Introduction to the Viking Panpipe

The panpipe is probably one of mankinds oldest musical instruments, perhaps preceeded only by
percussion. One can imagine the wonder of this instrument to early man as he blew across the
end of a reed stem or perhaps an angelica stalk. The single pipe pan pipe which is still played in
many places in the world is followed by bundles of pipes, still seperate. These collections of
pipes can be played by a group of people, an ancient tradition still practised in parts of Russia
and Lithuania, where they are known as Skuduciai. Soon sets of reed stem pipes arranged by
pitch are lashed together to make the familiar 'Pan Pipes' well known from Greek and Roman art.
However there is another way to make this instrument, by boring holes into a piece of wood or
bone. There are several ancient examples of this type of pipe, the two oldest are from the first
century, found in Switzerland and Germany. Our instrument is based on a find dated to the tenth
century uncovered during the Coppergate excavations of Viking York. Because York was known
as Jorvik at this time, the instrument has become known as the Jorvik Panpipe. Your instrument
is a reproduction of this style of instrument, and is made to the same dimensions, though the
toneholes are somewhat more regular and more deeply bored to make a sound acceptable to
todays ear.

How to Play.
Step 1) First find a peaceful place preferably out in nature. The Panpipe is best played outside as
it's quite loud and can seem overly strident indoors.
Step 2) Find a comfortable position and put the pipe upright so the edge of the holes is just under
and touching the edge of your lower lip, with the high notes, or the hanging thong, to your left.
Step 3) To generate a sound, purse your lips a little to focus the breath and blow strongly
downwards across the open end of a hole. It is the same action as blowing across the end of a
bottle.
Step 4) Experiment with the precise position of the pipes, the openness of your lips, the position
of your jaw and how hard the pipe is pressed against your lips until you get a good solid tone.
Step 5) Try playing a simple tune by moving up and down the pipes. With practise precise
control and fast changing between notes is possible.
Step 6) The keynote of your pipes is the lowest note.
Step 7) Try blowing very gently, to get a breathy very quiet, but still distinctly pitched sound. A
good way to practise your tunes without annoying the neighbours!

Contact Us:
Ancient Instruments
Oakfield farm
Horton Way
Verwood
Dorset BH31 6JJ
corwen@ancientinstruments.co.uk
+44 (0)7815 725 114
www.ancientinstruments.co.uk

Blow downwards, like

The Jorvik Panpipe one might across a bottle