Paddy Keenan Masterclass

Uilleann Pipes
1

For those in within striking distance of Montreal, this weekend (20th to 23rd May), there is a festival of Acadian, Celtic and Louisiana music:

http://www.acadieenfete.ca/

Paddy Keenan will be giving a piping masterclass on Monday May 23rd.

2

PJ,

Are you getting your chanter back from Nick yet in time? …and if so, I wouldn’t mind checkin’ out the improvements.

Could I also twist your arm and bring either of you guys down to one of the many fine pubs in MTL?

upiper71

3

Daryl,

Got the chanter back yesterday. Since then, this is me - :slight_smile: - delighted with it. Apart from adding the keys, Nick rereeded it and added a rush.

Regarding Monday, both Christophe and I will have to be back in Quebec city at a reasonable hour so we’ll have to pass on the pub. However, we’ll be getting to Montreal at about midday if you want to get together earlier.

Regards,

4

Patrick,

Sounds like a plan. :slight_smile:

Try to post your pic’s of the chanter if possible.

Daryl Mc.

5

Sorry, no digital camera. I’ve a roll of film nearly finished in my camera. I’ll take a few conventional snaps and ask for a CDrom.

6

Ok not a problem. I will be bringing my IRiver and DVD/Digital Camera to the evnt to record for the digital library.
:slight_smile:

upiper71

7

It’s not every day you get a chance to pipe along with Paddy Keenan, ask him questions and get him to critique your playing. Yesterday, six of us had that privilege, in the basement of a church in the Montreal suburb of Verdun.

Paddy began discussing what it was like to be a piper in the 1960 - terrible. No one wanted you to join in their session (well some things haven’t entirely changed). Sometimes he had to play tunes like “Oh Susannah” just to get people to listen. You couldn’t even give away your Rowsome pipes!!

He played a little and then invited us to play a tune each, which he critiqued. He peppered his critique with stories of his hippie days in London and anecdotes about Seamus Ennis, Finbarr Furey and Leo Rowsome. He then invited us all to play along with him. Out on the Ocean - first in G then in A - then Jim Ward’s. When he played Jim Ward’s, one of our group, Alain, played the melody while Paddy played harmonies (something I’d never seen a piper doing).

Thanks to all, particularly Paddy, for a great workshop.

8

Sounds like a blast was had by all, gotta figure out how to get Paddy K down to the South East US somehow… hmmmmmmmmm. :smiley: