An introduction to Northumbrian smallpipes

[@vinny142]

You have to rub your belly, pat your head, flip a pancake and hoover the bedroom all at the same time. God how I admire people who can do this stuff, I get confused in a revolving door!

[@robertquinn8210]

Thank you, Vinny142, good response. And thank you, Ms Tickell, good introduction.

[@JohnLeePettimoreIII]

Well said! 😄

[@markharvey7988]

Hahaha! Prior to moving down here to comment I was thinking much the same thing. Makes learning to play any other instrument child's play!

[@awayaymugye]

Me too. When I'm around people who play instruments, make things etc. I feel like my knuckles are scraping the floor.

[@TheWanderfound]

That sort of multitasking seems to be a Northumbrian specialty. I once saw a Northumbrian folkie who was singing one tune, playing a harmonising-but-different tune with the bow on her fiddle, while simultaneously plucking a third contrasting tune on the fiddle strings with her left hand.

[@KowboyUSA]

Learned more about bagpipes in less than 4 minutes than in the rest of my entire life.

[@alfnoakes392]

Wonderful musicianship. . A family of instruments that owes its worldwide existence to the fact that shepherds have had a lot of time, and dead sheep, on their hands over the millennia.

[@backalleycqc4790]

"Billy! Those dead sheep are not going to make a bagpipe themselves overnight, get to it, laddy'"

[@mountainhun]

@@backalleycqc4790 Och, but I dinnae want ta play the pipes, can't I just sew it up and play football?

[@releasekracklin4538]

Wow....lol

[@releasekracklin4538]

Love the history background.

[@1johnnygunn]

And the crusades brought piping to Europe, at least according to some theorists.

[@jonstarbird8484]

The Northumbrian pipes sound much cleaner and melodic than any other pipes I have heard.

[@laughingbuddha1709]

I have to admit, when I a saw "Northumbrian smallpipes" I thought it was something we should all be vaccinated against. It was a lovely sound, thanks for sharing!

[@jamiegalbraith4874]

I am fucking dead at this comment 😂😂😂

[@skeetsmcgrew3282]

Yo don't even joke, my mom got the 'smallpipes and she's never been the same since 😂

[@carolinej3661]

LOLOL!!!

[@Zoidberg227]

@@jamiegalbraith4874 Well, you wouldn't be dead if you'd had your smallpipe vaccination, now would you??

[@WgCdrLuddite]

I imagined Georgie children running mob-handed to pick your pockets.

[@Bryan-jm4uc]

As soon as she started playing I got goosebumps. Legendary

[@neatchipops3428]

...and if you'd been in the room, you'd have watery eyes too... and not (just) from emotion... possibly other physical distresses as well. ; )

[@catalogodefantasmas]

I was there in Durham's cathedral when you were playing the Northumbrian smallpipe and the fiddle as well. Was one of the best moments in my life. Thank you, Madame Tickell. You are a magnificent artist.

[@David-qy9vd]

I am from Durham but don’t live there anymore. I wish I could have been there to witness that!

[@anonagain]

My cats normally despise bagpipes and act very disturbed when they hear them, but they love the Northumbrian pipes and seem very soothed by the sound. Thanks.

[@RobMacKendrick]

Most cats are English. Little-known fact.

[@goodun2974]

I had a huge Shrpherd mix who would howl like the Hound of the Baskervilles whenever he heard bagpipes, harmonica, or saxophone. It was like some kind of canine Tuvan throat singing, like he was channeling his wolf ancestors.

[@patrickcannady2066]

bagpipes are no more inherently loud and shrill than they are a military instrument. stop thinking Scottish Great Highland Bagpipes = BAGPIPES, period, because it just isn't so.

[@bigl6322]

RobMacKendrick..... oh shit, I thought they were all Egyptian with the cleopatra attitudes...lol

[@michaelemory552]

Domestic cats, domestic smallpipes. Below is mention of Tuvan throat singing. I taught myself styles of singing and as I lay singing on the floor my cat would settle on my chest purring. We also napped together in a tree.

