Unusual bagpipes depicted

Subject: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: pavane
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 06:49 AM

Walking around Oxford yesterday, I noticed a (carved stone!) gargoyle playing an unusual set of bagpipes.

The pipes apparently have a chanter which is slung over the left shoulder, where I would expect a drone, and therefore seemed to be fingered 'upside down'. It also has three drones under the left arm.

Does anyone know if this is an accurate representation of a type of bagpipe, or just a stonemason/carver's impression?

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 08:25 AM

Why not take and post a digital piccie?

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 09:06 AM

If it's a gargoyle, maybe the stonecutter turned the world upside down? In a position as you describe them the bagpipes seem to be unplayable.

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: pavane
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 09:58 AM

Don't have the facility for a digital pic at the moment, and would need a zoom, as it is high up on a wall.

It doesn't look impossible, the chanter comes out at the bottom of the bag, and is directed upwards. The piper's arms are across his chest.

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 10:38 AM

Was it anything like this woodcut?

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: pavane
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 12:40 PM

No, not at all. The chanter is pointing UPWARDS, and over the left shoulder, not downwards. That's what is so puzzling.

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 01:31 PM

Errr, Isn't the chanter pointing upwards on the woodcut? Over the left shoulder, with the drones under the right arm? Or am I altogether mad?

:D

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 01:36 PM

The chanter in that picture is over his left shoulder and not playable. He seems to be fingering a drone!
I reckon that was drawn by someone who had no idea how bagpipes work!
Now, if you were a medieval stone cutter, would you want to have a model standing blowing in your ear while you worked? I think it must have been done from memory - and not accurate at all!
Robyn

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: breezy
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 05:44 PM

my mate Graham plays a bagpipe!- with one drone, a pupil of his made it at college 20 years ago and its brilliant.
he will be mumming on Sunday in St Albans

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 07:30 PM

Have a look at this link for more bagpipes


http://annandave.org/Beverley%20Minister.htm

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: pavane
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 01:13 PM

No, I can't see a similar one there

Subject: RE: Unusual bagpipes depicted
From: treewind
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 03:55 AM

You could try emailing Julian Goodacre - he's been making all kinds of English pipes based on carvings like this and old pictures. However as Robyn suggests, some of those images owe more to artistic licence (or bad memory) than to knowledge or understanding of how pipes work.

Anahata