How to Play Taps - Trumpet Lessons

[@MattBrockman]

🎺📚FREE trumpet class!: tinyurl.com/4da8b779

[@MikeMikeActual]

If you've ever had the opportunity to hear TAPS being played at a military funeral it'll make you shed tears because of just how moving it truly is!!! That's why it's extremely important to play it correctly with all of your heart!!!

[@MattBrockman]

🙌🙌🙌

[@cocowest9251]

My Grandfathers funeral 😭😭 he was a Marine ❤ yes I bawled

[@glennhaley]

If I am at a cemetery and hear taps, I break down. It doesn't matter if I knew the person or not.

[@damianmlamb]

I cry when I play sometimes lol

[@Random_peopel]

I’m learning to play taps for my grandpa’s funeral

[@marinevet7273]

The veteran community relies on young men and women like this young man to be the future of live bugle playing of taps. We will never have enough buglers to play live taps at veteran funerals but this young man is a welcome participant. I am nearly 70 years old, I have played taps hundreds of times locally, State and at National cemeteries and for ceremony. I am no longer able to do it but want to just say thank you to all young men and women for stepping up and carrying on. Thank You, Semper Fidelis

[@trainliker100]

There is an organization called "Buglers Across America" with about 5,000 members (I am one of them) who volunteer to play Taps at no charge at Military Funeral Honors and similar. Jari Villanueva with the EXCELLENT "TapsBugler" site has also started an organization to provide live buglers.

[@sevekj]

Do you have to be young to play taps?

[@trainliker100]

@@sevekj No. You just have to be good enough playing a brass instrument to play it respectably. You don't have to be a great player. Plenty of people have played trumpet rather well into their 80's and 90's. Herb Alpert and Doc Severinsen come to mind. (But you don't have to play THAT well.)

[@howellpurvis]

As a member of VFW 3036 HonorGuard, Hattiesburg,Ms, I have played Taps for 573 funerals. Howell Purvis

[@peterbaker1718]

Thanks Matt, I will play it at our nearby US memorial as it will also be Australia's Remembrance Day.

[@furcifer8218]

The "3+1" rhythm is spot on and sets the general tempo for the entire call. There is no breath mark in your notation after the high G fermata; it's no great sin to have a slight break after a fermata anyway, but it should not be needed. I prefer a slight crescendo on the G into the descending line with no break, interpreted as all one phrase. Finally, consider performing it in G! Preferably on a G bugle. This is the original key, and it also makes it easier to render cleanly without any strained sound, especially if you're in adverse weather, standing at attention for 45 min while the preacher talks and then having to start cold, etc. On a Bb trumpet, just hold the 3rd valve down and begin a minor 3rd lower.

[@MattBrockman]

Agreed, the 3+1 rhythm is key. After the high G fermata, I've heard it played both ways. Some people connect it to the next E, some take a short break. In my eyes, both are acceptable, I just wouldn't take a drawn out break like the others. I personally take a short breath at that spot but that's just personal preference

[@trainliker100]

If you buy a Getzen "American Heritage Field Trumpet" (bugle) it is B flat, but you can buy an optional G slide. I prefer playing in B flat as it is a little brighter and I think carries better as you are often outdoors.

[@wwe46aiden]

I'm a high-school student, and I was lucky enough to play taps for this memorial day.

[@izurikgessa1]

THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYED TAPS ON A TRUMPET WITH OUT USING ANY OF THE VALVES AS U PLAY IT ON A BUGLE

[@MattBrockman]

Thank you so much ! :)

[@haleirwin6150]

Thank you... I am just beginning to play the bugle planning/hoping to play taps at veterans' funerals. I just hope I can play it well enough before they are playing it for me.. Matt your taps is beautiful.

[@jmix1of1]

Love lessons

[@kathleenehlinger7450]

Love this!Thank you!! Perfect timing. Doing taps for America on Memorial Day!

[@davidcox2657]

I normally sound on my U.S. Regulation Bugle in the key of G. I takes me about 1 minute & 15 seconds. I hold the holds with a minor decrescendo, except for the last note. I do a long fadeout.

[@Mikelevine360]

Excellent lesson to play Taps

[@michaelfoxbrass]

Excellent backgrounder and tutorial, Matt. Beautiful sound!

[@MattBrockman]

Thanks!

