Fife is a small woodwind instrument that belongs to the flute family. It consists of a wooden tube that has from six to eight finger holes along its length and a mouth hole near one end.
A player holds the fife in a horizontal position and blows across the mouth hole. The fife produces a shrill, penetrating sound. The player covers and uncovers the finger holes to produce different notes.
The fife originated in Switzerland in the 1500’s. It was later used throughout western Europe and in the United States. Traditionally, fifes were played with drums in military units and were associated with patriotic groups. They are now played primarily in ceremonial fife and drum corps.
