Bb: Schilke X3L AS SP, Yamaha YTR-6335S
C: Schilke CXL, Kanstul 1510-2
Picc: Kanstul 920
Bb Bugle: Kanstul
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Flugel: Taylor Standard
Bass Trumpet: BAC Custom
Natural Tr: Custom Haas replica by Nikolai Mänttäri Morales

trickg · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 7:57 pm Post subject:

hose · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 7:32 am Post subject:

If there is a "correct way" to play taps it hasn't filtered down to the Marines yet. I've not heard one Marine bugler play it this "correct way," including the Marine Barracks live streamed Fri evening parades.

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kehaulani · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 8:09 am Post subject:

Are "correct" and "authentic" synonymous? It's a piece of music and as such is it to be confined in a glass case or open to personal expression? How does creativity factor into this?

FYI, I am conservative when it comes to Taps and the SSB but, at the same time, I wonder what makes the notes/rhythms sacrosanct?
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hose · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 9:20 am Post subject:

kehaulani · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:10 am Post subject:

trickg · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 7:26 am Post subject:

markp · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 12:59 pm Post subject:

I have found Taps Across America to be a worthless waste of time.

Just to be clear, I have lots of time to volunteer. I feel honored playing for funerals and memorial services. When I lived in Riverside, CA I played at the second largest military cemetery there dozens of times. This past Memorial Day, I accompanied an honor guard around to four cemeteries in my area. I never say no. I show up on time, dressed professionally and play great. I do many every year.

I started getting Taps Across America emails a few years ago. I always replied that I was eager to help. I could never get a direct reply or reach an individual to speak to or return my emails. Their communications always seem to be about getting "patches" for uniforms and coats or certificates. I never got one call to play from them or one personal acknowledgment.

I came to believe that they were just some bot or automated system and now I never read their emails. At all the military funerals I play, I've never talked to one person who ever acquired a bugler from the group or heard of them at all.

Maybe they've hipped up their act. We certainly need a clearinghouse like this to get buglers to families in need. Mechanical (fake) bugles are used more often than not.

Sad.

Croquethed · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 5:48 pm Post subject:

I thought Taps Across America was just a Memorial Day thing. I know of a Bugles Across America that tries to line up players with veterans' funerals.

markp · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 7:01 pm Post subject:

Crazy Finn · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 8:40 pm Post subject:

https://www.tapsacrossamerica.org/

Seems to be about playing taps on Memorial Day.

https://www.buglesacrossamerica.org/

Seems to be about playing taps for services for veterans.
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