I am new to this forum as well as to Uilleann Pipes. I am very interested in learning how to play. I understand that they are expensive. What are the recommendations to starting out? Do you buy a starter set, the whole kit and kaboodle and learn that way? Lessons are available in my area. Who are the reputable vendors? Where should I buy? Thanks for your answers. I live in the states.
Check out this link to start with: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=14466&start=0 it will go a long way to begin answering your questions.
Thanks Dr. Evil!
Erik
My suggestions:
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Start with a “practice set” or at most a “half set”. A full set is very expensive - minimum $5,000, whereas a practice set will cost between $600 and $1,000 and a half set between $2,000 and $3,500. You can, of course, start with a full set, but my own view is that it’s more practical not to.
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Reputable vendors?? Have a look at the following lists:
http://www.pipers.ie/en/pipemakers.lasso
http://www.uilleannobsession.com/links_makers.html
The names on these lists are considered to be reputable makers. You can either order directly from the maker (usually there’s waiting period of between 6 months and 3 years, depending on the maker) or you can buy secondhand - eBay, for instance. If buying secondhand pipes, try stick to the makers listed above. It’s also a good idea to have a piper examine a set before you buy. If you come across a set by a maker whose name doesn’t appear on the above lists (such as Taylor, Egan or Coyne 
), you should post a question about the maker on this forum. If he’s got a good rep, you’ll find out about it fairly quickly.
- If there are pipers in your area, make the best of it and try get a few lessons from them. It need not be much - an hour or two per month, just to make sure that you get the basics down pat.
Finally, welcome to the forum.
Thasnks PJ for the reply. I have another question, perhaps stupid, although I have heard that there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. Can all practice sets have the other components added to, inorder to make a 1/2, 3/4 or full set etc? Thanks.
Erik
Its a very good question. Some practise/beginner sets are sold at a lower price to make them affordable, but are not intended to be upgradable. Check with the pipemaker first. The intention with these practise sets is that you would keep it and order a separate half-set after two or three years (when you’re ready) and then sell the practise set to some other beginner.
djm
Not all sets can be turned into full sets. However, it’s a bit tricky. As pipes are made in component parts (bellows, bag and chanter being the basic components), parts are often interchangeable. In this regard, most bags these days are made with a stock tenon that has an inside diameter of 3/8". That means that any chanter with an intake-valve that has the same outside diameter can be added to it.
Any standard sized uilleann bag (leather or synthetic) can be fitted with a stock cup to add drones and regulators.
Bellows are bellows. The only thing to ensure is that the air tube which connects the bellows to the bag fits.
The chanter might be a bit tricky. Most chanters come with pin-blocks. This allows keys to be added later. Some chanters don’t have pin blocks which means no keys can be added. Most of the time, keys are not needed as we generally play in D major, G major, E minor or A minor. Occasionally, however, some tunes require a high C natural. While it is possible to play this without a key, it’s generally considered easier if one has a C natural key on the chanter. Other keys can be added to permit the piper to play in different keys (such as A major). Depending on your repertoire, you may not have need of these keys.
That said, some pipemakers, (Patrick Sky, for instance) make practice sets which are not intended to be upgraded. I’ve never seen any such sets and can’t tell you anything more about them.
To sum up, as a general rule, most sets can be upgraded to full sets with keyed chanters, but make sure that you ask before you buy.
Before you go and buy a set, I suggest that you contact your nearest pipers club to see if they have a practice set you could borrow. Some clubs will do this.
Good luck getting started.
so in dc, we do not have a pipers club yet. nearest is central Pa. and informally of course in baltimore. want to start a club here? you can be the vice-president. check your pm.
meir
I’m having enough fun trying to get a few pipers started in Quebec city. People associate pipes with GHB. Whenever I play, they say ‘I thought it was going to be much louder’ or ‘Where’s your kilt?’ But they’ll be converted or I’ll die trying.
dalilama - check your pm