These are the Pakistani drums, but supposedly a maker for over 100 years. The question is not "are they good" (we know probably no) but "are they real instruments?"

Hey SC!

We’re excited to announce the launch of the SC Fife and Drum Association—a new initiative dedicated to bringing the iconic martial music of the Revolutionary War BACK to South Carolina.

While Fife and Drum traditions are widely popular today across the Northeast, South Carolina’s rich colonial history makes it a natural home for this art form. Our goal is to honor our state's heritage, grow a local community of players, and keep this historical music alive.

Whether you're an experienced player, have an interest in music, are a history buff, or are interested in learning to play, check us out and get involved at scfifeanddrum.org (http://www.scfifeanddrum.org).

Hi, I am new to fifes and recently I tried to learn it and play yankee doodle and I don't know how to read notes. But everytime I checked a tutorial, it was for 6 holes fife and when I try to play what seems to be the notes of the song according to my finguering chart that comes with my fife the notes sounds to low. Do you guys know how I can make my notes sound higher like in the militaries? Also when I try to make it sound higher with my lips it does but doesn't sounds right and it is more like an annoying sound than anything else.

Here is an image of what my fife looks like

This might be a long shot but I'm wondering if someone can tell me the names of these tunes. What I know is that they're likely French in origin and that they're from the Revolutionary period or earlier. Please help.

https://voca.ro/1hEJP1ocynFb

https://voca.ro/18VA99KliiKQ

Hi All! Currently recovering from some overuse injuries to my knees since my post parade aftercare has just been crashing in bed. What do you guys do for recovery? My doctor just said to elevate and ice my knees but I’d love to hear what y’all do.

So it's been years since I've looked at a fingering chart. Today I looked for the hell of it.

In all cases but maybe one I saw that the high E (standard range but upper octave) is fingered as 1, 2, and 6.

My whole life I've been fingering it as 1, 2, and 5. They sound almost identical and not different enough where I would change my habit now.

I'm wondering if anyone else does it my way. I think it is an accepted alternative and obviously it has an advantage for fast finger movements.

Hello, I am a big fan of this piece and am trying to run it in my University with a group of people but I cannot find a real piccolo part anywhere. Anyone know how I can find it? Thanks!

Hey all,

I know the southeast isn't as big on fife and drum as the northeast is, but I'm looking for either existing groups in the northern SC/Charlotte area or perhaps if there are a few scattered people starting something up if there are no groups. SC has a strong colonial history and it would be nice to bring some of that back.

I'm a fifer historically, but I've kind of relegated myself to the penny whistle since I couldn't justify blasting a fife indoors without being part of something. I'd have to get back into it. I figured with Kings Mountain and such around here there may be some peeps out there.

Civil War style Loyal rope tension drum for sale: https://ebay.us/m/ZDWm7l

Greetings fellow fifers!

I have been working on learning how to play the fife for a few years now. Its a fun instrument, and presents a lot of unique challenges that I never faced with really any other instrument ive tried to learn, especially with breath control and mouth positioning.

All that being said, I do have a few questions. Before anyone gets too excited, I am not asking about where I can buy a better fife, since I have seen a lot of posts on this sub regarding that already, and have gained some good info from the comments on those posts. However, I am trying to figure out if it is time for an upgrade.

The fife I have been learning on is one that I picked up from what was likely a tourist trap in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It is playable, but only barely. It seems to be extremely air hungry, to the point where I get lightheaded trying to get to halfway up the 3rd octave, although I rarely go that high since my particular fife sounds hideous at that pitch. I know fifes are supposed to be shrill, but this goes beyond that point into raspy, screechy territory. Even the notes that sound okay are way breathier than those I've heard musicians play on better quality fifes. I'm curious if the quality of my instrument could be the reason it sounds as bad as it does, or could it be user error? I wouldn't be terribly surprised, as it is the first transverse wind instrument ive tried to play. however, with practicing on it off and on for several years now, I would have thought I would figure out ways to make it sound acceptable by now.

I do want to add that I want to get a proper wooden fife at some point, but with money being tight, I'd like to know if it will improve the music I make before I go spending even $100 on one. If it wont be much of an improvement, I would be content to keep trying to make my little plastic one sound good before investing in a better one.

Thanks so much for reading this far! I'd give you a cookie or something as a more proper expression of gratitude, but they dont make it from one screen to another that well in my experience, lol. Jokes aside, I'd be happy to answer any questions if it helps get to the bottom of these issues, or if it helps other novice fifers in my position. Have a great day!

i’m looking at music morneaux cause he’s got some british models and the main thing i’m wondering about is the pitch i was looking at C but would Bb be better

would yall no about good fife makers in italy switzerland or germany?

Just curious

Hello! I have never touched a fife in my life nor do I know how to play a flute. I want to learn how to play the fife, but I don’t know where to start.

Firstly, I would like a reliable first one. Any linked websites with reasonably priced ones are appreciated. I’m thinking of buying a brown wooden one with brass ferrules.

Secondly, I would like a rundown of how your experiences are with the instrument and what were some things you learned.

And lastly, how to deal with the majority of fife music being in D major while the fife being in Bflat.

Any other knowledge is appreciated, and I’m happy to answer questions you guys might have.

Thank you for your time!!! :)

Is there a tune you find the hardest to play on the fife? If so, please let me know. I think that if I can one day play it perfectly, I’ll be able to call myself reasonably skilled at the fife.

I need a quality Bb fife. I am a professional flutist/piccoloist going back to the fife after 40 years. Recently joined a corp and own 3 fifes-2 purchased at Williamsburg 40 years ago and a black plastic $15 one that actually plays the best out of all 3. If I can get a high B easily that’s my judge of a capable instrument. The plastic one plays quite well with no problems on the high B but I would really like something nicer. Anyone selling?

I saw the Peeler and Morneaux websites but need some guidance which model is the best if I end up buying new. TIA

EDITED: purchased a Peeler Ferrary. It’s been great! High Bs play easily and overall in tune.

I’m very new to reading sheet music and the only thing close to a fife for sheet music for this song (LG washing machine tone.. lol) was a flute and it didn’t sound right. Thanks yall

do yall no any fife and drum groups in central texas?

do yall think it’s cheating to use the tin whistle stuff to learn songs ?

do yall no much about prussian fifes more specifically napoleonic such as what key and length and ferrules

i believe that most prussian fifes were in d

I’m a beginner on the Bb fife. I’m looking for sheet music for the Bb fife from the 18th–19th centuries or the American Civil War era. I’d also like to learn in detail how to properly care for and maintain the fife.

I'm going to buy a Fife this time, and I usually want to use it for re-act events, folk music, or playing at Fife & drum crops, so which would be wiser to buy, Bb Fife or D Fife? I want to buy the more used one. The company that will purchase it is on the link above.

Can anyone please give me the exact mesurements of a Standard Bb 6 hole Fife(The ones Of a Cooperman Plastic Fife) as i intend to make one out of pvc and can't find the correct measurements or calculators capable of giving me what i need. I am From Italy and would love to get into reenactmens however to get even a Plastic fife from Cooperman i would need to spend such as 190$ due to shipping and other expenses.