Glossary of Bagpipe Terms - R

R

Redundant A

Older notation for Piobaireachd includes an extra low A note in taorluaths and crunluaths. Whether or not it was played is unclear, although there are certainly players today who still play it.

Reel Pipes

A miniature set of Highland bagpipes, produced in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Regulators

A regulator is a simple chanter which is played with the heel of the hand, allowing the Uilleann piper to play a limited chordal accompaniment to the chanter melody.

Retreat

A relaxed, melodic tune in 3/4 or 9/8 time, played by highland pipers at the close of day in military barracks. It has no connection to military manoeuvering.

Roll

An embellishment used in uilleann piping, consisting of two gracenotes on the melody note. The name derives from an analogous fiddle decoration.

Rush

A wire that is inserted into the chanter. The rush effectively reduces the volume of the conical chanter below the desired hole. This causes the chanter to dampen or flatten the notes as far as the rush is inserted. Originally an actual rush was used for this purpose.