Fife (instrument)

The Schwegel (from Old High German suegala: " shin bone " ) is the original form of the flute.

Originally Schwegel with different types of longitudinal flutes ( = recorder) were called, often played with one hand at the same time with a drum. Today the name is passed to a simple wooden flute with six finger holes. It is used in folk music.

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance music Schwegel found primarily in the field along with the drum as a " tool of war " use. They are available in different moods. The deepest pipes have the root d1, the highest still playable instruments sound in es2. The most common are currently whistling in a1 (440 Hz). The range is two and a half octaves.

Synonyms are fife and drum flute and Seitlpfeife, Seitel whistle, fife and Zwerchpfeife ( Zwerch = transverse) when a flute is meant. In Switzerland, the terms Schweitzerpfeiff ( new Swiss whistle ) and Natwärisch - Pfiifa are (Valais ) are common.