pipes

[mcnice]

feeled the pipes would be rather an accesoire to wear with kilt so i didn t post in the general talk.
i wnat to learn the pipes, but i am still training on the practice chanter. due to the air pressure needed at the big pipe i wonder if i will succeed one time
is there somebody playing the pipes?

[Graham]

I spent a few months on the "misery stick" and gave up.
I'll stick to the whistle now.

[Hamish]

I too took private lessons from a retired Pipe-Major, way back in the 1970s. He was an excellent tutor, with amazing patience (and grace!) but even after six months of weekly classes and (almost) daily practice, he was getting nowhere with me. I could not read music then - and I cannot read music now. That was one problem!

The other was that, although I have never tried playing any instrument other than a piano when a very young child, it seemed totally alien to me to have to uncover a hole to make a particular sound; I wanted to cover or press something to do so ........ which is not what one does when playing the pipes!!

So I gave up, for the sake everyone concerned's sanity!

Take care,
Ham.
(PS: I still have my practice chanter. If anyone wants to hear me 'play' it, do give me a 'phone call!)

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Here's a suggestion that does not come up very often.

Try the Uileann (ill-in) Pipes. It's the "Irish" version with the arm bellows.

As long as you have a tutor, it's pretty much the same. I have a set, and they're a BLAST! Since the others in Barleyjuice have the Highland Pipes, it adds a completely different sound.

Not too many, save Davey Spillane, are playing them these days and the sound is haunting. It's worth a "look".

You can actually get a small set that works from www.irishshop.com

[mcnice]

at least in this perhaps single case i don t want to follow you two kilted elder ;)
but as u mentioned it is a tricky thing.

thanks jimmy for the tip and link, i ve read the uileann could be played indoor as well?
what would be better when i have my audience. on the other hand would be great to play in the viennese mountains.

i ve heard from a cabarett actor (is this the good word) in vienna, who stands in the pedestrian zone playing the pipes. i ll post a pic when i get him.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

thanks jimmy for the tip and link, i ve read the uileann could be played indoor as well?
what would be better when i have my audience. on the other hand would be great to play in the viennese mountains.

You're more than welcome. It comes from experience.

As for playing indoors... YES! The beginners set will usualy only have one drone. In time, you can add-on as desired. That will also increase the sound.

Uileann Pipes in the mountains? Ahhhhhhhhh! 8)

That haunting sound would be incredible! Beats the heck out of trying to hear it over a drunken crowd in a local pub!

[bikercelt1]

Jimmy, do you have any recomendations for a decent set of pipes for someone who wants to try it out? Something that would be playable, not junk, but not bankrupt the family budget? Are kitchen pipes a way to go for practice and getting a feel for full size pipes? I've got a practice chanter. The fingerings seem okay I just need more breath and a sense of timing.

Jamie

[Colin]

Jimmy, do you have any recomendations for a decent set of pipes for someone who wants to try it out? Something that would be playable, not junk, but not bankrupt the family budget? Are kitchen pipes a way to go for practice and getting a feel for full size pipes? I've got a practice chanter. The fingerings seem okay I just need more breath and a sense of timing.

Jamie

I was just thinking about the kitchen pipes. The local shop up here has them on special this month for $295 cdn. http://216.71.156.105/product1015.html

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Kitchen pipes are fine if you have some disposable income. Remember, that if you decide to proceed with the pipes... you'll need that money eventually in order to upgrade.

The beauty of Uileann Pipes is that you start small, and add-on as you learn. Sure the sound is different, but I personally prefer the tones.

The ONE thing that you need to be aware of is that the BAG is essential in its quality. One that won't hold air is worthless... and there are a LOAD of cheap sets that have porous bags. You can try to seal them, but it's tough.

[Brodi]

is there somebody playing the pipes?

Yes indeed! Well, actually, almost there. Still on the practice chanter, though my Pipe Major has said that if he had a set I be trying them now. I started learning just over two months ago now, and it's proven to be a lot of fun so far, even just walking around school with the practice chanter practicing the fingerings. Definitely a good idea to have a teacher, as then they'll be able to show you how to do things properly, and what to fix, an so on.

The fingerings seem okay I just need more breath and a sense of timing.

Something that might help with your timimg (I know it helped mine) was being able to listen to the tunes. With a program like Bagpipe Reader it's possible to play songs from the sheet music which you can find from sites like this bagpipe web directory(the BMW files). I hope this helps, if not with actually playing, then with finding more tunes to learn.