La Fasçine: Learn to Play the French Work Call

The French beating La Fasçine is a simple beating that is useful for camp duty performance any  French impression from at least 1754 (French and Indian War era) through to the mid-19^th century.

Continue reading to learn more about the historic function of La Fasçine, 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.
• Recommended Rudiments: You might also find it helpful to be familiar with a Coup de Charge.

Main Purpose of La Fasçine

La Fasçine was a general signal for working parties.

Every day around 10am, La Fasçine signalled for the men to sweep and police the streets and the head of camp. This was done just after the guards left camp for their posts. In this context, the drummer of the piquet of the 1^st battalion on the right beats La Fasçine, then all other drummers join in.

Throughout the day, La Fasçine signalled for workers to start or end work. In this function, it can serve as a mess call, by instructing the men when to stop work to eat.

• Ordonnance…service de l’Infanterie en Campagne 1753, 30
• Guignard 1725, 283; 695

Battlefield Use of La Fasçine

In the 1753 ordinances mention La Breloque as the signal to fall back by the wings, or to disperse and fall back. There is also a signal for the Major to indicate to perform La Breloque.

By the 1755, La Breloque is no longer listed and neither is the Major’s signal.

Signal to Beat La Fasçine

In the 1753 ordonnance, there is a signal for La Fasçine. The Major (Drum Major?) would use his sword or cane as follows:

• The hand is held just higher than the head.
• The sword is held, hanging by the cord.

For more information on this process, see the following:

• Instruction sur l’Exercice de l’Infanterie 1753, 50
• Ordonnance … sur l’Exercice de l’Infanterie 1755, 200

Performing La Fasçine

Like many French duty calls, La Fasçine 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 La Fasçine:

• 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.

Set the Metronome

Let’s start by setting the Metronome a little slow so we can learn the correct sticking and rhythm.

1. Set the Metronome to 150bpm.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. As you get better at this beating, increase the metronome in 10-15bpm increments until you reach 180bpm (60bpm triplets).

Rhythm 1

La Fasçine can be easily broken into two rhythms. Rhythm 1 is a simple triplet that begins with a Ra Simple.

Below, I’ve broken Rhythm 1 into simple exercises to build proper sticking and rhythm control.

Special Notes

Be careful to wait until after the 2^nd weak click before starting the Ra Simple.

Rhythm 2

Rhythm 2 begins with the final stroke in Rhythm 1 and is a simple 6/8 phrase with a Coup de Charge.

The trick with Rhythm 2 is performing a clean Coup de Charge.

Below, I’ve broken Rhythm 2 into simple exercises to build proper sticking and rhythm control.

Special Notes

Make sure to wait for the 1^st weak click and play a clean Coup de Charge. It should sound like an open flam.

La Fasçine

To play the full beating, we’ll play:

Phrase 1 + Phrase 2

Special Notes

Make sure to play the Coup de Charge quick, and then keep the following strokes slow and controlled so you don’t rush the tempo.

Be careful to wait until after the 2^nd weak click before starting the Ra Simple.

Conclusion

La Fasçine is certainly useful at events to signal meal time, start/stop work, and disperse and reform on the battlefield.

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:

• History of the Ra Simple / French 4-Stroke Roll
• Practice Guide: Ra Simple
• History of Flam Rudiments
• French Rudiment: Coup de Charge

Interested in learning how to perform other important French beatings? Check out:

• Le Drapeau
• Aux Champs
• La Générale
• La Retraité
• L’Assemblée
• L’Appel
• La Diane – Single Drag
• La Diane – Double Drag  

Need more help improving your Tempo?

• Tips for Improving Your Tempo