NMS


 

Record

Box containing bagpipe chanter reeds

< 1 of 1 > Back

from Peter Henderson, Bagpipe Maker, Glasgow

Box containing bagpipe chanter reeds
Add to album

Cardboard box containing two bagpipe chanter reeds from Peter Henderson, Bagpipe Maker and Highland Costume Outfitter, 24 Renfrew Street, Glasgow.

Peter Henderson (1851-1903) came from Inverkeithing though his family was originally from Latheronwheel in Caithness. He took over the bagpipe-making shop in Glasgow of Robert MacKinnon who had earlier taken over the premises of Donald Macphee. Henderson had set up business in 1868, was himself a very good piper and became Pipe Major of the Glasgow Volunteers. His bagpipes have always had a very high reputation.

A strong type of cane, Arundo Donax, both farmed and naturally grown, is favoured for making reeds for bagpipes as well as for other musical wind instruments. The drone reed, a so-called 'single reed', uses the whole body of the cane. The same cane is also cut into thin blades to make into chanter reeds, the so-called 'double reed'. The cane is cut into lengths, longer lengths and larger bodied cane supplying bass drone reeds, one end is blocked off at a natural division within the cane; the 'blade' is cut horizontally and this produces a 'tongue' which vibrates freely in the flow of air from the bag into the drones. The cane reed is 'seated' in the bottom end of the drone.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.


< 1 of 1 > Back