Fife

Fife, a smaller variety of the flute, usually with only one key. Fifes were at one time generally used in the army and navy in conjunction with drums, for playing marches and other simple melodies. They are usually pitched in the keys of B♭ or C. Originally the fife was made with a cylindrical bore throughout, but this was many years ago superseded by the conical instrument. It is rather curious that the ancient cylindrical bore superseded as unsuitable in the fife should have been resuscitated and perfected in the modern Flute (q.v.). See BAND (MILITARY).