I’m new to the forum so thanks for reading. I’m a long time player of Scottish pipes: smallpipes and borders. I’m looking at getting into uilleann pipes now too. In thinking about practice set options I’m wondering, is there any reason why I couldn’t use my current border pipes bellows for a UP practice set? Assuming I can get the right connectors to plug into a UP bag it doesn’t seem like it should make any difference. Is that right or am I missing something here?
Thanks for your help!
I’m sure you will find your Border Pipes bellows will supply a sufficient amount of wind for a UP practice set . However, the size and shape of a bellows is an important consideration for any type of Pipes.
An ideal situation occurs when the amount of effort ( force) needed from each arm is close to equal and the number of strokes of the bellows to start the set going does not require copious flapping of the elbow.
Thank you. That makes sense. Typically, are Uilleann pipes bellows larger then, and of greater capacity than borders bellows? It sounds like as I eventually add drones and hopefully regs, that a higher capacity bellows is probably called for.
The amount of pressure to play the chanter should be the same as will be required to wind a full set… the more reeds in play the greater the volume of air needed. A bellows of larger capacity will allow play with fewer strokes of the arm and makes for a more comfortable manipulation of the regulators. Something to think about for the future.
I’ve been thinking about this for a few days. How realistic is this? Has anyone got their set playing like this? My drones need a lot of pressure. They’re nice and stable but they’re a drain on my shoulder. I am using ezeedrones just because I’ve been so annoyed at how unstable and fiddly all the cane reeds I’ve ever used have been.
I would love to use the same pressure as just the chanter but is it realistic?
Tom,
the pressure to blow your chanter should be the same as that needed to blow your full set… though your full set will undoubtably use a greater volume of air and require more strokes of the bellows , extra leaks ignored. If the drones need more pressure than the chanter then it would be difficult to play the chanter in the low octave .
We need to realise that the " Pressure To Blow" the reeds is one thing and the " Volume of Air" used is something else… two separate factors.
I always begin with the chanter reed, set it up at a comfortable playing pressure with minimum ,or reasonable, difference between the two octaves. Then adjust each drone reed to be stable within the chanter’s range of pressure and to use a minimum amount of air. Check each drone for excessive air usage.
I have no knowledge of Ezeedrone reeds,I almost never use anything but cane… NPU’s DVD’s on reedmaking demonstrate my method of making 'Overblown ’ drone reeds… these are particularly usefull for Bass drones and use less air , perhaps half as much and will work at lower pressures.
On my own set it is possible to blow all the reeds with just the pressure of my little finger on the bag… that ,of course , is too light for most pipers and I have either increased that on my own set or perhaps I’m getting weaker with age…