tabor pipe

Whistle
1

could anyone tell me what the range of a tabor pipe is, a little about the fingering (is it similar to the tin whistle/uilleann pipes) and how much a decent one costs?
thanks for any info and responses in advance

2

It’s the same as a pennywhistle with the top three holes taped over, except the third hole from the bottom is on the back and covered by the thumb. It is played with one hand, while the other plays a drum, which you probably already know.

3

What David said. Typically they are played in the 2nd and 3rd octaves, and are often voiced to favor the upper reaches of whistledom.

As for fingerings, here’s where a fingering chart and some clips reside:

http://www.parkswhistles.com/Whistles/TaborPipe/Default.aspx

And the fellow who gave me those has a web site at:

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/?aid=2890/singles%20

And of course Wiki -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipe_and_tabor

4

John

A Tabor Pipe uses the slight frequency shifts across 4 overblown harmonic registers to play a chromatic 12 note scale. The fundamental or first scale is not normally used, only the 2nd,3rd,4th and 5th overblown registers. As each successive register is reached by overblowing, the scale shifts a little more flat. This technique, combined with a little breath control, provides each correct note in a 12 note scale. The notes are separated up and down by as much as 4 octaves sometimes, but the sequential scale is correct.

Have a look at this Taborers Society page.
http://www.pipeandtabor.org/gettingstarted.html

The secret to these fast register changes is due to the long shallow labium ramp with strong backpressure supplied by the narrow bore of 1/40 diameter/length ratio.

Thomas Hastay
thomashastay@yahoo.com

5

Yes-- you can play tabor style with any whistle. Tape the top holes as David mentions. Ignore the low octave completely. Cover the remaining holes and blow, opening one hole at a time to play D,E,F#,G. Now, put your fingers back down, blow harder. Instead of another D, you’ll get an overtone A. Remove your fingers one at a time again to play B,C#,D. You only get one octave.

6

thanks
how much would one cost?

7

There’s one on e-bay now, tucked in with some whistles. Search on “Lot of 5 Vintage Tin Penny Whistles” (it’s the one with the blue top).

Best wishes.

Steve

P.S. How do you embed a URL in a message so it says something like “Here” and when you click on it it jumps to a long, convoluted URL ?

Thanks

8

Sweetheart Flutes has a Generation ($16) and a Susato ($40) for sale.

9 



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10

Thanks.

Steve

11

Check out the Susato website. I bought a V series from them in the key of C. The two piece model costs $40, the one piece model costs $23. The price varies according to the key. Getting a copy of their Pipe and Tabor Companion will help get you started.

12

I have one made by generation in the 80s for Ralph Sweet, who was making tabor whistles at the time. It’s a standard Gen D whistle with only three holes, one of which is on the back.

It’s yours with copy of Dick Bagwell’s Pipe & Tabor Tutor (plus cassette, if I can find it) for postage and a bootleg or 2 of some CD you have that I don’t.