The bugle call during the chase scene
Anyone notice that the bugle in the chase scene changes keys, otherwise known as modulation? When Mrs. Mallory first hears the bugle sounding in the distance, the sequence is playing in the key of B-flat.
Suddenly it shifts a full tone upward to the key of C. Then during the shots of the calvary charging it switches back and forth between the keys B-flat and C.
The point is, it shouldn't change keys. I'm not bashing the film, I love it way too much. But the modulation is quite noticeable.
First up, a bugle typically cannot be tuned...it has no valves or adjustable tubing as with trumpets or cornets. The notes are limited to arpeggio sequences, otherwise known as a harmonic series. I did a little research, and there were examples of bugles that did have valves and tuning segments back then, which I believe evolved into the modern cornet - and incidentally is in the key of B-flat. But the bugler is shown in the charge, and he appeared to be playing the standard bugle of the time with no valves.
Pitch bending can be accomplished using a player's "embouchure", which is the manipulation of the muscles of the cheeks, jaws and lips to affect the tone/pitch of a woodwind or brass instrument. The embouchure, as with musculature in general, must be developed over time with practice. For example, a trumpet player can effectively play a slurred scale pretty much by adjusting the tension of the embouchure, without using the valves. I can do this myself with a clarinet or saxophone...I can slur from one note to its octave without putting my fingers on the keys.
But it takes practice and finesse! And it's *not* the type of thing one does when riding at a full gallop.
The bugle can be heard clearly changing keys during the charge, from B-flat to C. This can be done, but to tighten one's embouchure to yield a higher pitch - and then maintaining that exact tension to maintain the exact pitch at a constant level - is extremely difficult...especially at a full gallop. I'm not saying it can't be done, but bouncing around on horseback....? That would be *really* tough.
Another thing about the charge played in the film is the sequence of notes played. It's not the standard bugle call for CHARGE, which you can hear at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vna4AAC1bdE
The bugle sequence played during the charge had the same intro, but it wasn't played through. It could be simply an abbreviation of the CHARGE call...although I don't know if that was done in reality.
The bugle sequences in the film heard at approximately 1hour 16min are:
Series of quick staccato notes on the root (B-flat), ending on a single F that is held
Then it modulates:
Series of quick staccato notes on the root (C), ending on a single G that is held
I did consider the Doppler effect, but in the film the bugle starts at a lower pitch and modulates upward as the calvary approaches, so that's out.
It could simply be that there were two buglers! Anyone see a 2nd bugler? (I didn't think this was done)
Sorry for the length of this one...just something I noticed.... :)