The Northumbrian Small Pipes have existed since at least the 17th Century, if not earlier – an instrument unique to the North East of England with its own special sound. This record traces the history of the instrument’s music.
The early tunes had to fit within the limited confines of the first instruments’ range, but, necessity being the mother of invention, this produced tunes that may have been limited in tonal range but were certainly not at all limited in melodic invention. In time the instrument developed, enabling more complex tunes with greater range to pass into the tradition.