I am spanish and play the galician bagpipe and tin whistle. I’m thinking about buying a David Daye half set uilleann pipe for learning. I expect to order the chanter with the keys of F natural and C natural. Do you think is a good idea? Any suggestion?
Thanks
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I’ll offer: “yes! an excellent decision!”
that’s about all though. I’ve never played a Daye set.
David Daye has some suggestions that seem to be aimed at beginners on his site regarding optional keys:
High C key - Brass key mounted. The C natural (the minor 7th) cannot be cross-fingered in the 2nd octave, hence the key. It is a somewhat rare note in Irish music, so many learners omit it from practice sets or first chanters.
Chromatic keys - Not needed for most traditional dance tunes, so many learners do not purchase. Brass key(s) mounted for chromatic or “accidental” notes. F-natural, G# and B-flat available. Click Here for more complete details on chromatic keys.
I am a new piper and have a keyed chanter by coincidence only (Mine is not a David Daye Chanter)
I think I will be playing for some time before using the keys… but of course they will be there should/when I decide/need to use them.
I’m sure more experienced pipers can chime in when they come out of hiding.
Yes, they work fine. The (high) c natural key in invaluable. F is handy too.
One more thing - Welcome! How long have you been playing the galician pipes? 
Thank you very much for all your answers
30 years ago I play the galician bagpipes. I have taught galician bagpipes for 17-18 years. I’ve also played with several bands. This is my last recording:
http://www.elcorteingles.es/musica/producto/producto.asp?referencia=05112904908
General advice when starting out on the UP’s is go for a maker as close as possible. There is Brendan Ring who is in the SW of France which is a lot closer than the USA. There is also Charles Roberts who lives in Spain
Check your pm’s
John
You will not need the keys for learning.
If this is a “penny chanter” style Daye chanter, the keys are attached in an unusual way. This may be something to think carefully about. In my view the “penny chanter” design has its strengths but I would not count key attachment among them. I would expect that David offers these keys in response to demand from some players who really need/want them, but if in doubt I’d say leave them off.
As a learner you won’t go far wrong with the David daye set the bigest advantage is you won’t have to fiddle with the reads , and a great instrument to learn on and great value for money
go for it
have fun
taff
Thanks for your comments and suggestions
Is it possible to play F natural and C natural cross-fingered? And G# and B flat?
It is possible to play all notes using cross-fingering or half-holing but keys make playing certain notes easier and more precise.
Fnat and Cnat are the most common keys to have added because they are occasionally in tunes most people play. Depending on the tunes you play, you may find that you need these keys to varying degrees. Also, depending on the tunes you play, you might need to play G# or Bb from time to time and you will probably find that a key is quicker and more precise than cross fingering.
Many pipers have no keys on their chanters and get along fine.