I’ve just been glancing over the ‘Forums forum’,and was surprised to see just how many extra posts are appearing on the U.P. board these days.
A year or two back,I noticed that the Whistle board was (obviously)by far the most used of the boards.The Flute forum had perhaps 10% of the number of posts compared to whistles,with U.p. postings accounting for about 5%,in comparison to whistle related postings.
However,things are starting to change-U.P. related postings are now only slightly behind flute postings in terms of numbers, rounded up, postings for each forum are;U.P.'s-11000.Flutes;12,800 and ,unsurprisingly(this being a predominantly whistle related site,and whistle, perhaps being an ‘entry-level instrument’)whistles;116000.
So,what does this tell us?
A)There is a growing interest in Piping.
B)Pipers are Gregarious creatures who like nothing better that to discuss their favourite instrument and engage in a bit of good natured dispute.
C)I’m bored enough this afternoon to have noticed such a thing!
Kevin, Kevin! I must protest at this. You ought at least to pose a potentially inflammatory question (“Who makes the best and cheapest plastic-reeded flat sets?” for example, or “How to make the transition from rcrd*r to Rogge?”). Your post, adding as it does to the burgeoning activity in this forum, smacks of empty calories.
There has indeed been a lot of interesting and informative activity here, and moreso lately.
O.K. Nano-Here’s a multiple part question for you: I am a great fan of the popular vocalist Mr. Lonnie Donegal and his so called ‘skiffle music’(I understand that this type of up-tempo ‘Beat music’ originated in 16th century England,was played on Rc**ers,and was originally called ‘Fipple’(or was it ‘Piffle’?).Friends of mine who play Banjo and Washboard respectively want me to join their ‘Combo’.Would Uilleann pipes be suitable for the job? I’ve just checked through the latest Ikea catalogue,but they don’t appear to have any of these ‘Flatpack’ sets(with the inflatable bag).Where could I find such a set?
I wasn’t THAT bored -I was just inpatient to try out my ‘new’ oldie Boxwood flute,but had to wait a while to give the Almond oil that I’d applied to it a chance to sink in (see my ‘J.C. Haynes’ thread on the Flute board-how’s that for multi-tasking? Two New threads on two seperate boards!-I can also pat my head whilst simultaneously rubbing my stomach too!)
I tried a boxwood flute once, by an Australian maker whose name I have forgotten (Terry McGee maybe?) and it had a wonderful rich, creamy tone. The bottom octave was wonderful, but I never could play the upper octave flat enough to be in tune, no matter the cork position.
I had to send it back and stick with my M & E billy club. I wish the M & E had that tone and “honkieness” in the bottom octave.
Speaking of boxwood, I understand that Paddy Keennan is playing the Quinn boxwood chanter now. Has anyone seen/heard it in person?
Is the topic subject based on each boards inception up to now or is it taken as a month to month average of how many people use the board? As each board came into existence at different times.
Good to know we are catching up with those screetchy whistlers though
-I was just inpatient to try out my ‘new’ oldie Boxwood flute,but had to wait a while to give the Almond oil that I’d applied to it a chance to sink in (see my ‘J.C. Haynes’ thread on the Flute board-how’s that for multi-tasking? Two New threads on two seperate boards!-I can also pat my head whilst simultaneously rubbing my stomach too!) 
I keep forgetting Benedict and you are partners. Of course, you two have seen and heard him play it.