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Performance Guidelines for Taps

By Tapsbugler

BUGLER POSITIONS FOR SOUNDING A CALL

Figure 1. PARADE REST (AT EASE). Feet apart relaxed position without locking knees. Bugler cradles instrument left hand parallel to the ground in left hand.
Figure 2. ATTENTION. Feet brought together, heels touching. Bugle is held in left hand parallel to the ground with the bell to the front. Right hand is placed on seam of trouser, feet are at a 45 degree angle.
Figure 3. GRASP BUGLE
Figure 4. BRING BUGLE UP
Figure 5. PLACE BUGLE
Figure 6. SOUND BUGLE
Figure 7. SALUTE

FOR SOUNDING A CALL THE BUGLE IS BROUGHT UP IN A THREE-COUNT MOVEMENT:

ONE- From the position of attention, bugler reaches over and grasps bugle with right hand.
TWO-Bugler brings the bugle up and places the mouthpiece in a comfortable position for sounding the call. The left hand is used in helping place the mouthpiece in the proper location for the embouchure.
THREE-Once the mouthpiece is set on the embouchure, the left hand returns to the side.

AFTER SOUNDING A CALL THE BUGLE IS BROUGHT DOWN IN A THREE-COUNT MOVEMENT

ONE-Bugler returns bugle to left hand and cradles the bugle parallel to the ground
TWO-Bugler returns right hand to side of body (position of attention)
THREE-Bugler raises right hand in salute for three seconds, then returns hand to side and remains at position of attention

ALL MOVEMENTS ARE DONE IN A MILITARY MANNER THAT IS NOT RUSHED OR OVER EXAGGERATED.

Figure 1. PARADE REST (AT EASE)

PARADE REST (SIDE)

Figure 2. ATTENTION

ATTENTION (SIDE VIEW)

Figure 3. GRASP BUGLE

Figure 4. BRING BUGLE UP

 

BRING BUGLE UP (SIDE VIEW)

Figure 5. PLACE MOUTHPIECE

Figure 6. SOUND BUGLE

SOUND BUGLE (SIDE VIEW)

Figure 7. SALUTE

SALUTE (SIDE VIEW)

Pages: 1 2 3

Published in Bugle Stories, Buglers Through History, Bugles for Performing and Collecting, General Interest, History of Taps, History of the Bugle, Taps in Recent History and Taps Performance Guidelines

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90 Comments

  1. Tapsbugler Tapsbugler Post author | November 27, 2019

    I am going to post your remarks on the Taps Bugler FB page.
    Hopefully we will get some good suggestions

  2. John F John F November 27, 2019

    I am a VA civilian in an Honor Guard. I played Trumpet as a child up until the 8th grade. I also played the bugle for Boy Scouts at the same time. I have recently acquired a bugle and have been practicing for several months. Currently our Honor Guard uses the digital insert in the bugle. Here’s my concern. I can play taps, sometimes quite well and sometimes I slip up. I don’t have the confidence yet to play with perfection at an actual ceremony. That’s the problem, playing it 100% of the time with perfection. I’m afraid if I slip up, especially the first time, they won’t want me to do it again. I practice nearly everyday. I have a strong desire to do this! I am sure there are others out there with the same concern.

  3. Tapsbugler Tapsbugler Post author | September 22, 2019

    Not true
    No manuals ever had the bugler out of sight

  4. chris st john chris st john September 1, 2019

    while serving at fort campbell, and being on the firing squad the blow boy always hide behind a tree or other grave mark, he told us he was not suppose to be seen this back in 1971, if posable thank you

  5. Wolfgang Huhn Wolfgang Huhn March 4, 2019

    Hello my dear trumpet colleague, why is there a note on your side with sixteenth notes when you explicitly say it’s wrong to blow sixteenths? This irritates me. Soon I will blow a tap on the funeral of an American soldier. Of course, I want to do it as well as possible to honor the man. Should one blow some sixteenth notes, at the beginning and in bars 2, 4 and 6 or not? I would appreciate it if the notes, as is customary in music, are written exactly. Best regards Wolfgang

  7. debbie reid debbie reid November 23, 2018

    hello,
    i have 3 high school band members playing taps for me on 15 dec at 3 local cemeteries.
    i’ve asked them to wear black pants/shoes, white shirt/gloves and a hat. i said could be a dress one or the smaller flat one.
    the person who found the musicians said he’s not sure what type of hat to wear. is it required or strongly suggested to wear a hat? i know uniformed personnel have to have a “cover” but what about civilians?
    we did have army/navy store nearby but it closed. the base does have a uniform store, but expecting them to be more expensive there.
    what about baseball hat with one of the 5 services?
    i was hoping to start playing taps myself, but other plans got in the way.
    thanks
    debbie reid

  8. AlanC AlanC November 11, 2018

    Thank you for all of this info. In particular I’m happy to see the info on the rhythm. I’ve known it as straight eighth notes. I counsel the Bugling Merit Badge (Boy Scouts). I teach and insist on straight eighths. It bothers me to hear the dotted eighth/sixteenth. I found your sight because I heard a performance of taps by a Chicago Symphony Orchestra trumpeter playing it wrong, and he’s retired military. Other than the rhythm, it was beautiful. I’m a civilian. I’ve often thought I should offer my services to military funerals. I did play once for a friend’s funeral. It was quite the honor.

  9. Norman Kropf Norman Kropf September 20, 2018

    Question: A volley of musketry will be fired before Taps at an

    upcoming ceremony (09/23). An opening clerical Invocation

    is scheduled for the program. Does tradition or protocol

    dictate where a Benediction is offered: either

    a) before the volley, or b) after Taps ?

    Thank-you.

  10. Tapsbugler Tapsbugler Post author | May 6, 2018

    Hand over heart in Civilian Clothes.
    If you are a veteran you are allowed to render a hand salute

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