Taps at President Kennedy Funeral

[cgka2011]

@rmhism No, because in many cases, their acts in life can never be acknowledged.

[recreatedtiger]

This is a few days late, but, I would like to say, that 22nd November 2011 marked the 48th anniversary of the death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

[superjoe87]

Someone who woulda changed the world. Shot. This world is nuts.

[TheWhitewhirlwind]

I've heard the bugler's tone issues and "Broken Note" were due, of course, to the effort of trying to hold back tears.

[ilovwinning]

0:33

[agdaman4life]

very good tone tone, good sound, but flat. wouldn't be surprised, it was hella cold that day.

[Tomsouthrock]

A GREAT MAN

[themichaelnuckles]

He did. Remember the qoute "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

[hattrick116]

God bless him. He did so much for this country. Thank you Kennedy. Just thank you.

[southport97]

@0:46  fail

[nick1979usmc]

you can hear the sadness and respect in the tone of taps....that bugler proves that a soldier does not have carry a rifle to be a worrior.

[trumpetg7059]

My heart goes out to the bugler, wouldn't want to be in his position!

[FredDude27]

/salute

[akty101]

I made a mistake President Kennedey that it* R.I.P.

[akty101]

R.I.P. President Kenedey. You will never be forgotten.

[rmhism]

Do men in the NSA, CIA, etc. get taps played at their funerals?

[smasher2441]

who is the man playing taps?

[blinkfanforever7]

our band director told us to watch this one. what a terrible place to chip a note!

[dukeaddict237]

@blinkfanforever7 yeh but aftr this most ppl played the crack

[214au]

@blinkfanforever7 it showed that his lip quivered in respect for his fallen leader....

[freedomfighter881]

He was our last true president here in America. He refused to sell his soul to the elitlists of the world who really control our goverment like every president after him has done and it cost him his life.

[afireinside44203]

@freedomfighter881 Is that the reason why he was murdered by The Mafia because he sold out the unions that he vowed to protect? This motherfucker turned The White House into a whorehouse along with his rum running father.

[SnickleFritz79]

He is now with the Almighty Lord and on November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy finally saw the face of God.

[euphoniumification]

Is that a C, G or B flat bugle? And I heard 2 mistakes, not 1.

[maris3334]

@euphoniumification

it`s a B flat bugle

[euphoniumification]

@maris3334 Ah. Thanks. Sound a bit like a little of both. I thought for a second it could be an F, but recording technology wasnt great back then.

[rrmoh]

the mistake n the taps could become a trivia question..

i remember t well.. the new generation wouldn't remember

[Lolacherrie]

I think I remember seeing an interview of the guy who played it. He was saying how everyone thought he faltered because he was emotional and couldn't play. But he said it was just a really cold day and the metal mouthpiece slipped off his lips.

[Hirototheshadow]

Rest In Peace, Mr. President. Rest In Peace...

[rainbowschild]

Thank you BJenny, it was 11110. I have recently acquired a VINTAGE Conn Director Cornet model 14A from 1957. It is so sweet! Today I played the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It sounded wonderful! Next I will play this! - the 24 most important notes that can come out of a horn.

[BJenny38]

The "broken note" is still one of my most poignant memories of this terrible time. It felt as though it gave voice to our broken hearts.

[BJenny38]

That was good that rainbowschild removed the comment. I would have rather not received it in my mail.

[rainbowschild]

JFK was the last real President we had. Since then they have all done the work of the New World Order Conspiracy. Check out Kennedy executive order 10111 and you will understand.

[BJenny38]

I didn't know that. And I did google it. It is executive order 11110. So that was the reason. So many people have never understood the why of the assassinations. I found some fascinating websites. I'm glad you clarified your first comment. Thank you.

[sxfn15]

my grandfather died 2 years ago right before thanksgiving and he was in the air force in ww2,and the korean war

[Italaingod30]

There never will be a President like him ever. He would have changed the world for the better. May god Rest him

[TheFPSsoviet]

@Italaingod30 My favorit President.

[MrSandman98]

as a trumpeter, i get a sense of pride every time i play or hear this song being played, especially this one. the amount of emotion put into this is evident in that small crack in the high note.

[teamfortress2222]

they played this at my uncles funeral yesterday he was in the army SFC William McKinely Thomas III RIP

[SteveDutzy]

Sorry about your loss. May he rest in peace.

[hungry45muffins]

They say that is was so cold that day that the Bugler cracked that top note. He did an outstanding job for knowing how many people were watching him, and how special this one moment was. Rest in Peace, John F. Kennedy.

