English Great Pipe

THIS STRIDENT MOUTH-BLOWN PIPE TAKES ITS INSPIRATION FROM A FAMOUS EARLY ENGLISH BAGPIPER, THE MILLER IN CHAUCER'S "CANTERBURY TALES".

'A baggepype wel coude he blowe and sowne
and ther-with-al he brought us out of town.'

My design, originally made for Pete Stewart to play in an English traditional dance band, is closely modelled on an illustration from the 15th Century Ellesmere Manuscript, showing the Miller on horseback. His mouthblown bagpipe is typical of those which appear in Europe during the Medieval period.

It is a loud and striking pipe, but it blends surprisingly well with the quieter Leicestershire Small pipe.

English Greatpipe Duet

"Black Jack" (trad. late17th/early 18th Century )
English Great Pipe in low D, Chris Walshaw
English Great pipe in G, Julian Goodacre
Tenor Drum, Steve Lawrence
from Julian's CD "Pipemaker Calls yer Tunes"
White House Musics WHCD03 2000

Chanters

The D chanter plays in the same octave as the D penny whistle, using half-closed fingering. It is fully chromatic (with exception of the bottom E flat); semitones can be obtained using cross-fingering. There is no thumb hole, the top D being obtained by venting the top finger hole only. The pinkie hole at the bottom is a double hole similar to a recorder giving the option of C or C-sharp. It has possibilities of playing several notes above the octave. (See image left, bottom pipe)

From this original design in D I have developed a range of English Great Pipes in different keys. This has opened up exciting musical possibilities for pipes to be played in consort, as can be heard on The Goodacre Brothers CD "Bag Up Yer Troubles".

The Low D chanter plays an octave lower than the high D. It has a thumb hole and uses half-closed fingering. It plays most semitones and is suitable for players with a wider stretch of fingers. This chanter can play three notes above the octave. The tone is less strident than the high D, but has its own sonorous majesty. (See image left, top pipe)
The G chanter is pitched between the two D’s and has a tone quality that blends well with the high and low D’s as well as hurdy-gurdies.
All the chanters are fitted with split-stocks allowing swift and safe change from one to another as well as protecting the reeds when stored in a pipe case.

Drones

The D drone is impressive. It is nearly four feet long, in four sections with a large, flared bell. It is tuned to D three octaves below the bottom D of the chanter, a wondrous low note. It can be tuned up to sound an E or tuned down to C.
With a single drone this is essentially a Medieval bagpipe. I make a Renaissance version by fitting a tenor drone in a common stock with the bass drone. This second drone is a frequent feature of many 16th Century bagpipe illustrations. My second drone would normally be D an octave higher, though a G/A drone is an option. The extra drone gives an enhanced, richer sound which is especially effective when playing the pipes solo.
For the G chanter my preferred drone arrangement is a bass G with a tenor D that can be tuned down to C when playing in C.

Bags

The bag has a swan-neck and is made from hand-sewn leather. A choice of colours is available.
The English Great Pipe can be bellows blown if required.

I can incorporate special features such as smaller bell ends, different styling, box or horn mounts. Matching pipes can be ordered in the same wood, leather and styling. The English Great Pipe can be bellows blown if required. Please contact me if you wish to discuss the various possibilities.

English Great Pipe bellows-blown (single drone dismounted)

G/C English Great Pipe with bass drone in G and tenor in D or C.

Each pipe is individual. I particularly enjoy making them, relishing the shapes and designs, working with various woods or incorporating special features such as horn mounts or smaller bell ends. I am happy to discuss the various possibilities so that together we can create a unique pipe for you.

PRICE