The Tabor Pipe is available in many keys. D (Re) is the traditional key for an English tabor pipe. Using the D pipe, one can play easily in the keys of D, G and Eminor.
Despite having just three finger holes, it can play a range of an octave and half. This is because it is an overtone flute. Click here for an explanation of overtones.
Tabor Pipe Fingering Chart (download)
Playing the tabor pipe – first steps
Carefully cover all the holes and get a clean tone. Then practice overblowing (blowing soft, medium, hard, harder, etc.) to understand the principle. After you have mastered these overtones – try the D scale, and find a popular tune that fits into that scale.
Note. The lowest notes on the instrument, shown with ‘no overblow’ are very quiet and of little practical use. The range of the instrument really starts with the D note on the first
overblow.