seamus ennis plays a reel

[hypicsiamascarosi]

amazing seamus.

[minotauresse]

Beautiful lyrical playing

[natedog2069]

his name looks like penis

[piobairesicago]

@natedog2069 To you, perhaps.  Maybe a trip to your local optometrist is in order?

[rightlybanjaxed]

Paddy fox hunters

[bl44378]

His dad must have been a bit of a gun as well - it's such a brilliant tune!

[Mike990920]

I just discovered Seamus this morning. What a neat man and what a wonderful tune. Thanks for sharing!

[FiddleTramp]

What a great tune! One of my all- time favourites. A great reminder we are all part of nature! Afraid there arent too many thrushes outside these windows , being aboard an aircraft at 10000 feet - but hooray for technology bringing us youtube and morning thrush up here... Hear , hear...

[Dentakulator]

Morning thrush. We've all been there.

[sainglain]

the 8 you dislike have no Irish blood

[piobairesicago]

@sainglain

Naw they're probably Irish. Loads of Irish people hate traditional music, especially old-school stuff like this. I don't know why. Probably something to do with being a colony of Great Britain for nearly 800 years and being treated badly most of tha time.

[namaste91]

sobbing...Uileann pipe soo awesome and beautiful!!!

[VelikyUstyug1]

What an enjoyable post! These pipes have a wonderful contrast in them of a cranky starlight set against the smooth rolling hills of the chanter. His quirky way with a phrase gets and holds your attention with such individualistic ease.

[robrobusa]

This is beautiful, ...

[FinCroweman]

master class, lovely sound from the pipes makes me proud to be a fellow piper.

[hippojuice23]

He's old school! :)

[66gadus]

the master at work - superb pipering!

[gamewizard]

@r4wmaterial

How would you know?

[Bellerophon2200]

this guy is REALLY good!

[Lisnageeragh]

@Bellerophon2200 He is indeed! He was multi talented ...and would have been a great exponent of any genre.

[hazelennis]

beautiful music and i have to say im proud to say im a ennis aswell

[minard17]

Just genius

[jimitheJive]

@r4wmaterial OMG you're right, see i've been thinking i was irish for years on account of ya being born here and living hear all my life, but what i really needed was some troller on youtube you help me get over my identity crisis, check out my videos, one is on a DUBLIN bus and the other is glasnevin cemetery in DUBLIN, as in ya know Ireland,

[S1Khorne]

...it makes me feel like being born in the wrong country! Love this!

[Lisnageeragh]

@S1Khorne S Ennis was wonderful he came to our house a few times.

Notice how slowly he plays this particular reel to enhance the musical line.

[SkinheadCharlie]

His ability to get down there and play the chords with edge of his right hand at appropriate times in the tune blows me away. I have trouble coordinating the bellows with the chanter... I guess that's why I stick with the whistle.

[piobairesicago]

@SkinheadCharlie

Patience. Get the chanter, bag, and bellows together first.  The rest comes with time and lots of listening.

[elfinia]

Seamus was a devoted musician. You can see that the music flowed through him and sustained him. Wonderful, and to see him play is very moving.

[kungfupanda502]

im a ghb player and im hoping to start on uilleans soon any tips?

[bagpipeplayer]

@kungfupanda502 Try to look for an Irish piper's club in your area, or at least someone who can teach, keep in mind you may have to travel a bit as there aren't as many people who play uilleann pipes. Also, try and find a pipe maker that lives within a reasonable amount of distance from you.

[piobairesicago]

@kungfupanda502

Yeah. Forget just about everything you know from playing the GHB, it's of little help.  Uilleann pipes are very different - they have a bag, 3 drones, and a chanter, and that's where the similarity ends. Find a teacher. Start listening to lots of irish piping and irish traditional music. find a teacher. Get the best bag bellows and chanter money can buy. Find a teacher. Stay away from Pakistani made instruments. Did I mention that you should find a teacher?

[mojochessclassics]

theres truely was a great generation

[planxty12]

What a man... Lovely stuff!!!

[windybaer]

This tune has helped me to get through 13 surgical procedures for cancer. I am a survivor.

[sacredsong]

it's a good tune

[transliminal]

@windybaer Good for you! My wife is a cancer survivor.

[omarshinken]

@windybaer godbless you

[DJFozter]

I just love his accent!

Oh and also his playing, that goes without saying though...

