I wonder how many visitors here are cross-over pipers, i.e. first played or also play northumbrians, small-pipes, GHBs, Swedish pipes or some other sort. Further, if we begin and become proficient on one of the other pipes, does that help or hinder our study of UPs? And yet further, can and does the study of UPs create performance problems on other pipes due to the differences in fingering and embellishments? Any stray ideas or opinions will be appreciated. Play on!
If you’re talking about GHB’s then you’re also talking about Cross Dressing Pipers…heh, heh, heh… 
personaly, i decide to quit the highland pipe to play only the uilleann pipe, fisrt because of the fingering , i was to mix up whith the two fingering and ornementation, second, because i think it’s good to concentrate the energy on one instrument at the time!! the uillean pipe is an instrument with a lot of caracter and it take a lot of time to control all his subtillity.
I initially played NSP and SSP before switching to Uilleann pipes. Playing NSP
was helpful in regards to developing some independent fingering due to its closed system. Ornamentation is not as highly regimented as in GHP, so I never thought of it as an issue or area of conflict when going from one set of pipes to the other. Crossing over just doesn’t seem to have been a problem.
For me, switching from one set of pipes to the other is as easy as switching from guitar to fiddle to mandolin to banjo. I will admit to the occasional inclination to put my SSP chanter on my knee when seated, however. Also,
I’ve found that while the various piping styles don’t conflict with each other, piping has affected the way I play whistle.
started with ssp and had a blast. just got tired of their limitations so decided to cross over. don’t regret the ssp time though- learned some great music and got a start on bellows technique.
meir