Learn about Uilleann Pipes (Gary Roche)

[celticmusicgal933]

As a gift for Christmas, I asked for a half-set uilleann pipe. I absolutely love the instrument and can't wait to get started, but I can not find any instructions on how to put the reeds in correctly. Can anyone give me some information on this? Thanks! (PS: I have a music background.)

[MarkBrennan]

Very informative - thanks :)

[Holm182]

Wow excellent player, and I like the informative video too!

[wendolpho]

I was following along until they got to the regulators, at which point my head exploded.

[raoulpavit]

super démo

[Iloerk]

Is the chanter cylindrical or conical pipe? 

[piobairesicago]

@Iloerk Conical, with undercutting and profiling of toneholes for tuning and voicing purposes.

[feralferret]

Makes you wish you were an octopuss with eight hands.

Great vid.

[vacuumlover1]

nice ass

[sancarlos53]

Who is that woman, narrating? What a lovely voice!

[PARTYjohn69]

Thanks so much for this great upload.

[ChiZ712]

an excellent and thorough video, very easy to grasp. thanks!

[filmbuff321x1]

what is that song called i love it

[WildGunman77]

wow, that guy's good

[psychgoth]

Is the finger pattern for this chanter anything like the one for the Scottish highland pipes?

[seonidh]

Uilleann pipe isnt really a correct term for the instruments history union pipes would be a more correct term and the chanter really isnt the only bagpipe with two partial octaves (northumbrian, highland pipes) and the union pipe ancestor the pastoral pipes have two full octaves and are being played again.

[hippiemojo]

brilliant thank-you! love the sound

[hippiemojo]

brilliant thank-you! love the sound

[redskull70]

good job im playing the uilleann pipes scnice i was a kid yee put on a good show keep it up

[drocj17]

magic

[morantivoni]

i want to buy' fron where can i buy like one like that

[DruidoftheBlackSun]

I LOVE the Uilleann Pipes! :D

Yay Ireland!!

[RoryGarbutt]

at 3:35 when the drones come in...

[Kdssow]

Wait...so you wont have to blow on it like a regular Bagpipe?

[Bryan198026]

I wonder if there are more informative videos like this about the Ulleann Pipes. I loved that. So Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters plays them? I'd like to hear that.

[astrithr81]

wow, i've always loved the sound of the pipes, but I had no idea they were so complicated! How much does a decent set cost?

[drpeppa2357]

very uplifting instrument, i gotta try this some day

[Bryan198026]

I love these things! I knew a guy who lived right here in Twin Falls, Idaho where I live and he had a set, though whether a half or a full set I don't know. It must have been at least half since it did have the droans. Not sure about the regulators though. Unfortunately he's now gone back to his home state of Mississippi and I forgot to ask him to put me in touch with the guy who made his pipes. He's right in this area though and since he makes them from kits he charges much lower prices.

[IoSonoUomo]

oh that's why bagpipes sound as cool as they do. tenor, bass and baritone going all at once.

[karablondie1]

Awesome  cous!

[Aussiemarco]

This pipes produce the most amazing sound. I'd love to be able to play them - but so expensive and I wouldn't be clever enough for them :(

[georgejonez]

why must these things be soooo expensive?!

[jumbofrets24]

On the knee? no shit, that's amazin

[shadowwarrior03]

I have played the Highland Pipes since I was a boy. But I like listening to the Uilleann Pipes too - a great sound!!

One of my pupils, who attended the Royal College of Music for lesson on other instruments, passed on to me the comments of her instructors there - that the two most difficult instruments to master, are the Scottish Highland Pipes and the Harp; but I would include the Uilleann Pipes there too!!!!

[edelahaye]

A very well done informative video. The tuning of the pipe is excellent.

[BG1961v]

Thanks for removing the mystery about this particular pipes. Very informative!

[izizful]

and i tought guitar was dificult

[izizful]

so you don't blow it? woow awesome sounds pretty much like a flute

[ElunedDdedwydd]

Impressive, amazing, I have always loved the sound of this instrument, and I really appreciate the up close and personal demonstration. Bless you both for sharing this valuable information.

[kpsicologo]

Hello great video, great instrument, excellent piper. I play the GHB and the UP without tuition here in Brazil. Hope one day I can achieve that techinique. Who made those pipes of yours? They are great and I am planning to buy a new set.

[Slipjig9]

This looks like a tough instrument to learn.

[deterdettol]

It is a really hard instrument to learn.

Even harder than highland bagpipes.

[kevinad1289]

is that a half set?

[Piperman]

No, Its a full set

[khasab]

@Piperman sounds like a major scale going up but coming down it's something else. I always understood that the pipes, being such an old instrument, were not quite in tune with 'modern' western harmony. Is this part of it? that the scales do not match major scales?

