Contents
What is a Penny-Chanter?
-
It's a completely new way to build the uilleann pipe chanter or melody-pipe from very inexpensive, easily obtained materials
-
Inner shell of brass thin-wall tubing, telescoped in steps to replicate
the traditional tapered wood bore.
-
Outer shell of firm ivory colored CPVC plastic pipe (or optional black Delrin plastic) for essential thickness and easy fingering.
-
Easily built from scratch, or assembled from kit, using ordinary tools such as drill, saw and file--no special skills needed.
-
Nonwood construction reduces changeable behavior due to weather.
-
Stepped bore gives good volume and voice yet mellow tone in high-frequency
range. Ideal for indoor practice and stage microphones.
-
Construction supports all traditional hole and bore adjustments to maximize performance and tuning.
-
Cannot be blown by mouth--like traditional uilleann chanters, requires dry air pumped from a bellows into the bag which controls pressure.
Who Wants a Penny-Chanter Alone?
-
Uilleann pipers with chronic "reed" trouble who may instead have difficult
chanters.
-
Uilleann pipers who play on stages, outdoors or in other settings where
wood chanters are unstable or too valuable to risk.
-
Other bellows type smallpipers who wish to try uilleann piping.
-
Learners able to make their own required accessories such as bag and bellows.
What's In a Penny-Chanter Set?
-
Penny-Chanters cannot be blown by mouth like whistles or Scottish practice-chanters.
-
Penny-Chanter Sets, like any other uilleann sets, include at minimum:
-
Penny-Chanter and reed.
-
Bag for controlling air pressure.
-
Bellows for supplying the air
-
Air hose to connect the bellows to the bag.
-
All necessary belts, decorative covers and small parts needed for a finished instrument.
-
"Practice-" or "Starter Sets" have only the chanter to make musical sound.
-
"Half Sets" are Starter Sets that add a stand of Budget Concert Drones to accompany the chanter.
-
Of course, if you already own some uilleann pipe components or wish to build some of your own, you may purchase any individual part alone, or sets with one or more parts omitted.
Who Wants a Penny-Chanter Set?
-
Students and others on limited budgets who want performance-grade response and sound.
-
Shoppers who've already ordered expensive wood sets with long wait times.
-
Teachers or clubs who want good-performing, less-weather-sensitive, sturdy sets available for loan.
-
Multi-instrumentalists who want a low-priced uilleann set for performing and would appreciate the lowered risks and hassles of sturdy, less-weather-sensitive, artificial construction.
Photographs and Sounds
|
