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Army Air Corps Cadet Bugler sounding "To The Color"
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“ Welcome to Tapsbugler! This is a blog like site and you can write feedback on many of the posts here. Have fun exploring. Either click the Index tab for a listing of the posts or do a search in our great search box. Enjoy the site and I hope you come away with a little more knowledge about this great American treasure we have in those 24 notes. ”
Quick Links
- Bugles Across America
- Bugles for use at Funerals, Ceremonies and Civil War events-Bugles for Performing and Collecting
- Find a Bugler
- Guest Book
- History of Taps
- Taps Music, Sound Files and Taps information
- Taps Performance Guidelines
- The Broken Note-The story of Taps at the funeral of President Kennedy
- The Taps Myth
Celebrate 150 Years of Taps
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Jari….thank you for all your hard work and dedication. I found your website very informative, and have posted your link to Face Book, for others to read and enjoy!
Jari. I believe we met at a program you delivered in Shepherdstown, WV several years ago. You wrote out the call for me which Elizabeth Custer used for the title of her book: “Boots and Saddles”. As a bugler in my youth and my father before me, I’m interested in the history of calls. I hope your book, mentioned above, is now available.
Gratefully,
Tom Brown
Morgantown, WV
Very good work you guys are doing. I’m looking for ways to become involved.
Thank you to all of the buglers. I have, unfortunately, had to hear this played five times for my uncle, a Green Beret Special Forces, my father, U.S. Navy ret., mother, U.S. Navy ret., my brother,USMC, and my wonderful husband who gave all, USMC. They will forever be in my heart and soul. I miss them dearly everyday. My Dad died on this Memorial Day 19 years ago. I am a USMC widow and I will always be greatful for all the service men and women who are putting themselves in harms way everyday. Thank you.
Carmen J. Blondheim
North Port, FL
Mr. Villanueva,
We spent the day with Cub Scouts this morning placing flags at the veterans cemetery in Memphis. Heard a beautiful rendition of Taps and wanted to learn more. Found your explanation and music on the YouTube video to be tremendous. Thank you for sharing!
Sincerely,
Darren Lavelle
Father of a Former Marine
We are playing Taps at our drag racing events this weekend to comemorate Memorial Day. Thankyou for what you do. Your music makes me cry
We are playing Taps at our drag racing events this weekend to commorate Memorial Day. Thankyou for what you do. Your music makes me cry
I loaded one of your You Tube video’s on my Blog for Memorial Day 2011. Wonderful music, it touched me so much. I wanted to share it with the folks who will stop by my Blog. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Jari,
Great site- thank you for spreading truth! I’ve been with a base honor guard for 16 years now and retired for 6. Rendering honors never gets old.
Sincerely,
John “DrillMaster” Marshall
lot’s of good info. I teach mcjrotc at donna high school in Donna Tx. I have use that myth and had belived to be true.We help in funnerals the 3 volley with the 7 M-1s. Thats is unother story the 21 gun salute. Keep up the good work.
Master Gunny Castro (ret)
Wonderful site, Jari! Thank you for your service and for remaining forever faithful to TAPS…you are an inspiration!
AS THE CHAIR OF THE TR COUNCIL (LONG ISLAND, NY) NATIONAL EAGLE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION AND A DEDICATED BUGLER, I SAY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, DOUGLAS HYER
Hello, Jari ~~
You probably wouldn’t recall … but, I dropped in your place in Catonsville, upon the invitation of Jeff Stockham, a couple years ago. I live in Easton, MD, and am a proud member of B.A.A.
I believe (?) he was in town for the Presidential Inauguration.
I purchased a horn from him, and took delivery at your home. I did have the occasion to look at the collection of bugles in your display case.
Look forward to meeting you, more formally. When I was there, several guys were sleeping on the floor (!).
Best regards,
Robert Rowe
Jari,
First, your website is essential to our heritage. Thank You!
Second, I’ve only recently acquired a model M1862 U.S. Regulation bugle
marketed by Slingerland of Niles IL (formerly Chicago), a reknown drum manufacturing company. Such puts me to believe that Ludwig, another reknown drum manufacturer was also just a marketer of their line of bugles. No evidence supports that either had a brass instrument manufacturing capability.
