The bagpipes I make are inspired by two different traditions, the Central-France tradition for my pipes in G,A and Bb, whilst my pipes in D, Eb and F have been developed from Pastoral Pipes models. This goes for the acoustical aspects of the pipes, as for the outer aesthetics, all pipes can be made in a Flemish, French or other aesthetic style.

French Style bagpipes in G, A, Bb

The pipes in G, A and Bb I make are based on the research and long years of experimenting by Rémy Dubois, from whom I learned making woodwinds. Rémy, together with Bernard Blanc, starting from instruments made by Béchonnet (19th century), developed what is now ‘the ‘ standard central French bagpipe, model which is now widely used by makers in France, Holland, Belgium and UK. These pipes are generally in G, and play one octave + quart, and have a subtonic one note below the tonic. They generally have two drones in G, but copies of Béchonnet pipes feature a third small drone on the back side of the chanter block, drone which sounds another G, yet an octave higher. Sometimes a drone in C is added too.

I make these pipes according to different aesthetics. Whilst the French type has normally its small drone parallel with the chanter in a common stock (le boîtier), Flemish types have both drones over the shoulder. The woods available are plum, rosewood, boxwood and African blackwood, rings can be made of imitation ivory, cowhorn or silver. Other woods and decorations are available on demand.

Central French style bagpipe in G. Click to see full image

MUCHOSA, traditional belgian bagpipe in Bb. Click to see full image

Pastoral pipes in D

Unlike most people know, in Flanders no bagpipes of the ‘Breugel-type’ has survived. Hence nobody knows what ‘Flemish low pitched pipes sounded like (the only pipes found in Belgium have been found on the border with Wallonia, they are high-pitched (around Bb) and come from a Picardian tradition, not a Flemish tradition). Looking at the traditional repertoire that has been found, it is clear that country dances play an important role. To be able to play this repertoire, one needs an instrument that can play at least an octave plus a fifth. I decided to start copying pastoral pipes, as these instruments were made exactly for the country-dance repertoire, their beautiful allowing to play a lot of other music in an interesting way.

• The history of the Pastoral Pipe is not well known, they appear in the mid of the 18th century, and might be the invention of one man in order to respond to a vogue for ‘Pastoral’ music. What is clear however, is that the instruments gradually developed into the Union and later flat sets Uillean pipes, by removing the foot joint and play on the knee like is done in contemporary Irish piping.
• I started from an original very beautiful set of pipes made by Robertson of Edinburgh, but had, although essential acoustical elements as the reed type, bore diameter were kept, to change a few things:
  • The pitch being like most pastoral pipes Eb, I lowered my set to D.
  • In order to get the octaves right, the bore and diameter of the right hand part of the chanter were widened and the foot joint made longer.
  • I added an octave key to facilitate octave jumping, and lowered the emplacement of the D-hole, in order to increase stability on the low D. Hence a key was needed to access the low C.
• The result is an instrument featuring the following advantages
• Instrument in D, easy to play with other instruments (not too loud)
• Interesting tone, without the overtypical Uillean pipe sound: listen to




• Compass up to 2 octaves, the highest 3 notes (top C, C# and D) are however musically not very interesting.
• Very quick response (compared to French pipes in D like grande bourbonnaise), making it possible to play fast jigs and alike
• Semi-closed fingering (like on Central France pipes)
• Very stable low-D, combined with the semi-closed fingering this allows to play with lots of rappels if needed
• With and without octave key easy jump between the octaves
• The instrument is standard made in first grade African blackwood, with imitation ivory and silverplated keys and mountings. As alternative wood species boxwood and snakewood are available, keys and mounting can be made in sterling silver on demand. Standard is 3 drones in D (bas, alto, treble), a fourth drone in G is interesting to play music in this key. Octave and C-key are standard, extra interesting keys are C# and D#.
• Pastoral Pipes in other keys: the pipes can also be made in Eb and F, featuring the same characteristics.

Pastoral pipes in D. Click to see full image