Chiff and Fipple Forums

Was having a discussion with a student looking for an UP half set. The left handed set notion came up. I don't see the point of a left handed set. With a 'normal' handed set the left arm is the bag arm which arguably may be advantageous to be one's dominant arm compared to the bellows. As to which h...

Great article by Ken MacLeod. Thanks for the links.
Lovely instrument. Almost on par with the UPs

Hi Folks, I recently attending one of the first Canadian concerts by Duo Macke-Bornauw with Birgit Bornauw and Benjamin Macke. Wonderful players with an interesting repertoire. Well received here in an historic church setting on the Bras d'Or Lakes of Cape Breton. Brigit played the Flemish bagpipes ...

I have a CJ Dixon bellows for sale. $250.00 US or $300. Cdn. Includes leather covered blowpipe and blowpipe valve. New waist belt. Bellows is in great shape, air tight and gives a good volume of air. Contact for photos or if you want to check out the bellows by zoom or skype. Located in Cape Breton,...

I recently had my hybrid 3/4 set overhauled by the amazing pipe maker Joe Kennedy. I can't say enough about how well my set works after being in his skilled hands. Anyway, Joe felt that the bellows didn't fit the set well with a smaller L&M bag that I had him tie in and he made a smaller bellows...

Hi All, A remarkable thing happened. I finally ( after more than 3 years, not sure now maybe 4 years ! ) got my set of pipes back from repair. They went on a journey so to speak, eventually ending up in the hands of Joe Kennedy in Toronto. They were in his hands for quite a long time and low and beh...

I've always loved this tune, a classic for the UPs for sure and am finally venturing to give it a go. But what version to tackle? I have Pat Mitchell's transcription of Ennis' in the wonderful NPU book. But I think a 5 part version is more popular? Is it a common session tune, and if so, is there a ...

Interesting topic, just happened upon it before a gathering of the Cape Breton Uilleann Pipers Club, of which David Papazian happens to be a member. Dave, or 'Papper' as he is affectionately called, is not an electronically connected individual, and I read the postings, particularly Peter's comments...

[quote="geoff wooff"] I prefer to use a natural scale of notes for the Irish Pipes and about 30 years ago I wrote about this in An Piobaire and used the term Just Intonation, but I am not entirely sure that is the correct title for a gammut of natural intervals which all relate to a single...

If by "folk instruments" you mean those instruments we come across in the folk (or traditional) world then we might need to consider the guitar, the banjo, the accordion, the concertina and other keyboard instruments which are generally tuned to Equal Temperament, but all the drone accomp...

Many a time I've attempted to play in places without a suitable chair. Of course, chairs with arms are the worst, but too small-armed chairs and various high stools can be uncomfortable/inappropriate for playing UPs. Any recommendations for portable chairs/stools? Maybe a foldable version that can b...

Interesting topic. Don't be too self-conscious about playing for others but do be aware of whether the people you are playing for are enjoying it or not. When I started playing I lived in an apartment building. My neighbours could hear me practice. I was careful to practice at reasonable times of th...

A link to an example would be helpful.

I'd echo the interesting/paradoxical experience of improvement as a result of taking breaks from playing of a few months and overall steady improvement (as perceived by others) when self-perception was of a plateau. Biggest thing IMHO is to find the pleasure in music and make the time to play. Face ...