I hear it, but she don't

Uilleann Pipes
1

I have been practicing “Greeve Sleeves” over the last several days, now its a rough version, but heck in less I have become deaf due to the pipes…it sounds like green sleeves. So I asked my wife to come and give it a listen…the response I got was hun…please sell those…its the worse noise I have heard in sometime…your were so good at the whistle, but that your doing now is just noise.

I replied…just listen closely and tell me the tune I am playing…so I began “green sleeves”, but she just can’t hear it… :sniffle:

I then pick up the low whistle and play her a slow haunting romantic air and she is all smiles… :slight_smile:

I told her to give me sometime and she will like the pipes just as well and reminded her that when I first started with the whistle I began with “twinkle twinkle little star”.

It just takes time… :slight_smile:

2

Hey, my wife said “you’re sounding pretty good on those” after 3 years, so don’t give up quit yet.

3

A friend of mine (yes I still have some left!) told me once, or maybe it was to my girlfriend that she had more patience than Jayzus to live with an aspiring piper. That was a couple of years ago, we don’t live together anymore but she tells me that she misses the sound of my practicing??? Damn why did I ever break up with her :laughing: Don’t think there is anything more rewarding than an understanding “in-mate”…when will I get a new one?
-Hey! I’m a piper, plays roughly 1 hour a day at home, wanna move in with me?
Doesn’t work…strange world???

4

:boggle: :boggle: I bet its not the Irish version Double Jig in 6/8.!!!

Can I suggest ye get a tutor book and the NPU CD Volume 1 and get some real practice in.If ye work in a methodical manner ye should make some progress,if ye keep up this apparent whinging ye will probably end up getting a divorce.. :wink:
Slán Agat
Uilliam

5

I must be one of those lucky sods whose wife is 120% supportive in everything that I do. When my wife offers criticism to me, it is usually correct and constructive. Never, not once, in our 18+ years together has she been negative about my musical madness. :smiley:

6

JES - our wives must be related somehow. My wife has been very supportive of my “piping.” (… my former obsession with Quake was another matter entirely, however!)

Peace!
Reepicheep

PS - looking at JES’ avatar makes me feel an urgent need to go get a bigger boat. :laughing:

7

It makes me hungry…

8

More like 100% apathetic here. :wink:

9

Well, KD are you sure she knows the tune to Greensleeves? :wink: I would keep that low whistle nearby and play a nice quick tune on it every once in a while.

10

i remember when i was learning to play artificial harmonics on electric guitar. i thought it was the coolest thing ever, but my girlfriend swore she couldn’t hear the difference between the artificial harmonic and the note played normally. :roll:

11

KD

Maybe it’s a bit early for tunes. I second uilliam’s suggestion to get the NPU tutor, especially if you’re an isolated piper.

12

I hear all of you regarding the tutor. Seth Hamon (maker of my set) is sending me some tutor material, if this doesn’t meet my needs then I will order NPU Vol 1.

Thanks

ps. It is the Irish Trad of Greene Sleeves which I have slowed down to an air.

Now she said she recognizes the tune, but hates the sound of the pipes. Like many of you she has always supported me with what I do and has for 15 years, but guys/gals she just hates the sound of the pipes.

13

… composed by King Henry VIII… in honor of a hooker (hookers wore green sleeves denoting their profession).

14

Didn’t know that Joseph…I have always known it as a English tune which has been adpopted by the Irish.

I really didn’t know about the hooker relation tot he tune… :blush:

15

I’ve never heard Greensleeves played in Ireland FWIW.

16

Wait…so some of you are saying that taking up the pipes is NOT a good way to meet chicks??? :boggle: :astonished: :astonished: Aw Shit.

17

Potty mouth… :laughing:

18

KD, It may be unwise for your wife’s early piping experiences to consist entirely of listening to a new learner struggle through some scales :wink: That could turn a person from the pipes for life.

Have you got any piping recordings which she likes? If concert pitch doesn’t suit, try flat pitch.

Mick O’Brien is an excellent choice for non-pipe-addicts. Even people who don’t particularly like pipes like his playing.

Bill

19

It’s a good story, but the evidence for this is lacking.

In any regard, the tune was around before Hank’s day. If he had any part of it, it was probably writing the “Alas my love, you do me wrong..” words.

~~

Nonetheless, the melody is ironclad–it’s one of those tunes which anyone at all would be proud to have written.

~~

It’s said that upon going to Ireland and hearing The Derry Air for the first time, GF Handel said that he’d die happy if one he’d composed such a melody.

20

BillH:

She has heard the pipes being played professionally many times. She just dislikes the sound they maker regardless if they are from me or a professional piper.

When I ttok her to see Cillian Valley we were slow close we could have worked the bellows and bag for him. He played the “wounded Hessian” and she asked me if his mic was broke. I had to explain that those sounds are from the pipes.

It was then she said never in my house…thats why I am banished to the sunroom… :slight_smile: