Chiff and Fipple Forums

I’d like to suggest you check out Carbony Celtic Winds https://carbony.com/ . They make chanters, practice sets, and half sets, using carbon fiber. Before I had purchased a chanter from Carbony, I had tried for over 4 months to get a hold off Dave Day, both through email and by telephone, but never ...

I've not played the close-finger spacing model but I've blown a large number of Carbony flutes in various keys at their booths at several festivals I've attended over the years. IMHO they're not serious musical instruments. The flutes that I tried, dozens of them in all the various keys they had di...

"All of these design characteristics must be carefully considered and optimized to achieve good tuning of the third octave on a flute. A skilled flute maker will take all of these factors into account when designing and building a flute. --- Okay, it's not definitive guidance, but it is intere...

If you haven't checked this page out, it should be a good one for you ~ A Guide to the Irish Flute

http://www.irishfluteguide.info/players/

Gardiner Houlgate has two sets of Northumbrian pipes up for auction on the 9th of Dec. One is just an older set. The other is historically import, although without a chanter. https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/lot/b82141ccf96435b7eb60f5d8ba8d7040/63b778f7668dabe928d3800924a99077/music...

If you’re already working with a flute maker, an easy way to add interesting rings would be going with pattern wire. Jon of Cochran flutes did this on some of his flutes. https://www.riogrande.com/product/metals/wire--rod/?Form=Wire&Shape=Pattern Most ivory will be a problem because there is a b...

So, what's the problem with hand stitched Bellows? I've been using a very nice bellows from Geert Lejuene for close to ten years now without any problems.

Also, Brad Angus makes hand stitched bellows ~ https://bradanguspipes.myfreesites.net/for-sale

Thank you!

I have a Delrin flute where the joints have been corked. This past week I had a tear in the cork, and there is about 1.5 cm that’s loose. It looks like I should be able to re-glue the flap, but I’m unsure of the type of glue I should use. I did do a search but didn’t find what I was looking for. Any...

Hi David and welcome, I’ve read over your post serval time trying to understand it, but I’m still confessed. Here are some of my thoughts as best I can from what I’m gathering. It’s my understanding that Northumbrian and GHP pipes traditionally had their own tunings and scale that doesn’t correspond...

Simple Flute Demonstration

My son came across this yesterday and sent me a link. I thought I’d share the link. Flute playing couldn’t be less complicated. And no finger hole sizes to worry about.
https://youtu.be/c6T6suvnhco

Hi DaisyD, Like you, I went out and bought a Scottish practice chanter and the tutor #1, even though I wasn’t going to play the Great Highland pipes. I hated it! I’d like to suggest you get rid of the Scottish practice chanter! It’s a tool for learning the Scottish Great Highland Pipes. If that is y...

AC76 From what you’ve written, I’d suggest you stay the course in looking for a set of Northumbrian small pipes. Even though the Uilleann pipes are very versatile pipes, they won’t be the same as the Northumbrian small pipes playing the music of Northumbrian. Here are two of the best playing a duo, ...

Well, I’ll begin by saying I don’t play the Northumbrian pipes, but I can give you some insights. I’d say that the variety of pipes developed around the variety of music. Each developed because of the capabilities inherent in the other. The Scottish Highland music for the most part is based around t...

There is a duo named “Polytropos” Oscar West and Rennie Pearsons, They play a number of different instruments, among them, Oscar plays Walsh small pipes on some of their tunes and I think they sound pretty good, but you can judge for yourself. https://youtu.be/oeGmh5PMiiE I like their combination of...