Smallpipes

[mgpiper]

I have a set of bellows blown Scottish smallpipes I aquired hoping to learn to play them. It’s been a while and I never learned. In fact its been so long that I forgot what key I was told they are in. Is there a way to tell this by the length of the chanter?

Please don’t laugh at my ignorance…any help is appreciated!

[BigDavy]

Hi mgpiper

If the chanter is roughly 12" or thereabouts, then it is likely to be in D. On the other hand if it is significantly longer than that, it will likely be in A. They are the two most common keys for smallpipes.

David

[Celtpastor]

…or otherwise, just pick up a tuning-device, take the chanter out and blow into it. If You have no tuning device, most European phones do have an “A” as the tone when You pick up. “A” is the most common pitch for smallpipes as well…

[mgpiper]

Thanks for the information, BigDavy & celtpastor!

[Doc_Jones]

@Celtpastor

…or otherwise, just pick up a tuning-device, take the chanter out and blow into it. If You have no tuning device, most European phones do have an “A” as the tone when You pick up. “A” is the most common pitch for smallpipes as well…

Tuning by phone…What will they think of next?

I wonder what note American phones are tuned to.

Doc

[MTGuru]

@Doc Jones

I wonder what note American phones are tuned to.

My dial tone is a very buzzy F#-A# major 3rd.

[Celtpastor]

…drone-pitch of Pilgrim-fathers bagpipes..?

[Jose_Scotte_Este]

I’m not sure about American phones, but Mexican phones are in the key of Si’.

[Leel]

@Jose' Scotte' Este'

I’m not sure about American phones, but Mexican phones are in the key of Si’.