Instruments

[Secede1863]

So what instruments WERE used in the civil war opposed to instruments NOT used?

This is a big debate in allot of music companys around here and elsewhere I would imagine.

Regards,
Andrew

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Instruments

Andrew,

This is some general information regarding instruments within a Brigade or a Regiment on the field.

MILITARY BRASS BANDS

When hostilities broke out, America was ready to provide Union and Confederate volunteer regiments with military bands that were needed to inspire patriotism and fighting spirit. Militia and community bands were flourishing in towns and cities throught the country.

Civil War valved brass instruments can be classified into four general categories which are determined by the direction of the bell and the shape of the instrument.
1. Bell Front
2. Upright
3. Circular
4. Over the shoulder (OTS)

Here is a small list of brass instruments that fall within the four different categories.

BELL FRONT - Alto horn in E-flat, Cornet in E-flat. Trumpets in E-flat and B-flat. Slide Trombones Tenor in B-flat, Valve Trombone in B-flat. Flugelhorn in E-flat.

UPRIGHT - Baritone or Bass in B-flat and E-flat. Bass Saxhorn in E-flat. Sorpano Saxhorn in E-flat. Alto horn in E-flat.

CIRCULAR - Cicular cornet in B-flat.

OVER THE SHOULDER (OTS) - OTS Baritone or Bass and Contrabass in B-flat. OTS Bass Saxhorn in B-flat. OTS Alto horn in E-flat. OTS Tenor Saxhorn in B-flat. Bass Saxhorn in E-flat. OTS Soprano Saxhorn in B-flat. OTS Soprano Saxhorn in E-flat.

BRASS CRASH CYMBALS.

ROPE TENSION SNARE DRUMS.

ROPE TENSION BASS DRUM.

FIFE AND DRUM BANDS

Union and Confederate army regulations authorized each infantry company to have two field musicians, usually a drummer and a fifer. Company drummers and fifers were used to form a regimental drum corps. A regiment at full strengh could provide a drum corps of 10 drummers and 10 fifers under the leadership of a drum major.

ROPE TENSION SNARE DRUMS

ROPE TENSION BASS DRUM

FIFES (I don't know much about fifes, perhaps someone else can tell us some more about the differnt kinds and pitches.)

And of course you would also hear BUGLES.


(Civil War Era Musical Instruments & Military Bands By Robert Garofalo & Mark Elrod.)

[Secede1863]

Re: Instruments

Field Music paticularly,
Songs played by Battalions, Companies, etc....

Regards,
Andrew

[Mystical_Piper]

Re: Instruments

[QUOTE=Secede1863]So what instruments WERE used in the civil war opposed to instruments NOT used?

well i know of one, the great highland war pipes (bag pipes)
they were used in the 79th new york cameron highlanders when thery were first formed in N.Y. a guy went with them but he really sucked so they kicked him out but any ways there were bag pipes in the civil war

[pfeiffer3964]

Re: Instruments

...there were bag pipes in the civil war

Careful! We had two recent threads dealing with that very statement:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189&highlight=bagpipes

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395&highlight=bagpipes

Please, take a look at them and feel free to add your research findings.

By the way, don’t forget to sign your full name. The mods will catch up with you eventually! ;)

[markj]

Re: Instruments

Hi,

Your question is very broad so you'll have to define WHAT type of music you're discussing. If you look through the "Time-Life" series, you'll quickly note a number of wartime images depicting various types of informal soldier bands. Guitars, banjos, fiddles, "bones," "triangles," etc. etc. were all used as were harmonicas, "accordeons," concertinas, and jews harps.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger