This is my pet fantasy- a set of uilleann pipes. At the moment I play flute and whistle, and although I love my flute to bits I'm rather tempted by a set of pipes.
However, I'm a student so stupidly poor and buying pipes means I wouldn't eat for several months- but I can cope with that I guess. So, since I'd only be in the market for a set of practice pipes are there any makers you could suggest? Ones that are fairly reasonably priced but decent pipes since I don't want to buy a practice set now when I'm poor and then find that they won't do what I want late.
I know of Martin Crossin in Donegal, who was the very lovely man who helped me fix my flut when it fell apart at the All-Ireland Fleadh last year. His pipes are about 900 euros I think. Does anyone know what they're like and what his reputation is?
Any helpful advice, comments or warnings would be massively helpful!
Some decent looking practice sets come up on ebay from time to time. As anybody on this site will tell you, avoid the exceedingly cheap pakistani made pipes, they're unplayable. If the seller doesn't name a maker, don't go there!
I'll be putting a practice set on soon, when my other set arrives in the post - they're made by Alan Ginsberg of Caernarfon, Wales.
Head over to the messageboards at www.chiffandfipple.com
They have an entire forum just for the pipes so.. Go. =] I hear Pat Murray has been making practice sets and I believe they're reasonably priced.. Pat Sky also has a budget practice set he makes..
Alan Ginsberg isn't that far away from your home turf in Lancashire. He's a character and well worth a visit, and you could try his pipes. 'TRY ~ Try ~ try" them on for size, meaning uilleann pipes in general, and try several, ask the next piper you meet if they'd let you have a try? You can only ask. Don't purchase anything until you've had a few goes and tried several chanters and had opportunities to chat with pipers and get some pointers from them. Pipes are not unlike other instruments, they might be called uilleann pipes collectively but they come in a number of flavours. I have my preferences, others prefer something else. They really do vary quite considerable, and that is down to the basic instrument, the chanter in the case of a practice set (where you should start ~ not even a half set), and reeds. Alan also has measured a number of historical instruments and drawn up plans, so there's lots to talk about if you get a chance to visit him.
I play the flute and turned to the pipes and found it a very different musical and learning experience. I have a practice set from Alan Ginsberg and they are great - you can buy with confidence. He even made me a new bag when the dog chewed it!
Yes you should learn the pipes.......I play the fiddle and whistle. David Daye made my pipes. I have a practice set. They cost me 500.00 US dollars and I ordered my drones a few weeks ago, costing 560.00. He lives in Seattle, Washington. He comes highly recommeded by me.
Should I learn pipes?
Should I learn pipes?
This is my pet fantasy- a set of uilleann pipes. At the moment I play flute and whistle, and although I love my flute to bits I'm rather tempted by a set of pipes.
However, I'm a student so stupidly poor and buying pipes means I wouldn't eat for several months- but I can cope with that I guess. So, since I'd only be in the market for a set of practice pipes are there any makers you could suggest? Ones that are fairly reasonably priced but decent pipes since I don't want to buy a practice set now when I'm poor and then find that they won't do what I want late.
I know of Martin Crossin in Donegal, who was the very lovely man who helped me fix my flut when it fell apart at the All-Ireland Fleadh last year. His pipes are about 900 euros I think. Does anyone know what they're like and what his reputation is?
Any helpful advice, comments or warnings would be massively helpful!
Roisin
# Posted on May 17th 2007 by RoisinB
Re: Should I learn pipes?
Some decent looking practice sets come up on ebay from time to time. As anybody on this site will tell you, avoid the exceedingly cheap pakistani made pipes, they're unplayable. If the seller doesn't name a maker, don't go there!
I'll be putting a practice set on soon, when my other set arrives in the post - they're made by Alan Ginsberg of Caernarfon, Wales.
# Posted on May 17th 2007 by Wurzel
Re: Should I learn pipes?
Head over to the messageboards at www.chiffandfipple.com
They have an entire forum just for the pipes so.. Go. =] I hear Pat Murray has been making practice sets and I believe they're reasonably priced.. Pat Sky also has a budget practice set he makes..
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on May 17th 2007 by fiddlinviolinin
Re: Should I learn pipes?
Alan Ginsberg isn't that far away from your home turf in Lancashire. He's a character and well worth a visit, and you could try his pipes. 'TRY ~ Try ~ try" them on for size, meaning uilleann pipes in general, and try several, ask the next piper you meet if they'd let you have a try? You can only ask. Don't purchase anything until you've had a few goes and tried several chanters and had opportunities to chat with pipers and get some pointers from them. Pipes are not unlike other instruments, they might be called uilleann pipes collectively but they come in a number of flavours. I have my preferences, others prefer something else. They really do vary quite considerable, and that is down to the basic instrument, the chanter in the case of a practice set (where you should start ~ not even a half set), and reeds. Alan also has measured a number of historical instruments and drawn up plans, so there's lots to talk about if you get a chance to visit him.
Good luck...
# Posted on May 17th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Should I learn pipes?
Yes
I play the flute and turned to the pipes and found it a very different musical and learning experience. I have a practice set from Alan Ginsberg and they are great - you can buy with confidence. He even made me a new bag when the dog chewed it!
# Posted on May 19th 2007 by Llanman
Re: Should I learn pipes?
Yes you should learn the pipes.......I play the fiddle and whistle. David Daye made my pipes. I have a practice set. They cost me 500.00 US dollars and I ordered my drones a few weeks ago, costing 560.00. He lives in Seattle, Washington. He comes highly recommeded by me.
Go for it!
# Posted on May 20th 2007 by dfbird