When considering initial fife purchases, Chief Musician Ward makes the following recommendations:
1st: The maple wood fife is the first thing you need to learn is the basics. This is a cheep fife to learn on. It has cost $ 8.00 to $ 15.00 for the past 18 years.
2nd: http://www.peelerfifes.com/ They make a repo of a Firth & Pond B flat fife made out of Mopane or Genadilla w/ traditional finger holes. In 2006 they cost from $105.00-$115.00
Books for the Fife
1st for a beginner should be "The Fifer's Delight" by Ralph Sweet. This is a good book that I use it myself.
2nd, "The Drummers' and Fifers Guide" by Geo. B. Bruce & Dan D. Emmett. This the book that most Drummers and Fifers use. Both can be purchased on www.fifeanddrum.com
Books for the Drums.
1st get a copy of Haskal W. Harr drummers manual. The only place I have found H.W. Harr's books are on ebay.
(they are out of print). Another option is to get a book or work sheet from N.A.R.D. 26 Rudiments.
2nd, get a B and E book.
