I,ve heard this term being used a few times,even applied to what I would consider to be very good pipers,but it sounds like a negative term.
What exactly would you think it means?
RORY
One-dimensional pipers play flat sets. 
Seriously, though, “one-dimensional” in a case like that would be a negative. A highly proficient - technically speaking - player might be called “one-dimensional” if technique’s the only thing he’s got going. But the term is from a point of view of taste, so another person might validly disagree in some cases. But for me it would mainly mean there’s something wooden, without heart, in the playing.
BTW, you could call someone “one-dimensional” just for doggedly sticking to the Pure Drop and not pushing the envelope, too.
Taste, and opinion.
A one-dimensional piper- that would be me! I learned to play in a very “open” style (in part because I liked the sound, in part because I didn’t know any better) and I’ve played that way for 30 years.
Through the years I’m become more and more aware that nearly all other pipers’ playing is more sophisticated than mine because of the nuances of articulation than my playing lacks.
I beg to differ pancelticpiper.
PD.
I saw a documentry about Kevin O,Reilly in which Tony McMahon described Sean McKeirnan as the best living piper we have and that he was a multi-dimensional piper,saying that we have to many one dimensional pipers at the moment
Another time I heard Liam O’Flynn desribed as a one dimensional piper.
Does Liam O’Flynn mix open and tight playing as this is what I thought was meant by one dimensional playing ?
RORY
If we live in a 4 dimentional universe (length, breadth, depth and time), does that mean that a one dimentional pipers is not tall (no length), keeps lousy tempo (no time) and is a very shallow person (no depth)?
Alternatively, he could all the above, except tall and asthmatic (no breath).
Actually, according to string theory we may live in an 11-dimensional universe.
But since that’s, you know, string theory, it may not apply to pipers! 
Actually, according to string theory we may live in an 11-dimensional universe.
But since that’s, you know, string theory, it may not apply to pipers!
“… we live in a 4 dimentional universe …”
“… we may live in an 11-dimensional universe.”
Wrong, and wrong. It’s three dimensions: ghrip, toc, and truckillyhow.
t
You sir, have just made my day.
I derive nothing but negative connotations from the term “one dimensional” being applied to any living thing.
One-dimensional pipers play flat sets.
hard to top that one lads…
Actually, a one-dimensional creature couldn’t play a two-dimensonal set, because (he said pedantically) one dimension cannot wrap itself around two dimensions (being a single infinitesimally small point in space), excepting of course in a black hole or singularity, if you will. And they suck and never blow. So how could it play?
Mark “I’m just here to be picky” Paxton-MacRae
Oh, tsk. Just…tsk.
by the way, that abbott book is quite good!!! worth a read for anyone… i used to use it in my architecture courses… if you are ever accused of being a one-dimensional husband or boyfriend, just present the offending (ex) partner with the book!!!
let me know how THAT works out for my “research” in inciting general civil disobedience amongst we wee pipers.
Remembering back to my school days,is it not that the only thing that has only one dimension is a straight line ?
RORY
What I wouldn’t give to be as one-dimensional as Liam O Flynn!
This is what me confused in the first place .Maybe the term is not meant to be negative but more just a description of a style of playing.Probably a better or more positive word would be more apt for Liam’s style of playing .
RORY