[@Kaiser_Murphy]

This is absolutely beautiful in every way.

[@professorlegacy]

When she says "One of the things that's fascinating about bagpipes" and she flairs her fingers and smiles, I know she absolutely means it 👍🔥

[@sablatnic8030]

And she is right! I'm always fascinated by things I don't know!

[@azmike1956]

I came for the pipes but stayed for her. What a sweet young lady!💕

[@samuelmarlow1969]

Oh she is rather lovely I must agree!! 😁🥰

[@macsen55LoneWolf]

Beautiful Kathryn, the best Northumbrian piper!

[@FlatlandMando]

The beauty of this kind of pipe is you could sing too. No matter, your pipe- playing is very expressive with or without singing.

[@loveistruth5713]

I don't know what's more lovely you or the sound of your Enchanted playing thank you for brightening up my morning here in the USA

[@jimksa67]

Very touching to hear a woman of depth Cheers from Canada

[@intelligenthomeonline2834]

Something reaches into your soul when you listen to the pipes. Love it, and thanks for introducing me to the Northumbrian ones.

[@rickb9238]

I really like the tone of those pipes. I’ve never seen or heard those pipes before, thank you.👍👍

[@TheRick8866]

Beautiful music and a beautiful lady

[@TheIanoTube]

Came here from the opening song in The Wicker Man (1973). Great sound

[@cholulahotsauce6166]

What a wonderful clear sound.

[@LearnRunes]

Thanks for teaching the world about this little known instrument.

[@ethanpiersonjohn]

Oh my - it is such a sweet sounding instrument! I love pipes.

[@finolaomurchu8217]

Beautiful, very very nice.☘🧚‍♂️🇮🇪

[@raycope2086]

Grand Kathryn. I've enjoyed listening to you over the years and I still do. It blows my tiny wee mind when you explain the mechanics of it all though. You look just as lovely as ever pet. I wish you rainbows.

[@Zauberbratsche]

As a string player (violin/viola) I was quite impressed that you have a way to effectively do vibrato on your pipes!

[@marcillioficino4663]

What a fascinating instrument.

[@lifeinlimbo2186]

I wish you could have played forever. Lovely and beautiful sound. Lovely and beautiful musicianship. And,yes,a lovely and beautiful piper.

[@eliofistarol8479]

Hey Kathryn I really love your bagpipe playing. After hearing the thing you played at 1:50, I thought that the bagpipe timber and sound would really fit modern fusion jazz. The sound would really be great for those roaring synth solos (compare to Cory Henry's solo on Snarky Puppy's Song Lingus). I think you could come up with some amazing stuff and introduce your wonderful instrument to the rich and wonderful world of contemporary Fusion. It might not be your repertoire but i think it is most definitely worth a try!!

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Excellent overview of the instrument. Very interesting.

[@timallen6025]

Fabulous sound(s) and walk through of just how what and when.. thank you

[@petermoore8811]

was looking for uilleann pipes but glad i seen this. Never knew about these pipes. Reminds me of Tudor music. Wonderful sound.

[@lesleyd41]

Seen Kathryn tickell a few times....always excellent.

[@stlev99]

Reminds of uileann pipes but has an even sweeter sound. First time I've heard it. Fantastic. Thank you

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@Urien Rheged No. The Northumbrian Smallpipes were developed from the early modern period, reaching their modern setup (with keys) in the early 19th century. They developed from earlier bagpipes with the influence of French bagpipes (not so unusual) as parlour pipes. Bagpipes were common all over Britain.

[@leoburns9674]

What a lovely talent, with soft, efficient hands and a great ear… effortless execution and comfort on a great set of pipes! 😊👍

[@steveforster9764]

Kathryn a lovely Northumbrian lass

[@seaghanobuadhaigh8240]

I remember this lady being on TV when she was a schoolgirl. It was some kind of programme about people with unusual hobbies. The only other one I remember was Geoff Capes - an exhibition budgie breeder.

