Editing Bugle call

{{Short description|Short military tune or signal}}
{{Globalize|section|Western culture|date=December 2010}}
[[Image:Frenchbugler.JPG|thumb|A [[Troupes de marine|French Marine]] plays the bugle during the [[Gulf War]], in March 1991.]]
{{listen
 | filename     = FirstCall.ogg
 | title        = First Call
 | description  = [[First call|"First Call"]], also known as [[First call|"Call to the Post"]], played on the bugle by a member of the [[United States Army Band]]
 | format       = [[ogg]]
}}

A '''bugle call''' is a short [[melody|tune]], originating as a military [[Military communications|signal]] announcing scheduled and certain non-scheduled events on a military installation, battlefield, or ship. Historically, [[bugle]]s, drums, and other loud [[musical instruments]] were used for clear communication in the noise and confusion of a battlefield. Naval bugle calls were also used to command the crew of many warships (signaling between ships being by [[flaghoist signalling|flaghoist]], [[Flag semaphore|semaphore]], [[signal lamp]] or other means).

A defining feature of a bugle call is that it consists only of notes from a single [[overtone]] series. This is in fact a requirement if it is to be playable on a bugle or equivalently on a [[trumpet]] without moving the valves. (If a bandsman plays calls on a trumpet, for example, one particular key may be favored or even prescribed, such as: all calls to be played with the first valve down.) This quality makes bugle calls useful as technical exercises for flexibility over the overtone series, with utility even for woodwinds. 

Bugle calls typically indicated the change in daily routines of camp. Every duty around camp had its own bugle call, and since cavalry had horses to look after, they heard twice as many signals as regular infantry. "[[Boots and Saddles (bugle call)|Boots and Saddles]]" was the most imperative of these signals and could be sounded without warning at any time of day or night, signaling the men to equip themselves and their mounts immediately. Bugle calls also relayed commanders' orders on the battlefield, signaling the troops to Go Forward, To the Left, To the Right, About, Rally on the Chief, Trot, Gallop, Rise up, Lay down, Commence Firing, Cease Firing, Disperse, and other specific actions.<ref>{{cite book | last = Upton | first = Emory | title = A New System of Infantry Tactics | year = 1867 | pages = (appendix) | author-link = Emory Upton }}
</ref>

==History==
The military use of [[Signal instrument|signal instruments]] dates to ancient times. The Romans used a form of bugle in their legions.<ref name=Keating>{{cite journal |last=Keating |first=Gerald |title=Buglers and Bugle Calls in the U.S. Army. |journal=Army History |number=27 |publisher=U.S. Army Center of Military History |year=1993 |pages=16–18 |jstor=26304103 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/26304103 |accessdate=24 Feb 2022}}</ref> Records show the use of an early bugle in [[Hanover]] by 1758,<ref>{{cite web |title=An Introductory History of the Bugle From its Early Origins to the Present Day |year=2019 |website=Taps Bugler |url=https://www.tapsbugler.com/history-of-the-bugle/2/ |accessdate=24 Feb 2022}}</ref> and the British infantry introduced the ''Halbmondbläser'' in 1764.<ref>{{cite web |title=The military bugle |url=https://www.militaria-history.co.uk/articles/the-military-bugle/ |year=2021 |accessdate=24 Feb 2022}}</ref> The bugle gained widespread use in horse mounted units, where the more common signals of drums and fifes were impractical. At the 1776 [[Battle of Harlem Heights]], the use of British bugle calls was taken as an insult by United States forces, who mistook them for hunting calls.

The bugle became more common with United States units during the [[War of 1812]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Dobney |first=Jayson Kerr |title=Military Music in American and European Traditions |website=The Metropolitan Museum of Art |year=2004 |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ammu/hd_ammu.htm |accessdate=24 Feb 2022 }}</ref> Through the 19th century, the bugle gradually replaced the [[Fife (instrument)|fife]]. By the time of the [[United States Civil War]], each company was allotted two buglers.<ref name=Keating />

Military use of bugles waned as new technology provided improved methods of field communication, but bugle calls continue to be used as traditional signals that mark daily events or special ceremonies. United States Army posts, for example, play [[Reveille]] at the start of a work day. In addition, the use of bugles and bugle calls is maintained in traditional [[Drum and bugle corps (classic)|drum and bugle corps]] and some [[Corps of drums|drum corps]].

