One Piece Wooden Fifes

  I started making fifes in 1985, these one piece pine ones. Basically I wanted a one piece fife in D, for session playing, which would sound a bit diferent from the tin whistle. From the pines I went on to experiment with different hardwoods for fifes. A 40,000 year old design, surviving flutes from the Neolithic age were made of bone. The hole spacing was more or less the same as today, but more equidistant visually.

  I did not take on flute playing with the manical abandon with which I attacked guitar and violin, but learned to play some songs and bit parts, and as the result of simply tuning and testing . In fact, I may have learned enough to post a few suggestions and tips. But that's another page.

  When all the strings have 'had their say' there remains a place where only a woodwind works best. There is no instrument more evocative of nature.

  From the D-fife in pine, I progressed to C, for its agreement with the piano -- a family instrument, much as the C-melody sax. Next, the E fife suited the keys of guitar players. Finally I went for the Bb, the traditional key for fifes.

  Much later, I designed the Low D fife, having heard the Low D whistles out and about in Irish music. I figured a wide bore Low D fife would sound outstanding, and it does. I made a for a higher bore to length ratio, so that fingers can reach without holes.

  The transverse position and diagonal sound holes make my Low D Fife easiw D whistle went through two players who are much better than I, but I can play the Low D Fife. Still this flute requires a good reach and good lungs.

  With the key of G popular ( C also works well on this fife) I made the G fife, which is intermendiate in size and tone between the smaller fifes and the Low D. That is the fife size most right for my paws, and I am finally playing all sizes of fifes because of the Low G.

D-Fife Flute, one piece pine, D major 2 octaves (pictured)

C-Fife Flute, one piece pine, C major 2 octaves

E-Fife Flute, one piece pine, E major 2 octaves

Bb-Fife Flute, one piece pine, Bb major 2 octaves

Low D-Fife Flute, one piece pine, D major 2 octaves

New: Low G-Fife Flutes, G major 2 octaves