Just a question, if anyone happens to know:
What year did the U.S. switch from fifes to bugles as a military signaling instrument, and why was the switch made?
Are there still other countries out there which use fife in this capacity?
Thanks!
–James
U.S. ARMY BANDS IN HISTORY
THE WAR OF 1812
During the War of 1812, few changes occurred in the development of Army music. The only exception was the shift from fifes and drums to bugles sounding the signals. The bugler was located at the side of his commander.
http://bands.army.mil/history/default.asp?chapter=7
Damn well nearly lost us that war, too!
According to this website:
http://www.arkansasschoolfortheblind.org/fife.htm
The US Army began to specify bugle over fife in 1875. However, its optional use was allowed up until 1917.
One reason I’ve heard is the bugle is played with one hand, while the fife needs two. Therefor the bugle is better suited for soldiers on horseback.
Well, in that case, it took them a hundred years to
catch on to that fact.
Some information on the bugle HERE
The bugle fell out of use during WWII due to modern communication devices. I doubt that you will find that either are being used for anything other than ceremonial use.
It does worry me that the boy scouts have a bugling badge but none for fifing.
The Boy (or any other gender!) Scouts worry me!!! Only semi humourously referred to by sceptics in Britain as “The Hitler Youth”! One can do the (highly enjoyable and worthwhile) beneficial aspects - outdoorsy, community, practical skills and social responsibility stuff - quite well without the sick-bucket use inducing “patriotism”, religiosity (i.e. church tied troops), uniforms, “team spirit”, etc. etc. Yuck!
And yet…we still hold Brits quite dear.
Can’t think why! Dodgy crew!!!
Seriously though, I believe (don’t know, just relaying 2nd or 3rd hand magpie-brain gleanings) that fife bands - and marching bands generally, were far more a Boys’ Brigade activity, in Britain at least. The Boy Scouts didn’t tend to go in for bands, so far as I know, even in their heyday, and certainly not in modern (i.e. late C20th-early C21st) times. The Boys’ Brigade has now all but vanished, I think - I’ve certainly never seen or heard of an active group! But then, eschewing all religious activity as I do, and I think the BB was pretty Methodist associated (haven’t checked up on this - just magpie-ing again), I might well never have been in the way of encountering them!
from the earlier link
(28) George C. Neumann, Collector’s Illustrated Encylopedia of the American Revolution, (Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1975) 194.
Bugle horns became associated with the enemy by Continental troops and were, by default immediately disliked. Combined with shortages of brass instruments available to the troops, improvisation had to occur to locate effective signaling instruments. This can best be demonstrated by Daniel Morgan’s use of a turkey call as a signal to rally his Corps of Riflemen at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.(28)
(57) U.S. Marine Corps, Manual for Field Musics, (Washington, D.C., 1935) 2.
Brass bands had managed to obtain a strong foothold in American society during the second half of the nineteenth century. Bugles were still used primarily for signaling purposes during the Civil War and martial music was being performed by regimental bands and volunteer musicians.
The United States Army and Marine Corps discontinued its use of the fife for signaling and adopted the bugle around 1875. Changes in military tactics in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) created extended lines of troops in the field instead of closed ranks and files. The bugle was more effective than the human voice at transmitting commands along the long lines of troops.(57)
It looks like there may have been several reasons. Changes in tactics, changes in associating the horn with the British, and the type of music that was popular at the time.