Fife (instrument) - Key and Range

Key and Range

The fife is an A flat transposing instrument, meaning, that what reads as a C on the staff would sound as an A flat (down a major third). Marching fifes typically read in the key of D major, therefore sounding in the key of B flat. Instruments were once named after the lowest pitch created by that particular instrument. The lowest tone made by the standard marching fife is a B flat (read as a D to a fife player), thus the typical marching fife is referred to as the "B flat fife". Fifes pitched in the key of D and C are also common, and fifes in various other keys are sometimes played in musical ensembles. Fife music is commonly written in the key of D, and played as though the fife played, in that key (playing notes D, E, F#, G, A, B and C# as finger holes are uncovered in succession) regardless of the key, in which the fife actually plays. The fife sounds an octave above the written music.

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. Because of these restrictions on available notes, the common six-hole fife is really only capable of playing in the written keys of G, D, and A, and their relative minors.

An experienced fife player can play 3 full octaves although the fingering patterns necessary for playing in the third octave can be daunting to a beginner. Marching bands typically play only in the second and third octave since these are the loudest and most penetrating. It can make very high pitched shrill noises.