taps

"Taps" is a bugle call - a signal, not a song. As such, there is no associated lyric. Many bugle calls had words associated with them as a mnemonic device but these are not lyrics.

The use of “Taps” is unique to the United States military, as the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying ceremonies and memorial services. “Taps” originally began as a signal to extinguish lights.

Play a dotted eighth note (low) G, a sixteenth note G, and a dotted quarter note C, holding the last note for three beats. Congratulations - you've just played "Taps."

Sounded at 2100 hours (9 p.m.), Taps is the final call of the day, and indicates lights out and marks “quiet time” on the base. Service members do not have to stand at attention or salute at this time.

The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying time off from work for the national holiday. The Moment was first proclaimed in May 2000 for Memorial Day that year, and was put in law by the United States Congress in December 2000.

Hand taps are made in sets of three: the taper tap, the plug tap, and the bottoming tap. The taper tap has 7 to 10 chamfered threads; the plug tap has 3 to 5 threads chamfered; while the bottoming tap has one thread chamfered. Hand taps have short square-ended shanks and are used for both machine and hand tapping.

So what are the types of taps? There are 3 main taps you should be familiar with and they are: Taper, Plug, and Bottoming tap. The taper tap can be identified by the visible and pronounced tapering of the cutting edges. This provides a very gradual and less aggressive cutting action.

Daniel ButterfieldTaps / Composer The music for Taps was changed by Union General Daniel Butterfield for his Brigade (Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) in July of 1862. Daniel Adams Butterfield (31 October 1831-17 July 1901) was born in Utica, New York and graduated from Union College at Schenectady.

All standard ground thread taps are marked with the letter "G" to designate Ground Thread. The letter G will be followed by the letter "H" to designate above basic; or the letter "L" to designate below basic. The number following H or L signifies the number of .

Those in Uniform shall salute the flag and/or in the direction of the music. Taps: 9 P.M. ‐ Taps is a signal of the end of the day, and is played alone to honor service members who paid the ultimate price. For these purposes, there are no formal protocol procedures required.

There are no formal protocols required when taps is played. Taps is a critical part of military funeral and memorial ceremonies. When at a military funeral in uniform, a salute should be rendered during the playing of taps. Civilians should remove their headgear and place their hand over their heart.

Those in Uniform shall salute the flag and/or in the direction of the music. Taps: 9 P.M. ‐ Taps is a signal of the end of the day, and is played alone to honor service members who paid the ultimate price. For these purposes, there are no formal protocol procedures required.