The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

[@GoldenbanjoDJ]

That intro guy has an awesome voice

[@ridgepatterson7692]

It reminds me a bit of a cross between Neil deGrasse Tyson and Sam the Eagle

[@tomlacho4679]

imagine him asking his wife for head and then being like oh yea yes thats is ooooo ooooo

[@mattinuniform]

@@ridgepatterson7692 it is actually me!

[@mat4410]

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to the introduction drumming. As a retired professional with classic training, the pristine rolls and articulations are sheer magic.

[@jamesthomas4077]

I keep coming back to this recording - as it the best Fife and Drums I have ever heard. Did what flow into Washington's ears after the Battle of Trenton sound better? We can not know - but it is as close as we can come to the pure sound of democracy.

[@FeatheredFifer]

Revolutionary War musicians wore the opposite colors of their regiments because they were the means of communication, so it was in each side's best interest to keep the musicians alive so that less of their troops would die (since they called retreats).

[@stathamross]

This is an excellent example of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps- excellent video and sound quality, which is usually pretty hard to pick up on these videos. I noted one or two comments about the uniform colors and marching style- I would encourage you to visit the unit's official web site to find out why they wear "reverse" colors as colonial musicians. I was a bugler, bugle soloist and Assistant Section Leader in this unit in the late 70's.

[@williamspaht8084]

Notice that at the end the drum major salutes with his left hand. He is the only member of the United States Army that is allowed to do so. Just fyi

[@FirstLast-fr4hb]

Or the video is mirrored.

[@davidharrison6615]

is there an historical reason for it ?

[@johnflores1723]

The video is not mirrored. A Navy Bosun has the same salute. He plays his whistle to welcome dignitaries with his right hand and salutes with his left hand. The Navy Bosun wears his rating badge (rank) on his right arm - opposite of everyone else in the Navy. So many ensigns get it so wrong...

[@Meshga]

That was awesome!! Those bugels were great. Great intonation. Drums were spot on. Way to go men and women in uniform. Good old americana.

[@GUMMYBEAYUH]

500 performances annually!? WOW. I know Soldiers from the Old Guard and they are awesome, dedicated individuals.

[@StefanStill]

I never got tired of watching you guys, even after thousands of ceremonies and rehearsals.

[@haworth5]

Thanks for posting this excellent performance of bugle, fife and drum music. I love that the US Army is preserving our military music heritage.

[@blacklashwave]

Knowing uniform history like a boss. High five to you sir.

[@flam579]

that drumline rocks!! your guys are truly the best! ~713

[@Rossdhu16]

Excellent execution and sound. An American treasure.

[@j.anderson00]

Nice, nice to see our brothers play (Im from Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps, us an the old guard have a long history together)

[@iansoutryer3189]

@Noel and Darla Luistro. Thank you very much for uploading this. Very much appreciated. If you do not watch the video and just listen to the music you'd believe it is a much bigger corps. Very often with fife and drum corps the penetrating sound of the fifes can become a bit annoying after a while but here the addition of the valve bugles provides a fuller sound reminiscent of baroque music.

[@ndluistro]

Good luck to him. It'll be an adventure and a privilege to be in the Old Guard. They are awesome!

[@edwardswanzey7595]

This is REAL drumming, not the "tin canny" sound of modern colleges, drum corps, and (ugh!) high schools. This kind of drumming makes you want to get up and SHOUT and ROAR!

[@benirw1n]

The awesomeness of the field drum

[@sofiekristiansen1934]

If you want more of “Real drumming” you might want to check These girls out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmSuqX-Lj9lpgpI The quality isn’t The Best, But The drums are very good!

[@angloirishcad]

Look up British Army fife and drum music and you'll hear the real thing

[@fire_man3173]

Bruh stop gatekeeping drumming lmao.

[@johnboy14]

great stuff. I orignate from an ulster scots background so I appreciate something that is part of my culture.

[@simcityman81]

the Patriots of Northern Virginia run by Sam and Annette Evans was an all youth corps. one of the bugle players in the Old Guard was Annette's brother so we got to see them play every year.

[@Canopus68]

The daughter of my mother's neighbor was a member of the "Old Guard." Before she went in the Army I would stop in to see my mother and I'd hear her and her farther practicing. They did reenactments. I don't know if she was still a member when this was recorded--it may have been after she left the Army.

