Oh my God, what have I done!

Subject: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 15 Sep 02 - 07:26 AM

Well I finally took the plunge and bought myself a set of uillean pipes. All I need now is

1. Lots of spare time to figure out how they work,
2. Ways of dealing with the frustration that I'll suffer cos I know what I want but the blasted thing just won't cooperate, and
3. Ways to mollify the neighbours. Possibly work colleagues too - if I get too stressed they'll want to know why.
Maybe I should give up smoking at the same time, that could explain my strange behaivour and mood swings!

I have always been fascinated by this instrument, love to watch others playing and now have jumped into the deep water myself. Wahey!!!

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: Hecate
Date: 15 Sep 02 - 08:40 AM

good luck!

Maybe you should invest in a soundproof room as that would solve at least some of your problems!

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: smallpiper
Date: 15 Sep 02 - 08:53 AM

A full, practice or half set?

Start off by forgetting about the drones completely and just practice with the chanter holding notes for long periods of time - boring but necessary inorder to ensure that you are getting the pressure right. There are some pretting good tutors around that come with CD's and things - can't remember names but I've a friend who has an excellent one and if you want I can get the details for you. Be patient (stating the obvious)it takes a long time to learn to play the pipes.

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: smallpiper
Date: 15 Sep 02 - 08:54 AM

em pretting = reasonably

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Sep 02 - 09:17 PM

Having tried too many instruments myself,and now sometimes getting a few bob for taking them to public places,all I can say is 'best of luck' and persevere.Hopefully,it wont get worse.

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 02:55 AM

There is no hope. Get yourself out of the Gene pool now!!!

Actually, I must admit to having a soft spot for the pipes. It's called the Great Grimpen Mire!!

Sorry.

Persevere, give up smoking anyway, you won't be able to with your hands full of pipes. Unless you take up pipe smoking and do the two together?

Good luck!

LTS

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: treewind
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 03:47 AM

Right on about practicing to get the bag pressure right on sustained single notes.

Also don't do it for too long at a time at first or you'll get aches in arm muscles you never knew you had. This is a worse problem with mouth blown pipes where you get dizzy with all the breathing...

As for the neighbours, do what I did - get a detached house with plenty of space between it and the next house! (no Uillean pipes here, but a set of Swayne pipes which are loud enough, and the Leics smallpipes which are relatively quiet)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: smallpiper
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 04:11 AM

Anahata - border or french? Bellows or mouth blown? Cane or plastic reeds? Just curious John

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: greg stephens
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 04:54 AM

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 05:29 AM

Hi (C)

Well, is there anything you can't play! I suppose it won't take you long to get a tune of sorts out of them. I have a couple of friends whose partners have been learning the pipes for years now, and they are a bit weary around the edges - bordering nurotic. But we all point out it's worth it in the end!

Good luck to ye... pumping, tapping foot, hitting the right notes all at the same time... it's going to be good - funny - amusing - watching.

I expect to see them aired at Hibernia soon!

I've read a bit about the old pipe players me self. Apparantly they used to serve an apprenticeship of at least 7 years until they were considered to be masters pipes men.

Tis a beautiful instrument - despite the pain barrier you have to go through on any new instrument learnt! And anyways, there's loads of flute players that graduate onto pipes too. So no probs there then!

All the best

Ella (aka Suze)

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 05:18 PM

Of course, it may not be too late - do you have the receipt still???

LTS

Subject: RE: Oh my God, what have I done!
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 05:32 PM

Invest in a personal account with the local plumber?
Re neighbours - Well as an engineer I would say make a sound-proof box just big enough for the pipes and put windows in it to see the chanter fingers. make it knee-shaped at the bottom and - oh you get the idea. It would be easier than constructing a full size anechoic chamber and have to endure the ear clammyness it produces.
Tell me what sessions you are playing at and I will pop down to Bristol with my bodhran and act as decoy. **BG**