Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?

Subject: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST,Chalkie
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 09:17 AM

I was listening to the Christy Moore Desert Island Discs interview on Radio 4 on Sunday morning when a piece of his favourite music was played, the main instrument being the Uillean Pipes.

At the end Christy Moore commented that to learn the pipes to a good standard - or words to that affect - it takes twenty one years. Why the extra ONE year? Why not just twenty years, what is learnt in that additional year?

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Sugwash
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 09:25 AM

It's 21 because learning the pipes was, according to tradition, split into three phases. I forget the exact formula but it ran something like: 7 years learning, 7 years perfecting and 7 years mastering.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 09:47 AM

First you must get the grip, then you must get the tune, then you must get the truckeldy-how.

The pipes are one of those instruments that can take years to click if it ever does, or for some it comes straight away. I've had three separate tries over 30 years, and although others have been kind about my playing, I've never been happy enough to play much in public. On the other hand, a young lad who started at the same time as me was performing to acclaim within 18 months.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 10:28 AM

The 21 year or 3 cycles of 7 years as Sugwash explained above was also the training period of a druid as tradition would have us believe - I don't think there is a coincidence personally.

---

Please note that anonymous posting is no longer allowed at Mudcat. Use a consistent name [in the 'from' box] when you post, or your messages risk being deleted.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 10:29 AM

that was Concertina Ceol above

this cookie thing is frustrating...

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Gedpipes
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 11:12 AM

I hate to be a pedantic kind of bloke but I'm sure its
Uilleann. ;-)

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Megan L
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 11:52 AM

Ged stop being such a pendant or ye might get hung ;-)

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 12:26 PM

I thought it was Hulleann. ;-)

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Greg B
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 01:11 PM

"On the other hand, a young lad who started at the same time as me was
performing to acclaim within 18 months."

Have they unearthed his corpse yet?

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST,Phil Williams
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 01:14 PM

Put Elliot Grasso into YouTube. He must have started 10 years before he was born.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: villandeleted
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 03:07 PM

I think this bloke who plays Uillean pipes in this band is rather good

Cara

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From:
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:13 PM

I don't believe that it takes that long. A fellow, Glenn Coolen, is a GHB and has been for a long time. He got a set of Uillean Pipes about 4 or 4 years ago, and is doing amazing things with them.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: CharleyO'Neill
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:18 PM

Just out of interest, anyone know what other records Christy picked on this show?

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:21 PM

I think it's poetic license rather than to be taken literally, i.e. that proper mastery is something that not only has to be worked for, but also given time to grow & bloom.

I second, third, and fourth Phil's comments about Elliot Grasso (an American) who has been getting a lot of airplay here (Ireland) on the trad radio shows. The man is BRILLIANT -

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: concertina ceol
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:44 PM

If you would care to read my comment above you'll see where the 21 year figure came from in gaelic/druidic society.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:55 PM

I thought it was ill 'un. I have my reasons.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 07:14 PM

Give up all this woolly thinking - join the Union!

Regards

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: DannyC
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 09:34 PM

Elliot Grasso did get a very young start on the pipes with good access to the young piper Kieran O'Hare. Kieran had been taken in by Donna Long (Cherish the Ladies) and was making amazing music with Donna's son, Jesse Smith (Danu / The Tap Room Trio). Priorly -that Lion of the Fiddle - Brendan Mulvihill had lived in that abode in Baltimore, Maryland.   They all come by the music honestly.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 10:12 PM

SORRY Concertina Ceol. I did read your post. I just didn't think mine would upset you. I have also heard this statement used less literally in a modern context. Something can have a fixed historical meaning and then mutate or expand over time. The two usages don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST,Chief Pedant
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 04:30 AM

Ged - "I hate to be a pedantic kind of bloke but I'm sure its
Uilleann. ;-) "

I'm sure it's "it's" !

;-))

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST,Young Buchan
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 04:55 AM

Sugwash is right. But I liked the slant put on it by a piper who told me it was 7 years to practice and 7 years to perfect. When I asked what the other 7 were for he said 'To learn to hold the *******!

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: GUEST,Chalkie
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 07:13 AM

Thanks for the comments guys and dolls. I think I get the drift, if not the spelling! Beautiful sound though, as are the Northumbrian Pipes.

I think I'll stick with me guitar. That's taking me long enough as it is.

Cheers

---

Please note that anonymous posting is no longer allowed at Mudcat. Use a consistent name [in the 'from' box] when you post, or your messages risk being deleted.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 07:36 AM

Listen to Bonnie Shaljean. She has it to the knot.

I started the pipes at a very late stage in life. If one gets proper tuition, or uses the Na Piobairi Uilleann DVD's, and is willing to work at it a bit, they can become nominally skillful in a bit of time.

Probably the larger problem is learning to deal with changing humiditiy, adjusting reeds, etc.

Le gach dea-mhéin,

Mick

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 09:35 AM

Paddy Keenan never had a lesson in his life but is on record as saying he could play the uillean pipes the first time he picked them up.

eric

Subject: RE: Uillean Pipes - 21 years to learn?
From: Gedpipes
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 11:37 AM

Cheif Pedant
**** *** or should that be ***** ** *** ;-))

Ged