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Low D on Uilleann Pipes

Low D on Uilleann Pipes

Hi everyone, as a beginner piper I find myself making quick progress with my pipes although the hardest thing I find right now is my consistency with the Low D note. Especially when coming off an E or F note to a low D. Sometimes I can get it and other times i can hardly get it to sound or it squeeks. Any tips out there that anyone can provide me would be great. I'm will begin to start taking lessons here in Toronto shorty. I have a half set of David Daye's penny chanter pipes if that helps.

# Posted on January 12th 2007 by Infinity_Machine

Re: Low D on Uilleann Pipes

hello
my name is pitrie from austria, and i build uilleanns.(its only my hobby)
is your chanter keyed?
sometimes one key is unthigt. then low tunes are squeeks.
when all key ok take a reed from andreas rogge.
i find his reeds are the best.
http://www.uilleann-pipes.de/


# Posted on January 12th 2007 by pitrie

Re: Low D on Uilleann Pipes

Going from E to D requires E to be played off the knee: x xxx xxox Then it's just the ring-finger of the bottom hand on to the chanter to get D to sound. Don't forget to cut the D with an A to ensure that you get a hard D.

Good luck!

# Posted on January 12th 2007 by PCL

Re: Low D on Uilleann Pipes

that A cut wil get that prized hard D sound

# Posted on January 12th 2007 by I_Fel

Re: Low D on Uilleann Pipes

If at all possible get some face to face lessons with someone who can actually play the beast well. I can't emphasize this enough.

AND NO NOOBS, either!

You need:

- someone who can wade into most sessions and participate fully
-someone who knows lots of tunes
-someone who can make full use of the entire instrument
-someone with good timing
-someone with the time and energy to help you out of problems you will encounter

Do not rely solely on video tutors or advice from strangers on the internet, it's a road to nowhere.

If you do not have access to an instructor, start going to tionols on a regular basis.


# Posted on January 12th 2007 by Hanley

Re: Low D on Uilleann Pipes

In my experience, squeaks that occur when playing bottom D are usually caused by fingers not covering the holes on the rest of the chanter. Sometimes you get them properly covered, and sometimes not. Still happens to me when I'm going too fast.

# Posted on January 12th 2007 by Bill Reeder

Re: Low D on Uilleann Pipes

concurr with the face to face experience. Go to a tionol !!!

# Posted on January 13th 2007 by I_Fel

Re: Low D on Uilleann Pipes

when you hear the squeak, stop to play the tune and close the bottom, means set the chanter down to your leg again. Most often you can hear now which finger is the one which does not his work properly. Otherwise try to move each finger individually until there is no leakage anymore. If any key leaks ask ask a frind to push on each kind until you finf the leaky one.
Do not forget to use a popping strap.

# Posted on January 16th 2007 by swisspiper

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