Endured hellish traffic today to trek over to Brad Angus’ house of high esteem and hang out for a bit.
In addition to a whole truckload of off the wall stories (guess I could call it “The World According To Brad”), he let me try out a B chanter that he had been putting the finishing touches on.
“I don’t think the reed’s quite there yet. It still needs a tiny bit of work,” he cautioned.
“Um, okay.”
I strapped in. I had never tried playing a flat chanter before. I really had no idea what to expect.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHHHHH!!!
I think I’m in love. That thing was so goddamned fun to play…I had wondered if the finger spacing was going to be a bit wide for my small hands, but it was no problem at all (the Bb chanter on the other hand…that was pushing it just a wee bit…). Brad still believed that the reed wasn’t quite “there” and it did take a bit of work to pop a nice high A or B from the first octave. It was still more responsive and agile than most concert pitch chanters I’ve played. After about a half-hour, my friend nearly had to wrench it out of my hands. I was just having such a great time with it.
I would have to agree that nothing beats playing a flat pitch set. I was sold when I heard Dicky Deegan playing Limerick’s Lamentation on his C# Woolf set. The double bass regulator on that set is just extraordinary!
As if I didn’t already have enough to contend with, now the temptation for a flat set is being dangled before my very eyes. I jsut hope the wife doesn’t find out I’ve been allowing myself to read this thread.
Flat… SSCCHHHMMATTTTT!!!
What to do, i’m only just getting used to my concert set and now everybody says flat set!!!
I must admit though, when I’ve heard them they do sound really rich :roll: Ah well. One can only hope :roll: :roll: :roll:
Get this–rumor has it that James Earl Jones loves uilleann pipes and has been in contact with a few makers about possibly purchasing a set. Unlike many people on waiting lists today, at least he has the advantage of probably being able to pay for them.
Man, James Earl Jones, Yo Yo Ma, who’s next?
If Kenny G ever takes 'em up, then that’s it…I’m liable to completely lose it and tie a bass drone around his neck.
My daughter loves the Wiggles, she was watch one of their tapes last night. They had a spot on one of their show with a Irish dancer and a Highland dancer, but they didn’t play any pipes for them.
