Knowing how to beat the French L’Assemblée is essential for any French impression from at least 1754 (French and Indian War era) through to the mid-19th century.
This beating also appears in some American sources, predominately as the Assembly beating in Scott’s Infantry Tactics, which was a translation of the new French drill.
Continue reading to learn more about the historic function of L’Assemblée, as well as practice tips for learning how to performing the beating.
- Important Note: You will need to comfortably play a Ra Simple / French 4-Stroke Roll and alternating Flams in order to perform this beating.
Main Purpose of L’Assemblée
L’Assemblée told the soldiers to form by company in preparation for guard mounting, drill, or the march.
If the whole army was to prepare for the march, the drummers would first beat La Générale (for the whole army) or Le Priemer (if only some were to prepare). This first signal told the men to rise, tear down camp, and pack.
For the march, guard duty, or drill, L’Assemblée was performed by the drummers assembled at the Place D’Armes. They commenced the beating together, marched around town or the parade field, and then separated to march to their own company.
Once with their own company, they would march the men to the Place D’Armes or other meeting place.
For more information on this process, see the following:
- Guignard 1725, 258-59
- Ordonnance … Concernant les Gouverneurs … 1750, 22-23
- Ordonnance … Maniement des Armes 1750, 3-4
- Ordonnance…service de l’Infanterie en Campagne 1753, 39; 57; 59
- D’Hericourt 1756, vol. 2, 86-8
Battlefield Use of L’Assemblée
In battle, the drummers beat L’Assemblée to signal the formation of the column of attack.
The column of attack was a classic French maneuver meant to pierce through the enemy’s line at a point of weakness.
Signal to Beat L’Assemblée
To signal L’Assemblée, the Major (Drum Major?) would use his sword or cane as follows:
- The arm outstretched in front of him at the height of the tie.
- Wrist reversed so the sword is held, point down, perpendicular to the ground.
At which signal the drummers would play:
2 Strokes + 1 Roll + L’Assemblée
To reform the Line of Battle, the Drummers beat Le Drapeau or used Aux Champs.
In a similar fashion, the Drummers could signal to Form a Column of Retreat with La Retraite.
For more information on this process, see the following:
- Instruction sur l’Exercice de l’Infanterie 1753, 32-38; 49-50
- Ordonnance … sur l’Exercice de l’Infanterie 1755, 164-72; 198; 200
Performing L’Assemblée
Like many French duty calls, L’Assemblée is written in 6/4.
Since this is an unusual time signature for many modern drummers, the music might at first be foreign or intimidating.
Luckily, Instruction des Tambours (1754) gives us clear instructions on how to perform L’Assemblée:
- The Left Foot steps on the first beat of each measure.
- The Right Foot steps on the fourth beat of each measure.
- The marching tempo is 60 steps per minutes (60bpm)
Based on this, we know the 6/4 is really just 6/8.
Think of this “translation” in the same way you would Cut Time. The music is written in 4/4, but you half the values of everything so that you’re actually playing in 2/4.
Advice on Tempo and Rhythm
We might be tempted to assume that this beating is slow because it’s beaten at 60bpm. However, the 6/4 nature of the beating is deceiving.
Re-enactors commonly perform this French beating TOO slowly.
To overcome this common mistake, we’ll want to learn the beating with the aid of a metronome.
Set the Metronome
Let’s start by setting the Metronome a little slow so we can learn the correct sticking and rhythm.
- Set the Metronome to 150bpm.
- If you can, set the Metronome to 3 clicks.
- My metronome lets me use different sounds. I prefer a strong click, followed by two soft clicks.
- The metronome is now playing at 50bpm, but is subdividing as triplets.
- This means what you hear is triplets at 50bpms. This rhythm will be the backbone as we work on the beating.
- As you get better at this beating, increase the metronome in 10-15bpm increments until you reach 180bpm (60bpm triplets).
Phrase 1
L’Assemblée can easily be broken into Phrase 1 and Phrase 2, with the second phrase just a harder variation of the first phrase. Thus, our focus will start with Phrase 1.
The backbone of all French 6/4 beatings is the “Swiss Army Triplet”: Right-Right-Left Right-Right-Left.
If you’re not familiar with this rudiment, check out my History of the Swiss Army Triplet or the Vic Firth rudimental guide to learn more.
Below, I’ve broken Phrase 1 down into simple exercises to build proper sticking and rhythm control.
Note: In these exercises, nearly every stroke should line up with a click on the metronome. Only the double in the 4-stroke roll (Ra Simple) won’t line up.
Special Notes
I recommend working on each exercise with the metronome at 150bpm (50bpm triplets) until you get the sticking correct. Then, slowly increase the metronome by 5bpm until you’re at 180bpm.
Pay close attention to the strong right-hand focus throughout.
Phrase 2
Once you have mastered Phrase 1 up to speed, you can give the second phrase a try.
This phrase is identical to Phrase 1, except the flam movement is embellished with quicker flams.
Below, I’ve broken Phrase 2 down into simple exercises to build proper sticking and rhythm control.
Note: In these exercises, EVERY RIGHT stroke lines up with a click on the metronome.
Special Notes
I recommend working on each exercise with the metronome at 150bpm (50bpm triplets) until you get the sticking correct. Then, slowly increase the metronome by 5bpm until you’re at 180bpm.
Pay close attention to the strong right-hand focus throughout.
When playing quick flams, keep your hands relaxed and low. Do your best to alternate your flams. If you’re really struggling with flam speed, play the quick notes as single strokes.
L’Assemblée
Once you can play Phrase 1 and Phrase 2 (with single strokes or fast flams), then you can put them together to play the entire beating.
Includes notes that divide the phrases for easy learning.
Special Notes
Pay close attention to the rest between Phrase 1 and Phrase 2, and again between Phrase 2 and Phrase 1.
I recommend keeping the metronome on at 180bpm (60bpm triplets) until you get the correct spacing.
Once you feel comfortable with the beating and speed, put your metronome at 60bpm (without the triplet subdividing). Now try to keep the pulse of the beating without losing the strong triplet rhythm.
Conclusion
L’Assembée is probably one of the most important duty calls for anyone portraying a French military drummer.
Luckily, the beating does not appear to change from the 1754 version through to the 1831 ordonnance. This makes this beating fit French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and Napoleonic War era impressions.
Want to learn more about the history of these French rudiments? Check out:
Interested in learning how to perform other important French beatings? Check out:
Need more help improving your Tempo?