What’s the consensus of opinion about a narrow-bore D set rather than a flat set?
Does it give you that flat pipes sound while maintaining a more session friendly range of keys to play in? Or does
it just end up sounding like a quieter concert D?
Do you think you lose anything through keeping with an instrument pitched in D?
I’m told the cross-fingering is much better: does that mean you could live without a high C key?
If you’re only going to own one set, does it make a good compromise so you can keep a foot in both camps?
Use the search function. This subject has been dragged through the barbed wire, hung, drawn, quartered then paraded through the streets in a pink tutu.
Yeah, I’ve used the search. I thought Royce was particularly on form:
Narrow bore D’s are in fact weak, feeble, unresponsive, castrated, neutered and barely audible over a harp–and not then if the harpist is breathing very heavily. There never was and never was supposed to be a narrow bore D design. It’s a back-engineered, foppish, faddish, yuppyish, ignorant, addlepated, uninformed, pedestrian, recorder-based, early-music crowd faux paus that for some reason pipe makers, one or two, have stooped to pander to.
But that was nearly 12 months ago. Forgive me for thinking opinions might have changed or that someone new might have joined the forum.
As you were then, don’t mind me. I’ll just ask my mates what they think, shall I? Sorry to have bothered you.
Narrow bore D’s are in fact weak, feeble, unresponsive, castrated, neutered and barely audible over a harp–and not then if the harpist is breathing very heavily. There never was and never was supposed to be a narrow bore D design. It’s a back-engineered, foppish, faddish, yuppyish, ignorant, addlepated, uninformed, pedestrian, recorder-based, early-music crowd faux paus that for some reason pipe makers, one or two, have stooped to pander to.
Do you like the narrow bore D or not? Stop beating about the bush!
If you heard a good narrow bore d you couldn’t say any of these things. A good narrow bore D is a pleasure to behold… just listen to the sound sample for the Wooff set currently FOR SALE on my site! Doesn’t sound feeble to me.
I don’t know if Neil O’Grady’s D chanters are considered narrow bore, but they sound quieter than my Thompson chanter. That said, I love the sound of O’Grady chanters. I’ve played two. Very little pressure required. Easy to play. Ornamentation was never so easy. The only criticism is that aesthetically, they look a little bland. Sound great, though - and that’s what’s important.
Now just bear in mind that it was Royce who said narrow bore D’s were feak and weeble - not me! And I only quoted it to show Mukade that I had looked at past discussions and that they might have demonstrated a slight bias and perhaps weren’t particularly constructive in their criticism!
I don’t know PJ, I’m ashamed to say I’ve not heard one in the flesh - you’re not going to tell anyone are you? I like the ‘concept’, the sound of them from other’s descriptions. People I know and whose opinions I respect go dreamy eyed when talking about flat sets and I’ve yet to experience one firsthand. Finances dictate I’ll have to be a one set man and I’m just curious to know if I can save a few bucks with a narrow bore D - sweet flat sound but still join with my mates in a session.
See above: I didn’t say it, I was quoting Royce in his role as the voice of tolerance.
A > good > narrow bore D is a pleasure to behold… just listen to the sound sample for the Wooff set currently FOR SALE on my site! Doesn’t sound feeble to me.
Patrick.
Quite so, and I’m sure it’s even better than the recording allows.
Well, I live in Brum but will travel to meet a friendly piper who doesn’t bite. I’d love a chance to hear close up (and maybe even play?) a narrow bore D or a flat chanter of any key to broaden my perceptural horizons… Any offers?
Hup J.I. … don’t worry I wasn’t snarling at you Just the words you quoted
Yes definitely! The recording is a bit distorted but the tone of the instrument shines through.
Have fun with your piping rendezvous. Don’t be surprised if your friend isn’t too fond of the idea of you playing his/her pipes. Most pipers aren’t mad about people playing their pipes.
I’ve played a narrow-bore D chanter that had a reed as loud as a wide-bore D, and another narrow bore D that was sooooo quite, a mosquito would have sounded loud by comparison.
My C. Roberts chanter is I think considered a narrow bore. It’s very quiet but is has an extreme sweetness to it. I have gotten some good response on the sweetness of the tone of the chanter it’s a shame I don’t have it around anymore (another subject but I have got in contact with Charles though) Problem is that it’s so quiet its barely noticeble when playing even in a small session (3 people) that was why I got myself a D. Daye pennychanter which is strong in volume and responsive, and very stable.
I miss my sweet sounding chanter though…tear…
That’s interesting, Lundblad. It’s a Roberts chanter I play now and on the whole I’m very happy with it, especially now I’m getting the reeding sorted out. I can vary the volume quite a bit with adjustments to the reed, as you well know, but I find the results aren’t always too predictable. :roll:
What bore is considered a narrow bore? Maybe I’ve got one and didn’t know???
I was playing the other evening with a few whistles, a flute, 3 banjos, guitar, bodhran and the obligatory 9 or 10 box players and I’m pretty sure my mistakes dominated the sound mix! My reed, if I remember correctly, was set to ‘medium’. I could have gone louder on the ‘fog horn’ setting but I don’t like the sound. ‘Sweet’ is a real treat!
