- Fifer
A fifer is a
non-combatant military occupation of a foot soldier who originally played the fife duringcombat . The practice was instituted during the period ofEarly Modern warfare to soundsignal s during changes in formation, such as the line, and were also members of theregiment 'smilitary band during marches.These soldiers, often boys too young to fight or sons of NCO's, were used to help
infantry battalion s to keep marching pace from the right of the formation in coordination with thedrummers positioned at the centre [when deployed in a line, p.10, Nafziger] , and relayed orders in the form of sequences of musical signals. The fife was particularly useful because of its high pitched sound, which could be heard over the sounds ofbattle .The usual allocation of fifers in a
battalion during the Early Modern warfare period varied from five to eight. [p.7, Nafziger] Theregimental band s, particularly of the high prestige units such as the guards had as many as 32 (in thePreobrazhensky regiment ) or more fifers. [p.39, Nafziger]Some fifers, as part of the
fife-and-drum corps that accompanied CaptainArthur Phillip and theFirst Fleet , were present at important national historical events, such as the reading of theGovernor's Commission on 2 February 1788 atSydney Cove . [Military music, [http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/music/military/] ]References
ources
* Nafziger, George, "The Russian Army 1800-1815", Rafm Co.Inc., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, 1983
* http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/music/military/ Military musicee also
*
Drummer
*Flag bearer
*Pfeiffer
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