[@TicoRuso89]

@b0ywithhat The Old Guard is the oldest active infantry regiment of the United States Army, and is the ceremonial escort to the President. The US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is part of TOG but also one of the army's four premier musical organizations...

[@TicoRuso89]

@Ken669 Infantry soldiers wore blue coats with red trim, and musicians wore the opposite (i.e. red coats with blue trim). British wore red coats, with the color of the trim being unit-based. If I'm not mistaken, this practice was something taken from the Swiss, who did a lot of "pioneering" in the area of unit identification.

[@Fo3AR]

Fife and drum are truly the best way to express how much ass you are going to kick, from British grenadiers to our old guard!

[@apropercuppa8612]

I have two questions, 1. Where's the Fife? And 2. Gimme the Fife.

[@mellophoneman100]

its like a piccolo and a recorder had a baby, and its impossible to tune.

[@apropercuppa8612]

***** It was a Simpsons reference.

[@arthurwesley6969]

I know

[@Real_Claudy_Focan]

his voice is so deep, even Adele roll in it !

[@Rook1959]

These are the actual members of the Third Infantry Regiment Band, and the colors of the musicians during this time period were the reverse of the Regiments Soldiers. They look so young because the ages generally run 17-40 and averaging in the 20's This unit is also the one that provides the Guards for the Tomb of the Unknowns.

[@raemeredith3687]

Pristine! I love a good show of military skill and precision. These guys are more squared off than a sheet of paper.

[@ndluistro]

My son is in the Lewis & Clark Fife & Drum Corps. We'll be at FJ '07 and we're really looking forward to the event. Hope to see you there...It'll be awesome!

[@ndluistro]

He'll definitely be a great addition to the Old Guard. We'll miss him tremendously at Lewis & Clark Fife & Drum Corps!!!

[@sylviekell]

@awshucks The "Old Guard" here refers to the 3rd Infantry, located at Fort Meyer in Washington, DC. They are the ones that do the funerals at Arlington National Cemetary as well as guard the Tomb of the Unknowns. The fife and drum corps of the Old Guard was formed in 1960, the Old Guard itself (e.g. the 3rd In fantry) has been around longer than that. It has nothing to do with Napolean.

[@hovanti]

This is really neat stuff, it's great!! Old methods, the uniforms, etc., very interesting.

[@amlb75]

Its a marching rhythm, the beat helped the soldiers keep in cadence with each other. Between musket fire, enemy hollering, Native American war whooping, and huge cannonballs of flaming death, officers had to devise a way to keep a steady beat to help with complicated formations. Its an added bonus that the music is upbeat and light.

[@mattinuniform]

I still get a kick out of watching this and reading the comments on my voice...yes that is me!...seems so long ago...I didn't even have any rank on my uniform and now I am a 2nd Lieutenant!

[@Qtrmstrfta]

Great footage! I can't wait to see Alex on this stage!

[@H0rrid0]

This is what I want to hear when I open my door at home^^

[@TheAnimeCrave]

This is like my house and the world just meeting in one giant center of friendship and wonder.

[@CherokeeTwilight]

glad to see americans holding on to our traditions, great video

[@Peanutcat]

Don't forget the intemidation.. Imagine and armyof thousands heading towards you marching perfectly with this song.

[@TicoRuso89]

@freakybrit76 As CJC said, the corps pulls from more than one area of our military history. the bugles are one valve, and are as near to the civil war bugles as is possible while still allowing for chromatic scales.

[@dudas91]

I was lucky enough to sit in on a live performance of the Fife and Drum Corps during the closing ceremony of my Presidential Classroom stay. This video really doesn't do justice to the power of the drums. It really was an amazing performance except it lasted for about 20 minutes.

[@mikedaguy]

I have been inspired to learn the fife

[@Ponder1ng]

A note to those who were wondering about the uniforms, Unlike today, uniforms of the 18th century were not common to countries, but the individual units. The majority of the British regular forces wore red as it was the cheapest dye available, but specialist units often would wear different. The Hessian units notably wore blue and white like the "standard" continental uniform, while french equipped revolutionaries wore white with blue trim. Some units on both sides used yellow, green, or others.

[@ndluistro]

I'm sorry to hear that. You'll still have a great time. We have an awesome lineup during the breakout sessions. I can hardly wait!

[@77tbrd]

I have worked with the old Guard as i am a Member of the British 42nd Royal Highland Regiment company of Grenadiers. 1) they ARE active duty military personnel. like any other of the color guards except they portray a specific time frame..they are not children. 2) they are in period correct Colonial musicians uniforms.

