Uilleann Pipes Tips & Tricks Tutorial

[@dublinpiper]

Jason, thanks so much for sharing these nuggets with us. I've never come across anyone else doing these essential tips for uilleann pipes videos, really helpful little tricks, and bits and bobs to help keep your pipes going. I am getting back to Uilleanns after years of playing Highland, and Scottish smallpipes - and it is a very daunting to do alone. I wish there were more youtube videos about getting to grips with the basics of the instrument itself. You really need someone to show you, and give advise and a helpful hand. In the absence of a tutor/instructor/pipe maker, or reedmaker, a video like this is priceless. So thank you for taking the time. I got a lot from it.

[@sionrouse]

Thanks for the comment! Yep, theres not much out there for getting started, sadly. On KZbin theres a tutorial by my good friend Christopher McMullan kzbin.info/www/bejne/opyZZ5uAo8uLosU, and it would be worth checking out the tutorials on pipers.ie. Hope this helps!

[@evelienvanerven5826]

Thank you so much for these tips, I'm seriously considering getting a practice set of pipes and this has given me a clearer idea of what I'll be getting myself into. It's also given me a better understanding for the pricing on these instruments, stemming from their complexity.

[@gbisaga]

This is an amazing video. I had no idea the pipes were such a "hands-on" instrument! I'm used to instruments being kind of a turnkey operation. As I start my piping journey, this is invaluable to know. Thank you so much!

[@ronanfitzsimons9619]

Great, thanks Jason.... I've been needing this for about 30 years!!

[@sionrouse]

No problem man! Just sharing the knowledge

[@terrysmith1425]

Thanks Jason. All my pipe questions have been answered. Great tips

[@j.b.6731]

Thanks a lot for all the great tips, Jason. Just ordered myself some of the polishing cloths you recommended, because other cleaners do leave such a mess in all the nooks and crannies.

[@justinanderson2926]

This is excellent, many thanks!!

[@sionrouse]

Much appreciated thank you !

[@isidorosorokin5100]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@manuelreen]

for joint btw chanter and top piece I find the synthetic surface as the best solution, way better than hemp one. Maintenance free.

[@sionrouse]

I guess it depends. I like to keep it somewhat loose as it’s easier to rotate the chanter when playing the regs. Whatever works for you :)

[@PaulKaraRoss]

This was great! If you get inspired it would be nice to get a chanter reed tuning video too.

[@sionrouse]

I think I’ll have to !

[@resonatorplate]

Great tips!

[@stansmith4054]

Is there anyway to save a chanter reed that has collapsed? Meaning both blades lose their curvature.

[@sionrouse]

Maybe try a new bridle to bring it back to life. The copper belt around the blades. Or play around with it to open up, either move it up & down the reed (a tiny amount at a time) or try some pliers on it too. Might do a video of some basic reed maintenance too if I get a chance. Failing that might be worth taking to a piper/maker and see if it can be resurrected at all

[@d.e.m.p.s.e.y]

awesome video! can you show a video or describe the air pathway for the bass regulator? Is it a double walled pipe until the turnaround?

[@sionrouse]

There are two main types, one that is straight up and held above the arm, and one that folds back across the main stock (invented by the Taylor Brothers). Both have essentially a channel of air that goes from the main stock up to the reed, and then through the reed back down an internal channel to the keyed holes. Theres a great mechanical diagram of it here plans.source.pipers.ie.s3.amazonaws.com/plans/pdf_024618.pdf

[@d.e.m.p.s.e.y]

@@sionrouse thank you so much Jason!

[@James-fo3iy]

Great vid. I reckon that you should do a video on where to buy pipes, learning materials and supplies.

[@sionrouse]

Thanks, I have plans to do something like that, including how to spot and avoid poorly made pipes

[@Laulanmad]

Hello Jason! I am a beginner. I live 2600 mtrs over the sea and I have not been able to play the low D. I blow and it is impossible to get a note from it, just a deaf horrible noise. Do you know if there is any trick to make it sound tuned?

[@sionrouse]

It could be any number of things but if you’re a beginner I would make sure you are covering all the holes with your fingers properly. Any little air leaking through your fingers will make the bottom D honk. If your chanter has keys it would be worth checking they’re airtight too. It could also be that the reed is too light, in which case you can move the copper bridle up a fraction of a mm and try it again. Hope this helps!

