You can buy a simple plastic fife from several vendors such as Cooperman and Be a Fifer for around $12. These are good for beginners who are not sure if they’re going to continue and for kids, who may lose interest. For the budget minded, there are “Student” level persimmon fifes available from Cooperman for around $50.
Full Answer
What kind of instrument is a Ferrary Fife?
The bore of the instrument is based on the "Ferrary" model reproduction fife. This is excellent instrument that will work well with other instruments with similar styling. During the mid to late 1900's the Ferrary fife was the instrument of choice for fife and drum corps throughout the Connecticut River Valley and beyond.
What kind of instrument is a BB Fife?
They are Bb Fifes. The Peeler Standard Model fife is an instrument that will give the Civil War re-enactor the look of a traditional Cloos or Crosby fife while providing greater tone in the lower range of the instrument. The bore of the instrument is based on the "Ferrary" model reproduction fife.
What is the best Fife to buy?
The vast majority of fifers today play a one piece, 6-hole Bb fife, and that is what most vendors sell-the “C” fife and two piece “concert” fifes that allow you to play more notes are specialty items. If you get a “C” fife, it’s best if everyone else in your group has one too.
Where is the Fife still used today?
Today the fife's military legacy can still be seen in marching bands, for example in English, Welsh and Irish military units and in the pipes and drums of Scottish regiments. There are fife and drum corps in Switzerland, and the United States " Old Guard " has a ceremonial one.
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.
Which instrument is closest to a fife?
piccoloA fife /ˈfaɪf/ is a small, high-pitched, transverse aerophone of Portuguese origin, that is similar to the piccolo. The fife originated in medieval Europe and is often used in Fife and Drum Corps, military units, and marching bands. Someone who plays the fife is called a fifer.
Is a fife and a flute the same thing?
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.
How hard is it to learn the Fife?
Fife is much more difficult to play than the regular wooden flute - it takes a very strong embouchure. Your lips need to be tight - try putting a piece of dry rice between your lips and blow until it pops out (I'm serious)… this will give you an idea how small the hole in your lips needs to be.
Is fife fingering the same as the flute?
The fife is among the oldest flutes that still get some use, and the fingerings are identical to the tin whistle (a.k.a. pennywhistle, Irish whistle). It has six holes operated by three fingers of each hand.
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.
Is there a musical instrument called a fife?
fife, 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.
What does a fife look like?
A fife is a musical instrument that looks like a very small flute. Fifes are usually made of wood, rather than metal, and are common in military marching bands. A fife is much more high-pitched than a flute—it's also louder and more shrill sounding.
How do you play fife instruments?
8:0213:07How to Play Oh When the Saints on the Fife - Live Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow we're gonna cover holes one two three with fingers one two three and blow three times. And thenMoreNow we're gonna cover holes one two three with fingers one two three and blow three times. And then we're going to cover holes or one to fall with fingers one two four and blow. Once.
Which way do you hold a fife?
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.
What dies fife mean?
small transverse flute: a small transverse flute with six to eight finger holes and usually no keys.
How do you play fife flute?
13:3614:56Starting on the Fife: Getting a Sound - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPractice that a few times don't just think it's once and done you might have to practice going backMorePractice that a few times don't just think it's once and done you might have to practice going back and forth both with the five end without the five start without the five get used to that hand
What wood is used for fife?
The color of a fife is usually determined by the type of wood used. Grenadilla, also known as African Blackwood (black) and Maple & Rosewood (brown) are common woods. It doesn’t really matter what color you get. Most fifes are black, but black and brown fifes look alike from a distance.
What fife do you play with a 6 hole?
The vast majority of fifers today play a one piece, 6-hole Bb fife, and that is what most vendors sell—the “C” fife and two piece “concert” fifes that allow you to play more notes are specialty items. If you get a “C” fife, it’s best if everyone else in your group has one too.
What instrument was used in the 1900s?
Peeler Fifes. ( http://www.peelerfifes.com/fifes/) According to Peeler, during the mid to late 1900's the Ferrary fife was the instrument of choice for fife and drum corps throughout the Connecticut River Valley and beyond. It possessed a clarity that was distinctive to this instrument.
