http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_key_frequencies
the “D flute” bottom note would be D4 (low C on an 8 key would be middle C)
that would make the picc D5
@ Lyn D
Care to try a Healy high D fife for yourself?
Send me a PM along with your mailing address, and I’ll send this Healy fife to you, on a library like, lend basis.
Remember, it’s quite small, and it works better with smaller hands and fingers.
I got it from Jordan (Sillydill), so you could ask him about his opinion of it, too.
Hi Lyn. (BTW I have no formal music training at all myself…)
Here you go:
Modern Bohm “concert” flute: C4(or B3) to C7 with some altissimo extension fingerings into 4th 8ve; “home key” straight-off diatonic major scale sequential fingering D/C (ambiguous). Fully chromatic. Non-transposing (6-finger note sounds D, written D). Bohm “parabolic” head, cylindrical body.
Standard C19th 8-key Simple System “concert” flute (from which modern “Irish” flute derived): C4 (or lower foot extensions) to (just about, with luck and a following wind!) C7 (Cuban Charanga style on French 5/6-key flutes utilises 4th 8ve altissimo); “home key” straight-off diatonic major scale sequential fingering D. Fully chromatic. Non-transposing (6-finger note sounds D, written D). , so “in C” by classical terminology although tonally is “in D”. Cylindrical head, conoid body.
Modern keyless “Irish” flute: D4 to circa A6 (like baroque flute) but not normally played above D6; “home key” straight-off diatonic major scale sequential fingering D. Very limited chromatic capacity with cross fingerings or half-holing. Non-transposing (6-finger note sounds D, written D). Cylindrical head, conoid body.
Band Flute “in F” - from 1-key but usually 5/6-key Simple System; F4 to circa C7+; “home key” straight-off diatonic major scale sequential fingering F. Transposing (6-finger note sounds F4, written D4) - written down a minor third, “in Eb” by Classical terminology. Cylindrical head, conoid body.
Band Flute (often mis-called “fife”) in Bb - from 1-key but usually 5/6-key Simple System; Bb4 to cF7; “home key” straight-off diatonic major scale sequential fingering Bb. Transposing (6-finger note sounds Bb4, written D4) - written up a third (really down a minor 6th), “in Ab” by Classical terminology and (kinda) sounds an 8ve higher than written.
Standard piccolos, either Bohm System or Simple System are basically like their equivalent “concert” flutes but an 8ve higher. They do not usually have extended feet, so their lowest note is usually D5, but their range is similar to their parent flutes, about 3 8ves, so highest note is nominally C8. They are non-transposing in that fingering names/note names/written notation correlations are direct but they actually sound an 8ve higher than written (6-finger note sounds D5, written D4).
Band Flute family piccolos can also be in high Eb or F (above the D piccolo)(C# and Eb respectively for Classical transposition purposes).
The “standard” 6-hole Colonial style fife is usually in the same range as the Bb band flute (hence the cross-naming confusion) and the same transposition etc. would be applicable for notation for it, but it has an all-cylinder bore (or nearly so) and although its lowest note would be Bb4 and its range about 3 8ves above that, I believe they are usually not played in the fundamental 8ve. Perhaps someone who actually plays these can say more? There are now makers making similar instruments in other keys, like the D one Cork is offering (i.e. 6-finger note fundamental would be D5 like a concert piccolo) and more chromatic fingering systems using 10 open tone-holes have been devised.
I deliberately haven’t included the various flutes pitched lower than the standard concert flute here…
I hope that clarifies things a bit for you - sorry, but it is not easy concisely to explain it thoroughly!
Thank you,
Denny for the info and the pictures! That is a great site. I’m teaching myself the Boehm flute. I can already play a few songs.
Cork, for the offer of borrowing your Healy fife. I sent you a PM.
Jem, for all the info on all the different instruments.
I appreciate it, you guys.
Lyn
Update:
In my earlier post I mentioned that the Healy high D flute appeared to be cylinder bored throughout, effectively making it a fife.
However, on closer inspection it appears that the head joint is internally tapered, ala Boehm, which makes it a genuine flute.
I still don’t understand the purpose of the cutaway at the far side of the embouchure hole, but that’s what it has.
'glad you’ve worked that out!
short answer to the cut away question: adds volume
Hey Cork,
YES, the head of the Healy Piccolo is tapered (ala Boehm), as are Skip’s fifes!
The cuttaway is supposed to improve response. 