[@karlthomson8686]

Excellent video, Jason. Could you tell who the black chanter is by? Thanks!

[@sionrouse]

It is by the maestro Geoff Wooff and is a lovely chanter to play!

[@michaeldawson9845]

Very useful advice

[@jackmurphy600]

Do you think you could explain what to do when the chanter won't stay in the high octave? For example,with the tune " haste to the wedding" the second part is played mostly in the high octave but keeps dropping into the first octave. Very frustrating. It keeps doing it no matter how much or little bag pressure is adjusted.... I've tried putting the reed further in or out of the chanter and also tried moving the bridle up and down. But chanter keeps choking / cutting off ,or drops into the first octave 😮😢

[@sionrouse]

Check for leaks first. Make sure the set is airtight in things like keys. The chanter should be easy played and the bridle towards the bottom of the scrape on the reed. The upper octave can be a bit of a prick to get to grips with, try a scale from the back D and increase pressure as you go. Moving the reed in or out shouldn’t affect it, only the bridle position and how tight it is

[@fionnoha]

where d'you get that hemp?

[@sionrouse]

Ted Anderson! And the wax. It’s the best stuff. Closest to what I used to have when I was a wain and comes in two weights. I know a lot of folks prefer sewing thread these days but I love this stuff

[@fionnoha]

@@sionrouse how do I get onto him?

[@visionpiping1048]

Jason, I am about a year into playing (half set) I feel like I am in good or improving posture but I feel if the neck of the bag was about 3 inches shorter it would be much more efficient. Do you have any experience that you could share regarding this? can you shorten a bag neck? what are the hidden dangers?

[@sionrouse]

The best thing is to play facing a mirror and see how your posture is. I probably wouldn’t make any changes to the bag until you get regulators as they will dictate a lot of where the neck of the bag should go. You could try some less invasive methods like changing the length of the blowpipe first though. Making the neck shorter can work, the only negative is the leather gets wider the further down so the chanter stock might be a loose fit. Also you could accidentally chop too much off!

[@visionpiping1048]

thank you!@@sionrouse

[@iaincwil]

Hi I notice that the brass tube onthe cap of one of the chanter has a shape which Peter hunter used a lot at Hunter pipes just wondering as he was a friend of mine dad's

[@sionrouse]

Hi, Iain, not sure how I missed this comment but it is indeed a Peter Hunter chanter. It's one that he made for Ronan Browne and can be heard on 100s of recordings, films, tv, games, etc.. One of the most distinct sounding chanters in piping I'd say. The chanter is named the 'banjo blaster' and has quite a big sound, lots of gorgeous harmonics and character in the bottom hand. Peter would have used this one as the base for his concert pitch chanters. I'm privileged to own it and play it.

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

Great video. Thanks.

[@dublinpiper]

Thanks Jason for the reply. Here's an open question for everyone.. I'm going from Scottish pipes to Uilleanns, so can anyone please advise on this.... I've noticed we (Scottish pipers) tend to hold the bag much more higher up under the armpit for control. We do the much same for bellows blown smallpipes. But I've noticed most uilleann pipers hold the bag a lot lower, and not under the armpit, but rather the pressure coming just from the elbow to the forearm. I've even seen uilleann pipers hardly touching the 'belly' of the bag at all, and instead seem to be applying pressure to the neck! or at least where the neck meets the belly of the bag... So whats the best way?? does it matter?? Most importantly, will this effect your ease of use of regulators later on?? Thanks for any advise!

[@sionrouse]

I find the placement of the bag differs depending on what set I'm playing. A lot of it has to do with where the main stock comes out, on my big B set I prefer it higher up, and use a strap to keep it in place, but on my other sets I prefer it lower down. A set of pipes shout be tailored to fit you like a suit, so it's worth playing around to see what works for you. I prefer my main stock a little lower in the bag than usual. A few pipers do this, like Paddy Keenan. I talk about the bellows connection making a difference here too at 0:15:40

[@dominiclapinta8537]

Have you ever used synthetic reeds before? I bought a pipe Chanter a little while ago and it came with an adapter to be able to be played independantly of the set of pipes. I found a vendor out of new york who makes synthetic reeds. So I am able to play my pipe Chanter with ans without the bag.

