new piper

[Shawn]

I am new to this uilleann pipe world, and have a bunch of questions, ie I have a 1/2 set in D, can I play a flat chanter with it, or do I need flat drones too? Anyway is there some type of introductory book I can get that helps you get started, I have the NPU tutors, but they don't help when it comes to technical info about the pipes themselves.

[oliver]

You can play a flat chanter with a D set if you switch off the drones, cuz D drones won't suit a C or B chanter for instance. You can't slide them down enough to get the desired note. So if you wanna play with drones, get yourself another set. As for the rest, you'll find enough advice on other threads, just do a search. Good luck.

[tommykleen]

You can plays tunes in certain minor keys (like Eminor) with a C chanter on D drones. Sounds real spooky-like.

Also, some sets will allow certain drones to work pulled almost all the way out. My tenor drone will work in this fashion, but it is barely hanging on there. I play over carpet when I do this.

tommykleen

[oliver]

You can plays tunes in certain minor keys (like Eminor) with a C chanter on D drones. Sounds real spooky-like.

Also, some sets will allow certain drones to work pulled almost all the way out. My tenor drone will work in this fashion, but it is barely hanging on there. I play over carpet when I do this.

tommykleen

But why would you need a C chanter to play in Em ? A D chanter is just as fine.
As for drones pulled out this way, I think it might do for a C chanter, but a Bb ? Dunno...

[Patrick D'Arcy]

You can plays tunes in certain minor keys (like Eminor) with a C chanter on D drones. Sounds real spooky-like.

Also, some sets will allow certain drones to work pulled almost all the way out. My tenor drone will work in this fashion, but it is barely hanging on there. I play over carpet when I do this.

tommykleen

CARPET! Ooh.... I should be so lucky!

[PJ]

You can plays tunes in certain minor keys (like Eminor) with a C chanter on D drones. Sounds real spooky-like.

Also, some sets will allow certain drones to work pulled almost all the way out. My tenor drone will work in this fashion, but it is barely hanging on there. I play over carpet when I do this.

tommykleen

But why would you need a C chanter to play in Em ? A D chanter is just as fine.
As for drones pulled out this way, I think it might do for a C chanter, but a Bb ? Dunno...

You don't actually play in E minor when you play like Tommy suggests. As it's a C chanter, you're playing in a D minor or dorian mode - which is why it works against D drones.

Personally, I like the sound of a C chanter against D drones, if you can get the balance right. Concert pitch drones tend to drown out a narrow bore C chanter, so I find I have to stop the bass drone on my set.

[oliver]

All right, Dm makes sense then. Problem is the sound, and I think you're right, PJ, a flat chanter is drown with D drones ; to me it sounds like a suffocating chanter.

[PJ]

By the way, David Daye seems to offer wide bore C chanters. I haven't yet heard any so I can't comment on the sound, but if someone were looking for more volume in a C chanter, this might be an option.

[tommykleen]

You don't actually play in E minor when you play like Tommy suggests. As it's a C chanter, you're playing in a D minor or dorian mode - which is why it works against D drones.

Exactly. Thanks for making the save, Peej.
T

[Shawn]

thanks guys