b versus c pipes

Uilleann Pipes
1

First, apologies to anima for accidentally hitting “post reply” instead of “new topic” and creating a total non sequitur in the back d discussion. Now–I’ve read the three pages of crossfire on concert pitch versus flat pitch pipes. Would any of you be willing to weigh in with opinions on B versus C pipes?

2

It is a pity that none of the “experts” wants to jump in here. I for myself opted for a B chanter just for the greater difference in tone and pitch in comparison to a concert set. A very questionable point, though. There might be better arguments for a C chanter when coming from concert pitch, but for me it is mostly a matter of taste.
Christian

3

Christian,

Thanks for taking the plunge. I was gravitating towards a b set myself and for the same reason, which is why I opened this line of discussion. I’ve heard lovely things out of Gay McKeon’s C set, but there’s no getting around the facts that it’s a Coyne set and it’s him playing it. I was really wondering if anyone out there who has both b and c chanters had anything to say about their differences tonally and in terms of playability–with all due weight given to the question of the maker. Thanks again, Christian.

Lemon

4

I’d be interested in hearing sound samples too if anyone had some.

Jeff

5

I have chanters in B and C, but they are from different makers using different woods… so it’s not a fair comparison.

6

It is very much a matter of taste, so there is very little sensible tat can be said. I have a C myself but would be equally happy with a nice B. But then, I have seen many Cs and Bs from other makers I wouldn’t touch. Try, listen and then decide.

7

OK, here’s a detail question that might make some sensible response possible. It seems to me as though I’ve noticed that players of c chanters still execute very quick, fluid passages, particularly in the second octave (though I realize this is to do with the tune structure and not the chanter), whereas players of b chanters seem to play in a more closed, measured fashion. Is the spacing of the holes different enough that flowing triplets are cumbersome on the b chanter? Sorry to be a pest with all the questions, I know the answers will be obvious when I can finally play these sets–thanks for your help.

Lemon

8

I don’t experience any differences n playing c or b ( or b flat for that matter). And listen to Robbie Hannan, hardly slow now is he?

9

I play a B set most of the time. Playing triplets or any other piece of technnique is no different than playing on any other set, apart from different fingerings a particular chanter might need, it has no bearing on tempo.

I used to find that when I played my B set that it slowed my playing down a bit, I think it had the effect of slowing a record down and lowering the pitch. But now looking back it was more to do with being comfortable playing the instrument and being able to enjoy the music I was playing almost as a listener.

I’ve set up my D set in this way (almost) too and it improves the quality of play ten fold.

All the best,

Patrick.

10

be sure your hands are big enough that you’re comfortable with a B set. I’ve tried a couple of makers and although I LOVE the tone, my mitts are simply too small! I opted for a C set.