Both Rexcraft & Buglecraft are now defunct, their marketing now in another’s hands. Here again, absent evidence that any of these had a brass instrument
manufacturing capability, I believe they too had them made elsewhere and imprinted with their names, the term of such then known only as “stencils”.
This is a terrific site. It’s good to know the true history of this haunting melody. The most stirring rendition I ever heard was at my uncle’s (retired Navy CWO-4) funeral in December 1994 at the Veterans cemetary just outside Hilton Head, South Carolina. A lone bugler played it as my uncle’s casket was lowered into the ground at dusk. I’ve heard histories of this tune, but wanted to know the real story and tradition linked to it.
Thanks for posting it.
Skip Parker
My 92 year old father, who is a WWII veteran, and I were discussing the origin of “Taps” last night, so this is my reason for visiting this site. I haven’t had time to really look at all of the info, but am looking forward to it so that I can share it with my father.
Thank you,
June Campbell,
Burlington, NC
Great site and your research is brilliant.
We I started learning music in the 5th grade my dad had only one desire, and that was I play the trumpet and learn TAPS. Throughout middle school, and high school I always wondered why this instrument and this of all songs. A call came one dad, my granddad had passed away. He was a Seabee, in World War II. When arrangements were made, a color guard was requested along with a bugler. When my dad learned there was to be no bugler only a cd to be played, he turned to me and simply asked, Can you play it. At that moment I understood why so many years before that was important. I have had the opportunity to play again at funerals, and I feel honored, just to be in the presence of the person I am playing for. I will be playing this Sunday for a fallen deputy Sheriff in Madison County, Florida. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Sincerely
Sharon Cone Wooten
Greenville, FL
Hello Jari.
A heartfelt thanks for the fantastic informative website you have provided here. I recently had the honor of providing Taps for a USMA classmate’s memorial service in Cincinnati, OH. The information and recording at your website was a great refresher of how the music is to be sounded. I am still available for services as needed.
The pre-recorded fake-sounding notes will never replace those being sounded by the breathing bugler during the service. We are reminded that the veteran being honored did NOT call for a recorded image of a soldier to take his place in defense of his country, but stood that ground himself.
Thanx BuKu,
Vic Smith, US Army Ret’d.
Waterford, OH
Jari,
Excellent website about Taps. I have referred many people to this site to get the real story on the history of Taps. Every time I get that video of the 13-year-old playing Il Silenzio, which is mis-identified as the long version of Taps, I refer the sender to your site.
I met you when you visited the 105th GSDF Band on the day we had our change of command ceremony.
I had the honor this afternoon of playing Taps for a retired Brigadier General’s funeral through BAA and am honored to do that as my schedule allows.
Best, regards,
Tom Carlysle
In my country, Canada, our musical honour to the fallen in called “The Last Post” Whether it be Taps or The Last Post. the emotions are the same…sadness, gratitude, & respect. At a recent rememberance ceremony for a deceased Spitfire & Hurricane pilot (Royal Canadian Air Force WW2) I was given the honour of bearing the standard of the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Sopwith Camel executed a “fly past” in honour of our deceased comrade. As I waved our standard at the aircraft,the sounds of The Last Post”brought tears to my eyes. My dad and my brother are both deceased vererans (U.S. Navy). When I hear Taps performed at any ceremony, the emotions are the same. Thank you for this remarkable website.
Kindest regards,
Don G. Russell CD
Warrant Officer (retd.)
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Band
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Jari, this is a fantastic site! I’ve been veiwing it for years and telling people that ask me about TAPS to come here for the true history and facts concerning it. I am the NCOIC of the 109th Base Honor Guard, Scotia, NY…and also the team’s bugler. I’ve been playing TAPS since I enlisted back in 1993. I always look forward to playing and talking with other buglers. I’m also a member of BAA and hope to become more involved with them and other TAPS events. Please keep up the great work, spreading the word!!!
-To Honor With Dignity
Jari, Great Job with the website. I appreciate all the information and historical facts that you have brought together here for all interested to glean from. I have been playing taps since my High school days but went silent for aver 20 yrs only to pick it up again after seeing the desperate need for live buglers. I Joined BAA couple yrs back and am now doing several a year as time and scheduling permits. Thank you for your service!
