Empirically I'd agree that uilleann pipes are probably pretty close to the top of the pile, purely because of the sheer number of different physical activities you have to perform just to get a note out




I was waiting for that one.

Empirically?

Different activities?

You fill a bag, push the bag and a note appears.

I have been playing the yokes for close on thirty years and have been teaching them for a long time. From experience I know all those I have taught had no major problems learning the instrument well.

Once a few conditions are met, a decent quality working instrument and an inclination and will to play, I think each instrument brings it's own set of difficulties that need to be met in order to play well. And in the end they will more or less level out. For example, many play the tin whistle (the simple one isn't it?) few are the ones who play it really well.

Personally I find the fiddle a lot harder than the pipes.