How much are persimmon fifes?
For the budget minded, there are “Student” level persimmon fifes available from Cooperman for around $50. Some people find these difficult to play, and some vendors counsel that you should avoid wood fifes that sell for under $100. On the other hand, some people have no problem with them and some schools and corps use them for their fife and drum programs—it’s a matter of personal experience. If you can afford it, however, it’s best to go straight to a professional level fife, since they aren’t that much more expensive.
Why do some players prefer fifes?
Some players prefer 10-hole fifes because they offer the ability to play more sharps and flats, but they are harder to learn and even some experienced fifers find them difficult to play. Interestingly, the US Army’s Old Guard F&D, a professional level corps, uses 10-hole Bb Healy fifes.
Who made the Bb fife?
A period correct, Civil war era, Bb fife, by PEELER FIFES . Painstakingly crafted replica of the fife manufactured by the Oliver Ditson Company throughout the American Civil War. During the mid 1900's, there were several fife makers in Connecticut producing quality, metal fifes from plated brass.
When was Firth Pond & Co. listed?
Listed from 1861 - 63 as Firth, Pond & Co. at 547 B'way .... Firth, Pond & Co. had an Army contract on September 26, 1862 for 1,000 cocoa wood fifes.". This listing documents that Firth, Pond & Co. was known by this name only during the Civil War and only from 1861 to 1863.
Where is Fife drum used?
Fife alone, or fife and drum, is also used in numerous European countries, especially in the South of France ( Occitania ): Languedoc and the county of Nice; in Switzerland (notably Basel ); and in Northern Ireland, where it is often accompanied by the lambeg drum .
What finger is used for fife?
On a 10-hole fife, the index, middle and ring fingers of both hands remain in the same positions as on the 6-hole fife, while both thumbs and both pinkies are used to play accidentals. An 11-hole fife has holes positioned similarly but adds a second hole under the right middle finger.
What are fifes made of?
Some fifes are entirely made of metal or plastic. Military and marching fifes have metal reinforcing bands, called ferrules, around the ends to protect them from damage. A fife used in less strenuous conditions may have a lathe-turned, knob-like decoration at the ends for protection.
When was Cooperman Fife and Drum founded?
Cooperman. The Cooperman Fife and Drum was founded in 1961. Cooperman fifes were based on the Cloos tradition, with variations intended to improve intonation. In 1975, Patrick Cooperman opened his full-time workshop in Centerbrook, Connecticut, making traditional fifes, drums and drumsticks.
What wars did the British Fife and Drum Bands play in?
Amateur historical reenactment groups and dedicated civil bands sometimes feature fife and drum corps sporting period military costumes from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War or the American Civil War.
What instrument was used in medieval Europe?
In folk music. In medieval Europe, the fife was used in some folk music traditions to accompany dancing by all social classes. The fife was one of the most important musical instruments in the United States' Colonial period, even more widespread than the violin or piano.
How many holes does a fife have?
Modern versions of the fife are chromatic, having 10 or 11 finger holes that allow any note to be played.
How many pages are there in Complete Music for the Fife and Drum?
Complete Music for the Fife and Drum,#N#106 Pages, Softbound. A collection of 78 tunes containing some Civil War selections as well as many other traditional favorites. Each arrangement features harmony, style marks and guitar chords. The music is supplemented with histories of the tunes and drumbeats. Complete Music for Fife and Drum was compiled by a professional fifer and intended for the military fife in B-flat. This book offers tunes from the Revolutionary and Civil War eras with suggested snare and bass drum parts as well as chord progressions. It also contains a wealth of fife history and resources.#N#The author, Walter Sweet, is the son of the well-known American fife maker Ralph Sweet of Connecticut........................... $29.95
What instrument was used by soldiers on both sides?
Blue 18' Red 18' Green 18' Cavalry Yellow 22' +$4.00. Harmonica, Original Hohner "Pocket Pal". Harmonicas were used by Soldiers on Both sides, as well as cowboys on the open range. The soothing sounds of this instrument have been familiar to people the world over since 1821. Matthias Hohner founded his firm in 1857.