Finbar Furey

Uilleann Pipes
1

So, at the moment I am working with someone closely related to Finbar Furey. I told them that I saw a project they had made some years ago about the musicians in their family, which included some reeds made by Finbar himself, and I joked that I was thinking of robbing them to play at home. The relative then said ‘Ah sure I’ll get him to make you a reed’. Sure enough, the next week they came in to work with two chanter reeds. I asked if he wanted anything for them and was told that he was happy just to help out a fellow piper! The reeds sound great, are nice and steady up through the two octaves, and have lovely hard bottom Ds. I just thought I should share that story with you all. Moral of the story: Finbar Furey - good lad!

Ian

2

:slight_smile:

3

Thats great ! well done

I would love to see some pictures of the reeds if that is at all possible and if its not to much to ask would it be possible to post a quick soundfile? :poke:

Thanks
Paddy

4

Hi,
Here are a couple of pics. I’ll try to sort out some sound files soon…

5

Great stuff

thanks for posting the photo’s. Its always great to see pictures of different styles of reeds and Finbar’s are alot different than most.

Hope they are working well for you.

:wink: Paddy

6

Nice,what is the total length of the reed?This style of reed is very different then mine.Iam interested in trying to make one like this.Thank you

7

Dan, here are the links to the videos with Finbar making reeds. Good specific info.

All the best,

8

Thanks joe,i have seen the vids.The staples are 2"1/8,slips are 4"1/2 long by 1/2" wide.just wondering the total lenth of the reed.I wil try inserting the staple 30mm from the tip of the reed,and see if it works out ok.Thanks again,your cane is great stuff by the way,but you already know that.Cheers Dan

9

Those reeds look like Froment’s reeds as well.

10

Here is my Finbar style reed,has a nice crow,will test it out in my Galloway stick after it dries.Let you all know how it plays.

11

Does anyone have a contact for Finbar. Next week (I think? ) he will be in Lanzarote (Islas Canarias) where I am a very isolated piper.
He will be playing a few nights in Charlie’s a local venue. I hope he’s bringing his pipes. Please PM if anyone can help. thanks Patrick

12

His (Finbar Furey) videos on Youtube are Awsome! I have already used some of his comments and have enjoyed a positive response to my reeds!

13

Just want to say thank you to Finbar and the people who got me in touch with him.
He has a truly giant heart and his enthusiasm for music and people after all these years of playing
live is amazing. He kindly gave me his spare chanter reed (which is singing very nicely in my chanter)
and also said he’d post a few more. He is a true gentleman and a great laugh. thanks Pat

14

I had a chance to meet Finbar in New York when he came by with his group late last year. I told him Paddy Keenan shows up once in a while. "Listen, " he said, in a low, just between us, voice, “Next time you see him tell him that Finbar says hello and tell him that the shoulder is all fixed up and that the pipes are fantastic and I’ve never played better in my life. That will get him going.” He had a good laugh. He was fun to talk with.