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Summer Course Brochure now available! |
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The brochure and application form for the 2009 Summer Course are now available (click here). This year's course includes one making session, two playing sessions and two options sessions per day. The options sessions are a bit different this year, including Tuning & Cross-fingering, Repairs & Servicing, Decoration, Stretch & Relax, and Conducting - see the brochure for details. |
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The Telford CD has now been reproduced with masters courtesy of the original producer. The CD was recorded in 2002 by a quartet from Abraham Darby School under the musical direction of Bernard Crawforth.
The CDs are presented in a standard jewel case, with coloured label on the CD, tray insert with track listings and an 8 page booklet with photos of the players and of Bernard Crawforth, a detailed listing of the music played and notes on the production of the CD. |
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A History of the Pipers' Guild |
 Who was Margaret James? Why did she start building bamboo pipes? What does this painting have to do with it? Where did it all begin? All these questions and more are answered in this new History. After 30 years of research, Shirley Drake's history of the Pipers' Guild is now available. With nearly 200 pages, including 12 pages of photographs, this A4 comb-bound book details the Guild's history from its very beginnings to the present day. The cost is £15 + £3 p&p. To order, contact Ted Drake. Read John Jordan's review here. |
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The Guild now runs a forum for anyone interested in chatting about pipes. Membership is free. |
The Guild was founded in Britain in 1932. Its main aim is the threefold craft of making, playing and decorating bamboo pipes. Pipes are made for personal use, and are not sold - i.e. if you want to play one, you'll have to make one! The idea of making bamboo pipes has spread around the world, with groups and guilds in Great Britain, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, the U.S.A., and Japan. All of the guilds are members of a federation, which meets every five years at an international course.
What are Bamboo Pipes?
The bamboo pipe is a simple hand-made wind instrument, similar to a recorder but with a gentler tone. While looking for a recorder-type instrument to use with her schoolchildren, Margaret James stumbled across a Sicilian shepherd's pipe. After many experiments the simple treble pipe in D was perfected. Later a full quartet of pipes of alto in A & G, tenor in D and bass in G was developed. This range has since been extended to include sopranino in G, quartbass in D, and great bass in G. In addition, treble, alto, and tenor extended pipes with a range of an octave and a sixth or more are also made.
Why Bother?
Firstly, for the satisfaction: there is a special thrill in playing an instrument you have made yourself. Secondly, it makes you a craftsman as well as a musician. Thirdly, it is an ideal way of learning the rudiments of music. Pipes are made and tuned one note at a time; the complete beginner (of any age) learns to play their pipe as they make it. For more advanced players there is the pleasure of ensemble playing in trios, quartets and larger groups. |
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