Getting started with the uilleann pipes. Got a practice set I’m happy with and a teacher I’m excited to work with, but I am having one small mechanical issue.
I’m 6’5" and on the bigger side, actually not excessively heavy, but people misjudge just how big the torso of someone my size can be with even a few extra pounds.
I am trying to find the best way to make the bag and bellows fit well on someone my size. Do I have to do something extra to the leather straps, is there something people commonly do? Is anyone on here built bigger. It’s not so much a large gut, more like an American football offensive lineman (the position I played in college). If you’re in the same boat, please let me know.
If push comes to shove, I really can just extend the strap with something, but I can’t imagine I’m the first big uilleann piper in the world.
The pipes were made by someone over seas, and I picked them up from him when I was abroad. It wouldn’t be impossible to have him help me with this, but it would be much much easier if I could find a way to do it state side. I’d have trouble convincing myself that pestering a maker on the other side of the world because I need an extra four inches of leather, then paying maker prices + shipping was a good idea.
It’s a simple matter to replace the existing strap.
If you want a leather strap, you can buy leather strap blanks, they’re not expensive.
They’re generally full-length which is far bigger than you’ll need.
I do basic leather stuff, all you need is a hole punch, hobby knife, and hardware like the buckle and rivets or Chicago screws.
For years I played bellows that had a nylon strap! You can buy that very inexpensively by the yard. It had a plastic buckle, the sort used on backbacking equipment.
Not pretty but very functional.
I’m 6’4" and not slim.
The other thing you’ll encounter, because taller people have longer arms, is getting an uilleann pipe bag with a long enough neck.
It’s really important to get the pipes configured so that they fit your body, especially having the chanter the right distance and coming down to your leg at the right angle.
I’d remove the bellows strap and take it in to Tandy Leather (if you have one nearby) and ask them if they can help you figure out a 4 inch longer option. They typically have folks knowledgeable and able to help.
And like pancelticpiper says the neck length is something to keep in mind - I’ve got long arms (36" sleeve) and have about 4 inches of gas tubing extending the bag length just to be more comfortable playing. I think I need to take it to 5 inches to be more comfy. Once I get it all set I’ll have a new bag made.
I’m a beginner, and find it really helpful to have a wide, stable bellows strap round my waist. It seems to keep everything in place better than the narrow strap that came with the set, at least while I’m still at the stage of not getting much right. I use one of my leather belts.
Do you have trouble with the pipe carrying air from bellows to bag being too short, too?
I forgot about that, but that’s just as important as getting the bag’s neck long enough, in order to have everything configured to fit with your body.
My connector hose kept popping loose until I got a longer one. Then at first it was too long and would bunch up, until I chopped it to get just the right length.
I just used the big clear vinyl tubing, easy to cut to the exact length.