CORDEL MANDACARÚ/TUPY AND THE MAGICS FLUTES

Fife, Pífaro or simply Pife. Or if you prefer in English: Fife. The name varies according to the region and progeny, but this is how it is known that small transverse flute similar to a Piccolo, but with a more intense sound. Originally, they were made from materials found in the woods such as bamboo, taquara, taboo to bones. Usually, they have seven holes, one for blowing and six for typing notes.
Like other wind instruments, the size of the Fife varies according to its pitch, being approximately 25 cm for the C and 45 centimeters for the Sun tone, for example. Its scope is of two octaves, controlled by the intensity of the blow. The origin of the fife is still discussed and very controversial. Some historians affirm that the fife comes from Switzerland while others affirm to be an indigenous instrument, of northeastern roots. In fact it was an instrument widely used in military bands.
There are records that the fife appeared in the fourteenth century and spread throughout Europe. In Switzerland, the fyres are very popular and are the biggest symbol of the carnival of Basel (like the tambourine is for the Brazilian carnival), where the entrance of the band of fucks happens in the square at 4am of the dawn.
Regardless of its origin, whether national or not, the fife was introduced, absorbed and adapted, becoming an integral part of Brazilian Northeastern culture. It is a very common instrument in this region, used to animate parties and events.
We have in national history great personalities who helped to consecrate the presence of the fife in our culture, such as João do Pife, who leads the band of fathers Dois Irmãos, maker of his own fife, and the Band of Fathers of Caruaru, which marked the insertion of the musical style in the national recording industry when it was part of the soundtrack of the films "Earth without God" and "Faustão" in the decade of 70.
Nowadays, the fife is going through a great moment of rediscovery and musical experimentalism, presenting itself in several movements of contemporary music.