Bugle call

Historically, bugles, drums, and other loud musical instruments were used for clear communication in the noise and confusion of a battlefield.

A defining feature of a bugle call is that it consists only of notes from a single overtone series.

Every duty around camp had its own bugle call, and since cavalry had horses to look after, they heard twice as many signals as regular infantry.

Bugle calls also relayed commanders' orders on the battlefield, signaling the troops to Go Forward, To the Left, To the Right, About, Rally on the Chief, Trot, Gallop, Rise up, Lay down, Commence Firing, Cease Firing, Disperse, and other specific actions.

[4] The bugle gained widespread use in horse mounted units, where the more common signals of drums and fifes were impractical.

"Taps" has been used frequently in popular media, both sincerely (in connection with actual or depicted death) and humorously (as with a "killed" cartoon character).

Early solid state Bally pinball tables played two bugle calls on their chime units.