[SurfAddict999]

not only the cold but also the melancholy air of the abrupt loss of a great president. JKF-RIP

[kingcyberklutz]

What Was The Name Of The News Reporter Who Said The Bugler's,"Lip Quivered For A Nation"? I've Always Felt That Was One Of The Most Moving Parts of The Story. Just Imagine The Pressure That Young Soldier Was Under!

[textorpmt]

I played taps for my brothers funeral last year. My cousin, M/C escort who has attended over 300 funerals , said it was the best he heard.. The goal of Taps is to have the crowd remember the the emotions they felt, pride, anguish, loss, anger, sorrow, whatever. I sure he felt bad at the broken note becoming the story it has over the years.

He was a man doing his best in an awful situation. Untill ANY of you are in the same situation, being a pro musician doesn't count, LEAVE HIM ALONE

[jenean94]

Day is done, gone the sun,

From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.

From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,

'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;

As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

[golf7272]

You need to remember that this video is over 45 years old. That may have a lot to do with the quality of the sound?

[kyle9524]

The worst enemies of a brass player: Cold and pressure. Both of those were imposed apon the player on that day.

[dasteufelhund]

Screwed up or not, the nation mourns its President, and it was rightfully so reflected by this bugler's broken Taps.

[OktoberStorm]

As a musician I say that it is unbearable to think of anyone cracking anything at a ceremony like this.

As a human being I say that the crack in the Liberty Bell is what makes people contemplate and act upon their inherent will and ability to change their destiny.

[jramos117]

i agree with the bottom comments. the bugler was emotional and didnt mean to break the note. if a leader of yours who was so faithful to one country and one cause died, wouldnt YOU get emotional? and if you think it's so easy to play taps for the first time in a military funeral of a hero while standing in the cold for 3 hours is easy, i suggest you try it. god rest jfk.

[mhunter09]

I played an echo taps ceremony for a Veterans Memorial dedication, and was in the cold for about 2 hours. It was hard... and yes, this si one of THE most meaningful playing of taps ever done, because... the true emotion of the emaning, haunts the spirit of the buglar.

[Matrix5060]

give me a break you bleeding hearts..the trumpet player SCREWED UP, no two ways about it..he just plain fudged the note

Quit making excuses...many people throught history have come through under high stress during musical engagements...this man just blew it, literally, lol

[jramos117]

dude give the guy a break. he made a mistake, so what? nobody's perfect. and jfk would have forgiven him im sure.

[OktoberStorm]

I'm not sure if I'm supporting Matrix5060 on this one or jramos117. Yes, one can be a little shaky when responsibility gets high but on the other hand: You can't screw up at a time like that! You just can't! As a classically trained musician I can say that yeah you get stressed, but it's actually a part of your job to cope with it.

[Matrix5060]

Everytime I watch this video i get disgusted...that trumpet player should have been given 100 lashes at the end of a whip..disgraceful

I heard this trumpet player killed himself as everybody he met in life always talked about this disaster and finally it was too much for him and he stepped in front of a moving train and ended it all

[AquilaxOne]

You are a moron. That's all there is to it.

First, the weather was cold. That kind of weather is not conducive to musical perfection.

Second, it was an emotional time. The president had just been shot. It would be like stifling a sob during amazing grace. You try playing perfectly at a time like that.

And he passed away at seventy-four. He's buried at Arlington.

[neil9327]

only if was into bondage, as you are into clearly. Arse.

Have some respect for your young. who are clearly worth more than you. or

[ChiquillaD]

I play a trumpet for band & it's hard to play Taps even though we have the valves to play different notes and when it's cold we are ALWAYS out of tune & we sound really sharp. And a bugle is way harder to play than a trumpet because there's no valves to push down so all you can do is firm up & try to get the notes & play in tune.

[Nfl233]

ok this is really weird. I played taps at our school's veterans day program and I did the same exact thing this bugler did. In the exact same spot! strange........

[MaJaCar1]

if someone played taps at a funeral I attend, I'd be bawling. the famous "broken" taps always touches me and brings out my sensitivity and respect for the deceased one.

[jimmyphack]

the man was shot becuase he told us the truth.

[trekkerten]

I caught the note break when I saw this live. There was no doubt in my mind that it was emotional on the bugler's part. A then 12 year old kid I was.

[andwii]

JFK was a god in my eyes. Back then a democrat was a republican... so he is one of my heros Regan is my biggest hero god bless...