[@Krish0916]

3:39 How drummers show you the finger.

[@ndluistro]

Thanks for viewing this video. I agree...The "Old Guard" is awesome! I'll be uploading this year's performance soon. So, check back often.

[@pitatapiu]

@ndluistro actually, so they could be easily recognized to issue orders to, since fife and drum was the communications of your force. British musicians wore green uniforms.

[@Bountyhopper]

No they wore the color of there regiment

[@draccanon]

i saw them on saturday they played at our marching band competition :]

[@robbe8889]

great performence !!!!!

[@TicoRuso89]

@MCRmyman34 Most of the corps' pieces are combinations of several traditional pieces, arranged by members of the corps.

[@ColinKraut]

The announcers voice in the beginning is epic!

[@berserkerkeeley]

Okay, you want to know why they are wearing "Red Coats"? I'll tell you why. During battle the officers would want to get a hold of the Signal Corps (which is what the fife and drums were back then) and to distinguish them from they're own soldiers to get a hold of them. The fifes and drums would wear the inverse of their units colors. So they have red with blue facings, their actual units colors would be blue with red facings. They just wear red so they're easier to spot.

[@Rogue.Warrior]

Plot Twist: The army has time travel technology and went back in time to get the original fife and drum corps to perform in its shows.

[@TinaTorment]

The guy in front is Sargent Coffee.... my group performed with them

[@MinstrelBoy54]

I think they are B Flat. Good luck getting in when your 18. Im going to try to get in. Im with the Muddy River Battalion Fife and Drum Corp/7th & 30th Missouri Regimental Fife and Drum. The General of the Muddy River Battalion First Federal Division was a fifer in the Old Guard. Musician James Stanley 7th Mo Irish Regiment

[@ChristopherJManess]

@Goatoftheforest Signal has come long way. I was a Signaleer in the Army.

[@Jmonkey515]

@ndluistro the inverse uniforms were also standard in every European army so the officers of the commander could tell his troops apart from the musicians.

[@yugandali]

Wonder how long those pants stayed white on the muddy 18th century roads.

[@VarangianBodyguard]

definetly not for long :P or when blood and brains were flying all around them :D

[@VarangianBodyguard]

ofc but just before battle :P when marching etc and fighting cleaning wasnt an option which is normal :) if you die, die sharp-dressed :D

[@zzkatz08]

It was the communication of the time period for the battlefield. Drums had been used for hundreds of years to communicate and the fife was popular as well. Often times, the music from fifers and drummers can carry as far as a 1/2 mile away. This corps marching style is more modern and doesnt follow von stuebens manual and their music is a more modern variation of the traditional tunes. The bugle started to make its appearance on battlefields around this period, but the fife was prevailant.

[@TicoRuso89]

@fobulousfl1p He was titled "The Voice of the Old Guard" or TVOG, which also lead to his nickname "The Voice of God"....

[@ndluistro]

The musicians of this unit, The Old Guard, recall the days of the American Revolution as they parade in uniform patterned after those worn by the musicians of General George Washington's Continental Army. The uniforms worn by the member of the corps are dated circa 1781. Thanks for viewing this video.

[@pamelahl1]

So beautiful ! Thank you for sharing! ~pamela

[@TheTh903]

Do you want a revolution? Cause that's how you get a revolution

[@johnnydernberger4208]

And this what we'll March to woooooo America!!!!!

[@Alex280]

That guy should do movie trailers!

[@RomulanCommander]

At first, I was like WHOA! That's Worf!

[@rustydog1236]

@ndluistro These people are real U.S. Army. The Old Guard Fife & Drum corps is part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) stationed at Fr. Myer in Virginia.

[@CJCbassman09]

@freakybrit76 back then bass drums werent invented. the old guard is dressed as a colonial corps, but they play all kinds of music. the bass drum was in use during the civil war so it IS historically CORRECT. and bugels were used during the World wars in ceremonies.

[@louislungbubble]

i believe they wore red tunics because the tradition of the period was for musicians to wear reverse colours of the rest of the regiment.....as irishmac said,for visibility..british regiments wore red coats with facings (cuffs and collars etc) of various distinguishing colours..the drummers always wore the reverse colours on their coats...marty

[@JimyoVibration]

that was actually pretty cool.