[princhemc]

these type of instuments were olso prevelent in north africa particulaly with a tribe in algeria who ive been told share alot in commen with the irish

[JOHNOOH]

LMAO

[FreeportVERITAS]

they are more prevalent in northern Spain, a part named Galicia, sharing the name with Gaelic. Many Irish emigrated to Galicia because it was similar to Ireland. All sorts of pipe instruments can be found there.

[Mullinabreen]

For some reason I always feel sad listening to Seamus Ennis. Great,great player,collector of old tunes and storyteller,but he seemed to be born in an age when traditional musicians were not as appreciated as in later years. Was not able to earn a good living despite the great skills he demonstrated, through the land

[hanno21664]

hello all asking for a little help here, all can reply saw this awesome video and had a question(it is ok to laugh) but need to ask it, i know the difference between the uillean and bag pipes KNOW where did the both versions of the pipes orginate? what country?

someone told me middle east the way he told me i think he was just bullshitting me.

what books can i read or where online can i go

thank you

blessed be

[MandyJMaddison]

With bagpipes, the bag (a resevoir of air) is filled by the player blowing into a pipe. With these pipes, the player is using his right arm to operate a small set of bellows which suck in air.

The person who told you that they originated in the Middle East wasn't bullshitting you. They probably date from Biblical times. Variations on the bag pipes are played in many different countries.

[hanno21664]

hello friend thank you for your response i will be doing research my self on the bagpipes you have struck my coriosity. the way my buddy told me with a sarcastic smile is how i took his story bullshit when he mentioned the middle east. she smile through my off i guess.

but thanks again friend for your response.

take care friend

[JOHNOOH]

im sorry but your gulliable! theres no such thing as 'bag pipes', you have your highland pipes which are scottish and you have your uilleann pipes from ireland. they are very very different but both are unique and theres nothin quite like them found anywhere else in the world!

[hanno21664]

hello friend, how are you. no worries, please i came here to learn so i feel(well personally we are all gulliable) if we seek the correct knowledge. and thank you for sharing the differences between the two. I only used bagpipes because i had read what others posted so i thought i was using the correct terminology.

iam sure my question sounded silly or dumb but hey you cant find the answer if you dont ask or inquire about a subject.

so thanks again for the info it will help me.blessings

[enginesspanielman]

@JOHNOOH Do not forget the Northumbrian Small Pipes!

[j0llygr33ng1ant]

@JOHNOOH don't forget the dudelsack and the sackpfeife from Germany, the gaita from Galicia, the zampogna from Italy, the kaba gaida from Bulgaria, the cornemuse from France, the bock from Czech Rep., the biniou from Bretagne, the tulum from Turkey, the sakpipa from Sweden, and the koza from Poland!

[breffnipark]

beautiful piece !!!!

Thank you !

[seamusotorain]

Thank God thrushes aren't as loud as a set of pipes, or we'd never get any sleep.

[Imal00ter20]

Aww, the pipes aren't THAT loud, though maybe a little louder than a thrush..

[dvdmsch]

magic

[xrismoran]

What year was the original film made?

[piobairesicago]

@xrismoran 1980. Seamus passed in 1982. This little film is a gift for all of us pipers and aspiring pipers.

[owainyebastards]

the uilleann pipes seems quite similar to the welsh babgpipes (pibau cyrn), they make a less pure sound compared to the scottish ones, and the fact you dont use your mouth

[59pantouflards]

i usually find uillean pipes boring but that's just wonderful

[59pantouflards]

Please be polite before speaking about stupidity. You don't even imagine how stupid you seem yourself with your racist injurious vocabulary. But I accept some explainations: the only irish music I can easily hear where I am is commercial style, i.e without style. But I'm fond of stylists like Seamus, Joe Cooley, Paddy o Brien and others.

[59pantouflards]

childish you. Please stop wasting my time.

[jobieloon]

Hey retard!!! Less of the racisim/sectarianism. Any wonder people don't like USA

PRICK

[arkhatych]

So differen from todays pipes. And the sound's quality. It's nice to hear this legendary piper playing!

[psidhrian]

OOOOOOHHH those drones are magnificent!!!!!....mmmmmmm bass

[ericmower]

What is the significance of the middle finger ring on his right hand. I have noticed that a lot of uilleann pipers have this ring. Is it a piper thing or an Irish thing? Just wondering...

