bcd triplets open and closed
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bcd triplets open and closed
Hey,
I've just noticed that I've been playing acd for the bcd triplets open and closed style. I was wondering what the best fingerings are for this triplet? What fingering should I use to play this triplet in legato smoothly and with speed? Is it just the same as going up the scale but with a triplet, or is there a fast shortcut like you use for the staccato? Thanks!
-Andreas L.
I've just noticed that I've been playing acd for the bcd triplets open and closed style. I was wondering what the best fingerings are for this triplet? What fingering should I use to play this triplet in legato smoothly and with speed? Is it just the same as going up the scale but with a triplet, or is there a fast shortcut like you use for the staccato? Thanks!
-Andreas L.
Bíonn dhá insint ar scéal agus dhá leagan déag ar amhrán
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Re: bcd triplets open and closed
I use the same fingering as the scale.
- PJ
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Re: bcd triplets open and closed
You can play a one-finger B on most chanters. It'll sound a little flat but if you play the note quickly, you should get away with it.
PJ
- pancelticpiper
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Re: bcd triplets open and closed
When I started slowing down recordings and really listening to pipers it became apparent that oftentimes the first note of a "staccato triplet" is actually legato, that often only the middle note of the triplet is played "tight".
So for example if a tune goes
G A (B C# D)
most pipers I've heard will go from A to B legato, only the C# being staccato.
Then I started listening to good pipers who play that triplet entirely legato and I've started doing that.
So for example if a tune goes
G A (B C# D)
most pipers I've heard will go from A to B legato, only the C# being staccato.
Then I started listening to good pipers who play that triplet entirely legato and I've started doing that.
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: bcd triplets open and closed
In my experience of learning the pipes those top hand triplets are difficult to get really tight and it's easy to be discouraged and resign oneself to playing them legato, but it's worth trying to get them pippity-pip like, i think.
Two finger B does give you a clearer, more in-tune note but it's more difficult to play it tight, i reckon. A single finger B is far inferior but, as PJ says, if you play it quick enough nobody will notice.
Two finger B does give you a clearer, more in-tune note but it's more difficult to play it tight, i reckon. A single finger B is far inferior but, as PJ says, if you play it quick enough nobody will notice.
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Re: bcd triplets open and closed
I don't find using two fingers for the B to be any more difficult than using one. I do agree, however, that using two fingers for the B is more difficult when the B is the middle note in a triplet.
Then again, my triplets are still pretty slow at this stage.
Then again, my triplets are still pretty slow at this stage.
- The Sporting Pitchfork
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Re: bcd triplets open and closed
I'd respectfully disagree. In a staccato triplet, I always play the B with one finger. All this talk about the note being flat is a bit silly--you're only going to hear the note for a fraction of a second!uillmann wrote:Play the b with two fingers in a bcd triplet.
It just seems more intuitive to me when you're first learning to be generally consistent about techniques that you use for staccato notes. Seems less likely to get sloppy that way. Then again, if you get the same result with two fingers, great. Ultimately, the right answer is what works best for you.
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Re: bcd triplets open and closed
With the one-fingered B, much depends on the chanter or the reed, which is why I qualified my original reply with "most chanters". Try it and see if it works on your particular chanter. If not, then use the standard 2-fingered B.
PJ
Re: bcd triplets open and closed
I command you to play the b with two fingers.
Last edited by uillmann on Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:19 am, edited 2 times in total.
Re: bcd triplets open and closed
Unless, of course, you have such huge hands that you can cover two holes with one finger.uillmann wrote:I command you to play the b with two fingers.
- pancelticpiper
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Re: bcd triplets open and closed
some of the best pipers out there play it legato, so why shouldn't I?uillmann wrote:You're going to want to keep that one tight.
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
Re: bcd triplets open and closed
pancelticpiper wrote:some of the best pipers out there play it legato, so why shouldn't I?uillmann wrote:You're going to want to keep that one tight.
Because I said so.