The origin of military music is to be found in the various signals given during battle. However it is clear that the use of musical instruments was not confined to operations in the field for by the time Karlskrona was being built every county regiment had its own bombards, pipes and drums.

The responsibility for the Navy’s music fell on boys and ratings from the Boy Seamen’s Corps, and the Navy until 1862 when the Band of the Swedish Royal Navy, the present day Navy Band, was established. The 30-strong band with a tradition dating back to the 1680’s, is the only remaining professional military band in Sweden.