Sincerely Randall A. McCrillis
Jari,
Outstanding web site. I have played the bugle since I was 9 years old and in the Drum and Bugle Corps of Grant Heights, Tokyo, Japan. I have also been an American Legion bugler and I belong to Bugles Across America. Many times at municipal Memorial Day celebrations, I’ve heard a mayor or other village official
present the “myth” of the origin of Taps. Thank you for setting the record straight.
In a time when most Honors are rendered by a machine, I am glad to come upon this site and pay my respects. I spent my first years as an Army Bandsman on the “Bugle Roster” at the 113th Army Band, Ft Knox, KY. During my 14 years of service in the Army and USMC I don’t ever remember turning down an opportunity to perform our honored tradition.
this is a great site it reminds me of my great grand father that had served for 32 years in the USAF and reached master sargent.
Enjoy you website and have for a while now. I was a member[Bugler] of the USAF Drum Corps/Bagpipe Band at BollingAFB in the late ’50′s.
I am so pleased to be coming to our next Reunion in York, PA this coming June and witness your presentation.
Best Regards
Warren Cooke
French Horn Bugle
1955-59
http://tapsbugler.com/lyrics-or-words-to-taps/
Hi Jari, Great site. I was looking for the words for Tapes if there were any. I doing a flay burning ceremony and was going to tell a little about Tapes.
Edwin A. Long III
SFC (Retired)
USMC/ USA
Plymouth, NC
Hello Jari,
I just wanted to compliment you on the site. It is well done and concise. I myself am not a musician, but I am a veteran and it is good to see that the fallen are not forgotten.
Thank you,
Paul Schneider
U.S. Army 1983 to 1989
(I am also a Rytkola Family descendant)
Seeking information on how to acquire the 60 page booklet — Twenty – Four Notes That Tap Deep Emotions. Thank You
Info: on acquiring 60 page booklet — Twenty –Four Notes That Tap Deep Emotions
Hello Jari, thank you so much for creating this site! It is nice to see the history behind Taps finally documented in a site as thorough as this one.
Wayne Naus
US Navy 1966-1970
I am making a slide show with background music of the images made during a recent visit to The Little Bighorn Battlefield NP for family and friends. As I transition from battle to graves including Last Stand Hill and The National Cemetery I want TAPS for the background music. The time frame is several minutes and the repetitive playing of the 30+ sec. of TAPS that I have been able to download detracts from the visual images . I feel the audio posted on UTube of Taps Buglers At Arlington National Cemetery would be perfect. Is there a site where this or similar audio is available for downloading.
will forward the words
Good Afternoon Jari,
Wonderful new update to the site. I have been remiss for not visiting lately.
Jari, Go to http://www.lvveteranshistory.org and peruse our activities.
I am going to have us join with the Taps 150 movement, and institute a group of young folks here to form a local “Taps Brigade”. We have very few Veteran, or Civilian players here qualified. Luckily the ‘Round Table has two for our meetings. I’ll update you on the results as this progresses.
Keep up the good work!
Fellow retired Air Force Veteran
Paul Fiske
Co-Chairman/Founder
The Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project Round Table
Wonderful web site. I am a United States Air Force Veteran of the Korean War. I am approaching my 80th birthday and our ranks are thinning greatly day by day. I have been honored by writing and giving the eulogy for one of my best buddy’s at Arlington National Cemetery and the echo bugles playing taps was spectacular (Army Band), my friend was a Senior Warrant Officer in the Army. Then I gave the dedication of a plaque for our 5th Communications Group, 5th Air Force at the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and needless to say the bugler that they provided was among the very best. When I was young and now that I am very old, never have I ever heard TAPS without shedding tears. It means so much to me. God Bless you and all the buglers in the service of our beloved America.
Lee Ayers
Easley, SC
Jari,
This site is absolutely terrific. Thanks for doing this.
My story, very quickly. Saw Tom Day on Fox News Sunday Memorial Day weekend in 2009 as the “Power Player of the Week.” As a veteran (3 years Army, 1969-1971), I agreed with what Tom said about stolen dignity. Thought I would like to learn to sound Taps, but it seemed such an outrageous idea. I’ve never played a horn; did play a wind instrument in grammar school (more than 50 years ago). Sent Tom an email asking if he thought it possible for a then 62 year-old to be able to learn. He said yes.
