Grace Notes

At The Bagpipe Society AGM in June, concern was expressed by several members about the lack of a new, younger generation of pipe makers coming onto the professional scene. It was asked whether or not the Society could proactively encourage or support people. As an instrument maker myself (not of pipes but of historical woodwind instruments), I know that there isn’t an easy answer to this, as being a full-time maker requires more than just tools and a workshop. A healthy amount of drive, focus, determination and sheer madness also need to be present! I did, however, remind people that there are some drawings and instrument information in the members only section of the website and I also promised to see if I could encourage more articles for Chanter focusing on techniques and tools.

With that in mind, this edition has a detailed exploration of one maker’s techniques for measuring bores. The bore is key to producing an in-tune instrument so it’s critical to have an understanding of it. Dirk Mewes knows all about this and he has studied and measured many uilleann pipe chanters but the techniques he uses work for any type of pipe or woodwind.

Coincidentally, I was contacted by the Heritage Crafts Association today, requesting an update on the information provided for their register.

Northumbrian/Smallpipe/Bellows bagpipe makers are an endangered species here in the UK (although not GHB makers!). There are a few updates to make to the entry but, whilst bagpipe making is red-listed, this doesn’t by default mean that the current situation is going to drastically change. However, it does mean that some financial support is potentially available. I was very pleased to see that Society member, Nicholas Kondradsen, is mentioned on the site as having received support to research and make a Lincolnshire bagpipe (see Chanter Summer 2024).

The concerns expressed at the AGM were related to the situation here in the UK but I guess it’s not drastically different in other parts of the world.

However, I do see new and upcoming makers at the annual French festival, Le Son Continu. One new exhibitor, Naël Tripoli, really made his mark this year both with his stunning boha pipes and the release of his CD with, violinist and singer, Anaïs Perrinet. The CD moved regular reviewer, Paul James, to submit his thoughts on their music. I concur – a great CD!

I’m pleased to feature Paul on the cover of this edition and also to let you know that this month sees the release of his own CD, Au Coin Perdu. I didn’t ask him to review it! But whilst editing this edition of Chanter, I’ve been listening to it via streaming from his website - https://pauljames.eu/aucoinperdu - and I would like to simply say that it’s a good one! So, have a listen and even buy a copy.

One of the things I like about Paul’s recording is that there are different musical influences and genres present, a real converging of musical styles. I am certainly attracted to music that is a ‘fusion’ of traditional, world and modern genres. Mat Muntz has done just that with a little known bagpipe, the meh, originating from the northern Adriatic/Istrian peninsula. In his fascinating article he explores its history, its intonation and the challenges of playing a non-tempered instrument alongside an equal-tempered one.

There were some fascinating papers presented at the IBO conference in Plovdiv in March this year (see Chanter Summer 2024 for a review), and this included one by David Marker, from the City University of New York, on the different types and classifications of zampognas from Southern Italy. The zampogna is a favourite pipe of mine but I have always been a bit bewildered by the various different types and classifications and struggled to find detailed information online. Here, David runs through the range of zampogna being played today. Whilst some types of zampogna are well and thriving, it is sad that some of the pipes are seriously endangered, with some having only a handful of surviving players. A paper on the Sunday morning was presented by Anton Tunin, an ethnolinguist on his research into the lexicon of Greek gaida. There was a lot of information to take in (especially after the Saturday night party) so I, for one, am grateful to Anton for writing up his research for Chanter.

Finally, in this edition, English piper, Maya Love is In The Bag.