[@leftylo5tar309]

I'm a junior in high school (played trumpet for 5 years now) and I have been offered the opportunity to play Taps at a local church for the fallen soldiers they have buried. I want to play this perfectly so I have been researching everything from vibrato to the history of Taps

[@massproductionment]

Hope you did well!

[@leftylo5tar309]

@massproductionment I did well and got multiple compliments from the attendees. It was a very nice experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[@massproductionment]

@ Happy for you man

[@oldboy6859]

Thsnks

[@MattBrockman]

You’re welcome, thanks for stopping by

[@cheriecarpenter3529]

I'm glad I found your channel. I'm in the American Legion Honor Guard, and I'm trying to learn taps on the bugle, and I"m having trouble 😬

[@MattBrockman]

Glad to help!

[@izurikgessa1]

I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING SOME OF THE NOTES TO PLAYING TAPS THANKS 👍👍👍

[@jmix1of1]

Beautiful

[@damionnuit661]

Awesome. Thx

[@Trumpetman12345]

I have a grandpa that passed away a few years ago and want to be able to play it on Memorial Day. Also my dad served and I want to play it for home on Veterans Day.

[@Trumpetman12345]

You could also add a decrescendo on the formatas.

[@trainliker100]

There IS such a thing as playing taps "too slowly." Beyond a certain point, dragging it out starts to sound ridiculous. Especially holding the last note for too long. Worse yet, it can be perceived as the bugler trying to "show off." Good examples are usually military buglers playing at funeral services for people like presidents and such.

[@everyoh6922]

I got to hear this get played at the Great War memorial in DC. What a moment.

[@kevinelliott5823]

Is it inappropriate to play this in a lower key as my G above the staff is not there yet? (Beginner) I can play it quite nicely in say, key of F

[@MattBrockman]

I wouldn't say that it's "inappropriate." But by the books, the "correct" way to play it is with the notes G4 C5 E5 G5 on a Bb trumpet. However, if your range is limited because you're just starting out, you can play it in whatever key is comfortable. To me, the message and meaning behind the bugle call is more important than what key you play it in. However, in the future when you can play the G above the staff consistently, I would switch to playing it all open. Good luck!

[@JohnStimson]

It is common to shift it all down by playing with the third (or even first and third) valve held down.

[@Rayxl1]

When I play my trumpet as a bugle I pull the lead pipe out to its max. Its then a G bugle while holding no valves down. With the trumpet in Bb I can't always get the top F.

[@Hubjeep]

Can someone who has never played a trumped learn taps and only taps to play at a funeral? Or is it something that should be left to a seasoned player?

[@trainliker100]

That's hard to say. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try. You need to develop some strength in your "embouchure" to play it controlled and have a good tone. The mouthpiece can also make a big difference and a "7C" is often provided for beginners. If using a trumpet just open, the instrument will be in B Flat. It can be easier for a beginner to play in a lower key such as G (and bugles are made in this key also). To do that on a trumpet. you can just hold the third valve down (for all the notes) to lower the pitch of the instrument. The good news is that you will not need a great amount of endurance as it is only 24 notes long. You aren't trying to play a trumpet concerto. And while it is nice to play perfectly, even advanced players make the occasional mistake. Here is playing of Taps at John F. Kennedy's funeral as an example of being very well played, but with a "chipped" note. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j17JfmVpn7Gtoqc

[@jumpropestairs6129]

What brand what trumpet brass or silver?

[@trainliker100]

The silver is just a plating (usually). It is mainly just what you want in appearance. There is raw brass, lacquered, silver plating, even gold plating, and even some others like a copper color. For a bugle (also called "field trumpet") I like Getzen. That is what I use for Military Funeral Honors. I also use a Bach Stradivarius B Flat trumpet if I am also going to play a service hymn which requires using valves. But that's a reasonably high-end trumpet. You don't need anything that good. If looking for a Trumpet, you can find some KZbin videos on recommended beginner trumpets. And some online articles. I would not recommend the Chinese cheapies, but one actually could work fine for this. And if you have a nearby school or college with a band, you ask somebody there. One that is usually mentioned for beginners is the Yamaha YTR-2330 Student Trumpet in gold Lacquer. It is about $800. Probably a very safe bet, but there are many others. The mouthpiece is also very important, and many beginners are started on a "7C" size.

[@Trumpetman12345]

I am a high school student trying to get registered to play taps in my area.

