With Trumpet, Drum and Fife: A short treatise covering the rise and fall of military musical instruments on the battlefield

by Mike Hall

Overview

With Trumpet, Drum and Fife' is described as a 'short treatise covering the rise and fall of military musical instruments on the battlefield'. Despite there being a plethora of books about military music, 'With Trumpet, Drum and Fife' stands out from the crowd in that it explores new areas of the world of military musical instruments. It is easy to read format and conciseness unwraps a depth and breadth of detail contained within. The chapters of the book guide you from the Ancient World through to the Restoration and up to the modern day giving examples of the origins and developments of the instruments employed. The author gives unique and well-researched accounts of the role of drummers within the military environment. The text explores the historical context of land battles and the importance of signaling instruments used in times of conflict. The status and pecking order of musicians within the military and the unique development of Drummers' uniforms are also detailed with the images contained within the book highlighting specific areas of interest.

Mike Hall's personal knowledge and experiences of being a Senior Drum Major in the Coldstream Guards add polish and credulity to the content. Reading through the book you will uncover a mine of interesting information about the evolution of Drum and Fife duty and the historical roles of the Drum Major General and the Trumpet Major. The role of the Boy Drummer is discussed in relation to his importance on the battlefield and in the application of military discipline.

'With Trumpet Drum and Fife' is unique in its approach, is long overdue and fills a niche in military history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781909384170
Publisher:	Helion and Company
Publication date:	03/19/2013
Series:	Helion Studies in Military History , #22
Pages:	114
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Major Mike Hall joined the Coldstream Guards as a boy drummer in 1960 at the age of fifteen years. After years of ceremonial duties and active service in the United Kingdom and overseas, he became the Senior Drum Major of the Regiment. Passionate about military music, Mike has written training manuals for the Army, co-authored the Drummers' Handbook, composed many musical scores culminating in the production of two CDs of Flute and Drum arrangements. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Mike has been requested to give a series of lectures for student band masters at Kneller Hall on the subject of writing and arranging for Corps of Drums. In retirement, Mike continues to maintain strong links with The Corps of Drums Society in the role of Training Development Officer.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations vii

Acknowledgements 9

Introduction 10

Part I The Ancient World

1 Early Accounts of Trumpets and Drums in Military Use 12

2 Other Percussion Instruments 16

3 Other Influences on Military Music 18

4 Grecian Influence 20

5 Roman Influence in Britain - Roman Brass Instruments 22

6 Post Romano-Britain, the Saxons and the Vikings 27

7 1066 and Onwards - the Norman Conquest 28

Part II From the Waytes to Cromwell

8 Elevated Status - Privileges and Pecking Order 32

9 Influence of the Crusades on English Martial Instruments 35

10 A New Order - Foundations of a Standing Army 37

11 Drum and Fife Commands - Posture and Motions 41

12 The Old English March - Importance of the Drum 43

13 Dating the Existence of the Post of Drum Major 48

14 Cromwell - the Commonwealth and its Influence 49

Part III The Restoration and Beyond

15 The Serjeant Trumpeter and Drum Major General 55

16 Last of the 'Sovereign Generals' 56

17 Post-Napoleon 58

18 TA to the Rescue - The Corps of Drums Society 63

19 The Phoenix Arises - the Rebirth of the Drum Major General 64

Part IV Origins and Development of Instruments

20 Origins, Development, Music and the Use of Trumpet and Bugle 67

21 Bugles and Trumpets at War 73

22 Development of the Side Drum 82

23 Development of the Fife 86

Part V Dress and Duties

24 Dress 91

25 Drummers and Military Discipline 97

26 Blackamoors as Drummers 100

27 The Drum Major - a Historical Precedent 102

28 The English Duty - Drum and Flute Duty 105

Coda 111

Sources Cited 112