question from an ignorant non-piper
question from an ignorant non-piper
I know nothing about how to play them but I've been watching some videos of folks playing the Uilleann pipes and I notice they often purposely quickly lift and lower the chanter as they're playing. I'm just wondering why.
Jim
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I wish I were a Lord Mayor, a Marquis or an Earl
And blow me if I wouldn't marry old Brown's girl
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- MTGuru
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
Because they can't believe they've chosen to play such a ridiculous instrument, and they have to keep poking themselves in the knee to remind themselves what idiots they've been.
Either that, or closed fingering / open fingering.
But I think the first explanation is more likely.
Either that, or closed fingering / open fingering.
But I think the first explanation is more likely.
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
This is the #1 question I get. For starters, that's how you get the bottom note on the chanter. There's more to say on this...
Tommykleen
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
Yes people ask about it all the time... it's the second thing they notice, after the bellows!
The reasons for lifting the chanter off the leg boil down to
1) to sound Bottom D
2) to change the volume, pitch, and timbre of various higher notes
You could think of the opening at the chanter's bottom as an additional fingerhole, and the leg as an extra finger.
Sometimes the effect of lifting the chanter is not what you might expect. One thing I often demonstrate, to people interested in the acoustics of the thing, is how F# in the upper octave lowers to F natural when the chanter is lifted, but E rises to F natural when the chanter is lifted. (At least on my chanter.)
The reasons for lifting the chanter off the leg boil down to
1) to sound Bottom D
2) to change the volume, pitch, and timbre of various higher notes
You could think of the opening at the chanter's bottom as an additional fingerhole, and the leg as an extra finger.
Sometimes the effect of lifting the chanter is not what you might expect. One thing I often demonstrate, to people interested in the acoustics of the thing, is how F# in the upper octave lowers to F natural when the chanter is lifted, but E rises to F natural when the chanter is lifted. (At least on my chanter.)
Richard Cook
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
Interesting responses from you surly pipers.
To me, as an observer, the fundamental reason for end stopping the chanter is to make closed fingering possible. After all, it's the ability to play staccato articulations which sets the uilleann pipes apart from most other pipes, and which is at the heart of the uilleann piping sound.
The other things like hard D and timbre are obviously important, and may be what you actually think about most when driving the chanter. But I wonder if seasoned pipers tend to take open/closed fingering for granted and overlook it as more basic.
To the casual listener, I think that the unique sound of closed piping is more likely to catch the ear than the subtleties of hard D and the rest. But I could be wrong.
To me, as an observer, the fundamental reason for end stopping the chanter is to make closed fingering possible. After all, it's the ability to play staccato articulations which sets the uilleann pipes apart from most other pipes, and which is at the heart of the uilleann piping sound.
The other things like hard D and timbre are obviously important, and may be what you actually think about most when driving the chanter. But I wonder if seasoned pipers tend to take open/closed fingering for granted and overlook it as more basic.
To the casual listener, I think that the unique sound of closed piping is more likely to catch the ear than the subtleties of hard D and the rest. But I could be wrong.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
Regardless of more open or closed (which has more to do with how many fingers are on the chanter and the silences by closing the chanter with all fingers on and closed on the knee) playing the chanter must be lifted to sound the fundamental
D note. Or as pan celticpiper points out to add color to a note. Swell if you will.
Generally more closed playing above D is on the knee, but not necessarily.
Ah I just muddled it again but open or closed you need to lif ththe chanter for d.
D note. Or as pan celticpiper points out to add color to a note. Swell if you will.
Generally more closed playing above D is on the knee, but not necessarily.
Ah I just muddled it again but open or closed you need to lif ththe chanter for d.
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
Your post is a good response, though to a different question, what is the reason for stopping the chanter on the leg.MTGuru wrote: To me, as an observer, the fundamental reason for end stopping the chanter is to make closed fingering possible.
I addressed the question which was asked, was what is the reason for lifting the chanter.
How's that for surly
Richard Cook
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
c1980 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
In my opinion, the casual listener is more likely to be caught up by fast, flamboyant playing rather than the tonal qualities of the pipes or the technical mastery of the piper.MTGuru wrote:To the casual listener, I think that the unique sound of closed piping is more likely to catch the ear than the subtleties of hard D and the rest.
Incidentally, I occasionally play in public with a harper. I frequently get asked why I lift the chanter off the knee and the response is (1) to get bottom D and (2) to colour other notes. The harper frequently gets asked why the strings of his harp are different colours!
PJ
Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
what is it about back d that means it has to be played on the knee?
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
Oooh, I like that, Richard. You win the surly smartass award of the day. And that's no mean feat.pancelticpiper wrote:I addressed the question which was asked, was what is the reason for lifting the chanter.
How's that for surly
But that makes sense, and you're right ... Now I see that that is the exact question that people are answering. Whereas I suspect JTC's question is more general, as to why the chanter is on and off the knee at all.
Vivat diabolus in musica! MTGuru's (old) GG Clips / Blackbird Clips
Joel Barish: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
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Dr. Mierzwiak: Well, technically speaking, the procedure is brain damage.
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
The back d can be played off the knee of you lift the C finger also. It depends on the chanter of course.
Patrick
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
I suspect that this is WAY more information than Jim thought he would get, but it is also a fundamental reason why I love the pipes: so much depends on such a seemingly small gesture.
Steve
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Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
<with chanter off knee in yelping agreement> Ain't that the truth!Steve Pribyl wrote:so much depends on such a seemingly small gesture.
Deja Fu: The sense that somewhere, somehow, you've been kicked in the head exactly like this before.
Re: question from an ignorant non-piper
So let me tell you what just happened... I was looking at the listings in the used instrument section and saw the 3/4 set for sale, clicked the link and watched the video demonstration that's there. As I'm watching, I'm wondering why pipers keep lifting the chanter off their leg and I thought to myself, "I should ask the folks in the C&F Uilleann Pipe section" ...took a few sections for the deja vu to kick in, but I eventually remembered I already had but forgot that I had.
Anyway, I now understand why it's done. Thanks for all the responses, both surly and the other kind ...very surly.
Anyway, I now understand why it's done. Thanks for all the responses, both surly and the other kind ...very surly.
Jim
I wish I were a Lord Mayor, a Marquis or an Earl
And blow me if I wouldn't marry old Brown's girl
Blow me if I wouldn't marry old Brown's girl
http://www.jimcaputo.com
I wish I were a Lord Mayor, a Marquis or an Earl
And blow me if I wouldn't marry old Brown's girl
Blow me if I wouldn't marry old Brown's girl
http://www.jimcaputo.com