9/20/2003: Digital bugle
 

http://cellar.org/2003/fakebugle.jpg

Problem: there are more veterans dying than there are available bugle players to play taps for them.

Awkward solution: someone brings along a boom box and plays it. Highly unsatisfying, inappropriate, undignified, etc.

Best solution: hire hundreds more bugle players. Too expensive.

Good compromise: record the best playing of taps you can find, store it digitally in a device that fits in the horn of any ordinary bugle and can play loud, and play with the press of a single button. Now anybody can play taps as long as they're willing to maintain their dignity while faking it.

That looks more like a cop with a radar gun.

If I can't have the real deal, just hum it.

May seem like a dumb question but how hard is it to learn how to play a bugle? I don't think it has any 'keys' or 'plungers' or whatever they're called so it seems to me that it's kinda like blowing into a conch shell. I can't play an instument to save my life but I can blow a conch shell like Hawaiian native and it didn't take that long to learn.

I think the army still gives K.P. duty. If they offered bugle lessons as an alternate choice, I think I know what I'd be doing....

Speaking from personal experience, it can be rather difficult. You have to have a lot of wind power, and yet you have to blow into it just right to get the desired sound, pitch, and crispness.

Syc is right...there are few experiences more painful, both auditorially and aesthetically, than listening to someone *try* to play a bugle.

True, brass isn't hard to play, but it's hard to play well. Your lips need to be toned just right so it doesn't sound like you're blowing raspberries through a conch shell. Further, it's not too hard to play out of tune, even if the horn is in tune. (I used to play french horn; fun in retrospect, but I didn't like all the practicing.)

Getting soldiers to play the bugle isn't hard. It's called a direct order, Which is about the best incentive you can get. But I think the point was, with thousands of veteran's funerals every month getting enough bugle players up to speed and out to where the funerals are, is an expensive logistics nightmare.;)

Lack of bugle players. US unemployment getting worse.
Time to recruit!

Here is a way they could solve the problem to some extent. Get the word out to local Boy Scout Troops. Many Troops still have Bugler as a position of responsibility. Have them provide a bugler as a voluntary service to the veterans. Won't completely solve the problem but it could help.

Darn! I thought this thread was "Digital BULGE" -- 'bout time we got some juicy pix up for the ladies!

I like this. I'm an unemployed musician. I can't play bugle, but would be willing to learn.

El, my dear, longhaired, pagan friend ...

I suspect you are not one of the "few good men" that they are looking for ...

The problem with "Boy Scouts" or "Others" (which would work) is that it's supposed to be a MILITARY bugler. Hey, want the job, no problem. There's usually a place down on Main St in most towns where the man in the nice uniform would be willing to talk to you if your of the right age. Just think, you get to know who your employer will be for the next 4 or so years

I'm with 99 on this one. How can we get some goodies posted for our (female) visual pleasure? I know I'm leaving myself wide open for a Bruce comment here, but maybe it will stimulate some interest:p

You better be watchin' comments like that, particularly in so close juxtaposition to something regarding The Boy Scouts.

:eek: