I have read on this forum and heard elsewhere that it is important to listen, listen, listen to the tunes that you are trying to learn.
I am new to UPs and I only have a couple of CDs so far;
The Rowsome Tradition - Kevin Rowsome
40 years of Irish Piping - Seamus Ennis
What CDs are recommened that feature tunes
that new pipers are learning?
Where online can these CDs be purchased?
Thanks in advance!
If you were only to buy one other CD, it should be Brian McNamara’s solo album. I can’t recommend it highly enough, especially for beginners but also for even the most accomplished pipers.
He plays at a beautifully measured pace, you can hear absolutely everything that’s going on in the tunes. He plays a well-chosen mix of piping standards and less-known tunes. Don’t be put off by the fact that some are on a flat set: if you want to play along with the record, use a C whistle and then transfer the tunes to your pipes
If you have any difficulty tracing it through US retailers, post here again and I’ll dig out his URL for you.
Too many to list really.
Where should you start?
Start with Liam O’Flynn recordings, and both the Drones and Chanters CD’s [1&2].
For tunes you are learning, either stick with the tutor’s CD/video, or pick tunes to learn that you’ve listened to from some of your purchases, or heard at sessions or concerts…you can’t just learn from the notes.
If you’ve cash to spare, Planxty, Chieftans and Bothy Band recordings are all safe buys which will take you into the tradition.
Brian MacNamara’s solo CD is like Flynn’s style of play and is more accessible than, say, Robbie Hannan.
But ultimately, there’s something to be had from any decent recording…you’ll evolve your own tastes as you go along.
Have fun!!
Boyd
Don’t forget Davy Spillane; Titles, ‘Shadow Hunter’, ‘Riverdance-Music From the Show’ etc by davy; They’re very inspiring. Davy is not into traditional irish tunes but more of a new age/celtic fusion music.
Liam O’Flynn 's album highly recommended too.
Paddy Keenan’s ‘Doublin’ has a collection of well-known irish tunes.
Really too many great albums to recommend cos there’re so many good pipers out there!
Good luck!
Cowan
If you haven’t already discovered them, there are some sites on the internet which are useful for beginners to learn t’chunes. Certainly no substitute for the real thing but great for playing along.
They are MIDI files but because of the quality of the system and sound card many sound deceptively like real flutes or pipes.
The beauty is that you can slow down the tune without changing pitch, change pitch w/o changing tempo, block out certain instruments or listen to the whole band arrangment, or watch the melody being played on a keyboard to verify what you think you are hearing.
You’ll have to download a MIDI sequencer, I use a free one called a “Karaoke” which is just fine. Search the internet for it.
Spillane and Glackin’s “Forgotten Days” is good. Some well-loved tunes in there.
I’m not so sure about the other Spillane recordings. The request was for recordings of tunes for learners.
Boyd.
you can’t leave out the tape that accompanies Heather Clarke’s ‘New Approach to Uilleann Piping’ tutor book
lots of standards are on here - garrett barry’s, munster buttermilk, the old bush, harvest home, buried my wife etc.
I do have the CD that comes with Heather Clarke’s ‘New Approach to Uilleann Piping’ tutor book as well. I forgot to mention that one.
Thanks to everyone for the responses.
Does anyone have recommendations as to dealers of Uilleann CDs on the internet? The local selection is quite slim.
thanks again!
Try NPU catalogue. They have a whole raft of piping CDs
pipergeek, go here:
http://www.claddaghrecords.com/catalogue.htm
MadForTrad has great prices.
edited (well, places for Irish Music in general, and pipes in particular. But Drones and Chanters I & II can be found here.)
[ This Message was edited by: elbogo on 2002-11-14 19:52 ]
I just picked up Todd Denman’s “A Celtic Peace”. The piping is outstanding. There’s nothing that sounds quite like a flat set. You can find it at http://www.aniar.com
Hi Folks,
I just got “Séan Reids Favourites” by Jimmy O’Brien Moran, I picked it at random from a list given to me by the guy who’s teaching me. I haven’t stopped litening to it. I really like “Dark Lochnagar”
Cheers, Mac
If you mean ‘new pipers’, I’d have to recommend 'A New Dawn. Uilleann Piping, Another Generation’available from the NPU.There are some great tunes and interesting technique from the younger pipers from Ireland[I particularly like Eliot Grasso from the States who plays at a nice, moderate pace with great rhythm]I have also found’The drones and Chanter’CDs good for tunes and tips,especially Vol.2.
I really like Elliot Grasso too . The motzart on the pipes . He really plays so effortlessly in the 2nd octave .
If you want to talk to someone for specific music recommendations, try Philippe Varlet at Celtic Grooves:
http://celticgrooves.homestead.com/CGhome.html
If you can find it, get Martin Nolan’s “Bright Silver, Dark Wood” CD. It’s brilliant. Also Cillian Vallely’s new CD has some mighty good piping on it. It’s called “Callan’s Bridge” I believe, and Paddy Keenan’s “Na Keen Affair” is awesome!
I recommend all of Ronan Browne’s recordings, Gay McKeon’s CD and both of Neillidh Mulligan’s CD’s, as far as current pipers are concerned. Never neglect the grand old men for the new flash–Ennis and Clancy are my favorites.
Speaking of Elliot Grasso, he will have a CD out very soon… it’s recorded, just needs packaging.
Right now I’m listening a lot to Mick O’Brien’s CD “The May Morning Dew”. I believe it was compiled in '96; for my money, a great recording for the most part (I skip the whistling sections, esp. “Johnny Cope”; great whistling, one of my favorite tunes, unfortunate arrangement). I really like his piping, though. For me, an inspiring CD.
N, w/ $.02 worth