The Rouse
Encyclopedia
The Rouse is a bugle call
most often associated with the military
in Commonwealth
countries. It is commonly played following The Last Post at military services, and is often mistakenly referred to as Reveille.
Despite often being referred to by the name Reveille, The Rouse is actually a separate piece of music from the traditional Reveille
. The Rouse was traditionally played following the Reveille, which was a bugle call played in the morning to wake soldiers up. The Rouse would be played to get soldiers out of bed.
The use of both the Last Post and the Rouse at cenotaph ceremonies in the Commonwealth nations essentially turns the period of silence into a ritualized night vigil. The selection of the Rouse in the ceremony as assembled in the aftermath of the First World War also carries a subtle Christian reference to the Judgement Day and the implied hope that there will be one day when the living and the dead arise together.
Because of the close association between the two tunes, The Rouse is commonly mistaken for Reveille
, and has taken on many of the functions Reveille traditionally held in remembrance ceremonies (such as those on Remembrance Day
) due to its shorter length and the ease with which it can be played.
Being bugle
music, both Rouse and Reveille are composed entirely from the written notes of the C Major triad (i.e. C, E, and G), these being the only notes available on the instrument.
Bugle call
A bugle call is a short tune, originating as a military signal announcing scheduled and certain non-scheduled events on a military installation, battlefield, or ship. Historically, bugles, drums, and other loud musical instruments were used for clear communication in the noise and confusion of a...
most often associated with the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
in Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
countries. It is commonly played following The Last Post at military services, and is often mistakenly referred to as Reveille.
Despite often being referred to by the name Reveille, The Rouse is actually a separate piece of music from the traditional Reveille
Reveille
"Reveille" is a bugle call, trumpet call or pipes call most often associated with the military or summer camp; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise...
. The Rouse was traditionally played following the Reveille, which was a bugle call played in the morning to wake soldiers up. The Rouse would be played to get soldiers out of bed.
The use of both the Last Post and the Rouse at cenotaph ceremonies in the Commonwealth nations essentially turns the period of silence into a ritualized night vigil. The selection of the Rouse in the ceremony as assembled in the aftermath of the First World War also carries a subtle Christian reference to the Judgement Day and the implied hope that there will be one day when the living and the dead arise together.
Because of the close association between the two tunes, The Rouse is commonly mistaken for Reveille
Reveille
"Reveille" is a bugle call, trumpet call or pipes call most often associated with the military or summer camp; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise...
, and has taken on many of the functions Reveille traditionally held in remembrance ceremonies (such as those on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
) due to its shorter length and the ease with which it can be played.
Music
Bugle (instrument)
The bugle is one of the simplest brass instruments, having no valves or other pitch-altering devices. All pitch control is done by varying the player's embouchure, since the bugle has no other mechanism for controlling pitch. Consequently, the bugle is limited to notes within the harmonic series...
music, both Rouse and Reveille are composed entirely from the written notes of the C Major triad (i.e. C, E, and G), these being the only notes available on the instrument.