[@markguilder9764]

I would like to learn to play taps. I have no musical background. Any recommendations on trumpet models. Thanks, Retired Air Force R

[@trainliker100]

I think it makes little difference what trumpet you would use unless one were truly awful. No need for an expensive trumpet because you don't need things like the very best valve body quality since you won't be using them. Mouthpiece size can make a big difference, and many beginners are given a "7C" size to start. If you want a bugle, I like the Getzen brand. (Also called a "field trumpet").

[@samwoletz]

1:39

[@oldboy6859]

What mouthpiece size you using?

[@MattBrockman]

Bach 1 1/4C

[@trainliker100]

Thank you for showing the CORRECT way which is with notes 7,8 and 10, 11, and 13,14 played as straight eighth notes and not a dotted eighth and sixteenth (like notes 16, 17). Almost every time you hear it in a TV show or movie, it is played incorrectly. Somehow the "wrong" way to play it (and there is even "wrong" sheet music out there) took hold and I suspect that even when advisers tell directors it is wrong, the director wants it played the way they have usually heard it. The wrong way.

[@johnharding852]

Sounded TAPS at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and for visiting dignitaries e.g. Haile Selassie and Charles DeGaule.

[@annpianetta1536]

Have you ever tried taking breathes through your nose? Do you find there is a difference?

[@trainliker100]

"Echo taps" is inappropriate for Military Funeral Honors. For other events, it can be acceptable.

[@chassisom8943]

comment.

[@theManly_Face]

😋

[@Inkdrop1913]

E

[@doublebell-uc9fz]

You sound Taps, you do not play Taps.

[@MattBrockman]

I disagree. Taps is one of the bugle calls that needs to be emotional and make an impact on people. It's has way more purpose and meaning than to label it as just another signaling call

[@Goodstitching]

ok bro but that haircut...

[@michaelfoxbrass]

What a useless and unnecessary comment. If you’ve got nothing useful to add to a post, maybe think again before commenting.

[@gamervlogs4391]

Ohio

[@patrickcolwell4202]

Are you out of your mind?hav you cumpitly lost it ?ok wher do I start why don't you go out side first I've never seen or herd tapes played siting down than take what you have in side of you and experes your self this is the only way to play to Shar with your solders and famly members the Los thay have just experienced I have seved from 1982 2012 I hav perform taps over 1746 times with four over sees toures to include Iraq from 2007 2009 in a combat zone I think I know a liite abought playing taps

[@Quadstriker]

Hey look everyone, it’s that guy! What Matt did: Create a well produced video clearly explaining everything about playing taps. What you did: Type a bunch of misspelled garbage that looks like you had a stroke. Gee, I wonder who we should listen to on this one.

[@CashLovesJesus]

@@Quadstrikershow respect to him still, he’s still a veteran.

[@SnoopySeventyFour]

I completely disagree with my fellow veteran. I played all through grade school and college, and marched with one of the top Tier Drum Corps when I was of marching age (so at one point in my life I could play really well). Currently, I'm an Army Reserve Officer and do on average one Military Honors Funeral Detail a week. We are in desperate need of competent Taps players. Bugles Across America is a crap shoot, and my Casualty Operations Office has stopped reaching out to them they are so bad (we just don't know who we are getting, and it could range from the principle trumpet player of a metropolitan symphony all the way down to someone who just wants to say they volunteer to play taps and didn't start playing until last week...guess which ones we always get) . What Mr. Brockman is offering here is a god send, and if all any trumpet player did was perform to the level he displays here every passed veteran should be so lucky to have that played as they are put to rest. If you really want to play Taps at military funerals I highly encourage you to emulate this (speaking as a USAR Captain that does military funerals) Otherwise, the only others I'd recommend emulating are those youtube videos of military musicians playing it at Arlington National Cemetery. Speaking to Echo Taps, yes, it's not "official" but the vast majority of these veteran funerals are civilians that died in their golden years and served 70 years ago. So those families can do whatever they want. If they want Echo Taps then great. More power to them. They will be lucky to find one trumpet player let alone two with the musicality to pull off Echo Taps. Federal Law requires upon request that two service members fold and present the flag to the next of kin, and that Taps be played. If no musician is available then an "electronic bugle" is used. I'm slowly building up my chops again so I can play it to the level Mr. Brockman displays myself. So I greatly appreciate his contribution.

[@goofyappleman]

🤓