Sliding into the Cnat (again?)

Uilleann Pipes
1

hi guys, forgive me if this the Nth post on this topic (I might even have posted one myself)…but:

  • how is it you manage to slide into the Cnat? It is used quite a lot, but i cant make it out. On a flute, it is possible by covering RH1+2 and rolling them off…but you can’t really roll fingers ON to produce a sliding effect, can you ?!? :boggle:

Cheers,
Eivind

2

instead of rolling, push your fingers forward from the joint to ‘roll’ them off the holes. It’s a sort of combination of straightening and pushing them at the same time.

This is usually accompanied by two other motions, carefully timed: one, roll the L1 index finger slightly by straightening it while keeping it against the side of the chanter, this “half holes” the C# note. At the same time, raise the chanter off the knee slightly. It’s a complex triple motion, and timing is important, but you get a lovely effect. You can then add a small vibrato by “waving” R1 and/or R2 once you have raised them off the chanter.

Bill

3

To give a visual for what Bill describes, check out Peter Laban’s photo of Seamus Ennis on this page:

http://www.uilleannobsession.com/extras_peterlaban.html

Look for the photo who’s caption begins: “Séamus Ennis around 1981…”

You get a good view of straightening the index finger to slide into a C.

4

The pic of Seamas shows the Cnat finger and G finger OK, but Seamas is doing some other fancy stuff with the E fingers in that shot (and the F finger appears to be down).

Normally the E fingers would stay on chanter during the Cnat.

Bill

5

Not on my chanter, anyway :wink:
Cant get that picture, though; I’ll try again later…

Thanks;
Eivind

6

Like everything else on UPS, there is more than one way of doing things. Raising the chanter slowly off the leg while opening a note can be pretty tricky to hit at first (I consider it a technique in itself). Another way to get that long slow glissando up to Cnat is to start with opening the lower fingers first, just a bit. Then start to slide the Cnat open. As the Cnat opens more, you can open the lower fingers all the way. I would suggest mastering this first before trying to pop the Cnat.

djm

7

Err, since you were the one asking, I still recommend keeping the E fingers on. I haven’t yet seen a chanter that wanted the E fingers off for Cnat, but there’s some odd stuff out there…

Bill