The Reveille – La Diane As A Salute
In the French army, the Reveille beating (generally known as La Diane) could also function as a salute.
According to Guignard, La Diane was performed as a salute to an Officer at his reception to the battalion or on his Feast Day:
“… pour saluer un Officier le jour de sa Fête ou de sa Reception.”
Guignard (1725), p. 695-6
The use of the Reveille as a salute is not unique to the French.
The British army used the opening of their Reveille (The Three Camps) as a salute to the flags, performed especially when retrieving the flags from where they were stored or upon their arrival on the battalion parade ground. This was often referred to as The Points of War.
See the explanation for retrieving the colors in the following:
- Bland, Humphrey. A Treatise of Military Discipline (1727). 6th edition. London: 1746, pp. 1-9.
- Simes, Thomas. A Military Course for the Government and Conduct of a Battalion. 2nd Edition. London, 1777, pp. 118-120.
- Windham, William. A Plan of Discipline, Composed for the Use of the Militia of the County of Norfolk. London: J. Shuckburgh, 1760, pp. 93-109.
In the American army, The Points of War continued to be used as a salute to the flags. But, as Ashworth notes, was also an appropriate salute for the Governor of a State and could be used for the President (p. 20).
For more information on the American Reveille sequence, check out “The American Reveille: A British Origin?“.
To learn how to improve your performance of Three Camps, check out these lessons.
Le Rigodon d’Honneur
The term “Rigodon” refers to a popular dance style of the 18th century and was used interchangeably with the single drag version of La Diane. This probably stems from the lively, 2/4 nature of the drum piece, matching the nature of the dance style.
Le Rigodon d’Honneur translates to ‘The Dance of Honor’ and was essentially a variation of the single drag La Diane used in those occasions of honor.
The 18th and 19th century styles were heavily invested in the concept of theme and variation, so it’s no surprise the duty call would be embellished with flashy stick play.
Bâton Méle
Bâton Méle loosely translates to “mixed sticks” and refers to sticking patterns that are a mix of single and double strokes. (A paradiddle would be an example, though it’s arguable whether the French were playing paradiddles in the 18th or early-19th centuries.)
A common variant of the Bâton Méle, seen in both French and Basel performances, consists of a triplet movement – R L L – where the right stroke is embellished with stick play.
First Part of Le Rigodon d’Honneur
The first variation of Le Rigodon d’Honneur replaces the single drag movements from La Diane to these Bâton Méle as follows:
The stick notes say the following:
D = Right Stroke; G = Left Stroke.
X-note = “Baguette droite passant sous la baguette gauche” / “The right stick passes under the left stick.”
A full circle arrow = “en tournant” / “while turning”
Right or Left Arrow = “sens de la baguette droite” / “direction of the right stick”
Check out this video of just A1A1 B1B1 played slowly.
Second Part of Le Rigodon d’Honneur
The second variation of Le Rigodon d’Honneur instead replaces the single drags with stick clicks.
Stick clicks do appear in multiple European drumming styles throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the earliest I’ve found are possibly in Philidor’s military marches (c. 1705).
Click here for more about the history and performance of stick clicks.
The modern interpretation uses back sticking. This far, I have found no evidence of back sticking in 18th or early-19th century drum manuals. (Further, I’m skeptical the effect would be very interesting considering the high counterhoops and full grip in the right hand.)
Click here to learn more about the traditional right-hand grip.
The stick notes say the following:
D = Right Stroke; G = Left Stroke.
3 X-Notes = “Baguette droite sur la baguette gauche”, “bas haut bas” / “Right stick on left stick”, “down up down [meaning head-butt-head]”
1 X-Note = “Douille sur la peau” / “Butt of stick on skin”
Check out this video of just A2A2 B2B2 played slowly. [Note: The single X-note will be performed as a simple stick click, but you can chose to back stick instead.]
All Together
To see the whole thing performed together, check out this video of Le Rigodon d’Honneur by la Batterie des Grognards de Haute Alsace.
I highly encourage French drummers to learn this beating as a fun salute. It can be performed during a Feu de Joie, a holiday celebration, or other ceremonies.
Download the drum music for Le Rigodon d’Honneur.
Here is a great tutorial for Le Rigodon d’Honneur by Orbatum Academy. (Unfortunately, the instruction is completely in French; but he does a great job of combining music, highlighting, and slow demos that it’s still a great resource.)
Fife Music
Because of the nature of the beating, the Fifer’s can easily accompany this tune with Le Diane. Twice through (AABB AABB) pairs with the two drum variations.
Download music for La Diane single drag for the Fife.
Other French marches can also work well. I personally recommend Te Deum by Morier. Once through (AABA2) pairs with the two drum variations.
Download fife music for Prelude to Te Deum.
Want to learn more about the French reveille La Diane? Check out:
Interested in learning how to perform other virtuosic French rudiments? Check out:
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