[sirsteven88]

I think that traditionally in Ireland the wedding ring is worn on the middle finger of the right hand and that many people would wear two rings, one to maintain tradition and another to incorporate the more widely recognised symbolism. Don't quote me on this though. I remember reading this out of my anthropology text book so I know that this is true for a particular culture and I believe it was Irish but I could be mistaken.

[Intilo]

maestro

[tamegomaith93]

How does he achieve a chord on it? I don't play the pipes myself, but I'm somewhat familiar with the structure, so please someone explain how a chord is achieved?

[iiijg77]

Under his right hand are the drones and regulators lying across his lap. The regulators are keyed pipes, which he strikes with his wrist to get the chords.

[tamegomaith93]

ohh, I get it. Thanks =]

[shashi2005]

Uileann pipes have a chanter and drones like most types of bagpipe. They also have a gizmo called the regulator that is played with either

1)the insides of the wrist or

2)a spare finger!

You can see Mr. Ennis using them to play:

:Single notes around 2:15 in the video.

:Two note chords around 1:49.

Watch his right wrist carefully

[tamegomaith93]

Ohh, I see! Thanks =) didn't know the pipes had so many secret functions =D

[Bigirishcunt]

I myself play the majestic Higland pipe and my life is devoted to perfecting it but the Uilleann pipe is utterly beautifull.

[ascaules]

happy st.paddys!

[Seamus616]

Play the Greatpipes, i play Scottish piobareacht, but i love playing me native Irish tunes. But i have to say, the Uilleann pipe is the best sounding pipe in the world. Developed where else but Ireland :)

[jimitheJive]

My name is Jimi Ennis, i'm Irish and decided to start doing a family tree and discovered than I'm related to Seamus Ennis, none of my friend know him so i thought i'd share that here.

[sacredsong]

that's really awesome man.

[JackyRowe]

@jimitheJive do you play?

[Melik1100]

@jimitheJive in which way are you two related?

[fanvasvart]

A true God on Uillean Pipes.....

[andrew3965uk]

That was stunning. I have memories of listening to tapes of Mr Ennis, courtesy of an excellent Irish pal 25 years ago, and his music brings back many happy memories. Wonderful.

[krispy432]

Man, the length of his fingers is terrifying. Talk about a physical gift. They would have allowed him to excel at piano or guitar as well.

[JSCWhistler]

Psh, forget piano or guitar, pipes are the best! Then again, I guess I am biased... he does have long fingers, though... wow

[FueRaZar]

Does anyone know what pipes he's playing? (I mean is this his Cis-set or a "normal" D-set...)

[Bodhi89]

I was just wondering that myself

sounds like a C to me though

[Banshun]

It's his famous C# set made by Coyne.

[evamachandel]

Such a nice tune! God bless him!

[alconsirra]

Amazing!  I could hear the bird call in the tune. I have to watch it again.

[hugalot27]

he died in 1982.

[Muggleman12]

is he alive still?

[laudypapa1]

damn...that is some set o' pipes

[loftymercury]

very nice

[UncleChickenMan]

beautiful

[nrubdarb]

What beautiful hands he has.

[DesiBhoy1]

Seamus The Master Piper......What a legend and inspiration to us all

[feckwitklown]

When I was first learning to play the pipes, I listened to Seamus Ennis and tried to copy him. I'm still not good enough after twenty years. What a great man.

Thanks for posting this :)

[sacredsong]

God damn I love that reel so much! Best one ever in my opinion! He plays it so cleanly, it's absolutely beautiful! God....

[Cavanpiper]

All I have heard of Seamus have been great things, from people I know who had met him and in quotes from Planxty and the like. I could not imagine him being anything but a gentleman. God bless you lad.

[johnpeterchapman]

This is absolutly fantastic!!! Great tune and nice sounding instrument. I play the great highland warpipes myself but I would give a fortune to be able to play this instrument like seamus.What a sweet old man: calm, cassy...rare these days. Wonderfull hands also!

[mikibzh]

At that time, people were putting their sunday clothes to be broadcasted on Tv... and Tunes played had a story to go with it. (not like i learned it from mcgoldrick = i listened to his cd)... very impressive playing... and amyzing fingers. A LEGEND!

[concertina18]

Beautiful music as usual from the master

[principalbass]

Give you a set of uilleann pipes, and you'd be completely lost. Tool.

