These are a quiet bellows - blown bagpipe with an attractive tone. The chanter is open-ended and plays the Highland Bagpipe scale of one octave with a flattened seventh. The chanter is normally played using the Scottish system of covered fingering, but may be played with closed fingering. These pipes are available in the keys of 'D', 'C', 'B flat' and 'A'. 'A' is a popular key. The hole spacing is similar to the Highland Pipes and the music is played as written, without transposing. 'D' is a good choice for group work because of the clear bright tone.
Combination 'A'/'D' set
An increasingly popular option with four drones and a choice of 'A' and 'D' chanters. The drones play bass 'A', baritone 'D'/'E', tenor 'g'/'a' and alto 'd'/'e', allowing a wide variety of drone combinations for either chanter.
Playing four drone sets
If you are new to the instrument, it is worth noting that the Scottish Smallpipes are not merely a cut-down version of the Highland Bagpipes, with bellows attached. Their dimensions, reeds and overall design are quite different. Any smallpipes based on a Highland practice chanter with a plastic reed will give an inferior tone in comparison to our sets. (Just as we would not try to adapt our instruments and expect them to sound like the Highland Bagpipes!)
A brief note on gracings
The Scottish Smallpipe is a very flexible instrument, and can be played with closed or open fingering. For those used to Highland gracing, it should be noted that the scottish smallpipe chanter is quieter at the lower end, and gracing techniques may need to be revised. Many people like to play with minimal, or no grace notes.
All Scottish Smallpipes available in the keys of 'D', 'C', 'B flat' and 'A', and as an 'A'/'D' combination set
All sets supplied with stitched bellows
Scottish Smallpipes, plain
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Drone slides and chanter are of one-piece construction and unmounted. The differences are purely in appearance, and the quality of the tone and the craftsmanship is in no way inferior to the more expensive sets.
Scottish Smallpipes, mounted
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Mounts can be in a variety of materials, including artificial ivory, boxwood, blackwood and natural buffalo horn.. Metalwork is silver plated brass. The overall design of the sets is attractive but without elaborate decoration. All our sets are reeded, tuned and set up to the same high standards.
The first set pictured is a 3-drone 'D' set, with mounts in artificial ivory. The drones are fitted with 'Northumbrian' style plunger valves, which are available as an optional extra. The set illustrated has 2 keys added, also optional.
The second is a 4-drone combination set with 'A' and 'D' chanters and mounts in boxwood. This set also has optional 'Northumbrian' style plunger valves.
Five Drone 'G'/'D'/A' Combination Set
The drones can be matched with 'G' and 'D' Northumbrian chanters, and 'A' and 'D' Scottish Smallpipe chanters
For details see.....Northumbrian Pipes