The boatswain's pipe is a musical instrument used to transmit orders on ships. It originated on ancient Greek galleys and is played only by boatswains and crew leaders to communicate with the crew. The pipe is tuned by adjusting the reed and has different calls indicated by four hand positions that require varying levels of breath pressure. Common calls include summoning boats, calling side boys, assembling the crew, and concluding ceremonies.
The boatswain's pipe is a musical instrument used to transmit orders on ships. It originated on ancient Greek galleys and is played only by boatswains and crew leaders to communicate with the crew. The pipe is tuned by adjusting the reed and has different calls indicated by four hand positions that require varying levels of breath pressure. Common calls include summoning boats, calling side boys, assembling the crew, and concluding ceremonies.
The boatswain's pipe is a musical instrument used to transmit orders on ships. It originated on ancient Greek galleys and is played only by boatswains and crew leaders to communicate with the crew. The pipe is tuned by adjusting the reed and has different calls indicated by four hand positions that require varying levels of breath pressure. Common calls include summoning boats, calling side boys, assembling the crew, and concluding ceremonies.
The boatswain's pipe is a musical instrument used to transmit orders on ships. It originated on ancient Greek galleys and is played only by boatswains and crew leaders to communicate with the crew. The pipe is tuned by adjusting the reed and has different calls indicated by four hand positions that require varying levels of breath pressure. Common calls include summoning boats, calling side boys, assembling the crew, and concluding ceremonies.
The boatswain’s pipe in the early days was known as the “whistle of command” and had its origin in the rowing galley of Grecian ships. Although it may look and sound a bit like a whistle, it is in reality a musical instrument on which many kinds of calls may be played. It is not like the whistle that a coach might use with his squad.
The pipe is used only by the boatswain and crew leaders, not by the Skipper or the mate. The Skipper or the mate issues orders verbally to the boatswain who, in turn, either uses a pipe or passes the orders on verbally to the crew leaders. The crew leaders wear the boatswain’s pipe as an indication of their office and also to transmit orders to their crews.
Wearing the Boatswain’s Pipe
The boatswain’s pipe is worn suspended on a white lanyard and carried in the pocket on the left-hand side of the blouse.
Tuning the Pipe
The pipe can be tuned by adjusting the pee or by flattening or soldering the sides so as to fill the space between the pee and the bowl. Sometimes the call can be improved by scraping the wind edge or enlarging the hole in the bowl by filing.
It is essential that the reed strike the hole fairly. This can be tested by pushing a broom straw down through the reed and adjusting the wind edge until it splits the straw. Pee Reed Hole
Mouth Bowl
Ring for Lanyard
If correctly tuned, the pipe should sound even when blown very lightly with the hand open. With the hand closed, the call should sound clear and shrill when blown rather hard.
Positions of the Hand
There are four hand positions: open, curved, closed, and clinched. These positions will also indicate the lung force or the necessary pressure of blowing air. As a rule, the open hand calls for the least pressure needed to make a soft, clear note; the clinched hand calls for the most wind pressure possible to make a note shrill and clear.
Learning the Calls
To learn the six calls used in Sea Scout ceremonies, you must first understand the score. Note that the illustration for each call shows how the four positions of the hand are designated in the four spaces of a musical staff. 5 The straight line on the staff indicates a smooth note. This is the way any ordinary whistle is blown, and is raised or lowered simply by the lung Clinched force used.
Closed A dotted line indicates a rattled note, made by flipping the tongue against the roof of the mouth, imitating a whistle rattled by a pea. Curved Open A broken line indicates an undulating note. Undulating notes are made by a combination of the tongue slightly undulating while the throat checks the lung pressure or flow of breath, causing the sound to undulate smoothly, but continuously, at equal intervals.
Full arrowheads along a line indicate full breath impulses. Half arrowheads mean gentle breath impulses.
Intervals or rests are marked as such with the number of seconds above, if more than one is required. Otherwise the notes are slurred smoothly.
The Calls Word to Be Passed This is piped to command silence before passing an order or information. Start in closed and clinch within a second. Impulse the shrill call with lung force about three times, and end sharply. Follow with the order or information to be passed. 5 10 Clinched Closed Curved Open
Boat Call This is piped to order a boat away. Start in open, close to clinched, hold the shrill five seconds; then open and close again to the clinch, and hold the shrill five seconds; then open and end softly, allowing three seconds for the fall to silence. Follow with the order for the boat wanted. 5 5 3 Clinched Closed Curved Open
Veer This is piped to call side boys: one veer for two side boys, two veers for four side boys, three veers for six side boys, and four veers for eight side boys. Start in curved and close to clinched. Follow with the order: “Side boys, post.” 15 Clinched Closed Curved Open All Hands This is piped to assemble all hands. Close to clinched and impulse softly about three times, holding the shrill 10 seconds, ending sharp; again close to clinched softly, hold the second shrill 10 seconds, and allow it to fall softly to a finish for three seconds. Follow with the order: “All hands on deck!” (or wherever they are to assemble). 10 1 1 /2 10 Clinched Closed Curved Open
Pipe Down This is piped for dismissal from all ceremonies and assemblies, and for any meal.
It is a combination of the calls “word to be passed” and a “veer” of about 10 seconds, ending in a sharp, short peep. Follow with the order: “Dismissed” or “Fall in for mess.” 10 10 Clinched Closed Curved Open
Piping the Side
This is piped to accompany side honors. Start in open with a low, smooth note; rise slowly to the shrill; fall faster to a low note; and finish with a low, soft shrill..Officers and side boys come to salute at first note and hold it until the last note. The boatswain holds the call with the right hand and salutes left-handed. 10 10 10 Clinched Closed Curved Open
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