Bottom D Frustration

Uilleann Pipes
1

I am having a terribly hard time sounding a good bottom D (hard or otherwise) at the moment, achieving a result only 15% of the time. As a relative beginner, I assume the problem lies completely with me, not the pipes (a bad workman, blame, etc).

I have had my practice set for about 6 months and this has been a problem pretty much since the start. I have had a new reed fitted, just out of interest (I am still wary of interfering with reed, etc to a great degree) and the problem still exists.

Although the chanter sounds better, bottom D is horrendous and squeals most of the time. I have no trouble clearly sounding any other notes and my playing is improving well, save the bottom D which is really starting to hold me back and is VERY disheartening.

What I do find is that D is very pressure-sensitive and requires significantly less bag pressure to sound well. This reduction in pressure is quite hard to achieve, especially when dropping from E to D - I can’t play both at the same pressure, if I sound E, D sqeals, if I drop to pressure of D, there is insufficient pressure for E to sound.

I have tried checking that I am not letting air escape through the holes, especially on the lowest 2 fingers, but I am sure this is not the case. This is probably qualified by the fact that I used to borrow a set from someone else before I got my own pipes and bottom D was never a problem!

I don’t live near many pipers, so I think one move would be to let a more experienced piper play my pipes to assess if there may be a problem.

I am loathed to blame the pipes, as because I am a beginner, it is probably me and I was wondering if there was any advice on technique that could be offered before I go COMPLETELY INSANE!!!

:angry: :confused: :imp:

2

The bottom D should not be that hard to sound and should not require any drastic changes in air pressure. Indeed, most pipers are able to transition from E to D without effort and transitions from higher notes are common - A to D transitions show up quite frequently in reels such as Colonel Fraser, etc.

I would suggest that you first have a more experienced piper try your chanter and see if he/she notices a problem with the bottom D.

You are lifting the chanter off the knee when you play the low D note right? Also, watch to make sure that all your fingers are covering all the holes of the chanter with no leaks - I am thinking of your right hand ring finger here especially, assuming you are right handed. If you were to mis-cover the ghost D hole (the hole between E and D on the chanter) this could explain your problem.

Anyway, good luck and don’t let this get you down.

Matt Loranger

3

Cynipid,ye don’t live very far from me.I live in Coatbridge.I do a class in St Rochs School Royston Road Glasgow near the Royal Infirmary on a tuesday night(term time) from 7pm to 9pm its free but the school asks £1 for rent from each pupil.If ye can’t make that I’ll send ye a private message with my telephone number,get in touch and we’ll soon have ye sorted.
Slan go foill
:party:

4

I’ve been fighting this same problem ever since I began playing (about 1.5 years) and I finally solved it just in the last week. I suppose it’s possible, or maybe even likely, that your problem and mine have different causes and only sound like the same issue. Some of my problems with bottom D were due to my playing. I was able to make it less of an issue by being careful about lifting the chanter off the knee before closing all the holes, but my bottom D was still very sensitive to pressure and was prone to gurgling. Opening the reed would only help the gurgling to a limited extent. I was never able to get a good hard D. Ted Anderson suggested that I try dangling a small piece of string in the throat of the chanter. When I finally got around to trying that, it worked! The bottom D is easy to get now, and the hard D is nice and solid. I wish I’d tried Ted’s suggestion a long time ago. I don’t know if it will solve your problem, but it’s definitely worth a try.

–Bob

5

My personal solution to this problem occurred when another piper said to me “don’t press so hard”. I did what I was told and low and behold, he was right. I was pressing too hard. Hope it is that easy for you! :slight_smile:

I find now I can sound a good barking hard bottom D with my arm completely off the bag (only slight exageration). My point: don’t try so hard and it will sort of play itself.

6

Beginner problem. To solve try:
a) Hand lotion to moisten skin (seals pipe better).
b) Press gently on the bag.
c) Practice holding it for 20 seconds whilst relaxing your body.

Virgil

:party:

7

An elementary point but worth saying… cut the bottom D with an A just as you lift the chanter off the knee…maybe vent the A hole slightly before lifting…that often helps get a hard D when the reed is on the light side.

Boyd

by the way, we’ve got Mick O’Brien teaching here in Scotland in May

http://www.strathspeyinmay.com

Liam, gonna make it up for some tunes this year?

8

Hya Boyd,yep siree,I plan to mosey on up to the hills fer a toon or 2,guess thisee here board is gettin to me,darn critturs… :astonished:
ps
Cynipid I sent ye my telephone number but to date I havnae heard from ye.Take it the problem is fixed either that or ye don’t fancy me!! :boggle: I won’t bite ye!!!
Slan go foill
liam

9

Check your Private Messages, cynipid. [click on the link at top of this page]
There may be some uilleann pipers near you who could help.
The best way to learn anything about these accursed pipes is to hang out with someone who can play them well…not always easy to find in Scotland as there are so few players…
Good Luck

Boyd

10

Thanks for advice and offers of help from all. It is also reassuring to know I am not alone in my experience. I will persevere and overcome (eventually). This will prepare me for the next hurdle the pipes will no doubt throw at me. What a character-building instrument!!!

PS Liam - don’t be offended, you are not shunned, I have been away all week, check your PM!

11

Cynipid,nothing in the private messages box!!! :boggle:
Try again,maybe.
Slan go foill
Liam