The English Reveille
18th century in Fife tutors list the Three Camps as simply the Reveille (listed in the English duty). Later, the earliest written beating was called The Mother and Three Camps Reveille (The Young Drummer’s Assistant, c. 1780; Drum Beatings, c. 1770-1790).
The name Three Camps became the common title in the early 19th century, seen in Potter, Ashworth, and Rumrille, for a few examples.
Comparison of Fife Music for Three Camps
There is a general lack of change or variation from British performance to American performance, or from 1756 to 1817.
This is based on a comparison between several English tutors, Buttrey, Rumrille, Woburn, Potter, and Hulbert.
Across a century and nationality, the drum beating for the English Reveille remains nearly unchanged.
Comparison of drum Music for Three Camps Reveille
Potter and the early-American beating was performed at 120bpm, so that the 5-stroke rolls are performed with a triplet rhythm. This certainly remains true into the mid-19th century American manuals.
There are some ambiguities and different interpretations of some other elements. Most specifically, there is uncertainty as to whether the older beating should be performed at 60bpm, with duple-based 5s, or at 120bpm, with triplet-based 5s.
Fred Johnson, in association with Cadre (Canadian Association Drumming Rudimental Excellence), published an interesting article on this discussion called “The Mother and the Three Camps”.
Want to improve and develop your performance of Three Camps? Check out a practice guide designed to improve your 5-stroke rolls, 10-stroke rolls, and 11-stroke rolls: The Three Camps Practice Guide.
The Reveille Sequence: A British Origin
For English troops during the War of Austrian Succession, and later, this was the regulation beating to indicate the Reveille. This call roused the sleeping soldiers but more importantly the signal to the guard to cease challenging.
It’s performance as the beginning and the ending of the Reveille sequence seems to reinforce its function as the actual duty call. Any beatings between the Three Camps were simply decorative to fill the time, much like The Tattoo.
Next, learn about ‘The Huson Camps, The 2nd Dubble Drag, & The Dutch’.
Or, jump to the end of the discussion to see my conclusions about ‘The Origin of the English / American Reveille Sequence’.