Since 1985 we have been involved with these fascinating quiet bagpipes, which are ideal for making music at home and playing together with quieter instruments such as recorders, gemshorns, stringed instruments and other historical instruments. Since 1993, these instruments have been manufactured in cooperation with our partner Jürgen Ross, who has taken over order processing and delivery from 2022.
Renaissance bagpipes we know today from representations of Michael Praetorius from 1619. Our reconstructions are designed for versatility, ease of use and maximum reliability.
We distinguish Hümmelchen and Dudey on the basis of the number of their drones: according to the sources, we call the two-drum instrument ‘Hümmelchen’, and the three- or four-drum version ‘Dudey’. Both types are based on the same technical concepts and use the same chanters and reeds.
Hümmelchen and Dudey require only a fairly low playing pressure and, with their recorder fingering, are easy to learn even for beginners. Interchangeable chanters and retunable drones make it possible to set the desired accompaniment harmonies as desired and appropriate to the respective key. The playable keys are F major, C major and D minor.
The bagpipes are made by us from Elsbeer wood. The ornamental rings are made of high quality artificial ivory or imitation horn (on request also made of real horn for an additional charge). All instruments are equipped with reliable and durable plastic reeds.
| Keys | F major, C major, D minor, Dorian |
| Range | Soprano chanterc’ – d” (standard chanter)optional sopranino chanter e’ – f” optional alto chanter f – g’ |
| Fingering | similar to the baroque recorder fingering |
| Bordune |
School model with 1 drone
: (changeable to d, f and c’ tunable) School model with 2 drones : – Alto bordun (tuneable to d, f and c’) – Soprano bordun (c’) Hümmelchen with high drone tuning 2 tunable drones: – Alto bordun f (g / a) – Soprano bordun c’ (d’) Hümmelchen with deep drone tuning 2 tunable drones: – Tenor bordun c (d) – Alto bordun f (g / a) Dudey with high drone tuning 3 drones, 2 of which are retunable: – t-bordun f (g / a) – Soprano bordun c’ (d’) – Sopranino bordun f’ Dudey with deep drone tuning 3 re-tuneable drones: – Tenor bordun c (d) – Alto bordun f (g / a) – Soprano bordun c’ (d’) Dudey with 4 drones 3 of them retuneable: – Tenor bordun c (d) – Alto bordun f (g / a) – Soprano bordun c’ (d’) – Sopranino bordun f’ |
| School models | Due to the great demand of bagpipe beginners who are looking for an inexpensive and quickly available instrument, we have designed the Hümmelchen school models: Although the standard version is only equipped with a drone, it can still be used fully and offers all the possibilities that the ‘big’ models also have. We have been using these learning tools in our courses for years with great success. Confirmed by our very positive experience, we have also included a two-board school model in our program. With both versions, we offer our customers the possibility of a trade-in when buying a ‘big’ bagpipe. More information about it on the relevant pages. We regularly organize beginner and advanced courses at several locations in Germany. (see courses) Here you can acquire sound knowledge and expand your playing technique under professional guidance. Several sheet music collections – but especially our bestsellers Spielmanns Notenbuch Volume 1 and 2 offer you a rich selection of melodies for your bagpipe. The optionally available CD for Spielmann’s music book shows you in an entertaining way how to use the instrument perfectly in early music groups and ensembles. |
For private use only.
Reproduction and distribution only with the express permission of the author.