[@wulfocrow5549]

exhibition budgie breeder, what a hobby.

[@pegjames188]

Budgie breeder and Olympic shot putter.

[@hoilst]

@@pegjames188 Seaghan kinda buried the lede with that one...or did he?

[@davidgoodwin7269]

Thanks Kathryn. Great to see you spreading the word, and the music.

[@AidasRusa]

It's absolutely beautiful!

[@TheEleventeen]

Thank you Ms. Kathryn Tickell for this wonderful video ! It made my day.

[@davidharrison6615]

they are such a gentle sound . wonderful . thank god I trace my roots back 700 years in this amazing part of the world . thank you .

[@OrdinaryDude]

Very cool. I never knew those existed. Beautiful!

[@algow5988]

Very nice, first time I heard these pipes.

[@tombarnes7846]

Grand artistry through a superb medium--your heart comes through the instrument so well.

[@larry-naylor]

The elbow pipes have a sound all of their own. They're mellow and moving and incredibly beautiful.

[@jimksa67]

that was super Kathyrn!

[@davidbyrhtnoth375]

Brilliant explanation. Thanks for sharing!

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

Excellent!!! I and yon neighbors found this bonnie lass thoroughly enchanting. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@kevinmatthews9469]

You are so beautiful when you play those pipes. I loved it.

[@brianobrien595]

It's a lovely sound and thanks for explaining how the instrument works. Georgious mellow sound.

[@kevinhendryx665]

Kathryn's recordings are never far from our stereo! A great musician and person and the veritable Queen of Pipers!

[@patrickcannady2066]

she is a fantastic piper, no doubt. I've always liked her music.

[@mrbassman7184]

Wow. I just heard this sound in a song that I recognized from Sting’s fantastic record The Soul Cages, and as I had that one on my CD shelf right next to me, I decided to look in the credits to figure out what the name of that instrument could be. I thought it could be this one, so I went here to youtube to find out. This video was the first one that came up. And sure, it was correct. Even the name of the musician was the same. 🤩 Amazing playing on that record! 👏

[@lastup4170]

Your lovely voice is music to my ears.

[@ssmith954]

Fascinating -- and what an absolutely beautiful sound! Thanks for sharing!

[@realraven2000]

Remember it takes 15 years to learn the pipes: 5 years to master the technique, 5 years to learn the tunes and 5 years to keep a straight face while playing.

[@planetx5269]

Wow, it's so clean an clear! Thanks

[@johncanfield1177]

How kind of you to share this Miss Kathryn! Thanks to ye.

[@philspinner4638]

I'm a soft Southern you know what but have always loved Johnny Handle and the High Level Ranters. My late brother and I bought everything they ever released. Now I can't get enough of Kathryn Tickell. Seen both live and love the pipes. Who wouldn't.

[@Marialla.]

Very interesting! Excellent demonstration.

[@marklloyd3536]

Very informative and very clear explanation.

[@bonenfant96]

What an awesome sound.

[@rayfarrell9444]

There’s a lovely tone to that particular brand of N pipes as we’d call them. Very hard to replicate with Scottish haggis pipes. There a different class.

[@patrickcannady2066]

Vastly different instruments made for vastly different purposes. It's like comparing a rustic, medieval shawm to modern oboe. Superficially similar, yes, but...you get the idea.

[@1teamski]

Really cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@TrailTrek]

Very informative, thank you very much for taking the time to upload. Great watch, keep playing.

[@AnTiThesis-HaT-HoT]

Enchanting, dreamy, evocative and spectacular all at once!

[@chaselee86]

I love this mellow tone of small pipes more than the Highland bagpipes!

[@ruwn561]

Love from newcastle, love the Northumbrian pipes.

[@KlausBru]

thanks for explaining this beautiful instument!

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

Simply splendid music lassie-from a Scottish fan.

