First concert on a stage, might get hot...

[Ugi]

Our band Amhrán has its first amplified concert on saturday. The location is not that big but can get quite hot and the Irish night where we play is always attended by a lot of people.

So, I don't know if there are similar topics already (I guess so) but I would like to have your opinion what is important concerning the uilleann pipes at a concert of this kind? Should I cover the pipes between the songs where I play something else and they lay on the ground?

Well, I know that I have to prepare myself to struggle with the reed (taking it out when its hot). I know that there could be worst case scenarios concerning that...

Are my fears redundant? Do I actually have to count with issues at all?

Thanks for helping a piper with a huge reverence for gigs like that...

[PJ]

In my experience, chanter reeds need a few minutes to warm up. Often when I start practising, I have to do a minor adjustment to the reed after 5 minutes, but then I'm good for the rest of the practice session, even if I take a break.

Before playing the gig, try to practice in the same (heat and humidity) conditions as you'll have on stage. This should allow the reed to get used to the heat and humidity.

I don't think modern stage lighting will damage to your pipes, unless they're using 1960s style lighting - the type they now use in tanning salons!!

[tommykleen]

During the gig, if you need to change instruments or get out of you chair, do not put down the pipes. Simply raise your arms straight up in the air and maintain that position until the two roadies (one to grab the set/one to disengage you from the set) scurry onto the stage and take care of everything.

On a less serious note, I have found that the chanter reed will go sharp under heat. So you will want to check it (or have the roadies do it) part way into the gig. The only thing worse than tuning is not tuning.

t

ps. Don't forget to hold your own on specifics for the green room deli tray. You're the piper for crying out loud!

[avalk]

I played in a concert last Saturday. The room was very warm. The pipes played well for two songs then, after a five minute rest, the chanter became very difficult to play. I could not even get a low D and had to abort playing my third song. Any suggestions on how to avoid this (I do not have much confidence adjusting reeds).

[ausdag]

A reed that goes sharp during a gig is natural.

From my experience doing 'stage' gigs back in the 1990's, the tuning of your pipes under the stage lights is absolutely no problem so long as you do two things -

1) condition your fellow band members, like Pavlov's dogs, to immediately tune up their instruments as soon as you do the long 'A' note thing between sets while looking up at them, especially the fiddler, from your stool with that 'time for you non-pipers to re-tune to me' look...it's the same look that ensures you have pride of place at the deli tray that Tommy Kleen refers to.

2) are adept at tuning up your drones in under 5 seconds during the same 'A' note 'pavlov dog' routine.

It boils down to the fact that, as the piper, you are the hottest commodity in your band. Fiddlers, guitar and 'zouk strummers are a dime a dozen and bodhran players should only be employed because you are kind enough to take pity on them.

In other words, no matter how much the fiddler rants about the tuning, remind him or her, the crowd only turn up to watch because they know the band has a piper. Make the other members tune to you at least four or five times during the gig and all will be fine.

Remember, it's the piper's call...

Cheers,

[PJ]

Any suggestions on how to avoid this (I do not have much confidence adjusting reeds).

You won't like my suggestion. It has to do with learning to adjust reeds ...

[Cathy Wilde]

Bring along your tinwhistle and if you play low whistle that would be a groovy alternative.

I've sometimes had luck with flattening and sharpening the back D hole with a square of electrical tape either above or below it. If that fails then I'll try to open/close the chanter reed a little bit. If that fails it's whistle and flute time.

99% of the time I feel the reed start to go before it kacks completely; about 40 - 50% of the time I can salvage at least that set of tunes with on-the-fly operator adjustments like more or less pressure on the bag, a topped-off bag, not-so-topped-off bag, etc. Also, sometimes turning off the drones (half the time they're lost in the mid- and low range anyway) and just playing on the chanter for a bit seems to lighten the chanter reed and help me recalibrate what I need to be doing. My chanter & reed tend to go flat when I use too much bag pressure (a consistent bad habit I have when I'm nervous or struggling!), so I usually try less pressure on the chanter reed first.

At our gig last night I had to keep the bag totally topped up or lose the tenor drone, while practically floating my arm above the bag -- otherwise the first octave on the chanter would go all to hell. Meanwhile, I had to muscle the second octave F to B around a fair amount. Ah well, at least the humidity's coming back!

So in your case if the reed sharpens you might want to try more pressure to see if it flattens things a bit? Of course, I only have this set to base my experience on.

-- I *REALLY* like David's notes for the rest of one's bandmates. I think I'll share that - I'm about fed up with the totally unhelpful onstage fiddler fish-eye and "are you going out-of-tune?" query.

Now I know what my answer will be: "Yes. Would you like to come along?"

[Cathy Wilde]

I'm thinking I've stumbled on a new personal piping creed ... "Be prepared for absolutely everything. And don't be surprised if you get absolutely nothing."

[Ugi]

Thank you very much for your replies, helped me a lot

Well I'll see what happens tomorrow... Don't want to be a shame for O'Carolan

[Ugi]

Everything went fine, the pipes sang like they should and I haven't had to do anything on the chanter/reed. The next issue is: Why does the time on stage go by so freaking fast? We played 75 minutes but I felt like playing for 45...

Well, my thanks then goes to Mr. Vignoles for that good reed

Once again thank you all for taking away my "fears"

[PJ]

Good to hear that things went well.

The passage of time on stage is relative to the quality of your playing, but it usually works the other way. If you don't play well, minutes feel like hours. It's a scientifically proven fact.