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mrnemo mrnemo
 

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M$1.00  Funded By Mahalo ? |  April 03, 2009 03:13 PM

Why do militaries have bands?

Do the band members also fight when the going gets rough?
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nativenerd nativenerd
 
 April 03, 2009 03:33 PM
They actually come from a long history. In ancient times, there were no radios or other ways to quickly relay information to your army. Back then it was mostly drums and horns which were used, but by playing a certain series of notes, they could quickly relay to the entire army within hearing distance(which could consist of several thousand individuals) on changes of tactics, charges, or retreats.

They also play a heavy role in "ceremonial" parts of the military. Funerals, weddings, etc.

As far as fighting, they are normal military personnel. The US attaches it's band to military headquarters, and it is the responsibility of this band to provide protection for HQ.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_band and general knowledge

Asker's Rating:
• Here is some additional info about the marine band in Iraq: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marines/a/bandcombat.htm


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dcanswerer dcanswerer
 
April 03, 2009 03:37 PM
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, the military bands have ceremonial purposes. The United States Marine Corps band plays music for the President during official occasions. They also play for visiting dignitaries when they come to the US. Foreign military bands do the same when the US President visits those countries.

Bands also served useful purposes during wartime. Drummers were there to keep up the beat during a march. That is critical when tens of thousands of soldiers are marching, so they keep the same speed and don't run into each other, creating an "accordion effect" which slows down marches.

Bugles have also been a part of military history. They were there to signal troops across the battlefield regarding charges, retreats, wake-up calls, etc.

To be in a military band, you obviously have to be in the military. So if the situation gets very bad, the band can fight with the rest of the military.

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albanian albanian
 
April 03, 2009 03:57 PM
Military musicians originally served to send signals around the battlefield and to help marching troops keep step. They still signal such things as time to get up and time to retire for the night. They still keep time for parades.

Military bands , as opposed to individual musicians, have probably always served to train the musicians and for ceremonial purposes. Military music is also used to raise the moral of troops, and military bands have for many years had their marches and anthems etc broadcast to the troops by radio.

It has been a long time since military musicians played a direct role on the battlefield. The best known exception in recent times was during WWII. The Scottish Highland regiments were led into battle by their bagpipers. The effect on both sides morale during the dawn attack is said to have been as intended.

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albanian albanian
 
April 03, 2009 07:53 PM
http://www.geocities.com/Bohemiabhoy/elal.html an account of the Highland regiments at El Alamein.

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jim c jim c
 
April 03, 2009 05:08 PM
Military bands today serve in ceremonial roles and also in recruiting. They give free concerts across the country. There are also a number of different bands. Both the traditional military marching band, orchestras, and even jazz bands. While membership in the military is required to be in the various bands, they often are actual professional musicians who's only duty is being in the band. There are also members who are simply on special tours that have another career field that will return to that field after their tour is done.

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