NSP AND CONCERT PITCH COPIES

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Northumbrian Pipes sound one tone lower than the written music (similar to a clarinet in B flat) and their music is most commonly written in the keys of G Major, D Major or A Minor (with one sharp, two sharps or no sharps).  

Copies marked NSP (Northumbrian Smallpipes) have music mainly in these keys.

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The Concert Pitch version shows the music as it actually sounds when played by Northumbrian pipes - mainly in the keys of F Major, C Major and G Minor. You will need this copy if you play flute, fiddle, recorder, concertina etc. alongside Northumbrian pipes.

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Players who are not involved with Northumbrian pipes generally prefer the original NSP version as the music is in the more common keys for folk musicians.

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Finally - the original NSP printed version has a coloured card cover. The concert pitch version has no card cover.

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See the examples below to how the books differ - the top example shows a tune in the original version (NSP) in the key of G Major  and a key signature of one sharp.

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Below it is as it appears in the Concert Pitch version - a tone lower in F Major with a key signature of one flat.