I’m also a flute player that wanted to try the pipes. I bought a set of small pipes in D, but found that I really missed the two octaves, and wasn’t satisfied. When I started my search for pipes that would play two octaves, the Lindsay System wasn’t available. I ended up getting a set of pastoral pipes made by Geert Lejeune. They are very well made and I enjoy playing them!
I had some modifications made to my pastoral pipes, so that I could try a uilleann chanter with my drones, (with the idea of purchasing an uilleann chanter,) and I also added a regulator. But, after trying the uilleann chanters at a beginners workshop at Cascadia music week, I decided I was was fine with what I had.
The fingering for the pastoral pipe, is half closed in the first octave and open in the second, that means your right hand stays down for the notes A, B, C, and #C. Open for G. This is really nice for certain passages. Although it’s not super critical to keep the right hand down. I feel it’s very similar to the D flute, but because of the constant air flow from the bag, it’s not the same as playing the flute. The chanter isn’t fully chromatic, in that you don’t have Eb or a good G#. I added keys to get the G# and a better Bb. I hardly ever need the Eb or low C#. To jump the octave, Geert supplies an octave key, like a saxophone, although some pastoral pipes just use pressure.
When I first got the pipes I had an uilleann piper look at the set, and I was a bit louder then the boxwood set he had. He described my pastoral pipes as “robust”. But being around the other pipers at Cascadia, my chanter didn’t seam that much louder than the others.
I think the uilleann chanter offers a wider varied of sounds because it’s played off the knee, and it can be played staccato. I feel that the uilleann pipe is technically more challenging to play, though. Most of the uilleann pipers that have tried my pipes, have struggled playing them. I think they were trying to use the more complex finger of the uilleann pipe. On the other hand the one highland piper, that tried them (Callum Armstrong*), made them sound beautiful.
To me, the pastoral chanter has a more even, less varying sound. I feel I can play expressively with it and is enjoyable for me to play. I’ve played with other’s in small spaces and didn’t get kicked out. I been told that it has a very Flemish sound, Coming from Brugge, that’s understandable. (Geert also makes Flemish pipes.)
Had the Lindsay system pipes been available, I would have explored that option. To me, it has the small pipe sound, and you said that was something you like. I think they are very innovate! As a side note, when I played my small pipes a loud room with other musicians, I couldn’t hear myself. I don’t know how the Lindsay system would be for volume.
The other thing that may be of concern would be the costs, and availability of the pipes. With the Lindsay system pipes, there is one maker. With the pastoral pipes I’m aware of just three. The uilleann pipes on the other hand has many more makers to chose from. The Lindsay system pipes, I think are the least expansive, and seem to be well made. The pastoral pipes, will be at least the same or more than a good half set of uilleann pipes.
Another option possibly for small pipes that plays two octaves, would be the one Julian Goodacre and Callum Armstrong have developed. This instrument over blows a 12th, and uses keys. I’m not sure how much Julian is promoting this instrument.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uWM6ED1UOk