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Maintaining the Smallpipes
 As
Northumbrian Pipes are dry reeded (bellows blown) they require less
maintenance than pipes which are wet reeded (mouth blown).
Chanter
The leather key pads should not be allowed to dry out or 'squeaks'
and loss of tone will develop. They should therefore be oiled at
least once a week, even if the keys are not being used. Olive oil
or neatsfoot oil only should be used. Never use a blended cooking
oil, almond oil or mineral oil. Apply a drop of oil to each pad
with a small brush. Rub any excess oil into the wood very lightly.
The chanter reed should not require any adjustment and with care
should last for many years. The chanter must be supported at all
times. When handling the pipes or tuning the drones, one hand should
always hold the chanter.
When replacement reeds are required, please return the chanter to
ensure accurate fitting.
Drones
Drone reeds should last longer than chanter reeds. If played in
conditions of excessive heat or humidity this can cause the reeds
to stop sounding. Should this happen, the reeds should be left to
recover themselves. Normally this will take approximately 24 hours,
but in extremes can take up to several days.
The drones should slide freely and if they become slack, extra thread
can be applied to the wrapping. Vaseline is used to ensure free
movement.
Bag
The leather bag is already dressed with neatsfoot oil and should
not require any further attention.
Bellows
Olive or neatsfoot oil can be rubbed sparingly onto the bellows
leather every six months, paying particular attention to the folds.
The leather clack valve in the side of the bellows should be oiled
every 3 months, as should the clack valve at the end of the blow-pipe
which fits into the bag.
The metalwork should be cleaned with a good metal polish and the
woodwork rubbed lightly with olive oil. In countries where heat
and humidity levels are high, it is very important to oil the woodwork
regularly every week and also to check that all bindings are tight.
Reeds
Chanter and drone reeds can become unbalanced in the early stages
of playing and are altered as follows.
Opening the Chanter Reed |
Closing the Chanter Reed |
If the chanter will only sound at a heavy pressure, the chanter
reed has opened and needs closing. This is done by removing the
chanter from the chanter stock. With the chanter gripped between
the knees place the first finger and thumb of each hand at the base
of the reed. With thumbs either side of the wire knot, gently close
the reed to about 0.75 mm - 1.00 mm.
If the chanter will not sound or stops sounding before playing pressure
is reached, the reed has closed and needs opening. The reed is opened
by carefully removing the chanter and again gripping the chanter
between the knees, place first finger and thumb at either edge of
the reed at the base by the wire girdle. Squeeze gently until the
reed opens to the required distance, about 0.75 mm - 1.00 mm.
Never alter the wire girdle which should at all times be firmly
fixed.
If the drones cut out and cease playing when the chanter is sounded
at a reasonable pressure, open the drone reeds by rubbing the tongue
of the reed with the back of a knife. Only a few strokes will be
needed to make the reeds play at a higher pressure. If this process
is overdone close the reed by warming the tongue of the reed with
a match and hold closed until cool, then reset
Opening Drone Reeds |
Closing Drone Reeds |
Alterations to reeds should be done in very small stages with repeated
trials to test the results. When set do not disturb pipes that are
playing well and never lend your set of pipes or let others play
them. This can only result in the reeds becoming unsettled.
In the first few weeks your set will settle to your environment
and some shrinkage of the wood may occur. This can result in the
brass ferrules becoming loose. These are easily tightened by scoring
the wood with a knife, wrapping with a few turns of thread and applying
a smear of glue or shellac. The ferrule is then pushed back on and
the surplus glue wiped off. Never use a resin glue of the epoxy
type. Always use a type of glue which can be removed when necessary.
I would recommend UHU. The tuning beads may also leak and when this
cannot be cured by a smear of vaseline or by heating the cork with
a lighted match, then the cork should be scraped out and renewed.
Cork sheet is available at most musical instrument shops or from
myself.
Playing the Smallpipes
 There
are many different methods of learning but I feel that the following
is the healthier for the instrument:
- Strap bellows under right arm. The belt should be comfortably
firm around the lower rib cage. Loop tape over the arm and around
the front of bellows. This may need personal adjustment for a
comfortable fit. The arm should not obscure the air intake. Make
some practice strokes with the arm using the full extent of the
bellows, avoiding jerky motions.
- Pick up the pipes using the right hand, palm supporting drones
and fingers holding the chanter. Connect the blowpipe to the bellows.
Place bag under the left arm, with all the drone plungers shut
off. Cover the chanter with the thumb and three fingers of the
left hand at the top and four fingers of the right hand at the
bottom, right thumb supporting the chanter at the back. Make sure
that the very tips of fingers cover the holes. Then inflate the
bag and achieve an airtight system. There should not be any noise
whatsoever.
- There are four drones and during the early stages of learning,
use only the middle two. Open the plunger at the end of the longer
of these two (G). Play this one note for approximately 10 minutes.
Keep the chanter silent.
- Open the plunger on the smaller of the middle two (d) and play
these two drones together. It will not be easy in the first days
to tune these accurately to a perfect fifth, as steady pitch depends
on controlled pressure of the bag. It normally takes about three
weeks to achieve a steady drone sound. Do not play the chanter
during this period, but concentrate on keeping the fingers from
leaking.
When a steady drone harmony can be maintained start simple tunes
and exercises on the chanter.
Main
causes of accidental damage to small pipes:
- Leaving the chanter unsupported which allows it to fall from
the stock, damaging the reed. Always ensure that the chanter is
TIGHT in the stock and support it.
- Leaving the pipes on the floor or chair. Always return them
to the box.
- Overblowing, during the initial stages of learning causing damage
to the chanter reed. This is most common where a beginner is not
in contact with an experienced player.
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