I’m looking at picking up my first practice set, and I have two newbie questions I’m hoping folks can help me out with:
I’ve read in a few places that some pipe sets are “easier” or “harder” to play than others, particularly for new players. Is this common knowledge in the uilleann world, or is this a debatable assertion? What are some of the factors that make certain sets harder to play than others?
Depending on your views on question #1, I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for pipe makers with the reputation for building more playable sets. It sounds like pipes can be extremely difficult to learn under the best of circumstances, so I figure I’d better give myself every advantange. I’ve read that David Daye’s sets tend to be good for beginners. Anyone have any insight on this?
Make sure that the set isn´t just airtight but pressuretight. This is very important as the more pressure you apply the more air escapes. Sit on the inflated bag. Should you sink down too quickly then season anew.
I honestly think you will be best served by attending a tionol before you buy even a practice set. I see you appear to be in Fargo, North Dakota. I believe the phrase I have heard to describe your condition is IPO (Isolated Piping Outcast). Perhaps Nanohedron, a moderator here, can help steer you to a piper near you to advise you. I would spend time and distance in this case before I would spend money. . .
A direct answer to your question is..“yes!” Dave Daye makes great gear for beginners! ALSO, do get to a tionol, or visit an experienced piper if at all possible.
The question of whether a chanter is easy or hard to play comes down to the reed. Some pipemakers and reedmakers prefer reeds which are harder to blow (requiring the piper to apply more pressure to the bag) to get the reed to play at its best. The reason for this is that a reed usually gets easier to play over time (we’re talking months to years) but when you “play in” a reed in this way, it will generally last longer than a reed which was made to play will less pressure from the start.
It’s a tricky decision for a beginner. It’s easier to learn if the reed isn’t too stiff, but you might end up with a reed that doesn’t play well after a while (out of tune, weak tone, etc.).
As others have mentioned, get to a tionol and try different chanters. If you find something you like (pressure, tone, etc.) find out not just who made the chanter but who made the reed too.
The David Daye penny chanter is a good way to start and his pipes tend to hold their value, so you’ll be able to sell it easily when you’re ready to move on.
… and you may not want to sell it because it’s better than quite a few much more expensive named chanters.
One problem I’ve seen repeated twice now with the Daye practice set (and it would be true for many new instruments really) is that the reed comes a little hard, or is out of adjustment due to its travels, and needs to be adusted a bit, or even scraped a little to work as it should. The beginner is too intimidated to adjust the reed, and they just live with a reed that barely plays, and get very frustrated, all the while telling themselves what a difficult instrument it is.
So in addition to getting your new Daye practice set, find someone local with some experience with reeds who can help you get the reed working just right. And maybe give you some playing pointers too. A Tionol would serve as well or better.
While many in this forum have had success starting out with Daye’s gear, I’d also like to call out Pat Sky’s chanters & reeds as performing at least as well (not to mention looking lots prettier). And personally, I strongly prefer Pat’s bellows - both Daye bellows I’ve tried were very stiff for my taste (though solidly built).
So I think a Pat Sky “budget” practice set, having a lovely hardwood chanter featuring scalloped toneholes (which many of us find to be ergonomic, and helpful in training our fingers to “find” the holes), and his supple bellows, is an excellent value. My main instrument is a Sky half set (until my Gallagher full set is done next year anyway ), and it’s served me very well. And after two years of heavy use and many hours spent learning reedmaking, Pat’s original reed is still my most dependable and easy-blowing reed.
Finally, Pat himself is very approachable and responsive, and is a frequent contributor to this forum.
Thanks to everyone for all the help! I’m in the process of trying to reach out to some pipers in my “local” area.
It sounds like David Daye or Patrick Sky are the makers I should be giving the closest look. Anyone have any additional insights that would recommend one maker over the other, given that I’d be new to the piping world? Is there something about Sky pipes that - for my purposes - would justify the extra cost?
One last bit of advice: don’t limit yourself to considering only the very cheapest practice sets, unless you really are on a shoestring budget. There’s a lot of turnover in the used Uilleann pipe market, and if you do end up quitting, you’ll be able to get most if not all your investment back by reselling. The better the instrument, the less it will depreciate.
On a more optimistic note, while you are enjoying those first few months learning to sound less goat-like on the UP, the better your instrument, the less time you’ll spend fighting subtle hardware issues which, as an absolute beginner, you’ll have a lot of trouble distinguishing from your own inexperienced goatiness.
So: many reputable pipemakers besides Sky and Daye sell “budget” practice sets. For example, B.C. Childress’ “student practice set” and Rogge’s polyacetyl (injection-molded) chanter/practice-set are both worth checking out.
I went with a Daye practice set after reading many threads and getting advice from local pipers.
I bought used and got a bargain, my instructor spent only a few minutes adjusting reed to
chanter and chanter to reed. The bulk of the rest of the hour was spent playing and learning.
My teacher made this set sound wonderful when I had been making strangled goose noises.
Seems like playbility is realative, from my n00b perspective pipes are difficult.
Another maker you might consider is Seth Hamon. http://www.swedishbagpipes.com/uilleann.html
He makes very affordable pratice sets.
I haven’t played his stuff yet but I’ve read enough positive comments that
he is making a cast poly chanter for me.
His chanters use Daye reeds so I’m in luck there.
(I’ll start a thread on Seths chanter after some time with it.)
You’ve got many options for starter pipes.
But, it might not hurt spending a few months reading, researching, talking to instructors, searching the used instrument boards, looking over tutroials.
I assume you currently play a tin whistle, or flute?
), and it’s served me very well. And after two years of heavy use and many hours spent learning reedmaking, Pat’s original reed is still my most dependable and easy-blowing reed.