Since I haven't received the CD yet (only used the members sections) I can't testify for it, but I only hope they show alternative fingering there (with the pinkie on!). MadForTrad are supposed
to have a good name...
It's not a mess, but it is complicated and there is much to learn. And the pinkie-down fingering is not "alternative"; on or off the leg, this is almost always correct for almost any given chanter.
Sometimes a very advanced and very experienced piper with a particular type of chanter who knows exactly what he or she is doing will lift that pinkie on a sustained, off the leg low G to get a particular shade or color to the note but that is the only time I've ever seen it done with a pleasing result.
In all other circumstances the smallest finger of the bottom hand is to be kept on the chanter at all times.
That's reasonable, Armand, with the usual caveats about the non-standard nature of uilleann pipe chanter fingerings.
pastrings - they're conical bored, double reeded bagpipe chanters. And that's about all they have in common.
Different tuning, different scales, different repertoire with little overlap, and vastly different approaches to both instruction and performance.
See www.pipers.ie for info about uilleann pipes
See www.hotpipes.com for information about the ancient, prolific, and dignified family of ethnic woodwinds known as bagpipes, which includes both the uilleann pipes and the scottish highland pipes.
Every chanter will have a slightly different fingering and playing pressure and depending on the reed/chanter combination can change with every reed. At this stage you just need to stick with one fingering. The one you are using is fine. What Potts is showing on the CDROM is his way, every piper would show you something a little different. The NPU DVD is an excellent learning tool. Just keep practicing and don't get bogged down in the details. Have fun!
One characteristic of the chanter is that it can produce staccato notes, because the piper seals it off at the bottom; with all of the finger holes closed, the chanter is silenced. This is also necessary for obtaining the second octave; the chanter must be closed and the bag pressure increased, and then fingered notes will sound in the second octave. A great range of different timbres can be achieved by varying the fingering of notes and also raising the chanter off the knee, which gives the uilleann pipes a degree of dynamic range not found in other forms of bagpipes. Pipers who use staccato fingering often are termed "closed-style" pipers. Those who use legato fingering more predominately are referred to as "open-style" pipers. Open piping has historical associations with musicians (often Irish travelling people) who played on the street or outdoors, since the open fingering is somewhat louder, especially with the chanter played off-the-knee (which can, however, lead to faulty pitch with the second octave notes).
Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Hello pipers!
I've finally bought a Ray Sloan Practice set (Concert D)
and am quite happy (besides the neighbors and their dog).
The big problem is - Fingering!
I've been using this fingering for the past
two months:
D * * * * * * * *
E - - * * * * * *
F * * - * * * * *
G * * - - * * * *
A * * * * - * * *
B * * * * - - * *
C * * * * * * - *
D * * * * * * * -
[where ' * ' is closed and ' - ' is open]
Now I've decided to buy the MadForTrad tutorial cd
since I don't have any teachers living around me
and there they say the correct fingering is:
D * * * * * * * *
E - - * * * * * *
F - - - * * * * *
G [-] - - - * * * *
A * * * [-] - * * *
(where [-] is open by choice)
Which one is the correct one? If I start
using the wrong fingering now, it would
be very hard to correct in the future :(
Suggestions?
Thanks a million!
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by thesheep
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
There is more than one correct way, playing G and F without the pinkie on the chanter doesn't fall into that category.
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Thanks for the answer!
Since I haven't received the CD yet (only used the members sections) I can't testify for it, but I only hope they show alternative fingering there (with the pinkie on!). MadForTrad are supposed
to have a good name...
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by thesheep
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
It's not a mess, but it is complicated and there is much to learn. And the pinkie-down fingering is not "alternative"; on or off the leg, this is almost always correct for almost any given chanter.
Sometimes a very advanced and very experienced piper with a particular type of chanter who knows exactly what he or she is doing will lift that pinkie on a sustained, off the leg low G to get a particular shade or color to the note but that is the only time I've ever seen it done with a pleasing result.
In all other circumstances the smallest finger of the bottom hand is to be kept on the chanter at all times.
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by Hanley
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Is the chanter for Uilleann Pipes the same as the chanter for bag pipes?
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by pastrings
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Do these help pastrings?
Uilleann Pipe Chanter:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Uilleann-pipe-chanter-by-Dave-Williams_W0QQitemZ290080909554QQihZ019QQcategoryZ16226QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Highland Pipe Chanter:
http://saltirestore.com/sr_bagpi_blackwoodchanterkit.html?reviews=1:stage=1
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Could it possibly be fingerings for a more open playing style? I'm more of a closed player so I go by Sheep's fingerings.. The former rather.
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by armandale
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
That's reasonable, Armand, with the usual caveats about the non-standard nature of uilleann pipe chanter fingerings.
pastrings - they're conical bored, double reeded bagpipe chanters. And that's about all they have in common.
Different tuning, different scales, different repertoire with little overlap, and vastly different approaches to both instruction and performance.
See www.pipers.ie for info about uilleann pipes
See www.hotpipes.com for information about the ancient, prolific, and dignified family of ethnic woodwinds known as bagpipes, which includes both the uilleann pipes and the scottish highland pipes.
# Posted on February 20th 2007 by Hanley
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Every chanter will have a slightly different fingering and playing pressure and depending on the reed/chanter combination can change with every reed. At this stage you just need to stick with one fingering. The one you are using is fine. What Potts is showing on the CDROM is his way, every piper would show you something a little different. The NPU DVD is an excellent learning tool. Just keep practicing and don't get bogged down in the details. Have fun!
Pat.
# Posted on February 21st 2007 by Eulic McGee
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Heh, thanks a lot all, I think I have some
more confidence in my piping now!
# Posted on February 21st 2007 by thesheep
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
Close your eyes and use your ears..It may take awhile...But its in there.. good luck !!
# Posted on February 21st 2007 by lamh trom
Open-style versus Closed-style
According to http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Uilleann_pipes#encyclopedia:
One characteristic of the chanter is that it can produce staccato notes, because the piper seals it off at the bottom; with all of the finger holes closed, the chanter is silenced. This is also necessary for obtaining the second octave; the chanter must be closed and the bag pressure increased, and then fingered notes will sound in the second octave. A great range of different timbres can be achieved by varying the fingering of notes and also raising the chanter off the knee, which gives the uilleann pipes a degree of dynamic range not found in other forms of bagpipes. Pipers who use staccato fingering often are termed "closed-style" pipers. Those who use legato fingering more predominately are referred to as "open-style" pipers. Open piping has historical associations with musicians (often Irish travelling people) who played on the street or outdoors, since the open fingering is somewhat louder, especially with the chanter played off-the-knee (which can, however, lead to faulty pitch with the second octave notes).
# Posted on August 13th 2009 by walterboys
Re: Uilleann Pipes Fingering - What a mess!
I just found this - I have no idea myself, but I thought it might be helpful
http://www.uilleannobsession.com/docs/Crowley_Tutor_Scale_Chart.jpg
# Posted on April 12th 2010 by juma