Since I have been learning over the past year I have mostly had the bellows up fairly high with the arm strap about mid-fore arm and the bellows half against my rib cage and belly strap high near the bottom of my rib cage. It seems to work fine with me on the practice set. But when I look at other players it seems like the bellows is lower with the arm strap just above the elbow joint and the strap around the waist.
If I do that the wood bellows presses against my belly and comes under the rib cage and it feels awkward.
I think it all depends on how you’re built (how long your torso is and how long your arms are). My bellows arm strap is right above the elbow, but that puts my belly strap just under my ribs. Either I have a long torso or short upper arms I guess, but it’s the only position that could possibly work for me so I don’t worry about it.
Pat Sky’s book has a wonderful drawing of a beginning uilleann piper in proper playing position. He looks completely relaxed. Shoulders are not hunched, arms are naturally by the side. Everything looks just comfy-cozy
Uilleann players TEND to have bellows sit somewhat lower than other bellows users. It puts the right arm where it needs to be in order to access the regs & chanter. The length of the blowpipe helps determine where the inner clapper contacts the piper.
It does depend on how you are shaped, I agree An Draighean. Me being on the short side I tend to strap the bellows up further and my fore arm sits below the Bellows inlet valve. I have suggested this to other people, not all of them as small as myself,and some have found it much more comfortable.
One of the main things is that the piper should try to sit upright before assessing the position that might be most comfortable for the Bellows. Some well known pipers who appear to crouch into their pipes or play leaning forward at quite an angle… they also are advocates of the “strap the Bellows around your waist” method.
Me and good posture have never really been on first name terms. My bellows straps around my belly just above my hips. My arm strap falls just above my elbow with my forearm under my inlet valve. The bellow paddle rests on my hip bone so I have something to squeeze against. Pretty comfotable for my shape and size. Not for a moment suggesting this is a good set up.
Like others have said, I have found the connection hose lenght the most critical to determaning comfort. That and neck lenght!
When I was younger I’d strap the bellows around my waist,as the years have gone by it has moved up . Its now just below my nipples.
At this rate I’ll be strapping the bellows around my neck before I’m finished.
