Category Archives: Bagpipe Sound Research

Brighter tenors in the casein Robertsons!

Bagpipe Sound Research, Drone Sounds of the GHB

The previous post on these pipes had me running Cannings in them but I felt the tenor need a boost so I’ve recorded them with a Selbie bass and either the Selbie or Wygent Duatone tenors. I likey like!

Selbie tenors

Leaving Port Askaig, The Quaker, Angus McKinnon, and Ellenor – mic off my left shoulder

Rossshire Volunteers, Susan MacLeod, Miss Proud – mic behind me

Fairie’s hornpipe, Jolly Beggarman, Pigeon on the Gate, Rocking the Baby, the Panda, Rob’s Shower Shabang, Kesh Jig – mic in front of me, tunes I haven’t played in a long time; trying to mix it up

Wygent Duatone tenors – fingering sucks, beware!

Mist Covered Mountains, Calum Campbell’s Caprice, Big Yin, Rory Gallagher – mic behind me

Inspector Donald Campbell (Ness) and I Laid a Herring in Saut – mic in front of me

Henderson’s with Atherton MacDougall spec Rocket drone reeds

Bagpipe Sound Research

Here’s my 1950’s Hendersons with the Atherton MacDougall spec Rocket drone reeds. Hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoy playing them, way better than with what I’ve been calling Naill spec Rocket drone reeds that look eerily similar to what someone else claimed to have D. MacPherson spec….maybe they’re the same/similar? Anyone else out there have Rockets with an 8 written on the fiber glass bass and little dots on the tenors, and that’s it?

Patrick McLaurin (by Jack Williamson) – Jack named this nice 4 part 9/8 march after me, thanks Jack!

Mrs. Duncan MacFadyen (by Donald MacLeod) – played it kinda slow, but it’s a nice tune

John MacMillan of Barra (with roll off count) – this belongs in the previous post by I slowed waaaayyyyy down so, ya know, not very useful for drummers

Calista Anne McLaurin, Kitty O’Shea’s, and Mason’s Apron – all these recordings were with the Adrian Melvin reed that I’ve boogered up just a little as the blades are now a little off center after all my wetting and squeezing, but it being a ridge cut reed I figured I’d show you, considering that the post 2 down from this one deals with accidentals in pipe music, this recording is an excellent example of how ridge cut reeds don’t play accidentals that well. Can you tell I’m trying the 2nd time through Kitty O’Shea’s? Also shows the reed is a little unstable due to the offset blades as at the end the drones are more out of tune as the low A isn’t being blown out (blown in tune).