[khasab]

@Piperman also it isn't 2 octaves. He plays an octave an then 6 notes. 14 notes up and 14 down

[Celticwithakick]

does anyone know of a maker from the U.S.?

[code879]

Timothy Britton

808 S. 3rd St.

Fairfield

Ia 52556

641- 472-4005

He has a Web site

[hfranke07]

This guy plays super well,- great sound and fingering (i play GHB).......

BUT... did you notice he is looking just like Dave Grohl from The Foo Fighters???? Funny

[181068181068]

Dave grohl does play the Uilleann pipes , and does have tuition vids on you tube but I dont think this is him .

[Piperman]

I've actually been told this by lots of people....comes in handy some times!

[deltasalmon]

Dave grohl? from the foo fighters? plays the uilleann pipes? does anyone have any proof of this?

[95jjs]

@hfranke07 hmmm iiishh :P

[edsternet]

Thanks for a lot of info in a short time, also sounds great. Thanks for posting this. :)

[gypo44]

amazing instrument im curently having a beginer set made by mickey dunne from limerick  they look realy hard to learn but im sure after a while ill get the hang of it

[Bigturns33]

what does he charge for a half set ?

[gypo44]

im not sure about a half set but the chanter and bag and bellows are around 1000 euros im sure then drones are a bit more

[Celticwithakick]

The 30 seconds or so give me the real sense of Ireland and its sound

[code879]

Timothy Brittin

808 S 3rd ST.

Fairfield

Ia. 52556

641 - 472 - 4005

Is a Pipe maker.

He has a Web Page

Liam O'Flynn would be able to tell you where you can find a Pipe Maker in Ireland.

He also has a Web Page.

[code879]

The Illean Pipes I have been told are the only Musical Instrument that Ireland can claim as its own. I had the good fortune of meeting and spending an evening with the great Liam O' Flynn. I asked him how long does ot take to master the Pipes and he told me it takes twenty years.

Another good source is Comhaltas or The Phildelphia Ceile Group since there is a young fellow taking lessons with a guy from New York there.

[marcomio]

The saying is "seven years of learning, seven years of practicing, and seven years of playing -- *then* you're a piper."

[edelahaye]

"The Uillean Pipes I have been told are the only Musical Instrument that Ireland can claim as its own."

The origin of the instrument seems to be English (the Northumbrian pipes).

[ravichandra70]

Ahh...you forget about the ancient Gaelic wire strung harp. Nothing else like it in world.

Aside, the Northumbrian pipes are a totally different instrument although related.. different bore, different fingering system and different in construction. Uilleann pipes are likely descended from the pastoral pipes not the NU pipes but their development in Ireland is what makes them special.

[murlach1]

The Tune Is Called Miss McLeods Reel

[Ailigean]

There is a related scottish version of this tune: Miss MacLeod of Raasay

[Baltizori]

What's the name of that tune?

[vivaldizz]

Good vid. Did you realise that the uilleann (elbow) pipes were developed in Ireland by the Anglo-Irish Protestant community in the early 18th century. There are many historical records of protestant clergymen in Ireland playing them in the 18th and 19th century in Ireland. The bellows-driven Northumbria pipes were developed in England around the same time. The pipes have a fascinating history.

[Seamus616]

Yep. However the history of Pipe playing in Ireland goes much deeper. The earliest being a primitive horn shaped pipe used in battle before and after, this would how ever eventually be replaced by the Bagpipes that we now associate with Scotland. It came to Ireland around the same time, from either the Anglo Norman Invasion, OR the Gaels raiding Roman Britain/Norman England. Its role for miltary purposes continued untill the ending of Gaelic civilisation, but was kept up mercenaries in Europe.

[Worldmusicrevolution]

wow uillean pipes are complicated

[msrret]

Really interesting vid. The sound is the ncest of all bagpipes I have heard but, how the hell does anyone learn how to play these things .... pretty complicated.

[barrry9]

Normally in stages - first stage is a Practice Set, which is chanter, bag and bellows. Then you "upgrade" to a 1/2 set which has the drones added and finally you add the regulators to get a full set :)

[nataraja87]

wonderful video, Thank you!

[frbe0101]

is there a electronic version?

[dborn747]

Well, I have master the trumpet and guitar and have always wanted to learn these pipes. However, it appears that I need a degree to play them. That has got to be the hardest instrument on the planet to learn to play.

[thebestirishmusic]

One minor quibble: Irish pipes or uilleann pipes can be made of African Blackwood, but ebony is more common - there is a difference in tonal qualities and many makers and pipers prefer ebony to ABW. Many sets are made in rosewoods or alternative timbers like boxwood, pear, and recently, english holly. Boxwood is especially beautiful to see and hear, but has an unfortunate tendency to warp if not well-seasoned.

