Mad4Trad

Uilleann Pipes
1

I have done a search on this tutor although I have seen many mentions of it I haven’t found many specifics.
What are your thoughts for a lone piper (no one around to get lessons from). Is this a good tutor program or not? For what reasons?
I am aware of HC and NPU vids. Just wondering about this particular tutor.

Thanks
Teflon

2

Mad4Trad has no real beginner instruction on holding the chanter, working bag and bellows, etc. It just starts you in playing expecting you to know that other stuff. If you already have that stuff down, it is a good source for having an animated instruction that you can follow along with.

djm

3

If you’re a beginner, then NPU and/or Heather Clarke tutors are the way to go.

The advantage of NPU is that it’s visual, although the Clarke tutor CD allows more ease of use in going back & forth (repeating lessons).

4

That being said, does anyone have a North American source for the first NPU video - seems like everywhere I have contacted is out of stock, and waiting for the re-issued DVD…
Alternatively, if anyone has a spare copy lying around, I’d love to give it a new home (seriously, PM me if you do).
m.

5

Are there plans to release the NPU tutor programmes on DVD?

Mukade

6

Yes. At least Volume 1. I haven’t heard about the others yet.

djm

7

Personally, I found The Masters Touch by Seamus Ennis to be better than Heather Clarke’s New Approach to UP (it give a better explanation of the really basic stuff).

Clarke is better if you don’t read music, as you can get a cassette of the tunes and exercises in the book - however, this is a double-edged sword. If you can’t read music, Clarke allows you to learn the basics of UP without learning to read music. It’s probably more efficient to learn to read music at the same time as learning the basics of UP.

By the way, where in the world are you based. For years I thought I was the only Upiper in Quebec, but recently found out that there are approx. 10 of us. We formed a club and meet from time to time. Check out the city index forum to see where the nearest pipers live and then contact them. I found that the best way to learn was to do so with others.

8

I’m in Australia and there are very few pipers in my area (Sydney) unfortunately.
So I have pretty much narrowed it down to the following tutorials.
1.Heather Clarke (i can read music)
2. NPU Vids.
3. Mad4Trad
4.Armagh Pipers Club Tutorial (I assume not many use this one other than Djm???)
5. Seamus Ennis

9

ebay…that’s where i got my npu videos…i think i have 1 and 3.