Just because I could. On Ebay, bit of a surprise win (I thought it would go higher), just now. Listed as a ‘Victorian piccolo’ of the military type; is that a fife? It has 6 holes plus one key. I’ll take some photos when it arrives rather than post the slightly dingy Ebay pics. In the meantime, what do I need to know? Anybody here play one? Is the fingering the same as on the whistle & flute?
This one? NOT a “piccolo”, of course.
Nice example - that engraved top ferrule is unusual - a bespoke feature! looks in good condition, though I’d query whether the crown cap is original. Apart from the engraved ring, it is a bog-standard Bb band flute or “fife”. It is probably, though not necessarily (you’ll soon find out) High Pitch - the vast majority of these are. I’d expect it to play a tad flat of B (6-finger-note) in 440 terms. As it has no tuning slide, you won’t have more than a couple of mm tuning scope. Even if it plays in Bb at modern pitch, you won’t find very much social use for it, but good examples of these can be very sweet players and fun for home or special solo use. Unfortunately, because these things were churned out in huge quantities, many had very crudely cut embouchures and even rather haphazardly drilled tone-holes (so poor internal intonation), so even if it looks pretty and has no cracks or other damage, it may not be a good player. It was also quite common for users to attack the embouchure with a knife to “improve” it! Whatever, you paid a sensible price for it - about what these ought to go for (a proven 440 one with a tuning slide would command more). If it is a good one (and some were very good quality originally), you’ll have fun with it. Fingers crossed!
Of course, to play it you’ll have to un-cross your fingers! Yes, the fingering is the same as a flute (not Bohm!) or whistle - fingers straight off in order for the home diatonic scale, range at least up to A fingering in the 3rd 8ve, some accidental cross fingerings should work, the key is for the Eb fingering and to vent 3rd 8ve cross-fingerings.
Do I detect a case of incipient (or actual, rampaging) FAD? 
Thanks very much, Jem - that is indeed the one.
Excellent info; I didn’t even know what key it would be… if it’s in tune-ish Bb, I might be able to take it to my monthly session in Twickenham, where we play old English tunes which come in quite a range of keys. It’s a wonderful excuse for acquiring whistles & flutes.
And sort of yes to the FAD, except it’s a general IAD: I bought a couple of whistles recently too (Shaw high C and Dixon alloy low F), and most of all I’m awaiting delivery of my dream accordion, found for nearly half-the-new-price on German ebay (from a reputable music shop, not private sale, so nice & safe).
Must stop buying now, though, as the fridge is empty and there’s only red dust in my bank account…
Next question: what is the difference between a piccolo and a fife?
Pitch?
Denny Rules OK!
Then there is the Fife Vs. Band Flute debate.
Thanks, Denny & ID! All clear as mud now.
So this is what I acquired - great: The military or regulation fife is usually pitched B flat and generally played in the middle and high octaves, up almost into the dog whistle range. It is a hindrence to bat navigation. I personally love playing the thing, but my wife and neighbors wish I wouldn’t. (John Gribble, 2007)
This is what I have finally concluded about this question. Words like fife, piccolo, and flute convey little meaning without context and modifiers.
The word “flute” can include Böhm, classical, baroque, Renaissance, etc. not to mention all type 421 aerophones under the Hornbostel-Sachs system that can fall under the umbrella term “flute”. Piccolo too can have modifiers like Böhm, classical, and baroque and have very different characteristics between the variants. For fife you can have the modern style McDonagh, Sweet and Healy fifes or you can have a traditional Civil war fife.
In the context of this board, when you say flute, it is usually understood that you are not talking about the silver typewriter. In the context of a civil war reenactment, people know what you mean when you say fife and don’t think of a 6-key Miller Browne.
Nah, not a fife save in loose use of the term. It’s a Bb band flute (pitch-standard to be determined in due course). Muddy those bats!
Thanks. And:
Dang. Now I’ll have to go and re-read those threads once more…
Right. It arrived yesterday, beautiful little thing (filthy dirty though) and I managed to produce a couple of tunes from it fairly quickly. Sounded lovely. BUT: It seems to be in B, not Bb! A flat B, but not a B flat… Now that really isn’t much use even with the old English tunes.
I would think that it is High pitch Bb (which would play like it was in B). Not that that really makes a difference, and I am not an expert.
How well does the key work?
As predicted, then - High Pitch.
Oops - of course you told me so in advance.
Right now, not at all. The little piece of cork or leather sometimes lifts up with the key, sometimes not, definitely doesn’t seal properly, and needs replacing (which Mr Husband said he’ll do for me). Also, I need to learn how & when precisely to use the key…
Jem’s annoying habits #184.5.0.1c