You can not blame anyone for that flaw... It added something to the funeral. It was cold and the bugler was strong for not bawling in tears... Thats what I would have done... God Bless America!

[mavis996]

I know many comments where posted that you can't relly critisize the bugeler for that flaw but it was cold then and a one of the sadest moments in Americas history.

[0spazzy0yazzy0]

I think that the gun shot may have been better if they were left out, it's just my opinion it is only 3 days after it happend

[mfp508]

Jackie had to hear those gunshots again.

[gn4179]

That's military tradition, my friend.

[0spazzy0yazzy0]

yeah but it must have been chilling for his family to hear it

[playguitarbill]

It just showed the feeling of the nation at that time. I thought I would never stop crying and I was just in the fourth grade.

[stevenstreets3]

I want to hear the critics and complainers play it on their own video.I'll bet you think it's easy to play 4 simple sustained notes to perfection with tone control,pitch control,volume control, lets see you do it in front of the whole world.We who are already dead have seen your comments let us hear your work. I play it on the warhorn of the Roman legions. semper pax

( yes i will when equipment funds enable)

Its the flaw that makes the pearl of great price

[DocAnaheim]

The note break on this buglers version of Taps

was not intended. I spoke with this man, a

decorated US Military Service veteran, before

his passing. It was a cold, blustery day in

Arlington. This was not a normal detail for

him, this was his Final Honor to a President

well loved by a Nation. He spoke of his

feelings,sadness,and the mustering of

every ounce of courage to go on and finish

the Final Salute. Yes,the man was emotional, just as every other person who witnessed the Final Honors

[bigboy10131969]

Whether or not you liked him, JFK was our nation's President. Republican or Democrat, it is a sad moment in our nation's history. I applaud the bulger for keeping his cool and continuing to play. We all make mistakes and what really matters is not so much what was said or done, but the spirit it was done in.

[Matrix5060]

Shameful disgusting display of respect for a fallen president. Horrible, absolutely dreadful trumpet playing...this guy made so many mistakes it was outrageous...probably a russian mole

[bbarina41]

Record your version and let us here it please. Also, play it in frigid cold weather while trying to honor a slain President in front of his wife and every high ranking military and executive mind in the world. 90 presidents and leaders came to the services.

[Matrix5060]

The bugler who fukked up on that note later committed suicide by hanging himself...all throughout his life he was haunted with everyone he met saying how disgusted they were that he screwed up Taps on the most important occasion in American history

It was too much for him and he simply could not bare the burden any longer...RIP Bugler

[dawood927]

No he didnt...

[nickMAN1025]

He didn't kill himself. YOu're an idiot. Maybe you should try researching this stuff before you type random crap that isn't even true. He didn't kill himself. He died in 2002 of natural causes at the age of 74 and he was buried in Arlington National Cemetary.

[ZacharyWDS17]

Actually, they thought his lip quivered because he was crying, so he was shown alot of love and support. Im not sure why you would make up a story like that...attention?

[stuballs42]

As for all of you wondering about the missed or (cracked note ) in taps,the man that played them said (and this has been said by many)it was the cold weather that affected the bugle that day and not the player himself. The man (I think gone now himself)said this haunted him for the rest of his life,and he was always refered to as the man that hit the wrong note at J.F.K's funeral. What a way to be remembered!!!!

[cfx5000]

You cannot blame that soldier for missing a note. He is playing TAPS in the darkest day in the history of the USA. That missed episode in his playing signified what the entire world felt at that point.

[seattlehawks94]

The broken note is what makes that version so powerful.

[marchingguy]

We looked at this funeral in one of my history lectures and it was said that the soldier playing Taps, as did many of the soldiers that day, had a tough time not getting choked up while performing at a funeral for a president. What an honor to do so; yet I would be very humbled at the same time. I think he did a fine job. Thanks for posting!

[pubuman]

It was like BOOM HEADSHOT....

[USAF1947]

No vibrato and very choppy. Not to mention the crack. I don't know if he was nervous, or what, but I would assume they would get someone better for the President's funeral.

[nubbie1944]

Sound quality on live TV in 1963 wasn't that great, also it is a known fact that Sgt. Keith Clark played the cracked pitch because he was under pressure and it was an unusually cold day in November, I hope this explained it a bit.

[bbarina41]

You are an idiot. He was one of the best in the world at the time. Try playing at the funeral of greatest president in america's history and achieving perfection.

