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48 MILITARY MUSIC AND ITS STORY.
Evelyn, who served both mounted and dismounted. A few years later, when regiments of dragoons were raised, they were equipped similar to the Horse Grenadiers, and one oboe and two drums were allowed to each troop. The side drums used by them were much smaller than those of the foot regiments, and they were beaten in a different fashion.7 The Foot Guards8 and the marching regiments9 then adopted the innovation, and the king evinced his interest by issuing a warrant (1684-5), "authorising the entertainment of twelve oboes in the king's regiments of Foot Guards in London, and that a fictitious name should be borne on the strength of each of the other companies quartered in the country with a view to granting these musicians higher pay."10 This system of supporting bands by means of " non-effectives," as they were officially designated, afterwards became general throughout the service and lasted until the early years of the nineteenth century. In these "oboes" we have the real beginning of the military band in England.
During the first half of the eighteenth century,
Germany led the way in matters of military music, and
there can be no question that most of the European
nations followed her example. The superiority of the
Germans was so well established, that we read of Peter |
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' Kastner, "Manuel General de Musique Militaire," 1848 * Mackinnon, "History of the Coldstream Guards," 1833. "'The Perfection of Military Discipline," 1690. "Hamilton, " History of the Grenadier Guards," 1874. |
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