The Northumberland Small pipes

Adrian's pipes are made of ivory and silver, they were made for him by David Burleigh back in 1991.

The melody is played on the chanter, which has seven keys. It is pitched just below 'f#' 'by about 20 cents, this is the traditional pitch and also the old pitch of 'g'. The backing harmony is produced by four drones, two pitched in 'g' an octave apart and two pitched in 'd' also an octave apart. The Chanter and drones fit into two separate stocks, which are tied into a airtight leather bag which holds the reservoir of air necessary for the pipes to make a sound. This bag is put under the left armpit and then squeezed by the left arm. The bag is inflated with air by bellows (which have a belt attached) which are strapped around the waist and are then placed under the right armpit then squeezed with the right arm. 

 

IMAGES ARE NOT TO SCALE

 

      

             front of 7 keyed chanter                                                back of chanter

                                                                         

chanter reed                             chanter stock                                                      drone stock               

                     drone reed                                    4 drones: top - high 'g' high 'd' low 'g' low 'd'

                     the bellows

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