Every! Thanks Miss Markie. That would make sense because the first space would be F as in FACE, and E comes before F. Thank you. Now all I need's a fife. and a teacher, and a book, and a music stand, and a metronome. Hey, I'm on my way!
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
Good to have you on the board Jkorber. Is there a basic instruction book that one would pick up to learn to play the fife? And what about a basic, not too expensive fife? It's pretty slim pickin's here in southern Indiana, as far as finding a fife. I know nothing about them. Any hints? (I can read music a little, you know...All Good Boys Do Fine, or is it Good Boys Do Fine Always?.. and FACE,...but that's about it. I can read drum music, but all of those notes are on the same line. Is it possible to teach yourself to play the fife? From a book?
Terry
I must begine with "there is no substitute for a real teacher" that being said I am aware that there are many, especially west of Gettysburg say, who simply can not find a teacher (fife and drum seems to be, with a few exceptions a creature of the coast eminating out of the northeast), two things you can do.
1) go to fifeanddrum.com and check their directory to see if there's anyone near ya.
2)go to beafifer.com and check out the DYI manual that many have had sucess with.
as far as instruments go, by far, for a beginner, the best made, easiest to use, least expensive, would be the good ole fashion black plastic fife with the little brass ends. Available in alot of historic site gift shops and also at fifeanddrum.com
Why is it good? well its fairly well made, and inexpensive. Some of the less expensive wood fifes, made, are very hit and miss in manufacturing quality and workmanship, as they are really not intended for serious playing they can almost hinder your learning
The plastic ones, on the other hand, have been used consistently and sucessfully as a beginners instrument for many many years. This is because of its ease of play and low low price. Get a plastic and try it out, if you find its not for you, you haven't lost alot of money. If it works for ya and progress, then upgrade to a wooden fife (quality wood fifes begin at about 110 dollars on up). Good Luck!! and feel free to ask me anything
I'll always have an answer (even if its "I don't know")
cheers
Joe Korber
__________________ Joe Korber
Company H, 119th NY Historical Society
Willis Company
119th NY Field Music
Jkorber, thanks so much for your reply and all the info. It tells me exactly what I need to know to begin, which is what I was hoping. Been wanting to do this for some time, but as I said, I didn't know where to start. Will follow up on both those links you posted, and see where I can end up. Much obliged. And you can count on my asking more questions as I progress. Thanks again for your post, and, again, good to have you on the board. Hope you stay a while.
Terry
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
Terry:
Skip the music stand and metronome. Keep time with your marching feet. Try to do this in some remote location where your neighbors won't see. Watch out for strange dogs--they seem to object to the shrill tones of a fife.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
welcome to the board from a former member of the USAF "DragonGuard" Fife & Drum Corps... aka the "Beat n Tweets."
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Hi Joe. I finally ordered the Tutorial from Ed Boyle, and a fife. I've been wanting to do this for some time, and I've always loved the sound of the fife and drum. Thanks again for your help on this, and I'll let you know how I progress, that is assuming I will stick with it. I was a pretty decent drummer at one time, though my "chops" are long gone now. If I can get a good handle on the fife I'd like to get into reenacting at some point. We'll see. Take care.
Terry
__________________ "In this great struggle, this form of Government and every form of human right is endangered if our enemies succeed. There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every one." Abraham Lincoln - August 18, 1864 Speech to the 164th Ohio Regiment
Welcome from Texas. I heard that at least a couple of days ago NYC was hotter than San Antonio (but not by much).
__________________ F. S. Powers
Union Ancersor: Pvt Arnuah Norton, 60th Ohio. (G-G-G Grandfather) Died at Salisbury NC, November 3, 1864
Confederate Ancestors: Captain Thomas A. Morrow, 29th Texas Cavalry (G-G-G- Uncle) and 2LT George W. Morrow, 31st Texas Cavalry (G-G-G Grandfather). Both survived the war
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
welcome Joe 
Linear Mode
