How to Build Irish Bagpipes

The Irish bagpipes, also known as Uilleann Pipes, take their name from a Gaelic word that means "elbow." These pipes create sound by way of a bellows that is tucked under and operated by the piper's elbow. Because the Uilleann pipes are bellows-blown, they produce a sound that is much quieter than other varieties of bagpipes, therefore earning them a place in the category of pipes known as "parlor pipes."

Things You'll Need

• Wood
• Leather
• Hemp
• Brass fixtures
• Brass rivets
• Cane reeds

Instructions

1. Shape the chanter. The chanter is the pipe on which the melody is played. Usually made of wood, the chanter has eight finger holes of various sizes that allow the piper to produce tones within a two-octave range. On a wood-turning lathe, form a long, narrow pipe that gradually widens from the neck of the instrument to the bell, producing a conical shape. Bore seven finger holes in a straight line down the front of instrument and one hole in the back at the top of the neck. Insert a double reed in the top of the chanter.

2. Build the bellows. The bellows are constructed from two wooden paddles called "cheeks," which are connected by a strip of leather called the "gusset." The outer cheek has a hole that is fitted with an intake valve to draw air into the bellows. Nail or rivet a brass fastener to the inner cheek that will attach to the bellows connector. Rivet or nail the gusset along the edge of each cheek. Attach the cheeks to a brass hinge at the interior of their base. Rivet a small leather strap to the outer cheek that will be worn around the pipers arm. Rivet a larger strap to the inner cheek that can be worn around the players ribcage.

3. Construct the bag. Cut the bag from high-quality leather. Fold the piece so the edges are together and sew or rivet them along the edges. In the neck of the bag, use hemp thread to attach a wooden connector that holds the chanter in place. Plug the chanter into the wooden connector.

4. Attach the mainstock and bellows connector stock. The mainstock is a wooden cylinder with several holes bored through its diameter. The drones and regulators attach to the bag by plugging into the mainstock. The bellows connector is a plastic tube that funnels the air from the bellows into the bag. It is connected to the bag by way of a small wooden or brass stock. The stock contains a nonreturn valve that keeps air in the bag from returning to the bellows. Cut holes in the top of the bag to accommodate the mainstock and the bellows connector stock. Attach the stocks to the bag with hemp thread.

5. Build the drones. The full set of Uilleann pipes uses three drones of various lengths to provide a continuous accompaniment for the melody. Shape the wooden cylindrical spindles for the bass, baritone and tenor drones on a wood turning lathe. The drones are intersected with sliding brass joints which allow the piper to lengthen or shorten the drone for tuning purposes. Each drone uses a single reed made of cylindrical cane that is partially split to form a vibrating tongue. Plug the drones into the mainstock.

6. Fashion the regulators. For additional accompaniment, the Uilleann pipes utilize three regulators which are similar in scope to the chanter. Like the chanter, the regulators use a double reed, are conical in shape and have key holes. These key holes, however, are fitted with metal sprung keys that are manipulated by the piper's wrist or free hand to play various chords. Shape the wooden body of the regulator on a lathe and bore four or five key holes down the front of the piece. Attach metal or brass keys to the regulator. The end of the regulator should be fitted with a wooden cap so that it produces sound only when a key is pressed. Attach the regulators to the bag by plugging them into the mainstock.

References

• BC Childress Bagpipes: About the Uillean Bagpipes
• CJ Dixon: Celtic Instruments
• Pipers: About the Pipes