The Northumbrian Pipers Society
What the Society does and how it can help you
About The Northumbrian Pipes
Scotland is not the only country with bagpipes! Bagpipes have been around for a long time and many European countries have their own types of bagpipe. There are several types of English bagpipes too. The Northumbrian smallpipes are the only English bagpipes with an unbroken playing tradition and they have a distinctive sound. The Half Longs or Border pipes are quieter than Highland pipes but louder than smallpipes.
The button below will tell you more about the pipes. It will tell you where to see our pipes, hear them played, and find out more about why they are unique.
NPS ANnUAL CONCERT Oct 9th
Even better – come to the NPS ANNUAL CONCERT in Newcastle on Tyne. You can buy tickets and get more details at This Link.
Tickets are £15 per adult and £8 per child 16 and under
Tickets for the LIVESTREAM are now on sale! Viewing will be via the NPS YouTube channel (live or on ‘catch up’). The YouTube link will be sent out with your ticket confirmation email
**LATEST NEWS** The Newcastle Kingsmen will dance for us.
Andy & Margaret Watchorn – Northumbrian pipes and fiddle
Andy and Margaret have been playing together for over 30 years, and are widely known as masterful exponents of harmony playing on pipes & fiddle. Their repertoire encompasses tunes from across the British Isles and Scandinavia, plus self-penned works.
Drawing inspiration from past piping greats such as Joe Hutton, and Margaret’s lifelong exposure to dialect song and the music of the Northumberland coast, they have long been two of the region’s most sought-after traditional performers.
Read more about them at: https://www.pipesandfiddle.co.uk/
Carolyn Robson – song
Carolyn Robson is a folk singer of renown, with over 50 years of experience as a performer. Hailing from the North East, Carolyn has built her repertoire around both traditional and contemporary folk songs, sourced from Northumberland and further afield.
Having recorded a number of solo albums and collaborated with such names as Kathryn Tickell, Karen Tweed, and Martyn Wyndham-Read, Carolyn was awarded the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s prestigious Gold Badge for her outstanding contribution to folk music.
Read more about Carolyn at: https://carolynrobson.wixsite.com/music
Alex Barrass & Jonathan Pearson – pipes and more!
Two up-and-coming young pipers, Alex Barrass and Jonathan Pearson, have burst onto the traditional music scene as a duo in recent years, both having enjoyed a spate of piping competition victories early in their piping careers. The pair met in Leeds whilst at university, and made their debut as a duo at the Rothbury Traditional Music Festival in 2025.
Building on a repertoire rooted in Northumbrian dance music and airs, and complemented by Jonathan’s self-penned works, they have produced an album together, which was released earlier this year to widespread acclaim. With melodies centred around Alex’s pipes, accompanied by Jonathan on mandocello or box, and interspersed with pipes duets, the pair create a distinctive and innovative sound. Read more at: https://jonathanpearsonmusic.org/ and https://alexbarrassnorthumbrianpipes.wordpress.com/
RAPPER is not a modern transatlantic type of singing, but traditional North East Dance. Learn more about the Newcastle Kingsmen at https://www.rapper.org.uk/teams/profiles/kingsmen.php
The Music
The sound of the Northumbrian Smallpipes has been likened to the singing of a lark (the chanter) over the buzzing of bees (the drones). The pipes are versatile: the music can be sad or lyrical, or players can use the closed staccato chanter to be playful bright and rhythmic. To quote Anthony Baines “It is perhaps the most civilised of the bagpipes”.
Border pipes sound more like Scottish pipes, but like the smallpipes they are an indoor instrument.
Kitchen concerts
Listen
A selection of pipers, both professional and amateur, who have music you can hear via their Soundcloud pages. [more…]
Tunes and Folios
Youtube
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Quick ViewJournal of the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society Volume 43 2024-2026 Printed Copy
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Performances Players and Events
There are Northumbrian Piping events happening all over the world where piping can be seen and heard, and workshops and courses running throughout the year. Find out where you can go to hear (or play) the pipes. Locate professional performers for your event. Find supportive groups in your region.
Pipe Makers and Fettlers
Unfortunately you are unlikely to find Northumbrian Smallpipes or Border Pipes in regular music shops. There are far fewer people playing our pipes than guitars or recorders, or even Highland pipes. Because of this the pipes are all hand made. They also need maintenance and careful adjustment – traditionally called “fettling”. Most pipers do their own basic maintenance but there are Fettlers to deal with more complex problems.
Beginning the Pipes
In principle the Northumbrian Smallpipes are simple to play – there is one note for each hole on the chanter. Get some pressure in the bag, uncover the hole and you hear a note. However playing requires the development of good coordination but also independence of arms and fingers. For most of us perseverance is important. You may be able to get a tutorial book from https://www.northumbrianpipes.com/shop but most people will do better if they can find a teacher. Some teachers offer online lessons. Many piping groups are very supportive, and the Northumbrian Pipers Society has a buddy scheme for members. A range of tunebooks can be bought from our shop, and members get a discount.
Teachers
Many teachers offer lessons online as well as in person.
Groups
Many groups are very supportive of beginning pipers.
Getting a set
How and where to obtain a set of pipes.
Join up
Sign up today to access discounts, pipe hire (GB only), and our newsletter.
Shop
Tune Books, Handbooks, CDs, Membership and links to other suppliers.