What is an Interchangeable Stock?

February 1, 2016 by Rob 2 Comments

One of the features available on some sets of Northumbrian pipes is an interchangeable stock – here’s a description of what that means:

Non-interchangeable: Chanter is plugged into a wooden stock that is tied into the neck of the bag. Unplugging the chanter exposes the reed.
Interchangeable: A socket is tied into the bag and the chanter and stock are plugged in. Unplugging the stock protects the reed.

An interchangeable stocks is commonly used to allow a player with one set to switch between two or more chanters (e.g. 7k & 17k chanters or ‘F’ and ‘G’ chanters) whilst protecting the reed.

It is also possible to have an interchangeable dronestock – allowing you to swap sets of drones – but this is far less common and significantly more work to make.

Burleigh Smallpipes – Timeline

December 4, 2015 by Rob 3 Comments

The most prolific maker of Northumbrian Smallpipes, David Burleigh made in excess of 3200 sets over the last 40 years. There is a definite progression in the style of the instruments over time and most of the sets are numbered – which means most can be fairly accurately dated. There are however some contradictions in the dates reported for early instruments (#250 – #500)

~1968 – 1971

Amateur period

7 or 9 key sets stamped “Armstrong-Burleigh” on the low E or D key – these sets are not numbered. Typically blackwood and nickel silver (although some brass sets are known). The keys were all handmade and the drones have turned thick walled sliders rather than rolled tube and the stopper pistons typically have distinct ‘acorn’ ends.

1971-73

Semi-Pro Period

Primarily making on his own and producing more sets but still working as a taxidermist at the Hancock Museum. The ‘Armstrong’ stamp stops appearing in this period (it is unclear whether this was by choice or request). These sets still feature the acorn piston ends, are hand crafted and very much in the pattern of the earlier sets.

~1972

late ‘Armstrong-Burleigh’

7k F set with nickel silver undressed ferrules, catalin drone caps (estimated date)

1977

Reid Pattern: Ivory & Silver

Copied from a early 19thC Robert Reid set – this ivory and silver mounted set of pipes was made by the maker for himself.

1979

#0392

11 key F set

1981

#0483

11k Concert D set

1983

#1053

11key F set (G#’s & Fnat’s), complex drones (2 beads on G), handmade keys

1985

#1180

7k F set – simple drones

1997

#2395

A 7k concert D set with 4 drones and single tuning bead.

1999

#2580

2005

#2776

7k Concert G Chanter (only)

2008

#2829

11 key F set – cast keys

2012

#3269

Set #3269 is the last known set produced from the Longframlington workshop

April 2012

Retirement

David stop taking new orders and retired from making new sets although he continued to service his own sets. The business was offered as a ‘going concern’ but ultimately the workshop in Longframlington was closed. The Northumbrian Pipers’ Society acquired the remaining stock of parts and have made these available to members interested in making their own sets. Unfortunately the work books with details of all of the instruments made were not kept.

Unnamed Schottische (NPS Book 1)

October 14, 2015 by Rob Leave a comment

In the first edition of the Northumbrian Pipers Society Tunebook published way back in the early days of the NPS there was a tune called simply ‘Schottische’. In the 2nd edition, a number of tunes were dropped from the book including this unnamed Schottische. In the third edition, the tunes were restored and ‘lost’ tunes tunes such as Bellingham Fair have been re-appearing in the wild – but I’ve yet to hear ‘Schottische’.

I was dipping into my library of old books yesterday on a search for something completely unrelated when the tune at the top of the page tripped me up – it took me about 5 minutes to make the connection – and now our unnamed Schottische now has a name. Kerr’s Merry Melodies has this tune as ‘Such Chiming’ a melody from the ‘The Magic Flute’.

The NPS tunebook version is printed a 4th down (key of D) to fit the range of the pipes – but other than that, the tune is practically identical. I’m also not overly familiar with Mr Mozart’s original, and Youtube seems to suggest a different medody line for ‘Such Chiming’ – I’ll have to look it up sometime to see exactly where it can be found.

Terry Conway – Haydon Bridge Sessions

September 25, 2015 by Rob Leave a comment

Terry Conway was a simply wonderful singer and an outstanding composer, he died in 2013 at the age of 66. Terry had an amazing way with words and his songs cover a wide breadth of subjects from local characters to world events; often including philosophy & comedy. Last night there was a celebration of his music at the Queen’s Hall in Hexham and in conjunction with this, a CD re-issue of Terry’s 1992 tape “The Haydon Bridge Sessions” was launched. The recording is excellent and is must have for anyone who remembers Terry or wants to hear his work. All the proceeds from the recording are also going towards Mesothelioma UK.

Here’s a track listing:

Albatross
Early Rising Bird
Jemima
Soft Easy Words
Hawkhope Hill
Midsummer Blue
Cloudie
Eve of St John
Cowboy Song
The Falcon
Enrico Fermi
Lady Fortune
Darker Days Than This
Julie
Eastern Allan Runs
Day Dreaming Girl (Bonus Track)

You can get a copy of the Haydon Bridge Sessions via Core Music or Gojo in Hexham – they will also have Terry’s later recordings with Liz Law; Premier(2001) and Of Riots & Rabbits (2008)