@HisAndHearsePress
The #GreatHighlandBagpipe is from #Scotland. That is the one you see most often in parades. The #Uilleann #bagpipes are Irish, and you see those most often played by #Irish folk musicians.

The GHBs require the player to constantly blow up the bag. It only has nine notes, so they can't play tunes with rests/breaks or >9 notes in them. Their HUGE volume is actually from on *tiny* wooden reed, built like an oboe reed, that's about the length of a U.S. quarter.

The Uilleann pipes can play a wealth of notes. Their bag is kept inflated using a kind of bellows under the left arm of the #bagpiper.

The composer for the film #Braveheart did not realize the musical limitations, so the #music he wrote for the film could not be played on #Scottish pipes. The theme you "see" the #piper playing in the film is actually being played on a Uilleann #bagpipe.

Be sure to check out this video, where #AllyThePiper demonstrates how bagpipes work.

https://youtu.be/VMyO2z4qLvs

My own half set came yesterday. I didn't expect the drones to interfere with my playing as much as they did. The good news is, practicing today things were already sounding better. I guess I'll be used to them by next week.

How does the set sound? Amazing, absolutely great. Precise, in tune, and no squeakiness. And that hard D is just grand.

#uilleann #pipes #trad

Drones in T minus three weeks!!!!!

#irish #trad #uilleann #pipes

Two and a half years and I'll have my drones. I want them NOW NOW NOW but I'm so happy to have the perspective.

#Happy #Uilleann #Piper

Last night we had the annual owners meeting for the residence my new apartment is in. There's a meeting room with a piano, and it was confirmed that it's also used as a music practice space. So I'm free to play my instrument there.

Luckily no one asked what the instrument was.

#Uilleann #Pipes

Tonight I was able to play the Kesh Jig legato (a bit in the style of Paddy Keenan) then very staccato, then play with a mix of the two styles. Still very amateurish, but at almost a proper dance tempo. Being able to make stylistic choices like that is a huge satisfaction, though. I start to feel like I'm playing the instrument rather than the other way round.

#Irish #Trad #Uilleann #Pipes

One of the great Irish Pipers playing one of my all-time favorite tunes.

Liam O'Flynn - The Gold Ring
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhhuctvh4gE

I'm going to propose this one tonight.

#Irish #Trad #Uilleann #Pipes #Jig

Toss the Feathers, played on the #uilleann #pipes by Felix Doran.
https://youtu.be/WGPYPc28jz4

#NowPlaying #Irish #Trad

"Toss the Feathers" is super fun to play on the #uilleann pipes, and less difficult than I would have thought, despite the jumps up to the high bit of the second octave.

#Irish #Trad

Trying to get the hang of cranning on the #Uilleann #Pipes. I have no trouble with the same ornamentation on the whistle, but in the pipes it brings the tune to a grinding halt. Need a lot more practice. #Irish #Trad