==Bugle calls==
[[File:Memorial Stained Glass window, Class of 1934, Royal Military College of Canada.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Memorial Stained Glass window, Class of 1934, [[Royal Military College of Canada]] showing Officer Cadet playing the Bugle call for [[Last Post]] or [[The Rouse]]]]
[[File:Trumpetcallsa.jpg|thumb|right|[[Norman Lindsay]], ''The trumpet calls'', [[World War I]] Australian recruitment poster]]

* "[[Adjutant's Call]]": Indicates that the [[adjutant]] is about to form the guard, battalion, or regiment.
* "Alarm" (as played by [[Sam Jaffe]] near the end of ''[[Gunga Din (film)|Gunga Din]]'')
* "[[Assembly (bugle call)|Assembly]]": Signals troops to assemble at a designated place.
* {{Anchor|Attention}}"[[Attention (bugle call)|Attention]]": Sounded as a warning that troops are about to be called to attention.
* "[[Boots and Saddles (bugle call)|Boots and Saddles]]": Sounded for mounted troops to mount and take their place in line.
* "Call to Quarters": Signals all personnel not authorized to be absent to return to their quarters for the night.
:[[Image:Bugle Calls Call To Quarters.svg|Call to Quarters score]]
{{listen
 | filename     = CallToQuarters.ogg
 | title        = Call to Quarters
 | description  = Call to Quarters played on the bugle by a member of the [[United States Army Band]]
 | format       = [[ogg]]
}}
* "[[Charge (bugle call)|Charge]]": Signals troops to execute a charge, or gallop forward into harm's way with deadly intent.
* "[[Church Call]]": Signals that religious services are about to begin.<br>The call may also be used to announce the formation of a funeral escort from a selected military unit.
* "[[Drill Call]]": Sounds as a warning to turn out for drill.
* "[[Fatigue Call]]": Signals all designated personnel to report for [[fatigue duty]].
* "[[Fire Call]]": Signals that there is a fire on the post or in the vicinity. The call is also used for [[fire drill]].
* "[[First call|First Call]]": Sounds as a warning that personnel will prepare to assemble for a formation.
** This call is also used in [[horse racing]], where it is known as Call to the Post. In that context, it indicates that jockeys need to have their mounts in position to be loaded into the starting gate.
* "[[First Sergeant's Call]]": Signals that the First Sergeant is about to form the company.
* "[[Guard Mount]]": Sounds as a warning that the guard is about to be assembled for guard mount.
* "[[Last Post]]": Used at Commonwealth of Nations military funerals and ceremonies commemorating those who have been killed in a war.
* "[[Mail Call (bugle call)|Mail Call]]": Signals personnel to assemble for the distribution of mail.
* "[[Mess Call]]": Signals mealtime.
* "[[Officers Call]]": Signals all officers to assemble at a designated place.
* "[[Payday March|Pay Call]]": Signals that troops will be paid.
* "[[Recall (bugle call)|Recall]]": Signals duties or drills to cease.
{{listen
 | filename     = Retreat.ogg
 | title        = Retreat
 | description  = Retreat played on the bugle by a member of the [[United States Army Band]]
 | format       = [[ogg]]
}}
* {{Anchor|Retreat}}"Retreat": Formerly used to signal troops to retreat. Now used to signal the end of the official day.<ref name=DLA>{{cite web|url=https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/distribution/Reveille.pdf|title=Reveille, Retreat, and Taps |publisher=[[Defense Logistics Agency]]|access-date=September 26, 2020}}</ref> This bugle call is very close to [[Sunset (bugle call)|Sunset]] used in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. (This call is also used to introduce Act 3 of ''[[La damnation de Faust]]'' by Hector Berlioz.) In the U.S. Army, it is signaled right before To The Colors.
*:[[Image:Bugle Calls Retreat.svg|Retreat score]]
{{listen
 | filename     = Reveille on bugle.ogg
 | title        = Reveille
 | description  = 
 | format       = [[ogg]]
}}
* "[[Reveille]]": Signals the troops to awaken for morning roll call.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/reveille.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710222345/http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/reveille.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |title=U.S. Army Bands &ndash; Bugle calls &ndash; Reveille |access-date=7 May 2011}}</ref> In the U.S. Army, it accompanies the raising of the flag, thus representing the official beginning of the new day.<ref name=DLA />
* "[[The Rouse]]": Used in Commonwealth nations to signal soldiers to get out of bed (as distinct from Reveille, which signals the troops to awaken).
{{listen
 | filename     = Rouse.wav 
 | title        = The Rouse
 | description  = 
 | format       = [[wav]]
}}
* "School Call": Signals school is about to begin.
:[[Image:Bugle Calls School Call.svg|School Call score]]
* "Sick Call": Signals all troops needing medical attention to report to the dispensary.
:[[Image:Bugle Calls Sick Call.svg|Sick Call score]]
* "Stable Call": Signals troops to feed and water horses. Lyrics dating to 1852 Sumner's March to New Mexico: "Come off to the stables, all if you are able, and give your horses some oats and some corn; For if you don’t do it, the colonel will know it, And then you will rue it, as sure’s you’re born."{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}
* "Swimming Call": Signals the start of the swimming period.
:[[Image:Bugle Calls Swimming Call.svg|Swimming Call score]]
{{listen
| filename     = Taps on bugle.ogg
| title        = Taps (in the key of B flat)
| description  = Taps as played on the [[bugle]] by the [[United States Army Band]]
| format       = [[ogg]]
}}
* "[[Taps (bugle call)|Taps]]": Signals that unauthorized lights are to be extinguished. This is the last call of the day.<ref name=DLA /> The call is also sounded at the completion of a U.S. [[military funeral]] ceremony.
[[File:Taps.png|frameless|700x700px]]{{listen
 | filename     = Tattoo.ogg
 | title        = Tattoo
 | description  = Tattoo played on the bugle by a member of the [[United States Army Band]]
 | format       = [[ogg]]
}}
* "[[Tattoo (bugle call)|Tattoo]]": Signals that all light in squad rooms be extinguished and that all loud talking and other disturbances be discontinued within 15 minutes.
:[[Image:Bugle Calls Tattoo.svg|Tattoo score]]
* "To Arms": Signals all troops to fall under arms at designated places without delay.
:[[Image:To-Arms.png]]
{{listen
 | filename     = ToTheColor.ogg
 | title        = To the Colors
 | description  = To the Colors played on the bugle by a member of the [[United States Army Band]]
 | format       = [[ogg]]
}}
* {{Anchor|To The Colors}}"To The Colors" (or "To the Color"): In the [[United States]], it is used to render honors to the nation. It is used when no band is available to render honors, or in ceremonies requiring honors to the nation more than once. "To the Colors" commands all the same courtesies as the National Anthem. The most common use of "To The Colors" is when it is sounded immediately following "Retreat". During this use of the call, the flag is lowered.
:[[Image:Bugle Calls To The Colors.svg|To the Colors score]]

