Instrument

• Bugles can be in the key of G, B-flat or C, among others

• If two or more Buglers are performing simultaneously, they must have bugles in the same key.

• The lower pitched bugles, like G, are easier to play and good for indoor ceremonies. A trumpet with valves 1& 2 pressed down is in the Key of G.

• The higher pitched bugles, like C, are more challenging to play and best for outdoor performance to be audible for long distances.

Beginner Bugle

For a beginner bugler, it is recommended to start with a bugle in the key of G, as it may be easier to learn on. Be cautious when purchasing a bugle from Amazon, as many are in the key of C, which is higher-pitched, and lower-quality options may have poor intonation and durability.

For better quality, look for a Rexcraft Boy Scout (BSA) bugle or a U.S. Regulation bugle. Rexcraft BSA bugles are no longer manufactured, so they will always be used, while U.S. Regulation bugles are available both new and used. With patience and research, a Rexcraft BSA bugle can be found for under $100, though it may require repairs depending on its condition. While not the highest quality instruments, these bugles serve as excellent starter horns for Scouts.

Should a trumpet or cornet be used?

Using a trumpet or cornet is also acceptable, though considerations should be made for backpacking - see below. The benefits of playing trumpet to become a better bugler are tremendous. Borrowing a trumpet may be an option—consult your Bugling Merit Badge Counselor or Band Director for guidance.

Backpacking with a Bugle

Many recommend a trumpet for its various benefits; however, a bugle for scouting is preferred, especially for backpacking. A bugle is significantly lighter than a trumpet, which is a crucial factor when carrying gear on long treks. This is particularly important if the Scout Bugler plans to pack it in a 35lb+ backpack while hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail or other challenging trails.

For more advanced buglers, adding an affordable bugle in the key of C can be a practical choice. It is more compact and slightly lighter; however, the higher pitch can be more difficult to control, and its intonation is often less precise. That said, these drawbacks matter less when the primary purpose is communication rather than ceremony. When selecting a C bugle, look for one made with a thicker metal gauge to ensure durability against the demands of a teenager’s backpacking adventures.

Ultimately, you should decide what is best for the Scout Bugler and their circumstances.

Official BSA Bugle history from May 1925...

Every Scout Troop has at least one official Bugler, and the popular emphasis being placed on the patrol system of troop administration, many Troops have an official Bugler for each patrol.

The increasing importance of Scout Buglers, as well as the desirability of providing for uniformity of the primary accessories of a Scout's equipment has led to the adoption of a standard official bugle for the use of our membership.

The official bugle is to be made available in two grades, regulation and professional, both instruments, however, possessing the principal essentials in common. Both have been selected and approved after careful examination and elimination tests and are announced to the Scout field with the guarantee of the Boy Scouts of America and their respective manufacturers.

Their purchase is recommended as a safeguard against bugles frequently offered from sources and under condition which permit no control over uniformity of quality, tone, and pitch, or possibility of repair or other necessary service.

The arrangements made by the Boy Scouts of America permit the sale of these official bugles at prices very much lower than the same instruments, or others of equal grade, are sold through the customary retail channels.

Source: National Scouting Museum