Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

A forum about Uilleann (Irish) pipes and the surly people who play them.
User avatar
Aldwyn
Posts: 31
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2017 11:21 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I am haunted by Uilleann Pipes. Been so for years. I have an Irish background and have played Trad on guitar in a duet long ago. Just started on the UPs in Feb of 2017!

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by Aldwyn »

I just ordered a half set from Kirk Lynch... without keys!

I figured, I could always have Kirk add keys later if I want... I am assuming that is an option?
Kirk Lynch half set
Guitars, Ukes, whistles, misc percussion
Pocket lint
User avatar
pancelticpiper
Posts: 5298
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:25 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: Playing Scottish and Irish music in California for 45 years.
These days many discussions are migrating to Facebook but I prefer the online chat forum format.
Location: WV to the OC

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by pancelticpiper »

rorybbellows wrote:
You must get yourself a copy of ancient voices by Mick O'Brien. Sounds like it could be your cup of tea.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-a ... 1106000760

RORY
I love that album.

Yes much of the backing, synth and all, is cheesy, but the tunes and Mick's playing are great.

Newbies need to be aware that he uses pipes in a number of different keys on that album. (Off the top of my head, he plays pipes in D, C, and B.)
Last edited by pancelticpiper on Wed Feb 15, 2017 7:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Richard Cook
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
User avatar
rorybbellows
Posts: 3191
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:50 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 10
Location: the cutting edge

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by rorybbellows »

pancelticpiper wrote:I love that album. .
Ditto, The piper's version of easy listening. The genius of Mick O'Brien is to make a well known and simple tune sound great.

RORY
PS regarding keys, its better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
I'm Spartacus .
User avatar
tommykleen
Posts: 1686
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2002 6:00 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I am interested in the uilleann pipes and their typical -and broader- use. I have been composing and arranging for the instrument lately. I enjoy unusual harmonic combinations on the pipes. I use the pipes to play music of other cultures.
Location: Minnesota, Birthplace of the pop-up toaster
Contact:

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by tommykleen »

rorybbellows wrote: PS regarding keys, its better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
...and Rory for the win!
Tommykleen
Well, don't forget to make music.
Tou-Che
Posts: 311
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2004 11:03 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by Tou-Che »

One of the best players I know only has 1 key on his chanter!
User avatar
myles
Posts: 196
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:57 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 10

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by myles »

One key on my chanter
But I'm still rolling along
User avatar
rorybbellows
Posts: 3191
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:50 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 10
Location: the cutting edge

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by rorybbellows »

myles wrote:One key on my chanter
But I'm still rolling along
Image

RORY
I'm Spartacus .
User avatar
myles
Posts: 196
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:57 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 10

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by myles »

Looks like he tried playing Slievenamon in a Kilkenny pub
User avatar
benhall.1
Moderator
Posts: 14797
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:21 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I'm a fiddler and, latterly, a fluter. I love the flute. I wish I'd always played it. I love the whistle as well. I'm blessed in having really lovely instruments for all of my musical interests.
Location: Unimportant island off the great mainland of Europe

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by benhall.1 »

myles wrote:Looks like he tried playing Slievenamon in a Kilkenny pub
I'm going to have to ask - why? Sorry if it's something that should be blindingly obvious ...
User avatar
myles
Posts: 196
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:57 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 10

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by myles »

Tipperary hurling song.
User avatar
benhall.1
Moderator
Posts: 14797
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:21 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: I'm a fiddler and, latterly, a fluter. I love the flute. I wish I'd always played it. I love the whistle as well. I'm blessed in having really lovely instruments for all of my musical interests.
Location: Unimportant island off the great mainland of Europe

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by benhall.1 »

myles wrote:Tipperary hurling song.
Ah right. Didn't know that. Thanks. :thumbsup:
Eric F.
Posts: 60
Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:38 am
antispam: No

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by Eric F. »

I know for someone who during the years came from 7 key chanter to 4 key, but he settled to play chanter with 1 key only. So it depends what kind of music you will play and what kind of chanter you have. I think this tradition of having keys comes from flat pitch chanters more than concert pitch. Keys do make chanters very nice looking, but if you don't need them they are surplus. Widebore chanters having big finger holes sound nicer with half holing ect. Narrow bore are differend animals, having small holes, so keys are nice to have. Look McSherry who for years owned keyless chanter without any problems. And he is one of the very best pipers alive. His current Koehler chanter has C key only. And he toured with some world music artists also. So if he can do it wihout keys, this answers the question for me period.
Flutulator
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 11:33 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
Tell us something.: Here for a bit to get info on adding another keyed lefty flute to my instrument collection. Preferably something from a highly respected maker. Been playing since 2006.
Location: Where the mud roams wild

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by Flutulator »

How common are long for f keys? I find I use that one on the flute constantly. Short f is harder to use in some circumstances. I do have a hankering for those dm Fiddle tunes.
My name is John. It is NOT "OP." :) :)
User avatar
myles
Posts: 196
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:57 am
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 10

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by myles »

I think a few makers use the "long" f as standard, I haven't had the impression it's a rarity anyway.

F natural is one note on the pipes that half-holes fairly easily and with a lot of character...you don't need the key to play in D minor but I suppose it might help with certain sorts of articulation.
Mike Hulme
Posts: 497
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2003 6:26 pm
antispam: No
Please enter the next number in sequence: 10
Location: United Kingdom
Contact:

Re: Keyless chanters - Yes or No?

Post by Mike Hulme »

Flutulator,

Short F key?

Do you mean the "ring" type F key?

These are quite common, and often fitted alongside the standard "long" F key, or as a slight variation - as on the Taylor style chanters I make. In fact, only the C natural key is opened from the back of the chanter, all others open from the front, negating the need to "reach around" on the Taylor style stick.

One advantage of the ring type key is that it can make fast passages involving acidentals easier, with the notes lying underneath the fingers rather then reaching around or across "reliably" to hit the right note.

Mike
Mike

“Si fractum non sit, noli id refere”

http://www.uilleannpipesuk.org
Post Reply