Most bugle-like whistle

springrobin · Post by **springrobin** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:55 am

So our Scout troop is (and has been) without a bugler. A bugler isn't essential to the Scout program but we have some young guys now who might be interested in the position except that none of them play a brass instrument. Most calls would be very easy on a whistle though. The tune most likely to be played would be Taps, of course but I could see Reveille and other tunes entering the program. So is there any whistle that comes to mind as being more like a bugle than others?

jiminos · Post by **jiminos** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:10 am

uhm... a train whistle? that would certainly wake up the troops!

be well,

jim

plunk111 · Post by **plunk111** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:47 am

Please don't take this wrong... I was a troop bugler myself (MANY years ago), my son was until he recently made Eagle and turned into an adult leader, and I am currently training a replacement (I am a Bugling merit badge counselor). ANYway, I would NOT recommend the whistle route... Bugle calls really need to be done on a bugle (or trumpet) - a whistle would not promote the "reverence" (for lack of a better word) that is associated with most bugle calls. This is especially true for Taps (yes, it is capitalized on purpose). In fact, I don't think I have ever heard Taps on anything other than a horn of some sort. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm a member of Buglers Across America as well and a semi-pro trumpet player as well.

So, what should you do? 1 - Find a trumpet player, even if it's an adult - I often shared the duty with my son over the last 6+ years; 2 - use a recording; 3 - live without a bugler.

BTW, have you tried playing reveille on a whistle? I wouldn't think that would be too easy anyway...

Pat

P.S. Please feel free to send me a PM if you want to chat about it...

pipersgrip · Post by **pipersgrip** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:29 pm

Protean · Post by **Protean** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:41 pm

Methinks a nice GHB could do the trick... Least ways, it'd cover Taps and Reveille. 'course, if you can't find someone who plays trumpet, where are you gonna find someone who plays pipes?!

Edit: (For a serious reply.)

When I was in scouts, we never had a bugler. We made do just fine. We had other ways to turn in for the evening/rouse the heavy sleepers in the morning... oh yes, we had our ways. I have fond memories of standing outside tents shouting "GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, THE LITTLE BIRD SAID" etc.

mcurtiss · Post by **mcurtiss** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:45 pm

bugles are pretty cheap and all the kid would need to learn is basic embouchure to go between octaves. having played brass for years, playing taps and reveille on a bugle might end up being easier to learn on a bugle rather than on a whistle.

FJohnSharp · Post by **FJohnSharp** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:13 pm

Make all the kids download bugle calls onto their iPods, then have them play them at the appropriate times.

That may even satisfy the Ignore the World with Earbuds merit badge.

Daniel_Bingamon · Post by **Daniel_Bingamon** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:10 pm

The series of overblowing harmonics on the bugle is quite different than a whistle.
Whistles can have issues outdoors when there is a good wind.

Besides, it just wouldn't sound right.

Thomas-Hastay · Post by **Thomas-Hastay** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:25 am

Maybe this would work?...
http://www.kazoos.com/store/graphics/00 ... rumpet.jpg

But probably this is best(?)
http://www.greatmusicproductsonline.com ... aphoon.jpg

A little morning Jazz by a Bennie Goodman "wannabe"?

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