The traditional fife. - old flutes
This page will focus on the traditional American and British fife used in the 18th, 19th, and well into the 20th centuries. These were most often made in one piece, of wood, though metal fifes became more common as the 19th century progressed.
What does a Revolutionary War fife look like?
One fife does survive from his early period and gives us a good look at the American fife of the 18th century. The fife resembles an English fife, but is different in this way. It is a little smaller in diameter and the finger holes are all the same size.
Historical Fifes – Musique Morneaux
In the 18th century, it appears that most Anglo-American fifes were actually in the pitch of nominal C, with some lower pitches available but less common and more for parade and/or “pleasure” performances.
Fife (instrument) - Wikipedia
By the 18th century, the military use of the fife was regulated by armies throughout Europe and its colonies. The rank of Fife Major was introduced, a noncommissioned officer responsible for the regiment's fifers, just as a Drum Major was responsible for the drummers.
TRADITIONAL FIFES - Musique Morneaux
Answering a need for reenactors portraying a British impression, wanting to play a historically accurate fife for the 18th century, yet needing to be compatible with modern trad fife & drum, this model was developed.
How old is my fife? - Be A Fifer
However, I have seen fifes that were extremely old and may date to the 18th century. They were obviously very old and made from Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Coccus and Boxwood. There is evidence that a Major Jonathan Gostelow delivered 163 …
Cooperman Historical Musical Instruments: Maple Wood Fife
Our maple wood fife is crafted here in our Vermont shop in the 18th/19th century body silhouette with short brass ferrules. Each fife is packaged in a printed folding box with a music, history, and instruction sheet.
Fife (Maple) - thequartermastergeneral.com
A handsomely crafted wooden flute with a great tradition as a military signaling device and an equally fine tradition as a musical instrument. 16†in length and complete with a music and instruction sheet.
Maple Wood Fife – The Hermitage Museum Store
The fife was an essential instrument for 18th century military forces, being used not only to signal commands in battle but also to call out the daily routines of camp life; it maintained that role throughout the period of the American Civil War.
Fifes and Drums: The Instruments - Colonial Williamsburg
May 13, 2013 · Typically in the 18th century, fifes would have been made out of any local hardwood: maple, persimmon. The fife is completely hollowed out through the center and has seven holes drilled into it. These six smaller holes you see, these are the finger holes.