Found a music school in Dallas that was willing to teach me to play the trumpet, for the sole purpose of being able to play Taps. Had my first lesson on July 31st, 2009. It took me a little over 13-months of weekly lessons (don’t know if that’s good or bad) for me to be able to play it through. Working now on consistency and being able to play with the grace and dignity Taps demands. Once my music teacher and I think I’m ready, I’ll make formal application to BAA.
Marty Pailes
Plano, TX
Thank you for your labor of love setting up this site. During training at Ft Leonard Wood I love the end of the day with Taps being played. In Viet Nam I never heard it used. I guess we were too busy or maybe it was because our day didn’t end at dusk.
Thank you for what you are doing here!
great sight-thank you from a vet!
Dear Sir: Hi
Very important and interesting information. Many Thanks.
In my senior year I lived with a bugler at Eastern Military Academy “70″ and was always interested in the history of our bugle calls. I also have a replica of a civil war bugle and sound off now and then at my fencing center.
Respect to all our veterans.
Touche’
Witold Rak, EMA “70″
Woodside, Queens, N.Y.
It’s taken me years to fully understand the importance of being a Bugler.To understand the difference in meaning as I play TAPS in ceremony,and in
Honor of a fallen.I have been Honored to play TAPS 700+ funerals now and will be doing it for many years to come,God willing.
Jari,you have helped me in this.I thank you.
I have fully committed myself to being a Bugler.
As you know why I want to play TAPS at Arlington one day to Honor the fallen.
For all of my own family who have served America.I hope and pray my name is in the running for the 2012 celebration.
Thank you,
Bill Vann,Bugler
Jari,
Last winter you assisted me in getting my 13 year old son started up with bugling for Civil War reenacting. He just finished his first year as a bugler and he is now also interested in joining Bugles Across America. This website is amazing and in no doubt will help my son!
Thank you!
Eileen
Thanks for your site. Taps should be played on every radio show daily. People need to be reminded that troops are falling every day for us to have these freedom we are afforded daily
I was a rated musician from 1956 through 1985. I served with the US Navy Band Washington from 1970 through 1985 during which time I was the principle bugler playing “Taps” and other ceremony appropriate calls for funerals and ceremonies. I was referred to as the Navy “Bugler of Arlington” during most of that time. Of the thousands of funerals in which I participated, the ceremony was always an emotional event for me and never became perfunctory.
My name is Raymond Parent, and I am the Fire Chief for the Town of Sanford, Maine, a six year veteran of the U.S. Navy. We recently opened the fourth veterans cemetery in Maine, located in Sanford, Maine and I, as chairman, have been involved for ten years before this came to fruition. Since only September 7th when we started the burial of our soldiers and families, we have 50 folks already interned.
It was during the opening that I began to think about the words that go with the Taps notes and started looking for information.
Your web site is very informative, and I believe factful if you will, and will visit again. thank you for your efforts for the veterans, thank you for what you do, and thank you for the your service to this great country.
Where can I purchase an authenic Civil War bugle (if they are even for sale)
and what is the price range they would go for.
My daughter goes to the civil war reenactments each year and I would
love to buy her a piece of civil war history.
Any info would be appreciated.
Karen Larsen
Great web site. I am member of Civil Air Patrol United States Air Force Auxiliary. Former Group Commander Missouri Wing. I would like to thank all the young men and women for there service and sacrifice GOD BLESS AMERICA.
I am a member of the Bonneville veterans memorial team, the american legion the vietnam veterans association and the U.S. submarine veterans association. I am also running for the U.S. Senate from Idaho but the most pleasure I gain is playing my bugles. I also play a shofar. Love your website.
Blessings,
Bob Reinisch
Jari,
Great web site. I am a member of Bugles Across America. I played with the USAF Drum Corps from 1958-1962. Truman Crawford was our NCOIC. Before moving over to the Marine Corps Drum Corps. Colonel George S.Howard was the Squadron Commander. The corps traveled extensively throughout the US, Europe, Asia representing the United States. Your photo of the corps was taken during my tenure at Bolling Air Force Base. Incidently,
I will be playing under the directorship of your old boss Arnald Gabrial this coming weekend in Williamsport, PA
Respectfully,
Al McLaughlin
Mystic, CT