Hammy Hamilton
I only use the cutaway on practice flutes. To cut a long story short it replaces some of the things I do with the embouchure cut on wooden flutes, and it allows me to sell the practice flutes for the price they are.
All the best
Hammy
I still think the Healy Piccolo is the best I’ve yet tried. 
I found it very controllable, enjoyed playing it softly in the living room.
ENJOY!
Thanks to all for the insight about the cutaway, such a newfangled thing!
Well, have you tried one of the newer, conical bore Sweetheart Pro high D flutes in blackwood, yet?
The Healy and the Sweetheart respond quite differently, but I like them both, very good!
Hey Cork,
I’ve had two of the Sweet’s Pro-Fifes made of laminated wood, but never tried one of the Blackwoods. I found their intonation to be very good, but I couldn’t control them as well as the Healy. That is to say they weren’t “Parlor Piccolos”! 
Here’s a picture of Sweetheart’s new plastic WD Fife:
Hi Sillydill,
Is the reason you couldn’t controll the Sweet’s fifes as well as the Healy, because you are more used to the Healy, or that the Healy has better fine-tuning ability than the Sweet?
I got the WD Sweet Trio in plastic about a month ago. This is my first fife and I love it. I’m amazed at how softly you can play the upper 8ve! I think this one is a “parlor piccolo”. Plus I love the No-muss-no-fuss with the plastic. The C version of the WD will probably not be out until the fall.
Hey Lyn D,
My lack of ability to control the Sweet Pro-Fife was due to it’s embouchure (or mine). 
Reading through the Sweetheart website, it appears that they have recently invested in a CNC Milling machine and are using it to cut the embouchures on their fifes (read about the new Enfield model fife). If memory serves, the laminated wood Pro-Fifes just had simple round holes for the embouchures.
I also found the body of the Pro-Fife a bit cramped for my fat fingers. The Healy piccolo with it’s tapered head - cylinder bored body is larger and more comfortable to me.
I think piccolos are wonderful little instruments and learning to play them is a great aide to playing the Irish flutes (improves focus and control).
I’ld like to hear your review of the new WD Fife! Perhaps in a thread of it’s own. 
I find the site confusing on this score, and it seems the old C version isn’t being
offered either. Which means the one i have for sale is worth a great deal more
than I’m asking for it!
But I reckon it would be good to call Ralph and ask
what’s happening, as the site isn’t always accurate.
Hei, Jim,
Sweetheart appears to continue to offer a C Fife, but ONLY in the newer Pro version, in blackwood and at $240.
Although Sweetheart has offered some low cost plastic flutes in the past, this appears to be a whole new adventure, of much higher quality.
Although I haven’t tried one, at $120 it’s well worth looking into, no doubt.
Go Sweet!
Hi Sillydill,
There are 2 reviews on the Whistle Forum, both on pg. 3:
-
Review: Sweetheart “Pro” plastic whistle by Redwolf.
-
Sweerheart plastic high D - first impressions by Mitch. I put my 2 cents in on this thread. Mitch covered everything I would have said.
Hey Cork,
You should see how nice it looks in person…really rich looking!
Check out the reviews, you guys.
Sweets are also coming out with something else, soon. Sorry…can’t tell.
Hi Jim,
I missed your post for selling your Sweetheart C fife. What are you asking for it and what is it made of? Also, why do you think it should be worth more than you are asking, just because they’re not making it any more? The thing is, every time Sweetheart, as with all flute/whistle makers, I’m sure, comes out with a new design, it is better than the previous model. Otherwise, why bother? So, even though they are not making your version of their C fife anymore, the one they are making today is a better instrument.
I have one of the Sweet’s Killourhy whistles in African Blackwood (no G# key, though). I don’t think it would be worth more now, that it’s out of production, because I know their whistles have gotten better since then. I think people want the best they can get for their money, so they’ll go for the new and improved model, be it a car, a house, a flute, etc., unless it’s a collector’s item or antique, of course.
I hope you did not take offense, because none was meant.
Lyn
My comment was tongue in cheek; also my C fife is no longer available. By the way, it seems
Sweetheart does still have some of the old Cs around, possibly in rosewood.
Yes, you can get the Colonial Fife in C in Rosewood.
How did a thread on Skip Healy’s flutes end up a thread on Sweetheart fifes?
I was wondering how this thread ended up here too. But it’s been informative. I’ve decided on Skip’s 2 piece flutes. His prices are great right now and I can’t pass it up.