When did you start playing the Uilleann bagpipes?

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carel
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Post by carel »

practiceset nov 2001
+drones nov 2003
+regulators jan 2005

I heard the magic sound 25 years ago (planxty, bothy band etc)
a pity I didn't start at that moment
Now I will be ably to play them in the best way in 2022 and I will be 67 so hopefully I can survive my old days piping
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Pat Cannady
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Post by Pat Cannady »

9 years. I started on May 17, 1996, at the hoary old age of 24.

Yeah I know you older folks won't have any sympathy, but I wish I had started at 14 or 15.
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Post by seisflutes »

Practice set early 2004(February 28, I think), at the age of 16. I should have my drones in September of this year(very excited! :) ) if nothing unexpected happens.
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Post by carel »

[quote="Pat Cannady
Yeah I know you older folks won't have any sympathy, but I wish I had started at 14 or 15.[/quote]

I'am not old
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Pat Cannady
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Post by Pat Cannady »

Carel, you're only as old as you feel. :D

24 isn't old at all in reality, but it is just old enough to make playing the pipes a lot harder than it would be for a 14 year old with no job, no girlfriend, and no responsibilities. Consequently it is easier for a teenager to evolve into a professional quality musician then it is for an adult learner. I want to be a professional quality piper NOW, not 10 years from now. That is why I wish I had started sooner.
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When did you start playing uilleann pipes?

Post by Uilleo »

Tomorrow. : :D
Cheiftains :)
I am officially Obsessed with the need to play. It must be a madness as I am going to drive 3 to 4 hrs. to purchase these pipes. :twisted: :shock:
Pimarily I am a fluter/whistler but also guitar, mandelin, concertina just to mention a few.
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carel
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Post by carel »

Pat, I agree
But talking about this
I wonder if there are examples of great pipers who started at a later age.
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Re: When did you start playing uilleann pipes?

Post by texasbagpiper »

Uilleo wrote: It must be a madness as I am going to drive 3 to 4 hrs. to purchase these pipes.
What make are you getting??
If you can make Uilleann Pipes, you deserve to.
Bruce Childress 2004
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Pat Cannady
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Post by Pat Cannady »

carel wrote:Pat, I agree
But talking about this
I wonder if there are examples of great pipers who started at a later age.
Willie Clancy started in his 20s, not sure when exactly...at his best he was a formidable piper when everything worked on his set.

Modern days? I'd say Tommy Keane is one of the best, and he started in his early 20s.

It can be done, but you have to work very hard at it. I'm just impatient, and I get a little fed up seeing some teenage hotshot touted as the next Ennis or Keenan every two or three years. Punks.
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Post by PJ »

Young whipper-snappers!!! :x :x :x :x
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Post by Uilleo »

Texasbagpiper, The pipes were made by David McCort of Los Gatos, CA. They are in D and have a mainstock for future addition of drones/regs.
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Post by PJ »

Uilleo wrote:The pipes were made by David McCort of Los Gatos, CA. They are in D and have a mainstock for future addition of drones/regs.
Out of curiosity, were they advertised on eBay a few weeks back?
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Post by Uilleo »

Yes, May 3rd "Practise set on Ebay" Any comments.PJ Texaspiper?
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Post by PJ »

I don't know anything about the maker. I just remember the set that was advertised. It looked nice. Good luck with it. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't click straight away. It took me about 3 days to get a steady note out of the chanter. Progress is slow to begin. It helps very much if you know a piper who can give you the occasional lesson. :)
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Post by Uilleo »

PJ Thanks for the advice I hope to find a tutor but it may be difficult to do in my neck of the woods. Texas piper did you sell a practise set to a Gent in a kilt at the Dublin(Ohio) Irish Festival? Just curious as I am a friend of his. He plays GHP's and sold the UP's to buy smallpipes. :-?
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