b versus c pipes

lemonsquash · Post by **lemonsquash** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 11:51 pm

First, apologies to anima for accidentally hitting "post reply" instead of "new topic" and creating a total non sequitur in the back d discussion. Now--I've read the three pages of crossfire on concert pitch versus flat pitch pipes. Would any of you be willing to weigh in with opinions on B versus C pipes?

ChristianRo · Post by **ChristianRo** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 11:00 am

It is a pity that none of the "experts" wants to jump in here. I for myself opted for a B chanter just for the greater difference in tone and pitch in comparison to a concert set. A very questionable point, though. There might be better arguments for a C chanter when coming from concert pitch, but for me it is mostly a matter of taste.
Christian

lemonsquash · Post by **lemonsquash** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 11:15 am

Christian,

Thanks for taking the plunge. I was gravitating towards a b set myself and for the same reason, which is why I opened this line of discussion. I've heard lovely things out of Gay McKeon's C set, but there's no getting around the facts that it's a Coyne set and it's him playing it. I was really wondering if anyone out there who has both b and c chanters had anything to say about their differences tonally and in terms of playability--with all due weight given to the question of the maker. Thanks again, Christian.

Lemon

anima · Post by **anima** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 1:23 pm

I'd be interested in hearing sound samples too if anyone had some.

Jeff

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 1:37 pm

I have chanters in B and C, but they are from different makers using different woods... so it's not a fair comparison.

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Tue Apr 09, 2002 12:59 am

It is very much a matter of taste, so there is very little sensible tat can be said. I have a C myself but would be equally happy with a nice B. But then, I have seen many Cs and Bs from other makers I wouldn't touch. Try, listen and then decide.

lemonsquash · Post by **lemonsquash** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 9:23 am

OK, here's a detail question that might make some sensible response possible. It seems to me as though I've noticed that players of c chanters still execute very quick, fluid passages, particularly in the second octave (though I realize this is to do with the tune structure and not the chanter), whereas players of b chanters seem to play in a more closed, measured fashion. Is the spacing of the holes different enough that flowing triplets are cumbersome on the b chanter? Sorry to be a pest with all the questions, I know the answers will be obvious when I can finally play these sets--thanks for your help.

Lemon

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 9:52 am

I don't experience any differences n playing c or b ( or b flat for that matter). And listen to Robbie Hannan, hardly slow now is he?

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 1:34 pm

I play a B set most of the time. Playing triplets or any other piece of technnique is no different than playing on any other set, apart from different fingerings a particular chanter might need, it has no bearing on tempo.

I used to find that when I played my B set that it slowed my playing down a bit, I think it had the effect of slowing a record down and lowering the pitch. But now looking back it was more to do with being comfortable playing the instrument and being able to enjoy the music I was playing almost as a listener.

I've set up my D set in this way (almost) too and it improves the quality of play ten fold.

All the best,

Patrick.

Dave Parkhurst · Post by **Dave Parkhurst** » Sat May 04, 2002 3:10 am

be sure your hands are big enough that you're comfortable with a B set. I've tried a couple of makers and although I LOVE the tone, my mitts are simply too small! I opted for a C set.