THE TRUMPET AND DRUM - A BOOK OF INSTRUCTION - Field-Trumpet and Drum Signals

Oct 13, 2026

A vintage instruction manual for U.S. Marine Corps field music by John Philip Sousa, presenting guidance for trumpet and drum signals used across the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. It includes a preface addressing the need for greater precision in trumpet-signal intonation and time, along with drum-part additions that pair trumpet and drum for field-music effectiveness. The early sections teach core music rudiments such as melody, harmony, staff and ledger lines, treble (sol) clef, scales, and note values, structured in question-and-answer form.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages132

Reading Time5 h 33 min

AccessFree to download

A BOOK OF INSTRUCTION

Preface

Rudiments of Music

Chapter II

THE TRUMPET AND DRUM788.107SoUSAS72b WITHDRAWNOWENS i IBRARY81 S.U NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATEUNIVERSITY LIBRARYMARYVILLE,MISSOURI 6440u (See pages 124,125 and 126 for Contents) FOREWARD John Philip Sousa's metamorphosis from civilian theater musician,composer and conductor to the Bandmastership of the U.S.MarineBand had also included a seven-year period begun in his youth whenhe was first an apprentice and then a musician in that organization.The field trumpet/bugle having replaced the fife as partner to thedrum for tactical commands in the field during the recent Civil War,Sousa siezed upon recent revisions of the calls-now expanded to67 in Upton's Infantry Tactics-to provide,at his own expense,abook that could raise the teaching of field music from the depthsof rote learning.His comprehensive little book contained all thebasics except dynamics,seemingly of no purpose here. In addition to the details of learning,Sousa's Book includedmarching tunes which he had composed as reward for the pedegogy.Just how successful the instruction manual may have been is notknown,but the success of one of its marching tunes,WITHSTEADY STEP,incorporated by Sousa in his great march for TheMarine Corps,SEMPER FIDELIS,as the first strain of the TRIO,guaranteed it immortality in military music. Many years were to pass before the drum and bugle corps wouldbegin its phenomenal rise as an amateur pursuit after World WarI;meanwhile "The Ancients"in New England had preserved thecolonial fife and drum corps tradition presently enjoying rebirththroughout the country. William F.Ludwig's life-long(94 years)dedication to the art of therudimental drummer led him to the reprinting of Sousa's book in1954.All of us "Rudimentals"will be glad to see THE TRUMPETAND DRUM in print once again.—Frederick Fennell/1984 # A BOOK OF INSTRUCTION FIELD-TRUMPET AND DRUM, TOGETHER WITH THE # TRUMPET AND DRUM SIGNALS Now in use in the Army,Navy and Marine Corps OF THE UNITED STATES. BY JoHN PHILIP SoUSA, Bandmaster,United States Marine Oorps. 1st Reprint from OriginalBy W.F.L.Drum Co.Chicago,Illinois 1954 2nd Reprint by Ludwig Music Publishing Co.,Inc.557 E.140th StreetCleveland,OH44110 97221-7 # PREFACE. THE belief that a book of instruction for the field music of theService is greatly needed,has suggested to the author the publication ofthis work.At the present time there is a lack of precision in the per-formance of the trumpet-signals of the Service,both as to intonationand division of time.The author has written a drum-part to thosesignals which are essentially"garrison-calls,"believing thatin branchesof the Service where the trumpet and drum comprise the field-music,there are obvious advantages in the combination of the two,in preferenceto the employment of the trumpet alone. The author's acknowledgements are due Mr.F.W.Lusby,DrumInstructor,U.S.M.C.,for contributions to the work. WASHINGTOn,D.C.,1886. Entered,accordinp to Act of CnnpreR,in the vear 1896,byJOHN PHILIP goUT8A. In the Ofice of the Librarian of Congress,at Washingston,D.C. # RUDIMENTS OF MUSIC. What is music? Sounds pleasing to the ear,either in succession or in combination.What constitutes melody? A succession of sounds. What constitutes harmony?A combination of two or more sounds uttered simultaneously. How are musical ideas expressed in writing9By characters called notes. How many notes are there?Strictly speaking,seven. What are their names? Do or C,Re or D,Mi or E,Fa or F,Sol or G,La or A,Si or B.How are they used? On the staff. Of what does the staff consist?Five lines and four spaces. SPACES. LINES. ExAMPLE. Are notes always confned to the lines and spaces? No;leger lines are added above and below the staff on whichnotes are placed. SPACE ABOYE.LEGER LINE BELOw.EXAMPLE. | | | --- | | | | | | | | | | | (3) RUDIMENTS OF MUSIC. hn namnocpcaissAt the interval of eight degrees. EXAMPLE.=1—2 haris aninl

FAQs

What problem does the preface claim the book addresses for field music?

It highlights a lack of precision in service trumpet signals, especially regarding intonation and division of time, and explains the author’s motivation to publish the work.

How does the book define melody, harmony, and musical ideas in writing?

Melody is defined as a succession of sounds, harmony as two or more sounds uttered simultaneously, and musical ideas in writing are expressed using notes.

What fundamentals of notation and pitch does the book teach in the rudiments section?

It teaches staff structure (five lines and four spaces), ledger lines for notes above and below the staff, the treble/sol clef for naming notes, and pitch indicated by the position of notes.

Oct 13, 2026

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