Overview
Being a musician can be nice, it doesn’t require much mental work and being “peaceful” is nice for a while, but eventually you’ll crave more than standing around, watching everyone die. This guide, while it’s tips are not useful to the core mechanics of the class, will give you something to do while observing the battle and role-players will probably appreciate your addition to the authenticity.This guide is mainly intended for musicians on the ‘United Kingdom’ faction and is based on Maître Lapin’s guide on ‘How to be a good Bagpiper’
Intro
Historically, the drums and fife acted as the commander’s voice in battle, with the sounds of war and everyone screaming, it’d be difficult to hear him at times, but the low beating of the drums and the high tunes of the fife can be easily audible from afar, they signaled troop formations, firing commands and certain times of the day. every day, soldiers would listen to these songs over and over until they knew exactly what to do from the song alone, the songs even told them when to eat, when to sleep and when to wake up.
First of all, you’ll need to locate an officer that has a functioning keyboard, mouse and above all, a functioning ‘Q’ key and number pad (Maybe a microphone too). Then you’ll want to follow them, stay close to them and listen to what they say, certain orders, such as formations, firing commands, marching, etc. Will be indicated by a certain song or a short tune from the drums, each one will be explained in the next sections.
Slow march (Idle)
When this condition is met, play ‘The Girl I Left Behind Me’
This condition is met when the commander has ordered the unit to slow march and is not currently in combat (ie. not anywhere near the enemy and not being fired at). An example of this would be when the commander has assembled a unit at a rally point and is marching towards their field of operation.
While you’ll find many of these at the spawn, it is most recommended that you only follow that commander if they know what they’re doing, if they are simply leading everyone to their deaths with no point to it, only to reenact a “Glorious charge” then it is best to not entice other players to join their line, especially in Army Battlefield mode.
Slow march (In Combat)
When this condition is met, play ‘British Grenadiers’
This condition is met is when the commander has ordered the unit to slow march and is advancing towards the enemy and/or being fired at. An example is if the commander has ordered the unit to advance to a piece of cover in front of them, or if they wish to move into position to charge or otherwise fire. This is only to be played when advancing, not retreating.
(Most commanders will not order them to slow march in this case, however, in the interest of full disclosure, this has been included in the guide)
Charging or being charged (Drummer)
When this condition is met, the drummer will play a ‘Drum roll’ The fifer should defend the drummer from melee damage.
In this case, the additional accuracy boost from the fifer’s music will be somewhat useless as the enemy is likely to be very close, meaning the RNG ray-tracer is very likely to meet the enemy soldier, regardless of whether or not there are any accuracy boosts. The flag bearer’s boost is more likely to be useful in this situation.
(Unfortunately, the commander is more than likely to be killed, unless the Guards are good at guarding and they stay behind the line where they are less likely to be shot)
Surrounded by enemies
When this condition is met, and the commander does not have any other important orders, other than to fire at will, play ‘Men of Harlech’
This condition is met when the enemy is VERY close to your unit (Such as on the desert ruins map), if they are flanking or if they are otherwise making any maneuver that will more than likely lower the morale of the soldiers, if you fear that your life will be in danger upon the completion of this maneuver, it is likely that the other soldiers are as well.
When the commander is giving other important orders, such as to make ready, take aim or fire, the drummer will instead play the riffs or songs corresponding to those orders. You can decide other exceptions, however it is likely that there is not enough time for the fifer to stop playing this song and then play the corresponding song or riff.
Fire at will
When this condition is met, play ‘Rule, Britannia!’
This condition is met if the unit has been ordered to fire at will, an example is if the commander has ordered the unit to fire at will.
(What more do you expect?)
Make ready (Drummer, tune)
When this condition is met, play the first part of ‘Campbells are coming’
This condition is met when the commander has ordered the unit to make ready their weapons, the fifer should not play anything until the next command is given. To clarify, the riffs are very short and are to last about a half of a second, you will likely be able to tell when you’re supposed to stop playing. With practice, you’ll be able to stop playing on time so as to end the riff without accidentally playing the next note.
Unfortunately most commanders do not order volley fires, despite the better accuracy bonuses, so it will be very rare to find this condition to be met.
Take aim (Tune)
When this condition is met, play ‘The Grenadier’s Return’, continue until the unit has fired and they are now reloading.
This condition is met when the commander has ordered the unit to take aim and ends when the unit has discharged their firearms. The music is to continue playing for both the drummer and fifer so as to easily continue the accuracy bonus.
Unfortunately, some commanders do not use the Take aim command since it is not possible to pull the hammer back in the game, however it is recommended that commanders use this as to account for movement inaccuracy.
Reloading (Drummer)
When this condition is met, play ‘Over the Hills and Far away’, continue until the unit is ready to fire again
This condition is met when the unit has fired after an organized volley and the unit is now reloading their weapons, it ends when the weapons are ready to fire.
Cease fire (Tune)
When this condition is met, play Lillibullero, continue for about 5 seconds.
This condition is met when the commander has ordered the unit to cease fire or to hold fire after a series of volley fires (Or singular), it does not count if the unit was ordered to fire at will and has been ordered to hold fire in preparation for a volley. This is not to be played if the commander has ordered the unit to stop firing because the unit is in danger from a nearby enemy or because they are shooting when they weren’t told to.
Wheel left/right
When this condition is met, play ‘Scotland The Brave’ continue until the unit has successfully been placed into a formation.
This condition is met when the commander has ordered the line to wheel to the left/right or otherwise divert their attention to that direction, an example is if an enemy unit has appeared to the left of the line and the commander has ordered the unit to divert their attention to them.
Most commanders will not shout “Wheel left” and will instead say “Enemies to the left” in this case, it is not necessary to play the riff since it is not a command.
Form Rank
When this condition is met, play ‘The Grenadier’s Return’, continue until the unit has been successfully placed into the formation.
This condition is met when the commander has ordered the unit to form a line and ends when the line has been formed.
Form Column
When this condition is met, play ‘Spanish Ladies’, continue until the unit has been successfully placed into formation.
This condition is met when the commander has ordered the unit to form a column in preparation to march, it ends when the unit is in a vertical line.
Most commanders will simply say to follow them rather than forming a fancy line beforehand, in this case it is not necessary to play the song.
Outro
The ‘tunes’ were decided based on how close they sound to what was actually played in the military, the songs were decided both on when they were played in the military and the song’s meaning.
If you want to follow this guide, it should be noted that you don’t have to play each song exactly, you can do it however you wish, it is unlikely anyone will notice what you’re doing anyway.
If you’re creating a regiment, feel free to train the rankers with this
This guide has little purpose since it is very unlikely that one will find an officer that will create the conditions necessary or one that has the courage to lead at all. If you manage to find an officer, it is very unlikely anyone will follow their commands so in truth, this guide has no value. If anything, this guide was created for temporary recreation.