[thebestirishmusic]

Stay away from pakistani made instruments. Obtain your pipes only from a known maker or from a recommended (by an experience piper) secondhand seller.

Start with a practice set. There is no such thing as an "uilleann practice chanter" that is of any help to beginners, due to the close coordination of bag control and fingering required to transition between the octaves smoothly. A beginner needs the bag, bellows, and chanter to have a chance at making progress

[HighlandPiper1485]

wow and I thought highland pipes were a pain

[ArtistIreland]

Thank you gary. :)

[DamianNixon]

great vid for pipers of any age. Good job.

[kooslap]

I was introduced to the Uilleann Pipes through the music of Enya. This video is fantastic in explaining this wonderful instrument! The gentleman did great job playing it too!

[Sinmaaran]

You have to be quite skilled and have some patience but I think it's really really worth it. Wonderful instrument, i want to play it so bad but there are very few teachers where i live :(

[NicktheIrishman]

How much does one of these amazing pipes cost? What about a practice set?

[pearse93]

a practice set cost around 2,000 and then you would get drones they cost about 4,000 and with regulators makes a full set and it cost about 7,000 you would have to go to a uilleann pipe maker to get a set because you can't buy them in shops type in uilleann pipe makers on google and lots of uilleann pipe makers come up

[Lchsloy92]

is that 7,000 for the whole set or just the regulators?

[pearse93]

it is for the whole set

[wgp1234]

When a paki set costs $1500, you know the price of a good set is going to be crazy.

[Wyllough]

Some Paki practice sets are as low as USD200. Half sets for USD400 and full sets for USD1500 as already pointed out. There is also the Vpipe, which is an electronic Uillean set. Not sure if the Vpipe has regulators. It'd be pretty frustrating trying to learn without a teacher. Just getting the reed(s) right takes a while and some learning and knowledge (which I don't have BTW; I only play GHB - much simpler, but not as nice).

[casaderiff]

no regulator on vpipe, but pitch adjuster on/off switch for drones and volume

[mongorich]

that is a wonderful video. thank you for posting it, I have learned so many things about the pipes!

[dougnorb]

Well done and interesting. It takes some of the mystery out of the instrument.

[afterimagedan]

Question. Can you get one of these pipes with just the finger playing part and not the stuff that lays on your legs? Could someone please message me about this? I have a few questions if you could please. Thanks!

[9844267]

yes you can its called a practice set

[seonidh]

The uilleann pipes are a direct decendant of the Pastoral pipes (union pipes) that had an open chanter and had two full octaves. The instrument was developed and played thoughout all of the UK and Ireland and became the Uilleann pipes.

[Donegaldan]

Brilliant explanation Slan

[billythehobbit]

who made these pipes?

[KEV1MAC]

do brave hart please please piper man

[Hoowler]

I juast bought a half set and can't even get one lousy tone. I must have assembeled it wrong somehow

[pearse93]

im looking for a set of b orBb do you know any really good uilleann pipe makers in ireland

[Hoowler]

no but i got a pipe for sale if you are interested. it is an half pipe uilleann pipe. practically new, only had it for a few weeks

[boiledmilk]

They're usually a bit temperamental til they settle in. Have you tried giving them a saucer of warm milk? If that doesn't work try a saucer of guinness-that always gets them going.

[pearse93]

what is the name of that tune it is amazing

[pearse93]

does anyone know any relly good uilleann pipe makers that who make B sets

[pearse93]

he is a great piper

[Bowietastic]

Wow,you are very talented! You don't seem to get as many players these days, there's just something magical about the sound of the uillean pipes, makes me think of the rugged wild Western landscape of Ireland. I can't even master the tin whistle! Oh well I guess some people just aren't musical!

[viperBSG]

ok to put it simple the uilleann pipes are Irish pipes.there really beautiful pipes.But hey you have to be a very focused person to play them it looks.:)

[danielshacalis]

Hey Piperman, how difficult did you find all these learning to play the Uillean Pipes.

[boazn8]

Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I now have a much better idea of what I need to get started.

[madcelt1]

who made your pipes,their beautiful.

[Piperman]

Hi there, Sylvester Ryan from cork made my pipes, but he died at age 38 due to illness.He only made 6 full sets as he was only starting out as a maker. My set was the final full set he made as far as i know. I count myself lucky to have them....

[danielshacalis]

Very very informative. Thanks.

[thecelticpiper]

very educational. i must get a set when i get rich, or get a cheap set from paki and wing it ! lol !wonderful !

[lemonking]

fantastic.

well done fella. They are really hard to understand and you have mastered them wonderfully.