[@sionrouse]

I have synthetic reeds in the drones on one of my sets, the Ezee Drone reeds. I really rate them but a lot of folks turn their nose up at those. Have played some synthetic regulator reeds too, in plastic and in copper, not too bad either. I wouldnt waste money on a synthetic reed on the chanter though, although if you're going to be blowing directly into one its probably better than a cane reed as the moist air wont be great for it. Can't say I've ever seen a synthetic chanter reed that didn't go straight in the bin.

[@dublinpiper]

Can you do a demo video showing us what it sounds like? I bought one of those 'blowable' practice chanters too from Pakistan, (if its the same thing you have?) I bought it because I am going from Scottish bagpipes to Uilleanns, but I have to say, it was awful. I know you cant get real uilleann reeds wet, so I sent to Edinburgh for a plastic uilleann reed, and it didn't work in it. Can you tell us how your plastic reed from New York worked out? Please, before I set the fire with my terrible blowable chanter! Thanks!

[@dominiclapinta8537]

@@dublinpiper yeah sure. This is one that is a suite of themes from entertainment, I did add a minor bellows trac in the background though. Also, it depends upon the reed.inewas went with am absolutely horrible reed. So I used the magic of ebay and found some that worked fortunately. They are made by AAR Products Inc... kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6aQqYSCiqp9ia8

[@dominiclapinta8537]

@@dublinpiper I even managed to make a tune that wasn't anybody else's music. I bought the Rosebeck Sheesham Chanter online, that's the chanter. I have a traditional cane reed but those have to stay dry or else they will go out of tune. I will use that reed when I acquire a bellows kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl7bd4eHYtmjm9E

[@jacopodentice1896]

Dear Mr Rouse, I contacted mr Bayley for a set of pipes. He told me u would be able to send me some sound samples best wishes

[@greengranitesoap2732]

Hello Jason, and thanks for all the tips! Newbie here, learning on a flat set, and have been thinking about creating some sort of strap from the main stock to help me keep everything in place (struggling with adjusting to longer length of the chanter and the neck of the bag, and find the drones pull and kink the bag a bit above the stock). Of course I was very excited to see your tip concerning just this very thing. It isn't mentioned, (perhaps it's obvious to others, haha), but where to you attach the strap to -- to the belt? Thanks again for sharing!

[@sionrouse]

Hi, thanks for commenting, happy to help. I've seen people with a strap connecting the main stock to the belt, which seems to work, but the most common approach is with a strap around the top of the main stock, up and over your left shoulder. You can see Mick 'strapping in' with this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ-ch4mQiJuHgrs. You can use a bit of shoe string leather, or a camera strap or something similar.

[@DD-mn3mu]

Jason I cannot thank you enough for this, automatic like and subscribe! I am picking up my pipes again after a few years, due to a series of rather unfortunate events I all but abandoned my piping. I have literally dusted them off after a few years and have started playing, however I am still very much a beginner. One thing that held me back was not having the knowledge to fix common problems with the pipes themselves this left me rather frustrated and when a few life events overwhelmed me, the pipes seemed just beyond my ability to upkeep etc I would be tremendously grateful if you did a video on the 'Basic maintenance of common issues regarding drones and regs etc. I have a 3/4 set myself here and I currently have a tenor drone that does nothing and a bass drone that starts to 'vibrate' when I start playing on the second octave. These no doubt very common issues remained an absolute enigma to try and fix. I always felt that if there was a handy 'most common drone problems and how to fix em' resource it would have helped me no end. I know that making these videos takes a lot of time and that you cant conver everything but it would be gold dust! Thanks again for this and once payday kicks in I am buying your cd!

[@sionrouse]

Thanks for the comment! I will certainly take on board your suggestion for the drones video, I know a lot of pipers will get a half set and not get along with the drones if they’re not setup well. Regs are another matter, but I have a few methods to tuning and setup that I use. A good resource would be Geoff Wooff’s article on the Uilleann Obsession website for regulators. I’ve a few other videos in the pipeline but other things keep getting in the way! Cheers, and happy piping -Jason

[@DD-mn3mu]

@@sionrouse Great stuff Jason many thanks!

[@tschaknorris]

Three thumbs down from Brasso salesmen.

[@sionrouse]

Haha I wish. I have a very prolific Greek troll who always downvotes my videos 😂