[j0llygr33ng1ant]

Grundy, how could a machine with a name like that produce anything tuneful?

[macwarner57]

Hey, my other love is electronic music, but please don't mess with traditional music. They're seperate genres from a different era, don't compare them together. This man spent his entire life collecting music and folklore and did quite alot more for preserving and passing on human culture than sampling or drum n bass ever will. In short, this is real music by and for real people.

[oscar409adam]

The instrument is known as the "uilleann pipe", pronounced "ill-ee-an". It is similar in concept to the bagpipes or irish war pipes. the uilleann pipes are made up of belows, a bag (or air chamber), chanter, 3 drones and 3 regulators. for more information google "uilleann pipes"

[pronely]

What instrument is that exactly? I wonder. Okay I see somewhat how it works.  It's most likely much more difficult to play than it looks. That is so beautiful.

[fisherman310]

food for the soul,

[Cavanpiper]

The very best, that was a good lad.

[mrgabest]

Well spoken.

[seanca7]

Seamus Ennis is too intense for words.

[fiddleup]

Lovely long slender fingers and hands!!....definitely a feather in your cap with this instrument! Very distinctive sounding set....made by coyne....a LONG time ago! We will always remember Seamus,God bless him!

[dvcutters]

great stuff!

[GreeboScarr]

he plays extreemly beautifuly. I wish i could play anything like that.

[sacredsong]

beautiful reel.

i don't know what kind of thrush his grandfather heard, but i wish they sounded like that!

[uilleannaddict]

You've got to love the Coyne set! So soft and sweet! I used to go to sleep listening to recordings of Seamus Ennis playing slow airs! He was such a good musician and a gentleman!

[pearse93]

DOES DRONES SOUND AMAZING

[toxicwaste193]

on the CD , "Seamus Ennis 40 years of pipeing" theres a story he tells called "Don Nipry Septo" it is one of the funner things ive heard for a tune intro. aside from that, the cd ^ is just...amazing. worth getting if you like the pipes.

[walkingpictures]

Total respect for a great musician

[HegartyCounty]

nicholas, don't start shit...you know you're wrong

[wiggwamm65]

good programme on rte radio one tonight about seamus ennis,should be able to listan again on line.

[papigil]

Master sounds !. GIL ( CHannel papigil )

[dhg4455]

Although no longer with us in mortal flesh - Mr. Ennis is the best piper that Ireland ever produced and this vidio proves it!

[pakieire]

what a sweet old fella!

[90dan]

what a piper

[seisflutes]

It is a great tune, just learned it myself. Love it.

[kiwipipinghot]

Awesome playing of a beautiful piece. Called the Morning Thrush here can I find the sheet music?

[shardulnz]

Gidday kiwipipinghot - go to The Session website, click on the 'Search' tab and type 'the morning thrush' into the search field. You will find the sheet music, ABC notation and a little history on the tune.

[cwildeky]

One of my favorite tunes, to boot! I never knew the history. Thank you, this is wonderful.

[carasda]

surely a master piper

[gallantbob]

Can you tell me where you got that video?

[stringdancing]

Wonderfull!! thanks for preserving this video!

[wgority]

Ennis was the man!

[RitchieBrinckmore]

Nice! I've never seen him in colour before.

[tattooedandkilted]

The man.

[OwnageKidzerZ]

i love irish pipes! and i love everything about bagpipes and other sorts of pipes..ones that play..awesome!

[Anokpoet]

A true piper! Amazing work!

[Postie1]

The Master at work. What a delight.

[TNTennant]

looks kinda like Seumas Macneill.

[Postie1]

Ah, not a bit lad. But cheers anyway.

[UISTMAN59]

It's true. A 'thin man' with glasses and also great piper.

[verhoogje]

très joli! :-)

[folkmenowbitch]

well if his pipes are anything like mine, they'll be leaking like a sive. lol.

[Ballisticmonkey3]

He's sort of like Jori Chisholm or Alasdair Ghillies of highland piping then.

[lars3939]

Pipes are not air tight...anyway what a legend...so beautiful thank you!

[kevo32a]

he is just a legend. there was and never will be abyone as good.

look how fast hes pumping. i wonder if those pipes are completely airtight..

[Pgidley]

nobody can play the pipes like that man

[chade2112]

Thank you for posting this kind of history... if you have anything else by Ennis, please post it!