Trick to 2nd octave A

Uilleann Pipes
1

Say, what’s the trick to 2nd octave A … that is, I need to play it without “running up to it” from, say, F.

Playing a tune called “Lorraine’s Waltz”.

Thanks-
Dave Jones (beginner)

2

I would try going up from G to A if all else fails … thats what I do…

3

On most chanters you pretty much have to vent your A to get. I vent with my index finger of the bottom hand (G finger). I do it when playing Tabhair dom do lamh on the high Bs and with enough practice you can do it quick enough to render the venting almost indistinguishable from the A - it gives a slight slide to it instead.

Cheers,

DavidG

4

Thanks - although I’m not sure I exactly follow “venting”… do you mean you open the G finger a bit?

I am playing this tune with my wife on fiddle. I was playing up to A by adding F-G as gracenotes and she said that was a “no-no”.

Tonight, I tried a very quick almost non-existent “gracenote” on G finger and then rushed right up to A. I think I can get away with it and I wonder if that’s what you mean by venting…

thanks-
Dave Jones

5

http://www.animavitae.com/php/viewtopic.php?t=86

6

More than one uilleann pipe forum?? Who can keep up with one! :laughing:

Thanks for the post - printing as I write…
Dave Jones

7

There’s nothing wrong with running up to the A on pipes - it’s a necessity given the nature of the beast. Venting is doing just what you do - 'a very quick almost non-existent “gracenote” on the G finger. That’s the way to do it.

Cheers,

DavidG

8

G finger … or F :wink:

I like to keep the F finger open/vented.

You then have the G finger on the chanter but available for vibrato, or not, depending on what you’re doing with the A.

I often do it on the lower octave too for some A’s for the tonal qualities.
Opening the F hole on the lower octave A brightens the note and gives it a ringing quality on my chanter, but may slightly sharpen it at times.

Have a play around on your own chanter…they’re all different after all :laughing:

Boyd

http://www.strathspeyinmay.com

9

there are no “no-no”'s on the pipes.

only “me-like”'s and “me-no-like”'s

10

Depending on your chanter reed, it can be possible to reach A’ by briefly lifting the chanter off your knee just before you play the A’ and placing it back on your knee once you have hit the note. This might require some reed adjustment - closing the bridle slightly. If you close it too much, you’ll lose bottom D, so be careful.