GB2219122A - Wind instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A wind instrument, especially bag-pipes and more especially the bag-pipe chanter, in one embodiment is formed of a series of hollow portions (Figure 1) which connect together slidably in end to end relation so that both the set pitch of the instrument can be varied and the pitch of individual notes varied in relation to each other. In a second embodiment the bag- pipe chanter is a hollow body with either a series of elongate slots disposed on a longitudinal axis or alternatively one continuous slot into which are inserted the required number of slidably adjustable finger hole plates to achieve the same purpose. An adjustable reed bed (Figure 5) is provided at one end of the instrument to facilitate fine tuning. <IMAGE>

Description

WOODWIND INSTRUMENT.

This invention relates to woodwind instruments, and especially but not exclusively to bag pipes; more especially to the bag pipe chanter.

The pipe chanter is a hollow tubular member having a reed seat at one end, a series of note holes or finger holes along its length and a pair of base sound holes at its other end. The reed seat end is threaded for location in a stock in the bag and a reed is fitted in to that end of the chanter. Air from the bag is filtered through the reed in to the hollow bore of the chanter.

In bag pipe playing, there is no set pitch, i.e.

no middle C to which the pitch of the other notes can be related, nor can the pitch of individual notes be altered at will as with e.g. stringed instruments; in addition, all reeds vary, if only slightly, and one reed may have a different effect on a pipe chanter than another. These factors combine to create problems for the maker of pipe chanters and for the pipers, especially solo pipers. For example, it may happen that the pitch of one particular note prevents the piper from obtaining a balanced scale; to date, such a problem can only be aleviated by 'doctoring' the sound hole of the note in question, either by applying tape to partially cover the hole and/or to cut into the hole, and of course, when the reed is replaced by another, a different note may cause a new problem.

This problem may also arise in other woodwind instruments, particularly those which use reeds.

It is an object of this invention to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned problem.

Another problem which arises in bag piping is the location of the reed in the reed seat; if the reed locates too far into the seat, or not far enough, the overall pitch of the chanter is affected and 'doctoring' of the reed may be required to locate it correctly; the reed may require to be thickened by wrapping thread round it, or thinned by shaving,-and as the doctoring process has to be by trial and error, it can be time consuming and may lead to damage or breakage of the reed.

Another object of the invention is to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantage.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a woodwind instrument in which the note holes are position-adjustable longitudinally to a position in which the correct pitch of note is achieved.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a woodwind instrument which incorporates a reed, wherein the reed is located in a holder which is finely adjustable longitudinally of the instrument.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to a bag pipe chanter, but it will be appreciated that the invention may be applied to other woodwind instruments where the problem of pitch control for individual notes arises, and/or positioning of the reed is critical.

In one embodiment, the pipe chanter is formed of a series of hollow portions which connect together slidably in end to end relation. Some or all of the portions have one note hole each which in use can be covered by the piper's fingers, and are thus referred to as finger holes. They are located on a longitudinal axis of the chanter and one,the nearest to the reed seat end of the chanter is diametrically opposed to the others. One portion has two note holes for location at the end of the chanter remote from the reed seat end and on a transverse axis; these note holes are for a base note and are not finger holes.

When the portions are assembled, the note holes are all substantially correctly positioned, but fine adjustment of individual holes1 or the pair of base holes, can be achieved by moving the corresponding hollow portion lengthwise relative to the others so as to alter the distance of that hole (or pair of holes) from the reed seat end. Means may be provided to make the slight adjustment mechanically and/or to lock portions in their desired positions. Such means is also located that it will not interfere with pipers finger movements when the instrument is being played.

In a second embodiment, the pipe chanter is a hollow body with a series of elongate slots disposed on a longitudinal axis, and a slidable cover is mounted over each slot in an air-tight manner. Each cover has a finger hole whose position relative to the reed bed can be altered by a slight sliding movement of the corresponding cover. The two base sound holes are also adjustable, a ring with opposed holes in it is located over chanter body to cover a pair of opposed slots in the body.

In a modification, the series of slots is replaced by one elongate slot which is covered by a series of mating cover members each having a finger hole.

Individual cover members can be adjustably positioned.

Adjustment of the cover members in this second embodiment may be done manually, or by mechanical means such as a vernier screw arrangement which would also serve as a locking means for preventing undesired movement of the moveable covers.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the reed bed includes a tubular member which extends into the bore of the pipe chanter. The reed locates in the tubular member and if the position of the reed requires to be altered this is achieved by slightly moving the tubular member longitudinally of the bore. Movement may be manually or by mechanical members such as a vernier screw arrangement and has the advantage that a great deal less 'doctoring' of the reed is necessary.

An advantage of the moveable finger and sound hole covers of the first and second embodiments is that no 'doctoring' of the fixed holes as at present, is necessary.

Examples of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates in section a pair of hollow portions of the first embodiment; Fig. 2 illustrates part of the chanter of the second embodiment showing one slot and a cover over another slot; Fig. 3 is a detail showing the cover mounted in the chanter body; Fig. 4 illustrates part of the chanter of the modified second embodiment showing part of the elongate slot and two mating covers; and Fig. 5 illustrates the reed holder of the third embodiment.

Claims (11)

1. A wind instrument comprising a hollow tubular member having a reed seat at one end, a series of note holes or finger holes along its length and a pair of bass sound holes at its other end, means of adjusting the position of the reed and means for adjusting the position of each individual note hole and bass holes.

2. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the reed seat end is threaded for location in a stock in the bag.

3. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the reed is located in a holder which is finely adjustable in the reed seat longitudinally of the instrument.

4. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 3 wherein in one embodiment the tubular member is formed of a series of hollow portions which connect together slidably in end to end relation.

5. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the portions contain one finger hole each on a longitudinal axis except for the bass portion which contains two holes on a transverse axis.

6. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 3 wherein in a second embodiment the tubular member is a body with a series of elongate slots disposed on a longitudinal axis.

7. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 3 wherein in a variation of Claim 6 the hollow member incorporates a single elongate slot.

8. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 6 wherein each slot incorporates a slidable cover mounted in an airtight manner each cover containing one finger hole.

9. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 7 the single elongate slot is covered by a series of mating cover members in an airtight manner each having one finger hole.

10. A wind instrument as claimed in Claim 8 and 9 wherein adjustment of the cover members may be done manually or by mechanical means.

11. A wind instrument as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reed bed includes a tubular member extending into the bore of the hollow member capable of manual or mechanical adjustment longitudinally of the member.