Thought You All Said it was Hard (Playing Pipes I mean)

Uilleann Pipes
1

Ok have had my pipes approximately two days and have two tunes down already, “The Parting Glass” and Foggey Dew". After some adjustments to my pipes and 30 minutes learning the fingering, which by the way is for me the most difficult (Being a whistle player, I have never had to use my pinky… :slight_smile:). The balancing of gently pumping the bellows and filling the bag seems to come very natural. Keep in mind that I prefer slow haunting airs and even the reels and jigs I play on whistle are slowed to a slow haunting groove. I really believe that playing low whistle over the years has been a plus when playing the pipes (using the pipers grip).

What can I say I am hooked, I absolutely love Seth Hamond’s set up… :slight_smile: and I can honestly say that I LOVE THE PIPES… :slight_smile: Now to find away to play them in the hotel when on business trips… :laughing:

Thanks to everyone on the forum for your continued support and allowing me to brag!

2

Pictures and Sound clips!!

3

yes, show and tell. Glad you’re enjoying it so far.

Personally, I think a lot of the mystery behind pipes (I suspect because I’m still waiting on my set) is a bunch of hot air (pardon the pun).

4

Good to hear. Just remember though, learning to pump the bellows and play tunes is the easy bit…the hard bit is learning to ‘pipe’ the tunes.

All the best,

DavidG

5

The longer I play the pipes, the more difficult it seems to become, especially when I play with other pipers.

I think it is because my ears have learned to listen faster than my fingers can learn.

And, after 7 years, the chanter reed gives up the ghost, then the real difficulties of piping become apparent…

6

You can play in the hotel gym when on travel, if it has one; great accoustics. People can wonder what is going on through the glass door/ window