What is a Fife in music?
A fife /ˈfaɪf/ is a small, high-pitched, transverse aerophone, that is similar to the piccolo. The fife originated in medieval Europe and is often used in Fife & Drum Corps, military units and marching bands. Someone who plays the fife is called a fifer.
Is a fife a transposing instrument?
The standard fife is an A-flat transposing instrument, meaning that prevailing scoring conventions dictate that the C position on a fife-part staff should correspond to a concert A-flat. The standard fife sounds a minor sixth above written (the equivalent of a major-third drop followed by an octave increase).
What is a fife flute?
Like the Irish flute and the tinwhistle, the fife is a six-hole simple system flute. These flutes are unable to play all chromatic pitches, while many of the chromatic pitches they can play are grossly out of tune. This tuning irregularity is part of the unique sound of the fife.
What are fifes and where are they used?
Fifes are most commonly used in Fife & Drum Corps, but can also be found in folk music, particularly Celtic music. Some Caribbean music makes use of fifes, which are usually made from bamboo.
Is a fife and a flute the same?
The fife, most accurately described, is any cylindrically bored transverse flute, usually in one piece (but sometimes two), usually somewhat longer than the piccolo and having only six fingerholes with no keys.
What type of instrument is a fife?
flutefife, small transverse (side-blown) flute with six finger holes and a narrow cylindrical bore that produces a high pitch and shrill tone. The modern fife, pitched to the A♭ above middle C, is about 15.5 inches (39 cm) long and often has an added E♭ hole covered by a key. Its compass is about two octaves.
Is a fife a woodwind?
The fife is a small woodwind instrument known especially for its high pitch and loud, piercing volume. It closely resembles a recorder in that it is typically made of wood and utilizes open finger holes instead of levers like the piccolo or flute.
Is a fife different than a piccolo?
Like the piccolo and flute, the fife is a transverse instrument. It's loud and piercing, but not in the same way that a piccolo is. Because the fife has a much smaller bore than the piccolo, it has a very different tone quality.
What is a fife band?
A Fife and Drum Corps is a musical ensemble consisting of fifes and drums. In the United States of America, fife and drum corps specializing in colonial period impressions using fifes, rope tension snare drums, and (sometimes) rope tension bass drums are known as Ancient Fife and Drum Corps.
How do you play a fife?
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What key does a fife play in?
Fifes pitched (i.e., constructed so as to sound) in the keys of D and of C are also common. Fifes in various other keys are sometimes played in musical ensembles.
Where did fife and drum originate?
SwitzerlandThe first time that they were used together in a form which we would recognize as "fife & drum" was in Switzerland. The Swiss had won their freedom in 1291, and had become famous for the bravery and excellence of their military.
How much does a fife cost?
The distance between the centers of the blow hole and the last finger hole should be about 10-7/8 inches. Otherwise, you will have a fife for displaying rather than playing. New wood fifes of any quality will cost at least $100, and can run much higher than that.
Is a fife and a piccolo the same instrument?
In the same way that the piccolo and flute are transverse instruments, the fife is also a transverse instrument. Unlike a piccolo, it is loud and piercing, but not in the same way. Due to the fact that the fife has a much smaller bore than the piccolo, it has a very different tone quality.
What type of flute is used in Irish music?
The Irish flute is a conical-bore, simple-system wooden flute of the type favoured by classical flautists of the early 19th century, or to a flute of modern manufacture derived from this design (often with modifications to optimize its use in Irish Traditional Music, Scottish Traditional Music or Music of Brittany and ...
Why are piccolos made of wood?
First, there is the material used for the body. While most flutes are made of metal, nowadays almost all piccolos are made of wood. This is because the piccolo has a higher register, and metal instruments would sound too piercing.
What is a Fife flute?
Fife, small transverse (side-blown) flute with six finger holes and a narrow cylindrical bore that produces a high pitch ...
When was the Fife invented?
Antedating the orchestral transverse flute, the fife is first attested in Europe during the 12th century. From the time of the Crusades it has been played with cylindrical side drums as an infantry instrument, notably in Switzerland and Germany.
How many octaves are in a fife?
The modern fife, pitched to the A♭ above middle C, is about 15.5 inches (39 cm) long and often has an added E♭ hole covered by a key. Its compass is about two octaves.
Where is the cylindrical side drum played?
From the time of the Crusades it has been played with cylindrical side drums as an infantry instrument, notably in Switzerland and Germany. It is a folk instrument in Spain and in the Alps and Carpathians.
What is a fife?
The fife is a wind instrument similar to a flute or piccolo, but without keys and with a higher, shriller sound. Originating in medieval Europe and used traditionally in the military, fifes are still played today in fife and drum corps and for individual enjoyment.
How to make a fife sound?
Roll the instrument slowly back and forth while blowing to find the right angle to create a sound. Also try changing the angle of your breath and the tightness of your lips to find what makes the best sound. Practice blowing and holding the fife correctly by doing it in front of a mirror.
How to play a fife with a flat note?
1. Tune the instrument first. Play the same note (you can start with all finger holes open) as another fife player or an electronic or online tuner to get the right pitch. Roll the instrument in toward your mouth if your note is too sharp . Roll it out if it is too flat.
How to blow a fife?
1. Hold the instrument out to your right. Position the fife so that it is horizontal and extending out to the right of your face. The six holes for fingers should be out to the right, while the one hole on its own goes near your mouth for blowing.
How to support a fife?
Though the index, middle, and ring fingers of each hand will be the only ones covering holes, support the fife with the thumb and pinky fingers of both hands by resting them on the body of the instrument however they are comfortable.
How to blow a fife with your fingers?
If your instrument is not the conventional 6-hole fife, you may have more holes to cover with your other fingers, but you can still use this basic hand placement. Position your mouth for blowing. Place your bottom lip against the fife right next to the hole for blowing.
Is the fife the hardest instrument to learn?
Don’t get discouraged if it takes a long time to even make a sound with the instrument. The fife is one of the hardest wind instruments to learn how to play!
What is a fife?
Definition of fife. (Entry 1 of 2) : a small transverse flute with six to eight finger holes and usually no keys.
What is the area of Fife?
Definition of Fife (Entry 2 of 2) administrative area of eastern Scotland between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth area 509 square miles (1319 square kilometers), population 365,198.
Who plays the fife in the Middlesex County Volunteers?
Steven Taskovics, 58, a re-enactor from Framingham, Mass., plays the fife in the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums, a group that marches in costume and performs Revolutionary War-era music.
Differences Between Piccolos and Fifes
According to my knowledge, one of the differences between files and piccolos is that fifes are in the keys of Eb and D while the Piccolos are in the keys of C, Bb and A.
Which one is easier to play?
One of the most frequently asked questions is if someone can start playing the Piccolo without learning how to play the fife? The answer is yes! I play both the Piccolo and fife, so my resolutions are based off my personal experience.
Which are the best Octaves?
Fifes are designed to be played in the second and third octaves, and mostly have a weak first octave.
Conclusion
I believe anyone who starts mastering a fife has an easy time mastering how to play the Piccolo.