[@enzedbrit]

why aye! Scots and Geordies are the same, marra!

[@adarkerbluesissypusscat2569]

Hi, Kathryn. Have been a fan of your playing on Sting's records for years! Particularly enjoy the Northumbrian and Uillean pipes. You've provided perfect atmosphere for songs like "Wild, Wild Sea", "Fields of Gold" and "Valparaiso", and I love your fiddle on "I Was Brought to My Senses". You are a real master! Thanks for the primer! :)

[@katieMarie2022]

Just beautiful. Well done!

[@strangewayfaringstranger]

She is enchanting.

[@danbujor5991]

Magical mystical sounds.

[@DarrenSangita]

Thank you for sharing such a succinct introduction to this mysterious instrument, at least to those of us that don’t know about it. Enjoyed one of your compositions on Radio 3 this morning and having such a marvellous time enjoying your works online. Thank you for your dedication to music and the instrument and being such an incredible player. ❤️🙏🏾🌏

[@rileybeach3984]

I'm currently learning the Great Highland Bagpipes on an indoor practice set. I quite adore the Northumbrian smallpipes and hope to get a set of them someday. I really appreciate you giving a demonstration with the fingers, as I've never been able to find a finger chart for the Northumbrian smallpipes. It doesn't look that complex for people who've played other woodwinds, which I have.

[@jacklucas2428]

when you actually started playing it made my eyes well up

[@georgemorley1029]

That’s because they are.

[@LokiDWolf]

Beautiful visual. Beautiful voice. Beautiful sound. Thank you for such loveliness and daydream. Felt like flying over a field of green. :)

[@benbrown8258]

Great explanation. Quite amazed to find out how the varied pitches/tones are achieved. Thank you kindly.

[@RenaissanceEarCandy]

I first heard the Northumbrian smallpipes in the opening scene of The Wicker Man. And I've wanted a set ever since

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Lovely, simply lovely...and the pipes were nice too!

[@barbarybar]

A beautiful sound.

[@resipsaloquitur13]

Very nice explanation of this instrument. Thanks!

[@Treeman196]

Saw this lady over 20 years ago in Winchester she captivated me then as well beautiful northern lass

[@oddities-whatnot]

Very nice and relaxing thank you

[@SONGSTICKS]

I mc'd for Kathryn and Lynn Tocker many moons ago at the Chelmsford YMCA Folk club. Bloody marvelous then and still Bloody marvelous !! Love the Northumbrian pipes.

[@SobiTheRobot]

I'll admit, I almost choked laughing when I first heard the instrument *hooonk*, but...well, hearing it in tune is actually lovely.

[@skeetsmcgrew3282]

Woah I think I stepped on a duck!

[@patrickcannady2066]

Northumbrian smallpipes can be very pretty in the right hands

[@Khamomil]

Lovely instrument. The lady played a beautiful vibrato I didn't know could be achieved.

[@rogerbrooks8275]

Glad I came across this. I’ve always liked listening to the pipes, but never knew what the pipes I now know to be drones were doing. Brilliant!

[@francoisvillon1300]

A love the vibrato.

[@4002corbe]

Similar to our uilleann pipes, same family that produce a beautiful, haunting sound ...

[@banjocracy]

Love this woman.

[@AndytheChav]

That was FANTASTIC!

[@tigdogsbody]

Lovely ,my dear. Thank you.

[@castloader1715]

Wow. That was beautiful

[@timdodd3897]

Very interesting. I never knew! Thanks!

[@christopherbarber9351]

thank you! much more melodious than I was expecting. I really appreciate the demonstration of the elements of the instrument.

[@billybobsings5897]

Lovely sound!

[@Juraberg]

Interesting instrument that I did not know. Thanks for showing.

[@mixolydian2010]

I dont think i have heard these before and they are the prettiest sounding ones i have heard and a lovely little tune too. Cheers

[@NiallsSongs]

This is fantastic. Thank you!

[@soulvaccination8679]

What a beautiful young lady she is.