Peebles
EH45 8LQ
Scotland
High Quality Scottish Smallpipes, English and other bagpipes from one of Britain's most innovative makers
| Montgomery Smallpipes; mouth or bellows blown |
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| The most important surviving set of 18th Century smallpipes is the
Montgomery smallpipes which are now housed in the Piping Centre Bagpipe
Museum, Glasgow. This set of pipes is inscribed "HONL. COLL. MONTGOMERY
1st.BATTN.JANY 4 1757".
It is the earliest dated Scottish Small Pipe. Because of the date it has been described as 'a Rosetta Stone of Scottish bagpipe musicology'. Col. Montgomery is known to have employed 30 pipers in his regiment which fought campaigns in the American wars of Independence. The original instrument is mouth blown, but I also make them bellows blown. The chanter and drones, (bass, baritone and tenor) have extremely narrow bores giving an enchantingly sweet sound. The whole instrument is very small and the pitch is E. The top leading note is sharpened and the bottom is flattened. It is a fascinating set of pipes which poses many historical and musical questions. It is also a delight to play! A bellows-blown set is wonderful for accompanying singing. Interest in 18th Century piping has grown considerably since Matt Seattle's discovery and publication of William Dixon's manuscript from 1733. (The Master Piper). While Dixon's pipe music may not have been intended for the smallpipes, he was a contemporary of Col. Montgomery. |
