Chiff and Fipple Forums

Polishing the brass, silver etc. is time consuming and you are soon having to do it again. Many allow their pipes obtain a "patina" (dirt and corrosion) as they would rather play than polish. Some actually like the funky look but others like a shine on the metal but are put off by the labo...

I just received a Goldfinch low C whistle that I want to sell. It is as new, no scratches or damage and only played by me for a few minutes. The reason I am selling it is that I have a Goldie low C that is very similar. The Goldie is the same bore as his low D and he calls it a narrow bore low C. Th...

I made one drone reed from Syringa over 30 years ago. It worked, but I didn't pursue it any further. Eugene Lambe made some drone reeds from Snowberry that worked. I also made a couple of them and also found them to work well. I would think the green material may benefit with a couple of years of cu...

Not sure what you mean by saturated. The makers I know personally all have waiting lists running into years. No one seems to be backing out. It is good there are used sets available; instant gratification. As there are a large number of makers these days, there are also a number of folks who have gi...

I didn't direct my remarks at you Feadoggie, but at the common attitude among some American players of old-time music, especially bluegrass musicians. I wanted to point out that just because Bill Monroe etc. didn't use non-string instruments in their recordings doesn't mean they never existed. It ha...

Back in the 60's I played with a group who played both ITM and American "old-time" and square dance music. I played 5-string banjo and whistle. Every now and then I would hear the old saw that old-time music is string band music. That is just untrue. At the National Fiddle Championship in ...

They both have their uses. I am very happy to have both.

I have both the brass and alloy models. Neither are the big head model. I like them both. Each has a different voice. I even sold my MK when I got the Reyburn. They have everything I want from a low D, tone, volume and tuning.

You will find that a narrow bore chanter with a hard reed to be louder than a large bore one with an easy reed. Volume of a large bore chanter with an average reed will be somewhat louder than a low whistle, but not by a large amount. Volume difference is far more up to the reed used than the bore. ...

I keep my left pinkie sticking out and away from the chanter. If tucked under, you can't easily use the keys the little finger is used for.

We are getting last minute sign-ups lately. Will be well attended. Are you getting last minute ones as well? Your event sounds stellar. Anyone who can get there should!

The piper's chair has been a feature for the last 35 years. It is on Sunday afternoon.

GHB notation is written in A mix. For brevity, the C# is written as C, but played C# and the F# is noted as F but played as F#. Many modern GHB chanters are pitched closer to B than Bb. Many, but not all pipers have a chanter which can be played in Bbmix. They will have to use drone reeds capable of...

Yes, Peter and Sabra will host it.

Michael Hubbet will be attending. We will ask him to do reeds. I will also be available for reeds. We have been holding tionols on this weekend for 35 years, alternating with Seattle the last 33 years.