Meaning & Performance
The Schaar Wacht (alt: Schaar-Wache) was beaten at midnight by the Guard Drummers, supposedly to keep the guard awake and alert.
I have found only one reference in Fleming’s Der vollkommene teutsche Soldat:
Bei einigen Armeen in Felde und ezlichen Guarnisonen ist auch der Gebrach, dass zu Mitternacht um 12 Uhr die Tambours den gewöhnlichen Marsch und die so genandte Schaar-Wache schlagen, um das Bold, so auf den Wachten und Posten ist, desto munterer und alarter zu halten.
In the case of some armies in the field and particular Garrisons, there is also the custom that at midnight at 12 o’clock the Drummers strike the usual march and the so-called Schaar-Wache, to embolden the guards and men at post, to keep them more lively and more alert.The Perfect German Soldier, p. 479
Drum Beatings
There are no known beatings for the Schaar Wacht.
Here, I have scored the Armee March from Kastner as a best fit option.
The top line shows Line AABB. The bottom line shows Line CCDD. I would recommend beating always performing AABB; optionally play CCDD if repeating the tune.
French beatings often include a 2nd drum part in which 1/4 of the drummers roll, or play a simple beating (almost bass drum-like). Some British beatings have a similar concept, generally where one drummer plays the full beating with a muffled drum and another drummer, with full snares, drops out in places.
With this in mind, a possibly interesting version would be to play the two lines as a “duet”, in which most drummers play the top line, while a few beat the bottom line.
Fife Tunes
This tune is the only one in the Darmstadt MS named Schaar Wacht.
Based on Fleming, it seems this may have been an uncommon tradition, and therefore I wouldn’t expect to find a number of versions.
Prussian Schaar Wacht
Interpretation for Hessian Use
Drum beating is ‘Armee Marsch’ from Kastner.
Fife part is the Schaar Wacht listed under the Prussian ordonnance in the Darmstadt MS.
To learn how to play the other major Prussian duty calls, check out:
Have more information about Hessian or Prussian music, contact me or comment below.