Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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The Scottish 'Quintal' Smallpipe. This is an unconventional yet enchanting tuning of the smallpipe drone into a stack of perfect fifths: A4-E3-B3. The drones of this instrument have a variety of tunings, but I find this one particularly magical Forgive any slips! It was 38F and beginning to snow on that day!

Performance: Jordan Alexander Key in Ashe County, NC on 10/31/2025.

Instrument: made by John MacLellan in 2022 on commission by Jordan Alexander Key. The pipe is made from cocobolo wood with African blackwood accent. Currently it has two interchangeable chanters in the same tuning. The chanter I am playing on here is by Australian Smallpipe/Borderpipe maker Michael Casey. The chanter is made from (Australian) Gidgee wood, with brass mount and ferrule.

Pieces Played:
1. 3/4 March in B Aeolian, 'The Recruits' by Charlie Glendinning, 1982
2. Jig in B Aeolian, 'Flee the Glen' by Robert Mathieson
3. Jig in B Aeolian, 'The Ness Pipers Jig' by Iain M Morrison
4. Reel in B Aeolian, 'The Ness Pipers Reel' (arr. Jordan Alexander Key)
5. Hornpipe in B Aeolian, 'The Ness Pipers Hornpipe' (arr. Jordan Alexander Key)