How many play Uillean Pipes too?

baggins_21 · Post by **baggins_21** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:30 am

I'm thinking about buying a set next year, but am worried about the flute playing. What are your thoughts concerning the Pipes? Does anyone out there play? Are there any philosophies concerning playing multiple instruments?
Any and all responses appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt

Post by **Nanohedron** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:54 am

I'm working at the pipes (C set, so I won't exactly be taking them to your average session some day). For me, they're addictive even though I have very far to go. It's a real possibility that one's flute practice can take second seat, so if you're not playing flute on a regular basis either at gigs or at sessions or ceilis, you might be up against a dilemma unless you apply some self-discipline practicewise. If you've been playing flute for several years and preferably more, your fluteplaying shouldn't suffer so long as you keep at it.

I think it's true that the best result in most cases is gotten by concentrating on one instrument alone, at least until you're without question proficient at it. I don't think utter mastery is a necessary requirement before one takes up additional instruments, though.

That being said, am I a proficient fluteplayer? Well, I can save myself from drowning, but I won't be swimming in the Olympics soon, if you follow.

At least others can learn from my mistakes!

fluti31415 · Post by **fluti31415** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:01 pm

baggins_21 wrote:I'm thinking about buying a set next year, but am worried about the flute playing. What are your thoughts concerning the Pipes? Does anyone out there play? Are there any philosophies concerning playing multiple instruments?
Any and all responses appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt

When classical musicians double, they say that the biggest issue is in the possible compromise to their embouchure. I think you will be safe from that problem!!

Actually, if you don't get out of hand with it (and try to play a gazillion instruments), I think that playing more than one instrument can help your overall musicianship. You see a different perspective to the music, and you see what kinds of things carry over from one instrument to another, and what kinds of things are unique to certain instruments. So I say go for it.

Additionally, anything with a double reed has to be good.

djm · Post by **djm** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:56 pm

Since many (most?) ornaments in ITM come right off the pipes I think it can only do good to increase your appreciation of them and what they're supposed to sound like. Go for it!

djm

Bill Reeder · Post by **Bill Reeder** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:09 pm

I used to be a multi-instrumental type, including flute, but it all fell by the way side when I got serious about my piping. I pick up the flute once in a while, but it doesn't hold my interest very long any more.

kkrell · Post by **kkrell** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:39 pm

See the similar thread in the U.Pipes forum.

Kevin Krell

eskin · Post by **eskin** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:42 pm

I'll play the flute often times when attending a session where I know there won't be room for the pipes, or when travelling. However, I think its very difficult to maintain one's embrochure without very regular practice. As a result, I primarily play a Terry McGee instrument that has a very forgiving response, hard not to get a good sound out of it.

baggins_21 · Post by **baggins_21** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:19 pm

Thanks all, I appreciate the comments. The comments concerning the danger of losing embochure seem a real concern for me--it's easy to let that slip. Yet, I also see the possibility that piping could increase my understanding and ability with the music itself.
Bill, why the entire eschewing of the flute?
Thanks all,
Matt

Brazenkane · Post by **Brazenkane** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:15 am

Pipes, concertina, flute

Bill Reeder · Post by **Bill Reeder** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:25 am

baggins_21 wrote:
Bill, why the entire eschewing of the flute?
Thanks all,
Matt

As Michael mentioned, regular playing is necessary to keep up the embrouchre. I was so driven to play pipes that neglected everything. Now the lip is gone, the bowing arm is shot, and I've lost the callous on my fingers. It's just too hard to put the pipes down long enough to resurrect old skills. Still, I haven't completely given up the flute, fiddle or guitar. I'll play them on special occasions when I have enough lead time to get things together, but the days of casually moving from one instrument to another in sessions are pretty much over for me.

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:50 am

I have never been attracted to the pipes for a number of reasons. I guess if I ever wanted to make that sound like that I could buy a kazoo off of ebay.

seisflutes · Post by **seisflutes** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:45 am

I've been working on learning the pipes for a year and a half now, more of less. Just got my drones a week ago! I've found the biggest danger is not losing the flute embouchure, but rather playing the pipes as if they were a flute. Too open and so forth.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:20 am

IDAwHOa wrote:I have never been attracted to the pipes for a number of reasons. I guess if I ever wanted to make that sound like that I could buy a kazoo off of ebay.

I have a kazoo. They're not as easy as you might think.

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:56 pm

I've been dying to learn the pipes. Or maybe the concertina.

(Or maybe I should just shut up and learn the flute, eh?)

BUT. I do know that I generally love the way pipers play flute & whistle when they pick them up .... they seem to nail that elusive burbling thing so very nicely.

wolvy · Post by **wolvy** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:04 pm

Cathy -

I suspect that certain "burbly" piper thing you are talking about is the way we (pipers) learn to cran early in our piping. Some say the essence of good piping is in the cran. So when we pick up the flute or whistle - the crans just seem to come out there as well.

...then again, I could just be full of crap -- (a cranfull of course) : )

- tw

Chiff and Fipple Forums

How many play Uillean Pipes too?

How many play Uillean Pipes too?

Re: How many play Uillean Pipes too?

thanks

Re: thanks