Reveille is perhaps always the most iconic and well-known of the military beatings. The French reveille, La Diane, is therefore an essential beating to start the morning at any re-enactment for a French impression from 1754 (French and Indian War era) through to the mid-19th century.
Continue reading to learn more about the historic function of La Diane.
We’ll also discuss practice tips to learn how to perform the Double Drag version of the French La Diane.
- Important Note: You will need to comfortably play 5-Stroke Rolls and Double Drags.
Main Purpose of La Diane
La Diane is the French reveille.
La Diane was played at daybreak as a signal for the soldiers to awaken and prepare for the day.
If the entire army was to march, La Diane was replaced with La Générale.
If only part of the army was to march, La Diane was replaced with Aux Champs.
When in a garrison, the drummers of the port guard mount the parapet, during which the guard would come with arms and listen to see if anything is happening outside the gate before opening it.
In campaign, the drummer of the camp guard beats La Diane, probably at the Place D’Armes or by the Colonel’s tent.
For more information, see:
- Ordonnance…service de l’Infanterie en Campagne 1753, 15; 56-7; 59
- Ordonnance … Concernant les Gouverneurs … 1750, 47
- Guignard 1725, 695-6
Ceremonial Use of La Diane
La Diane could also be used as a salute to an Officer on his reception or his Feast Day.
There is a Napoleonic beating, called Le Rigodon D’Honneur, which is used to signify honors of some kind. This beating is an embellishment of Le Rigodon, changing the single drags into Bâton Méle or stick tricks. This embellished beating probably originates from the use of La Diane / Le Rigodon as a salute to officers.
For more information, see:
- Guignard 1725, 695-6
Performing La Diane
Unfortunately, there is no fife or drum music for La Diane in the 1754 ordinance.
Instead, the first written version comes in the 1803 Ordonnance des Tambous et Fifres de La Garde Imperiale, titled “La Diane ou Rigodon.”
Learn how to perform this Single Drag La Diane.
Later, in the 1831 Batteries et Sonneries de L’Infanterie Française, La Diane is only written as a drum beating, this time a double drag in 6/8.
Even though the Single Drag beating is older, the Double Drag might be an older or more universal style of beating.
You can read more about the use of Double Drags in Reveille in my discussion of the American Reveille sequence. Check out:
– “The American Reveille: A British Origin?”
– “The Dutch”
Phrase 1
The Double Drag version of La Diane can be broken down into two simple double drag phrases.
Below, I’ve broken Phrase 1 into simple exercises to build proper sticking and rhythm control to improve your Double Drags.
Special Notes
Lift your sticks between drags to keep them clean and distinct. This will also help to improve your timing.
Keep the accent sharp to add a little dynamics into your double drags.
Phrase 2
Line B of La Diane is Phrase 2 twice over. Phrase 2 is basically just an extended version of Phrase 1.
Below, I’ve broken Phrase 2 into simple exercises to build proper sticking and rhythm control to improve your Double Drags.
Special Notes
Lift your sticks between drags to keep them clean and distinct. This will also help to improve your timing.
Fun Fact: Line B is identical to the main phrase in Ashworth’s ‘Roast Beef’ (starts with a 5 instead of a 7). It is a simple Double Drag phrase that can be used in many 6/8s.
La Diane
To play the full beating, we’ll play:
- Phrase A x4
- Phrase B x2
Special Notes
Focus on the rhythm of the Double Drags, keeping them open, distinct, and clean.
Try to keep a strong crack on your accents to also develop dynamics.
Conclusion
La Diane is a great beating to know to start the day at every event. It’s also good to have as a salute for any kind of ceremonial salute or celebration.
While we don’t have evidence of this beating prior to 1803, both the Double Drag and Single Drag versions might be appropriate for any time period.
Want to learn more about the history of these French rudiments? Check out:
- History of the Single and Double Drags
- Practice Guide: Double Drags
- History of the 5-Stroke Roll
- Practice Guide: Triplet 5-Stroke Rolls in The Three Camps
Interested in learning how to perform other important French beatings? Check out:
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