I Just Stumbled Across This Rather Interesting 'New' Instrument

**artificer** · 3rd April 14, 09:31 AM

I was shopping around for a low D whistle when I stumbled across this-
The Highland Hornpipe- sort of a cross between a clarinet and a bagpipe chanter.

Thoughts?

There are some nicer sound samples on their page HERE.

ith:

**Hawk** · 3rd April 14, 09:38 AM

Interesting instrument......

Hawk

**IsaacW** · 3rd April 14, 09:55 AM

I have always liked some of the really old hornpipes that are even made of horn. They not only sound good but look good too!

**KD Burke** · 3rd April 14, 10:55 AM

I'm strangely ambivalent about this one. While I like the idea of broadening my musical capacities without the learning curve of an entirely new instrument, the tone just doesn't do it for me. I've never particularly liked the clarinet (the closest analog I can think of).

So I'm practicing hard and saving my pennies (I'll need another 420,000 of them!) for a set of these:

**TheOfficialBren** · 3rd April 14, 11:53 AM

My GAWD, those are haunting! I LOVE the tone of the border pipes. I was considering a set of smallpipes but these are more along what I'm looking for.

The fingering appears to be similar to the Great Highland Bagpipes.

Hornpipes are great, too! It's nice to see historical instruments coming back.

**Calgacus** · 3rd April 14, 12:16 PM

I'm not able to view these links or images just now as I'm at sea, but I presume the latter image is a set of border pipes. These are indeed a lovely sounding instrument, having been refined a lot in the last few years. They are notoriously hard to play, as it is difficult to keep good tone with them. Smallpipes are a good deal easier. Now, having a set of each would be just perfect...