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REVIVAL OF THE MILITARY ART. 17 |
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As the old court trumpeters served on horseback, the custom arose of looking upon trumpet music as being specially appropriate to the cavalry, not only for signalling but also for the march, and eventually became regularly attached to it.3 In the companies of "foot" the side-drum was retained for conveying commands, and in company with the bagpipe provided excellent marching music. Hitherto, the only musicians employed in the army were those attached to the suites of the great military officers—the Marshal, High Constable, Captains and Lieutenant Generals, etc. They were now allotted, in addition, to sections of infantry and cavalry, two drummers to each company of the former, and one trumpeter to each troop of the latter, who received special rates of pay.
Almost to the close of the fifteenth century, the trumpet appears to have been the only instrument used in signalling for both infantry and cavalry. Even when Machiavelli wrote his "Art of War" (1521), there was still a feeling in favour of retaining the instrument for both services. Although he gives the side-drum a most important place, he recommends that a trumpeter be attached to commanding officers of cavalry and infantry to announce all commands during the fight. We have already seen that precise musical and rhythmical signals by trumpet and drum were practically unknown. Orders were made known to |
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'Kappey, Grove's "Dictionary of Music" (article, Wind Band).
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