Not to be confused with the other types of players in the world. I was wondering when do you refer to yourself as a player?
Is it when you first buy the pipes?
Is it when you learn your first full tune?
You that have been playing for sometime when did you realize you were a player of the pipes?
Ok, extremely humble opinion here from a pretty new piper.
Hm, seems this can take a couple of roads here.
You can go the GHB road, where after you demonstrate that you can perform certain methods on the instrument, you are a player (of some degree anyway).
Or, it seems you can be a little more ‘artful’ (struggling for the right word there) meaning that if you are able to make music that when brought to the world, others gain pleasure from it, you could be called a piper.
In other words, if someone taught themselves the guitar(as I have) and has made music for scores of folks, and they have enjoyed it much, that person is normally called a “gutartist”.(pretty much my story)
I think the same could be said for the Uilleann pipes. Again, if you can play music that is enjoyed by the world then would you not be called a piper?
Sidenote: I bought a set of Dunbar GHB, & “taught” myself to play them.
I have the fortune of having been given certain musical talents by the good Lord, and generally when folks hear my play them, they remark, “oh I didn’t know you were a piper”
I am usually quick to point out that in GHB circles, I would in now way be considered a true piper, due to the fact that I merely attempt to mimic what I hear, play by feel & do not have formal instruction iin movements on the chanter, etc. But folks like em’ just the same 
great question & a refreshing one I think.
ps. no offense meant with the ‘artful’ comment: I understand GHB has a very long history and IS an artform in itself. I just could not find the right word there…
Rich
Does the title of a “player” make your music any better? At the end of the day you are at where you are and if you spend the time practicing and listening instead of worrying about trifle things like these you might become a player yet.
Perhaps, better stated:
“Let the world judge”
Does the title of a “player” make your music any better? At the end of the day you are at where you are and if you spend the time practicing and listening instead of worrying about trifle things like these you might become a player yet.
Excellent Point!
Yes.
I’ve been playing for a few years now, and I feel that I’ve only recently graduated from being a non-piper to being a bad piper.
Justine
A “Gut Artist” that does this?
Good heavens!
I have just been reading Pat Mitchell (1999:1) on his question, ‘What is piping’, which is similar, if not the same, as your question. Here is part of what he says -
I kept coming back to a shining example of the answer I was looking for – the
playing of Matt Kiernan the pipemaker. Even though besotted with music at the virtuoso end of
the spectrum, at the time I felt there was something special about his playing, that it was good
solid piping. I still feel that way about it. The problem was – I only heard Matt play one piping
movement – the ACA triplet – so how could he possibly be a piper?
See if you can answer that. Mitchell gives his response further on but I will not divulge it here.
Mitchell,P. (1999), Rhythm & structure in Irish traditional dance music – Part 1.
The double jig as played on the Irish pipes. The Seán Reid Society Journal. Volume 1. March 1999.
I just enjoy making music with them. And let others worry about what to call me…
It works well that way.
/Morten
Are you kidding? Who cares if I’m considered a “player”? I’m happy when my practice time doesn’t cause the neighbors to run outside and look up at the sky to find out what’s wrong with the ducks flying overhead. 
(So would that mean I’m trying to graduate from a sick duck to an…hmm… I’ll have to think on that one.)
LOL…Duck hunters are calling me at 3 & 4 am asking me to bring my set to the fields to call in the ducks…LOL
Most expensive duck call and one with the most bulk they have seen. They can say if its the sound of the pipes or my arm going in and out with the bellows that bring them in. My brother-in-law thinks the geese think I am wounded and they are trying to comfort me…
Top that for bad!
[quote=“KDMARTINKY”]LOL…Duck hunters are calling me at 3 & 4 am asking me to bring my set to the fields to call in the ducks…LOL
Most expensive duck call and one with the most bulk they have seen. They can say if its the sound of the pipes or my arm going in and out with the bellows that bring them in. My brother-in-law thinks the geese think I am wounded and they are trying to comfort me…
Congratulations!
Love it! Thanks for the laugh, I needed it. 
So, just out of curiosity, how does it feel to be comforted by a goose? (And don’t you feel guilty luring the poor innocent goose to its doom by provoking its compassion? 
)
My thoughts exactly. Kinda reminds me of “March of the Penguins” or something (ha, ha, ha). Way to go, Keith!
I should say its mostly my brother-in-laws who know that on the weekends I like to sleep in, but they call me and ask if I want to go…then they add don’t forget that specially made duck call… I do have the best brother-in-laws in the world…they just get a kick at watching me struggle with the bellows and make the set “HONK”…LOL
Keith, thats both great and cruel at the same time. What is the effect that it has on the ducks and geese really? Are they drawn to it, or are they afrightened of it?
This one didn’t take long to stray.