These sets are designed to be played with two interchangeable chanters.
Each chanter plays in two keys, the 'named' key (six finger note), and a key four notes higher (thumb and three top fingers), thus the 'A' chanter plays in 'A' and 'D', and the 'D' chanter plays in 'D' and 'G'.
Use of the drones
The drones are provided with two plugs which are stored in sockets in the drone stock when not in use. One fits the smallest drone, the other fits any one of the other three drones. The drones can also be shut off by tapping the open end of the bore whilst playing. The drones are named Bass, Baritone, Tenor and Alto.
Conventional Drone Combinations
For the 'A' Chanter: Plug the Alto drone and tune Bass 'A', Baritone 'E' and Tenor 'A'
For the 'D' chanter: Plug the Bass drone and tune Baritone 'D', Tenor 'A' and Alto 'D'.
New Recipes With The Same Ingredients
The four-drone combination opens up several options for different drone textures.
'A' Chanter:
Play Bass/Tenor 'A'/'A' without the Baritone.
The Alto tuned to high 'e' can replace the Baritone 'E', or all four drones can be used tuned 'A' 'E' 'A' 'E'.
The Baritone can be tuned to 'D' for tunes in that key, as can the Alto.
'D' Chanter:
Play Baritone/Alto 'D'/'D' without the Tenor
The Bass 'A' can be used instead of, or as well as the Tenor 'A'
The Tenor 'A' can be tuned down to 'G' for tunes written in 'D' or ending on a 'D' in bagpipe notation.
Northumbrian-style plunger valves are available on mounted sets as an optional extra.
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