I’ve a question…
I’m 19, been playing the whistle strongly for 21 months straight, and is wanting to learn the uilleann pipes. BADLY. The thing I’m worried about is, if I’m too old to start learning them. I read that Sean Potts article posted a couple weeks ago or so, and it seems like most of the great pipers, started learning at the early age of 8 or 10. I know I’m not THAT old, but if I started them now or a year from now, does anyone feel that I might have some ‘valuable’ learning time left in my life? Maybe I won’t become the next Seamus Ennis, but I’d like learn. Anyone’s opinions or feelings is welcomed. Thanks,
Eric, at the seasoned and vulnerable age of 19, you are not too old to start learning. The master piper Willie Clancy didn’t start piping until his 30s.
If it is something that you know you really want to do, go for it, and stick with it through thick anmd thin.
Willie Clancy didn’t start piping until his early 20s… ummmm… according to Pat Mitchell’s introduction in the Dance Music of Willie Clancy, Willie first saw the pipes being played live (by none other than Johnny Doran) in 1936 at the Miltown Malbay Races. And that it wasn’t until 1938 that he was able to get a practice set (from none other than Felix Doran). Willie Clancy was born in Miltown Malbay on Christmas eve in 1900. This would make him 38 at the time of receiving his practice set.
I totally agree Eric…I am 38 and am just starting out. I will be buying my first practice set soon. I hear it will be easier to pick up since you have some whistle time under your belt. God, to be 19 again! You can do just about anything at 19 given some talent and drive…Slainte !
Come on mayo_piper, 38 is too young to be getting nostalgic. I’m pretty sure that there are some octogenarians reading this and thinking to themselves “God, to be 38 again…”
Boy, would I like to be 38 again (says the 65 year old man)!
I wish I had known that I was a woodwind person when I was your age. I wasted my fastest learning times trying to learn guitar. I have decided that I am string impaired.
You are never too old to learn something, humans aren’t the same as old dogs and besides, I have taught old dogs new tricks as well. That tends to disprove that old saying.
I got my practice set at age 54 and I am having a ball (when my illness allows me the strength to play them).
Well, this’ll cheer you all up. I’ll be getting my practice set sometime around March when I’ll be 56! But you only live once, even if you’re 19. One benefit of this is that I don’t have to worry about “getting there”.
Even if one is young though, I think looking at things in terms of small steps and taking pride in small accomplishments will serve you better than looking at where you are going to be in twenty years. If your reward is that far off, it will be hard to keep at it through the hard parts. Not to say that a big goal isn’t good, just keep your eye on the everyday things.
40 years of quitar, 10 years of trad fiddle…and now I am starting this monster.
I am 53.
My approach is I love to play the things…even that it’s a miracle when I get through the one jig I play without a fart, sqeak or belch.
I love the sound. I love the feel.
I don’t even think of where I am going or when I will ‘get there’ on the instrument. Like mastering any instrument, as you progress you often feel the more you know, the less you know. You never reach the goal as it moves ahead of your learning.
So, I say: who cares?
If you play with a real love for it - you will be fine.
Sincerely and aging,
Jer
I’m 39 and have been playing just for a couple of months. I’m not going to be one of the great pipers but if I stick at it I’m sure that I’ll eventually be able to pipe to a reasonable standard.
Well thanks everyone,
I guess I had the idea stuck in my head too much of that older you are, the harder it becomes to learn instruments like the bagpipes. Things like finger dexterity. I’ve been seriously thinking about learning the UP’s, and I guess this is all I needed to make the final go for it. I hope my 21 months of whistle playing will help me out. Thanks again,
while I am an advocate of starting a kid out on musicianship at an early age, IMHO, it doesn’t matter the instrument. If you’re a musician, and have been a musician for a long time, you probably know what to expect of yourself in picking up a new instrument. And as you learn it, you develop your own style. I’m 31, will turn 32 shortly after I get my Ray Sloan set. I’m not worried at all. I know with commitment, dilligence, hard work and good practice, not to mention a good teacher, I’m sure I will succeed. Don’t let the pipers who started when they were 3 intimidate you. Let them inspire you.
Tell me about it, when I first picked up the whistle, I had a death grip on the thing… I didn’t start relaxing my fingers until after about 8 or 9 months of playing.. I think there’s a permanent dent in my left thumb, or the skin there is permanently thinner!
