Abstract: The present invention is a practice chanter for simulating a bagpipe chanter. In its most basic form, the practice chanter of the present invention includes a flexible airtube, a fipple head attached to the flexible airtube, and a rigid whistle tube attached to the fipple head. In this basic embodiment, the whistle tube includes a plurality of holes disposed at predetermined locations along the length of the whistle tube corresponding to locations of holes in the predetermined bagpipe chanter, with each of the holes having a predetermined diameter such that the key and pitch of notes produced by the practice chanter correspond to notes produced by the bagpipe chanter. In the preferred embodiment, the practice chanter is dimensioned to simulate an Uilleann Pipe chanter.

Abstract: One particular design for providing a substitute to a cane reed incorporates a wood-based, polymer body (the tube), two thin plastic tongues, regulated by a short length of synthetic tubing (the bridle). A brass or plastic tube is screwed or pressed in one end to form the "seat" of the reed, or that portion which is pressed into the bagpipe itself. An opposite end of the tubular body includes a tuning pin to change a pitch of the reed. The bagpipe reed is fashioned from a hollow tube as a body, threaded or tapered at both ends to provide for the use of a threaded or tapered plug (tuning pin) at either end, employed to adjust airflow and pitch. The tuning pin is a socket headed cap screw having external threads at one end and an enlarged, knurled head at the opposite end. The head includes a hexagonal shaped opening for rotation of the tuning pin into and out of the tubular body by an allen wrench.

Abstract: A pipe bag is constructed from a flexible composite material which is airtight but readily permits the transmission of moisture vapor. At least one layer of the flexible composite material is a continuous hydrophilic layer. When a moisture vapor concentration gradient is present across said hydrophilic layer it transfers substantial amounts of water throug the layer by absorbing water on the side of the layer at which the higher water vapor concentration exists, and desorbing water on the opposite side of the layer at which the water vapor concentration is lower. As a result of this the moisture concentration within the bag is regulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand held musical pipe instrument, such as a bagpipe, having a plurality of longitudinally spaced wall openings which are positioned and arranged to be selectively closed by finger action of the player. There is included a longitudinally slidable sleeve member positioned and arranged on the exterior of the pipe body for selective longitudinal positioning by one of the fingers of the player to at least partially cover or uncover one of the wall openings to thereby provide for a tone pitch change.