Three Military Trumpeters on Horseback

Music is also inextricably linked to the military. With the peal of trumpets and the beating of drums, the army announced its presence in the field; however, the instruments were also used to issue orders to the men. The long trumpets seen here are typical of the cavalry; the infantry (the foot soldiers) played shorter versions. Cavalry and ground troops used different melodies to avoid confusion between the military units.