How to Play Taps
Playing Taps is customary at military funerals. Taps played on a bugle or trumpet is a final farewell to fallen comrades. Taps is played at the end of the day to signal lights out, thus playing Taps provides a symbolic final rest for military personnel as they are laid to rest.
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Instructions
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Choose to play taps on a bugle. Most buglers are also trumpet players, but the two instruments require different techniques. The notes for the song are not difficult, but, out of respect, should be performed perfectly.
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Press the lips firmly against the bugle's mouthpiece. The placement of the lips is called the embouchure. Relaxing and tightening the lips against the mouthpiece controls the note played. Bugles must be played with firm control over the shape of the lips. The shape of each note must be held for the duration of the note to maintain the note.
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3
Linger slightly on each note. Although Taps is a military song, it is also a funeral salute. The song should be played with a degree of mournfulness. Respect is shown to the deceased by playing the song correctly, but emotion is conveyed through the tone of the song.
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Arrange to have an echoing bugle in the distance. This echoing call adds a beautiful poignancy. The first bugler should begin about one musical bar ahead of the second bugler.
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Volunteer to play Taps for military funerals. There are military funerals across America each day, and many veterans are laid to rest to a recorded version of Taps. Having a live bugler at a veteran's funeral is an immense comfort to family and friends.
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