British Army band arrangements 1905 (1 Viewer)

[Martin Tabony]

These are the arrangements from thearmy school of music at Kneller Hall. First published in a book "The Bandmaster's Guide" 1905. Given to me by the late Maj. John Cox, he was an "up through the ranks" rifleman through and through, which is why the word "Elite" appears on the Rifles page!

I've also included a band and two squadron layout that I worked out for a customer. Although it says 21st Lancers it would be the same for all line cavalry. Add two more squadrons for a full regiment, if you've the room!

 

[Martin Tabony]

The pictures were too large. Hopefully you can make these out

 

[Martin Tabony]

The rest.

 

[johnnybach]

Nice to see "The Real Thing" M. Nice to see also that my "home made" method of laying out a band that I want to make - more or less tallies with the shorthand he uses for describing instruments. (I use SX for Sax - but more or less the same for others). However, I'm often constrained by what I can get - as castings.

It would be nice - to be able to get hold of Bass and Tenor Trombones and Oboes - but often just one example is on offer from makers of TS arms/instruments, so a single type of Trombone suffices - and Clarinets take the place of Oboes, for example. It's also tricky to get the different types of thickness for Bass Drums - that appear in different types of band. A drum and Fife Band uses a far "thinner" Bass Drum than (say) the full "Military Band" section. I have sometimes resorted to sawing out the centre of a drum - with a razor saw - and glueing the sides back together again - with bits of milliput hiding (hopefully) the joints.

My favourite instrument of all - The Bombardon - or Helical Coil Tuba doesn't show up - of course - as it pre-dates this formal type of layout for bands - and neither do some of the other more exotic instruments of earlier days than that - like Duck-Head Trombones - or other weird and wonderful Napoleonic Bassoons or Serpents etc.

Having said that - a fascinating glimpse of a little bit of history with these documents - which I will take a good look at for future projects - where I have both the space - and the instruments - to go for a more "authentic" layout.

Many thanks for posting - I'm sure I won't be the only one to appreciate your kindness.:salute:: Johnnybach

 

[Martin Tabony]

I'm not that sure you can tell the different trombones etc. in 32nd scale, although the modern bell is larger!
I think the main reason this was written was because some bands were using helicons and the like, so when two band played together, as was becoming more common then, the sound didn't "gel". Especially with Scots and Irish pipes,where I believe it wasn't until 1917 that the Irish regiments adopted the three drone pipes (the Irish Guards used them from their formation).

Martin

 

[johnnybach]

I'm not that sure you can tell the different trombones etc. in 32nd scale, although the modern bell is larger!
I think the main reason this was written was because some bands were using helicons and the like, so when two band played together, as was becoming more common then, the sound didn't "gel". Especially with Scots and Irish pipes,where I believe it wasn't until 1917 that the Irish regiments adopted the three drone pipes (the Irish Guards used them from their formation).

Martin

True enough Tabs, - and the Oboe looks pretty similar to a Clarinet at that scale too.

As to the pipes - I seem to recall that I read somewhere that the Pipes weren't classed as a musical instrument - but an instrument of WAR!!! ( something to do with bandsmen getting paid a bit more than Pipers????? - or was it less???????????).

Even for a Sassenach - they certainly can stir the blood - on occasion. I remember a Jock somewhere, walking around the Rugby pitch in the evening, practicing on his pipes - and the mournful sound drifting through the air - can't remember where - too long ago - but it was just beautiful! We used to open the windows to hear it. Sent a shiver up the spine.{eek3}

We could never have afforded them in Wales - so we just sing, instead. Lovely Boys!!{sm4}

 

[Martin Tabony]

True enough Tabs, - and the Oboe looks pretty similar to a Clarinet at that scale too.

As to the pipes - I seem to recall that I read somewhere that the Pipes weren't classed as a musical instrument - but an instrument of WAR!!! ( something to do with bandsmen getting paid a bit more than Pipers????? - or was it less???????????).

Even for a Sassenach - they certainly can stir the blood - on occasion. I remember a Jock somewhere, walking around the Rugby pitch in the evening, practicing on his pipes - and the mournful sound drifting through the air - can't remember where - too long ago - but it was just beautiful! We used to open the windows to hear it. Sent a shiver up the spine.{eek3}

We could never have afforded them in Wales - so we just sing, instead. Lovely Boys!!{sm4}

If I 'm not mistaken the highland pipes are the only "musical" instrument classed as a weapon by Geneva! Whats the difference between Highland and Northumbrian pipes? Northumbrian are a musical instrument!^&grin

Martin