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Bagpipe Bellows
Bagpipe Bellows
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Click picture for more detail
While bagpipe variants world wide operate under the principle of filling a reservoir (typically an air tight bag) with air to provide a constant flow of air to one or more pipes and reeds, not all bagpipe variants fill said reservoir in the same way. Most varities of bagpipe have a tube that the player blows into to fill the reservoir. However, some varities, such as the Polish Duda, Northumbrian smallpipes, Irish Uilleann pipes (to name but a few) rely on a mechanical means for inflating the reservoir. This means comes in the form of a bellows, not at all dissimilar to those often seen by the side of a fireplace, and operating under exactly the same principal: two paddles joined by an airtight bag are pulled in opposite directions to fill the bag by means of an inlet valve, and then the paddles are compressed together pressurizing the air, and forcing it out through a second valve.
Bagpipes that are "powered" by a bellows rather than by being blown into by the piper himself are called "cold wind" pipes. Cold wind pipes have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, the moisture accumulated in a cold wind instrument is considerably less than one where the player's own breath fills the bag, and this can lead to longer life of the bag reservoir, less issues with mold and cleanliness, and even allows reeds to be made thinner and more refined. However, cold wind pipes can be especially finicky as cane reeds still react to moisture, and all the mositure in the air supplied to them will have to come from the enviornment where they are being played.
My Uilleann pipes were supplied with a robust and sturdy bellows, but I find it a little stiff for my tastes, and also a little plain. This being the case, when I had the opportunity to purchase a beautiful piece of quilted maple, I decided to have a go at making a pair for myself, utilizing stylistic elements of my violin work including purfling and varnish.
This project is as of yet incomplete, and has been on hold since 2014 as more pressing projects have come up, and I still need to source the leather I will need to complete them.
While bagpipe variants world wide operate under the principle of filling a reservoir (typically an air tight bag) with air to provide a constant flow of air to one or more pipes and reeds, not all bagpipe variants fill said reservoir in the same way. Most varities of bagpipe have a tube that the player blows into to fill the reservoir. However, some varities, such as the Polish Duda, Northumbrian smallpipes, Irish Uilleann pipes (to name but a few) rely on a mechanical means for inflating the reservoir. This means comes in the form of a bellows, not at all dissimilar to those often seen by the side of a fireplace, and operating under exactly the same principal: two paddles joined by an airtight bag are pulled in opposite directions to fill the bag by means of an inlet valve, and then the paddles are compressed together pressurizing the air, and forcing it out through a second valve.
Bagpipes that are "powered" by a bellows rather than by being blown into by the piper himself are called "cold wind" pipes. Cold wind pipes have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, the moisture accumulated in a cold wind instrument is considerably less than one where the player's own breath fills the bag, and this can lead to longer life of the bag reservoir, less issues with mold and cleanliness, and even allows reeds to be made thinner and more refined. However, cold wind pipes can be especially finicky as cane reeds still react to moisture, and all the mositure in the air supplied to them will have to come from the enviornment where they are being played.
My Uilleann pipes were supplied with a robust and sturdy bellows, but I find it a little stiff for my tastes, and also a little plain. This being the case, when I had the opportunity to purchase a beautiful piece of quilted maple, I decided to have a go at making a pair for myself, utilizing stylistic elements of my violin work including purfling and varnish.
This project is as of yet incomplete, and has been on hold since 2014 as more pressing projects have come up, and I still need to source the leather I will need to complete them.