==Popular culture==
Many of the familiar calls have had words made up to fit the tune. For example, the U.S. "Reveille" goes:

:''I can't get 'em up,''
:''I can't get 'em up,''
:''I can't get 'em up this morning;''
:''I can't get 'em up,''
:''I can't get 'em up,''
:''I can't get 'em up at all!''
::''The corporal's worse than the privates,''
::''The sergeant's worse than the corporals,''
::''Lieutenant's worse than the sergeants,''
::''And the captain's worst of all!''
: < repeat top six lines >

and the U.S. "Mess Call":

:''Soupy, soupy, soupy, without a single bean:''
:''Coffee, coffee, coffee, without a speck of cream:''
:''Porky, porky, porky, without a streak of lean.''<ref>
{{cite journal
| jstor         =4317288
| title       =Bugle Calls
| first       =Hans
| last        =Sperber
| journal =Midwest Folklore
| year        =1951
| publisher   =Indiana University Press
| volume=1
| issue =3
| pages=167–170
}}</ref>

and the U.S. "Assembly":
:''There's a soldier in the grass''
:''With a bullet up his ass''
:''Take it out, take it out''
:''Like a good [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scout]]!''

and the U.S. "Taps"
:''Day is done''
:''Gone the sun''
:''From the lake, from the hills, from the sky''
:''All is well, safely rest''
:''God is nigh''

[[Irving Berlin]] wrote a tune called, "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning". In a filmed version of his musical, ''[[This Is the Army]]'', he plays a [[World War I]] [[doughboy]] whose sergeant exhorts him with this variant of words sung to "Reveille": "Ya gotta get up, ya gotta get up, ya gotta get up this morning!" after which Berlin sang the song.

"Taps" has been used frequently in popular media, both sincerely (in connection with actual or depicted death) and humorously (as with a "killed" cartoon character). It is the title of a 1981 [[Taps (film)|movie of the same name]].

"[[First call]]" is best known for its use in thoroughbred horse racing, where it is also known as the "Call to the Post". It is used to herald (or summon) the arrival of horses onto the track for a race.

Another popular use of the "Mess Call" is a crowd cheer at football or basketball games. The normal tune is played by the band, with a pause to allow the crowd to chant loudly, "Eat 'em up! Eat 'em up! Rah! Rah! Rah!"

Early solid state Bally [[pinball]] tables played two bugle calls on their chime units. First Call was used as the game start tune and [[To the Colors]] for game over.

==See also==
* [[Bersaglieri#Bugle calls|Bugle calls of the Bersaglieri Corps (Italian Army)]]
* [[Bugle calls of the Norwegian Army]]
* [[Bugle and trumpet calls of the Mexican Armed Forces]]
* [[Military rites]]
* [[Ruffles and flourishes]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last = Rush |first = Robert S. |title = NCO Guide |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=cn-ts1EGEz0C |year = 2010 |publisher = Stackpole Books |isbn = 978-0811742276 |page =[https://books.google.com/books?id=cn-ts1EGEz0C&dq=%22bugle+calls%22&pg=PA328 328] }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bugle calls}}
* [http://www.usscouts.org/mb/bugle_calls.asp Bugle Calls] by the [[U.S. Scouting Service Project]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041022233422/http://www.bands.army.mil/music/bugle/ Official US Army Band Bugle Call Webpage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060820202359/http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/bugle.htm US Navy Manual For Buglers]
* [http://www.farmersboys.com/MAIN/Bugles_Calls.htm British Army Bugle Calls (Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment)]
* [[Wikisource:1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Bugle|1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article on the bugle]]
* [https://www.nationalguard.mil/Portals/31/Documents/J1/FamilyPrograms/ANG_family_guide.pdf  Shenkle, Kathryn, “The History of Taps,” ''Air National Guard Family Guide,'' p. 40]
{{-}}
{{Bugle calls}}

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[[Category:Bugle calls| ]]
[[Category:Military music]]
[[Category:Music performance]]
[[Category:Military life]]