I found Norman during a business trip to Edmonton, Alberta one cold winter day in 1997. I had lived in Edmonton from 1980 to 1985 but knew nothing of him during those years. I didn't really know what to expect and was humbled by his generosity and eagerness to show me his wares.
Normal made injection molded bagpipes and chanters. He was the first person I know that threaded reed seats. His drone reeds, which he made himself, screwed into place securely and were quite the novelty at that time.
I recall a band in Ontario that had purchased a few of his chanters to try out. They experienced a few breaking right at the High A hole. Under x-ray examination they discovered that all the chanters had stress fractures around every hole. I don't believe they moved past the trial stage.
Normal made injection molded bagpipes and chanters. He was the first person I know that threaded reed seats. His drone reeds, which he made himself, screwed into place securely and were quite the novelty at that time.
I recall a band in Ontario that had purchased a few of his chanters to try out. They experienced a few breaking right at the High A hole. Under x-ray examination they discovered that all the chanters had stress fractures around every hole. I don't believe they moved past the trial stage.
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A friend was kind enough to send me the pictures of Norman's bagpipe above. I recall seeing buckets of product waiting to be assembled. Parts were attached to one another as you would find in a model car box. Norman would remove the flashing, carefully remove any small remnants, and bring the parts together.
Norman Kyle