Is this an insane idea? Just wondering.
I know that a big thing is that most (if not all) instructional material is in D, and that if you play with others you need to be in tune.
Are flat sets really just for playing solo? And is it still a crazy idea to consider them for a first set?
still wandering,
Baen
I don’t think it’s crazy at all. Flat pipes are quieter, which makes the learning process easier on your ears and those of the people around you, and they’ll most likely be less temperamental than a concert-pitch set.
As far as the instructional materials go, treat the notes as absolutes, the way you would if you were playing a flat-pitched tin whistle or flute. If your pipes are in C or B or Bb and you’re playing tunes written in D, you simply use the same fingering that you would if your pipes were in D.
You shouldn’t rush into playing in sessions, so having a flat set is a good way to discipline yourself into taking your time to really learn how to play pipes. Too many people hurry into playing out, with the result that they have lots of tunes but no technique. I’m just about to get back into piping after a 15-year hiatus, and I’ll have a flat set (in C). I don’t expect to play my pipes with other musicians for at least 5 years, maybe 10, and even then it’ll just be with fiddlers who can drop down to C or flute and whistle players with C instruments.
The only potential drawback I can think of is if you have a teacher or worskhop instructor who is playing a concert-pitch set…you won’t be able to play along, but if your ear is good you should be able to pick up tunes and technique just fine even if you’re in a different key. One of the (many) great things about the pipes is that there are several notes that have very distinctive tonal qualities, particularly the bottom D, the back D, and the E. Once you learn how to recognize those notes by their sound, they become anchor points from which you can easily figure out the rest of the tune and play it on your own instrument.
Of course it’s insane. We’re talking pipering here, right?
All I own is a C set. And I’m as mad as a fish. 'Nuff said.
True, true… and what the heck are you doing to your nose??
It’s his mouth doing something to a blade of grass.
Are you playing Kesh Jig on it?
He is expelling an alien larva using a Jew’s Harp.
The Kesh Jig? Are you kidding? I’m playing Telemann’s Concerto for Sousaphone (or maybe it’s Sousa’s Concerto for Telephone…I can’t remember which as that photo was taken quite a few years ago).
Remember, a blade of grass is truly a Free Reed Instrument.
Oh good. I was hoping it wasn’t completely out there, but still within the bounds of acceptable lunacy…
Now I get to agonize over whether to go with a flat set for sure, and, if so, which pitch. I’ll look at the recent thread that deals with this. And then, choosing a maker that doesn’t have a 10 year waiting list. At least this is helping me develop patience, and how to take the long view. A good thing.
The search continues…for intelligent pipes…or, rather, making intelligent choices about pipes.
Baen
If you like the sound of flat pipes, go for them. You might also acquire a concert D chanter for other situations. You’d have the best of both worlds.
Baen, don’t know where you’re located, but you might want to contact Joe Kennedy if you decide on flat pipes. His B and C sets are well liked and respected: http://www.kennedysuilleannpipes.com/
djm