| They are ideal for beginners and those wanting to play Early Music, Folk Music or modern tunes. With smallpipes you can practice anywhere, learn bag control early-on, and play with other instruments. Even if you do decide to step up to great pipes later, you'll have a versatile little instrument that you'll always find handy. While my Renaissance Smallpipes are not an exact replica of any one particular set, they will feel quite at home at your next historic reenactment or pub session. |
These are not imported 'wall-hangers' or the plastic practice pipes of modern design--they are
real bag pipes, scaled down for quieter playing. To my knowledge, these, and my other models are
the only all wood, historically based, smallpipes made in the U.S.
Dancing Stickmen Renaissance Smallpipes are loosely based on paintings by Terbrugghen,
Teniers, and others. There are many examples of smallpipes of this era from several countries,
with one, two, and three drones. Most depict finely turned bells on the chanter and drone(s) and
medium to large size bags without covers. I currently offer them with one or two drones in
various configurations. By far, most of the old paintings show the drone(s) over the left shoulder
or tied forward, but there are examples of the chanter and one drone in a common stock with the
other drone in various locations.
real bag pipes, scaled down for quieter playing. To my knowledge, these, and my other models are
the only all wood, historically based, smallpipes made in the U.S.
Dancing Stickmen Renaissance Smallpipes are loosely based on paintings by Terbrugghen,
Teniers, and others. There are many examples of smallpipes of this era from several countries,
with one, two, and three drones. Most depict finely turned bells on the chanter and drone(s) and
medium to large size bags without covers. I currently offer them with one or two drones in
various configurations. By far, most of the old paintings show the drone(s) over the left shoulder
or tied forward, but there are examples of the chanter and one drone in a common stock with the
other drone in various locations.
Standard Specifications:
Key of C or D with seven finger holes and top thumb hole giving a
range of one octave plus one.
The C chanter provides a scale of C to c with a Bflat lower leading
note. The D chanter produces D to d with a lower leading note of C.
Both chanters also provide you with the sharp seventh and the natural
seventh. For instance, on the D chanter you get the high c and c#.
Open fingering, similar to a recorder.
The single drone, rich in harmonics, is set one octave below the tonic.
Quality Hand-sewn Leather Bag
The chanter uses standard practice chanter reeds available
everywhere, and the drone uses a low-maintenance synthetic reed.
Choice of American Maple ( Sycamore ), Cherry, or Walnut.
Key of C or D with seven finger holes and top thumb hole giving a
range of one octave plus one.
The C chanter provides a scale of C to c with a Bflat lower leading
note. The D chanter produces D to d with a lower leading note of C.
Both chanters also provide you with the sharp seventh and the natural
seventh. For instance, on the D chanter you get the high c and c#.
Open fingering, similar to a recorder.
The single drone, rich in harmonics, is set one octave below the tonic.
Quality Hand-sewn Leather Bag
The chanter uses standard practice chanter reeds available
everywhere, and the drone uses a low-maintenance synthetic reed.
Choice of American Maple ( Sycamore ), Cherry, or Walnut.
The Renaissance Smallpipes come to you
set up and ready to play-no assembly, no
seasoning, no 'playing in', and no
adjustment. Simply remove them from the
shipping carton, air up the bag, and play!
A fabric carry bag, note chart, and a free copy of my
book, Bagpipes for the Absolute Beginner, are
included.
Options:
Second Chanter. For the set in C, a
second chanter in D makes a lot of
sense. It gives you the keys of C
major, D minor and D major.
Second Drone. This can be mounted
in it's own stock, in a common
stock with the bass drone, or in a
common stock with the chanter.
Possibilities include a tenor tuned
to the key note of the chanter, or a
baritone set on the fifth. A second
bass drone, while not as common,
is also possible and provides a
distinctively different sound.
Second Chanter. For the set in C, a
second chanter in D makes a lot of
sense. It gives you the keys of C
major, D minor and D major.
Second Drone. This can be mounted
in it's own stock, in a common
stock with the bass drone, or in a
common stock with the chanter.
Possibilities include a tenor tuned
to the key note of the chanter, or a
baritone set on the fifth. A second
bass drone, while not as common,
is also possible and provides a
distinctively different sound.
| Smallpipes are a quiet, sweet sounding bagpipe requiring less pressure and air volume than great pipes. |
Renaissance Smallpipes
| Renaissaince Smallpipe shown here in English Walnut with added tenor drone |