[USAF1947]

Why am I an idiot, again? I played the trumpet for seven years, and I'm an officer candidate in the United States Air Force. We know our stuff.

I love how people can't tolerate opinions. No wonder we're in the shape we're in and the world hates us.

He wasn't the greatest president in America's history. Try Washington or Lincoln.

[mtbolin]

You're an idiot for the following reasons:

1. The bugler is not at fault. As any experienced trumpeter knows, cold weather, pressure, and playing "cold" (not being able to warm up within a few minutes of performance) harm tone and intonation and cause mistakes.

2. President Kennedy reached the halls of greatness in his few short years-- imagine what he could have done with a few more. The bugler's error is almost fitting: America just wasn't ready to hear taps sound over this great man's grave.

[USAF1947]

Interesting. They play Taps at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during cold weather, yet it is clear, crisp, and fluent.

Try to put on a uniform one day and achieve what I have before you insult my intelligence, you dolt.

[dasteufelhund]

That may be true, but I have heard plenty of fuck ups even at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier even on a good day. This tells you that professionals screw up for different reasons. As far as your comment about your military credential and intelligence, what are you kidding? Don't shit yourself with your pants down on an open forum by bragging about your military experience, it really make you and us look bad.

[eneds]

This trumpet player cracked the note, but he played the thing to the end. I can't image me on such an important funeral to play taps.

After the crack, I would run away, it was definitelly horrible moment for the trumpet player.

Cracks happens - it's the biggest fear of every serious trumpet player.

[colfatihi]

He was too good that's why he got shot.

[YogaNate79]

The most excellent President of the United States of America. Hail to the Chief!

[stevenstreets2]

less than a year later the silver coin of article One ,section ten (and eight) of the Constitution was replaced with REPROBATE COIN.WAKE UP PEOPLE CANT YOU SEE WHAT WHATS GOING ON! NO FORGIVNESS TO THE FED AND THIER FRIENDS HIS MURDERERS!

[koplamp]

The crack everyone talks about, at what point does he screw up? I can't seem to hear it... but that is my fault then :P

[TrumpetDude12]

on the 6th note

[yesidoROCK]

it was cold as balls that day..if anyone has ever read a book, and if anything the crack seems to signify that his lips quivered showing that he gave just the slightest damn about the fallen president..

[racallibe]

A very powerful moment... If the decline and eventual fall of America can be traced to one moment, it was this very moment. America was never the same after Kennedy died.

[IrishChief007]

Best President ever

[JDLK2005]

I know nothing about Bugling (if thats right) but I would imagine the bugler was an expert and probably got this right a million times in practice, I think the broken bit is kind of fitting, maybe he let his emotions get to him which is as much a tribute to Kennedy as Taps

[itsacivic]

every night at 10pm exactly I hear this song if anything that crack adds more emotion to Taps anytime I've ever heard Tap's there's always been that chill that runs down your spine. R.I.P to all those lost in the defense of our great nation may you never be forgotten. To those MIA/POW may you be brought home safely

[dasteufelhund]

I can't believe he cracked that note.  Trumpeters crack notes, but not at the Presidential funeral.

[markandrewvesco]

god dam everyone on this comment list is talking about the trumpet..what about the fucking president that died? R.I.P. Kennedy

[phononut]

What about it? Kennedy was just another ineffectual president.You baby boomers make me sick.You only want to remember what you liked.He was elected by the mob,and his crooked fathers dealings.

[OktoberStorm]

Everyone is commenting on the bugler because the video is about... The bugler. If you search "JFK Funeral" then you'll prolly find a broadcast recording of JFK's funeral. And I would suspect the comments there to be about... The funeral and the video. Easy peasy ;)

[Ballzy1001]

*quit

[Ballzy1001]

That poor man never got over that crack. He eventually quiet the instrument because of it. I kno this becuase of my band instrustor was telling the 2 trumpet players a story about him...the 2 trumpet players were paying Taps for todays ceremony...its sad...that crack...oh well...

[cowgirlup2010]

you crack a note keep playing i have crack tons of notes you just got to learn to keep going noones perfect

[laxmam]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh...... that crack. I know the poor guy had alot of pressure on him, but that ruined it for me.

[donziz1353]

that accidental crack becomes almost legendary with taps

[irish89055]

the bugler cracked a note or two.. theres a site devoted to him and this scene... I was 8 and could hear the guns from my house.

[omilosavljevic]

Tito had more foreign dignitaries at his funural and yet he is forgotten,.that being sad may the last normal president of the USA rest in peace