Anistratov Small Pipes

 Anistratov Smallpipes are available in a range of keys—A, Bb, C, C# and D—with G available upon special request. Each set is built exclusively as a bellows-blown instrument, in keeping with historic practice and tonal stability. All chanters are voiced using cane reeds, chosen for their natural warmth and responsiveness.

Of these, the A and D sets remain the most versatile and widely played, making them ideal companions for sessions, ensembles, and solo performance alongside other traditional instruments. Each set is typically supplied in a standard three-drone configuration: tenor, baritone, and bass—providing a rich and balanced drone foundation.

For those seeking even greater musical flexibility, a combined A/D set is available. Taking advantage of the fact that two drones (tenor and baritone) are common to both keys, this set includes four drones—alto, tenor, baritone, and bass—as well as two interchangeable chanters in A and D. This configuration allows seamless switching between keys without compromising tonal cohesion or playability.

All chanters supplied with combination sets are mounted in split stocks, ensuring protection of the delicate cane reeds during transport and storage—another example of the thoughtful construction that underpins every Anistratov instrument.

Anistratov Smallpipes offer the piper not only refined sound and superior craftsmanship, but also a practical and versatile instrument capable of adapting to the ever-evolving musical landscape.

 Anistratov Smallpipes chanters are meticulously crafted to highlight the natural resonance of tonewoods, offering a voice that is both bold and brilliant. The sound is clear, bright, and resonant—possessing a presence far beyond the modest pressure of bellows-blown play. Crisp articulation meets a full-bodied tone, allowing the chanter to speak with surprising weight and warmth in any acoustic setting.

In keeping with traditional playing posture, the bell of the chanter is crafted without vent holes, allowing the player to confidently seal it against the knee—essential for effective dynamics and phrasing.

All combination sets include split-stock mounts as standard, ensuring optimal reed protection during storage and transport. These practical additions reflect the Anistratov philosophy: that every element of the instrument—seen or unseen—should serve both sound and longevity.

With their balance of resonance, ergonomics, and beauty, Anistratov Smallpipes offer a voice of uncommon clarity—and a companion of quiet confidence in the piper’s hands.

Every detail of the instrument reflects a deep commitment to both function and refinement. Ferrules, tuning slides, and occasionally chanter soles are available in bronze, nickel silver, or stainless steel—the latter offering superior resistance to wear compared to sterling silver, while retaining visual elegance. For premium sets, ferrules may be produced in bronze with silver detailing, combining tone, durability, and a distinctive aesthetic.

Deluxe models are fitted with hand-rolled and engraved ferrules in sterling silver, crafted individually to match the character of the set—an homage to the finest traditions of British and European metalwork.

At Anistratov Bagpipes, we are proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and finely crafted selections of additional chanter keywork available for the Scottish Smallpipes today.
Developed by Alexander and Maria Anistratov, this modern extension of traditional design has been created in response to the needs of discerning pipers seeking a broader musical range than that offered by the conventional nine-note scale. These keys are not simply accessories, but carefully integrated elements that enhance both the capability and character of the instrument.

Each key is individually hand-forged and precision-balanced, then fitted with a riveted leaf spring — a detail borrowed from the finest practices of classical instrument-making. This meticulous process ensures a highly responsive and tactile key action, one that feels entirely natural beneath the fingers. The result is a chanter whose keywork offers maximum ergonomic comfort, with each key precisely placed to remain unobtrusive to traditional fingering while seamlessly expanding the instrument’s expressive range.

All keys are mounted using the block-mounted method — a time-honoured approach known since the Baroque era. Chosen for its aesthetic integrity and mechanical refinement, this mounting style has proven, in our view, to be the most fitting solution for the elegant keywork of Anistratov Smallpipes.

Keyed chanters are fitted to order, with each configuration tailored to the player’s individual requirements.

Available keywork options include:

• D Chanter – High E, C♯, F♮
• C Chanter – High D, High E, F♯
• B♭ Chanter – High C, C♯, Low G, Low E
• A Chanter – High B, High C♯, C♮, Low G♯, Low F

Each keyed chanter reflects the Anistratov commitment to excellence — an instrument refined not only in function, but in form, offering pipers a bespoke tool with which to explore new expressive horizons.

Chanter Reeds — Cut by Hand, Tuned by Ear

Every Anistratov Smallpipes chanter reed is individually crafted and voiced by Alexander himself, shaped by hand and tuned precisely within the chanter of its destined set. This is not a process of mass production, but of one maker, one reed, and one instrument—each balanced to its own bore with the ear and instinct of experience.

No plastic substitutes are used. In keeping with the tonal ideals of the tradition, only natural cane (Arundo Donax) is employed—selected for its resonance, flexibility, and harmonic complexity. The result is a chanter reed that speaks with warmth, focus, and that unmistakable organic depth that synthetic materials simply cannot match.

This commitment to authentic tone and true craftsmanship is not a matter of convenience, but of principle. In the world of fine instruments, where every detail matters, the reed is not a component—it is the voice.

A particular point of pride in every Anistratov Smallpipes set lies in the drone reeds, each one made entirely in-house using traditional methods and natural materials. The quill-type reeds, crafted from cane harvested and hand-selected by Alexander Anistratov in the north of Italy, are shaped and tied using enduring techniques that honour the lineage of classic pipemaking.

Each stalk of Arundo Donax is chosen not only for its straightness and grain, but for its inner fibre structure, density, and tonal promise. Once seasoned, the cane is split, scraped, and formed into reeds that yield a tone both warm and deeply stable—responsive to air, yet rich with that unmistakable natural breath that synthetic voices cannot replicate.

For those performing in unpredictable climates or on demanding stages, Alexander also offers composite drone reeds: a refined blend of African Blackwood bodies and natural cane tongues—combining the organic tonal character of cane with the mechanical reliability of precision-turned wood.

As a modern alternative, carbon composite reeds are available, featuring ebonite bodies and carbon fibre tongues, delivering remarkable consistency and strength across temperature shifts—while preserving a tasteful, musical tone.

Whichever type is chosen, each reed is crafted with quiet mastery and fitted with care. In the hands of the piper, they do not merely sound—they resonate.