Choices for a UK Beginner

Uilleann Pipes
1

Hi there , I’m about to take the plunge and choice of pipe makers has come down to two :

Martin Preshaw http://www.unionpipes.co.uk/ and

Alan Ginsberg http://www.hgt.gwynedd.gov.uk/UilleannPipes/Default.htm

Both have been extremely helpful in giving advice. I’ve spoken to someone who owns and plays an Alan Ginsberg set and he said they are great. I don’t know anyone who uses a Martin Preshaw set. I’ve also seen a nice set on e-bay… only kidding :smiling_imp:

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Meirion

2

I can not comment on the Preshaw pipes but I do have a Ginsberg 1/2 set. It plays well and the chanter and drones have remained 'balanced ’ over the two years that I have owned the set.

The chanter needs a tweak on the C tuning and this only became apparent as my ear developed durign the learning…I’m still not much further than the first rung from beginner as I’ve had other distractions.

But you have my 2 cents for waht it’s worth.

Have yuo considered the Brian Howard pipes? I have met theman had a few lessons from him and his pipes sound very nice indeed.

3

Thanks for the info vernon , much appreciated.

4

Gordon Galloway

gggalloway@eircom.net

Sets in D, now full as well as half sets.
O’Briain style, waiting list reasonable, good tuning and playability.
He lives on scotland on the coast between Aberdeen n Inverness.

I don’t have a set by him, so I’m not putting this here cos I’m partic biased.

Boyd

5

Beginner-to-beginner advice:

As you live in a country with quite a few pipers my best advice is to meet up with some other pipers, try a few different pipes and see what feels best for you. There are also quite a few good pipe makers out there and in the end it is all down to personal preferences.


A chanter by Chris Bayley was what got me over the complete novice to beginner threshold. Still have that chanter and won’t sell it :slight_smile:
Chris is also very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.
http://www.bagpipeworld.co.uk/British%20Isles/Union.htm

Bill Haneman is another very talented pipe maker and also a frequent contributor to this forum. I have one of his half sets, and getting it made a significant impact on my piping progress. I have had this set close to a year now and it has been incredible stable, I have so far hardly even touched the reed which otherwise is a common task in the Scandinavian climate. His pipes have a lovely sound and it was a pleasure to do business with Bill. I can only give him my best recommendations.
http://www.billhaneman.ie


Good luck with your new set of pipes!

/MarcusR

6

Hi!

I got a PM asking me to differentiate between the novice and beginner levels of uilleann piping :smiley:

Here are my definitions:

Novice - got the scales and can play Raglan road

Beginner - past Raglan road :wink:

Intermediate - Know a handful of tunes/sets good enough to be able to play them with others

Anything beyond that I don’t have a clue about yet. I’m still trying my best to make it up to the intermediate level.

Cheers!

/MarcusR

7

Hi. I own a practice set by Martin and I am very happy with them. They are well in tune and have a good tone. I have ordered a set of drones from him based on the set I already have. I have heard many other sets at tionols but have not heard any I would swap mine for. Bag pressure is even throughout both octaves and overall playability is very good.
Tim