Newbie Piper needs help in Adelaide, Australia

Uilleann Pipes
1

G’day,

I have a Ian MacKenzie (SIMACK) practice set, and have been bumbling along using the HJ Clarke tutor and NPU DVD. However, I recognise that there is only so much you can self-diagnose with those aids. (I’m pretty sure I sound crap because of me, not the instrument. :slight_smile: )

I am looking for an Uilleann piper (with any level of experience, really), who would be willing to give my set (and my playing) the once-over and point out any glaring deficiencies.

I live in Adelaide, South Australia. I know of a few pipers in the area, but I am reluctant to call ‘out-of-the-blue’ someone I have never met before. If you know one, or are one, please draw this message to their/your attention.

I would also like to know of, or develop, a regular Uilleann session* in the area. If anyone knows of one, please share. I’ll hold it at my house if I have too!

*(What is the collective for a group of Uilleann pipers? A coterie? A gaggle? A bombast? A murder?)

Thanks for any help, Paragon.

2

Jack Brennan is your man. And I think he has a regular house session on the go. Drop him an email. I’ll pm you when I find it.

Liam

3

Hiya Paragon. I’m in Adelaide as well. I’m waiting on a half set from David Daye which should hopefully be delivered around the middle of the year. I have yet to start learning but I’d certainly be interested in hearing about any more Adelaide piping developments. I too just have the first couple of NPU DVDs and the clarke tutor hehe.

Best of luck to ya!

4

I believe it was submitted that the correct collective is a Poverty of Pipers. I remember having read that somewhere on this site. The “Pipers” being generic and not specific to Uilleann pipers, but nonetheless, “Poverty” part certainly seems correct.

5

How about starting a club?
Internet domains aren’t too dear.

6

Thanks, I have now sent him an email.

Baby steps at this stage. “Clubs” have a way of sucking the fun out of the very thing they are meant to be all about. That said, I have just created an Australian Uilleann Piper Facebook page;

http://www.facebook.com/groups/342632445770797/#!/groups/342632445770797/.

There seems to be a few Aussies on this forum, but we are all so disparate and isolated by distance, it can be difficult to network. If you are interested search for the group and join.

Well Tom_S, I hope you’re the first person to join the facebook group!

Thank you all for you help.