[@galatian5]

The british drummers and Hessians also wore blue. So you can imagine the confusion it might issue to the fighting men on both the American and British sides. "No man! that's not the enemy! You just killed one of our fifemen!" :D

[@imavikingZOMG]

BEST VOICE EVER

[@lpfreak1708]

@gillyjacky this isnt the army band, its the 3rd Infantry Honor Guard "The Old Guard". they are the same group who guard the tomb of the unknown soldier

[@sevenbizzos]

wow, inspiring!

[@raggedyandroid]

Unfortunately, we are short on fifers this year, so we don't have enough people to put on stage :(

[@spikeblk]

@ndluistro actually they where red to be "better seen through the smoke of battle"

[@mmarsh1972]

@lethadear In the 18th century the rules of war considered non-combat troops like musicians to be "off-limits" to enemy fire. In order to distinguish themselves to the enemy from the combat troops they wore the colors contrary to their armies uniform. The uniform of the Continental Army was blue, hence the armies musicans wore red. Officers too occasional wore different colors as well as it was felt that it wasn't civilized to kill "gentlemen".

[@CJCbassman09]

@TheBrigadier1912 if someone hasnt told you yet, i will. They use 2 peice 10 hole Bb(B flat) Healys. not cheap at all

[@pennydale100]

his voice is EPIC

[@Iithuanianboy]

There's some truth to that. The standard musicians uniform would be a reversal of the colours of their respective units. An infantry regiment's band, whose regular troops would wear blue uniforms and red cuffs, would be clad in a red uniform with blue cuffs. Same goes for the British army, the king's eight regiment, who wore blue cuffs and a red coat, would have a band with a blue coat and red cuffs.

[@ndluistro]

@lethadear They wore the opposite color so they did not get shot by the British. That was the standard musician's uniform.

[@larsjake]

@lethadear They wore the reg musician uniform...I cannot tell handstitching from this video but that is correct for continental musician uniform :)

[@shadowalker1776]

Enjoyed!

[@Ponder1ng]

continuation- It is also notable that very many colonial revolutionaries wore british uniforms either taken from the field or more often, from stockpiles dating to before the war. The logic was often that some uniform was better than none. Of course this led to confusion, and there was already mounting pressure for standardization at this time, but most regiments were still responsible for their own equipment, and were unwilling to give up tradition just because their enemies had similar colors.

[@Treize69]

@ndluistro It has nothing to do with getting shot, musicians wore different colors so they could be found quickly in battle by the commanders, since they relayed the orders on the field- you can't hear a shout over 10,000 muskets and couple of dozen cannons.

[@ndluistro]

Thank you for your comment.

[@ThePainboi]

from an english man its hard to say but god bless america .... mate that was hard lol

[@UriasMoor]

@lethadear: Actually they are, when were still a part of British Empire our soldiers wore the same uniform as the regulars. Unless they were militia then they would be wearing whatever they had.

[@ndluistro]

@ericartwo1 It is an all youth Corps.

[@blckhwk313]

@ndluistro Indeed, it's the same reason why the USMC Heritage Band wears the opposite color uniform as those who are... well everyone else in the Marines wearing the dress blue Alphas.

[@verdew8181]

I once belonged to a Buddhist group, Nichiren Shoshu Sokkagakkai Academy that had a fife and drum corps, they tried to be as all American as possible.

[@satan43]

@ndluistro but then there was also all drummers(which include the fifers) wore what they were given till they got better clothing

[@dr.spectre9697]

Starts at 1:19

[@SpearDusk]

@janeknr2 Thats another "Old Guard" that Napoleon(1769-1821) created

[@EJL88]

@ndluistro These are AD Army folks. Check it out on the their Army Dot Mil site. Not a "youth corps." No hate, just setting the record straight. Saw this group in JAX FL. Talked to some of the buglers. One being a Concord Blue Devil from the 90s.

[@TicoRuso89]

@JRKyorkshire666 Sorry you feel that way, this is simply how history shows that it was done.

[@slimtwofingers]

@Wessex43 Hey, thanks!

[@ColinKraut]

@fobulousfl1p No kidding, that voice is like booming!

[@e3axordos]

his voice is ridiculous

[@elephantforceofficialmusic8914]

Epic!

[@VCYT]

The British army used to play this often hundreds of years ago.

[@dickgrayson2545]

VC YT They played either Grenadiers or Rule Britannia often the other songs weren't used that much.

[@angloirishcad]

Nonsense, there are hundreds tunes and marches used...probably more than any other country