Hello everybody. Was wondering how many pipers out there use their drones and regulators in a session. I'm not at that level yet but was wondering if the pipes just get drowned out by other instruments or what. I would think that they would sound great in a session but again I haven't tried it so I wouldn't know.
Every situation is different.
As you play with different people in different settings, you will develop a feel for what is needed or better yet when it's not needed.
You shouldn't play the drones and regs just because you have them. But that does'nt mean you should never use them.
You'll want to use them to add favorably to the music.
However sometimes drones and regs can steal away from and muddy up the music.
These are things you only learn through experience.
Trial and error becomes touchy with some players and you've got to be careful with pipes because the instrument tends to take over and if all the layers are used too much, it becomes overbearing.
In many situations, the chanter is all you need.
I have a fairly quiet set, will commonly use the drones for tunes where it supports the group sound. I'll play my regs now and then, but only if it would add to the music. Less often if there is a backup player, unless it's someone I know has an understanding of the regs.
I play a half set at the moment, and in sessions with more than one or two other musicians leave the drones off nearly all the time. Personally I don't find they add a lot if there's already a lot going on sonically. I might fire them up for the last time through a tune if it's in the right key.
If I'm just playing with one or two other musicians, and if all are amenable, I might be a bit more likely to turn the drones on if the tunes are in the right key. Not always.
The drones make sense when you play with other melody instruments if the tunes are in a mode fitting to the drones.
IMHO when you have a guitar or a piano it's not wise to use your drones.
I would never the drones with a chordal backer
(guitar, 'zouk, keyboard, harp, etc.).
The drones fight with the chord changes and it turns
into off-key dissonant mush.
I do not care how bloody rustic, trad, or quaint it may sound with them on, that is not good music in my humble opinion.
I play a half set and only turn on the drones in a session if there are one or two other melody players, no backers, and the pub is dead quiet.
First of all, I find it difficult to tune the damned things if there's a lot of ambient noise, like you get in pubs. I can't hear the beats. I also think that the register of the drones is so low that it gets kind of lost in a loud pub or busy session. If you have backers in your session, the drones muddy the sound and don't seem to add much.
One of my pet peeves are people who play regs at a session without any tact. They just slam them and it sounds like a New York City traffic jam in the middle of the session (my other pet peeve, of course, is that I don't have regs and can't inflict this on anyone myself).
As a very crap piper, I cannot see me ever taking my pipes to a session, and if I did it would be a practice set only.
The reason I would only take a practice set is simple - I have seen what can happen to drones in a pub situation (uilleann, small and border pipes). Repairing drones can be expensive.
I agree with what everyone else has said. But I'd also add that the drones can have more effect when they are not switched on all the time (i.e. adding them after a couple of plays or partway through a set) even in a small session. IMHO as a non-piper etc.
I like to hear the regs well played, but less is probably more both in terms of how many sets they are used on and how heavily they are used in a set. (Aside to TSS: Kenny made a really good job of playing the regs upon request a few weeks back, I think you were there but it might have been the week that you were away. He had them set up beautifully and played them very well).
But it all depends on how big the session is, and of course slow airs or other solo play is an entirely different matter.
I use my drones and regulators in sessions. Drones and regs sound especially nice in small sessions of 3-5 participants. They tend to get lost in bigger sessions but I will still use them in that context, mostly because they’re still fun to play even if no one but me hears them. That being said, I tend to use them most when either playing a set of tunes I started or when playing a set of tunes I know very well with someone else and I know what he or she is going to do next.
I’ll play mine a lot because
a) The reeds can deteriorate if they are not used
b) I want to emulate the styles of certain pipers who use or used the regulators extensively;
c) I think regulators are an essential, if frustrating part of the instrument and a good piper will make use of them at least some of the time (if they are working, of course!).
I will happily play just the chanter with a good bouzouki or cittern player, I’m a Planxty fan through and through. I’m not too bothered if some guitarist can’t figure out how to accompany a tune against a D drone and decides to sit out, though. ; )
Big Davey’s warning about mishaps leading to damaged or broken pipes is well taken. Unless you’re playing a practice set, sit with your back to the nearest wall and watch out for drunks and children! : )
Mostly I play in a session with a piano accordionist, who's very handy with the bass buttons, all 120 of them. I use the regs for the odd long chord or bit of vamp. Or I'll syncopate what he's doing, to get on his nerves - helps that we're friends and he has a sense of humor. Never shut the drones off. You asked for pipes, you get pipes. Strummers and their precious beloved tonal centers can go suck it. I play the fiddle too so key of A won't stop me. Need to find a way to play the fiddle and the regulators at the same time. Hooked up a melodica to the chanter stock a few weeks back - that opens up a whole new world of being irritating and weird. Also practicing playing tunes on the piano. Am available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc.
Avoid sessions with >5 people, too. Would rather play music.
I use both at sessions, drones add 'swell' to the session, especially if there aren't many people playing. Does depend on who's accompanying though. If it's guitar/bouzouki that's playing 'counterpoint' rather than hammering out chords then in my mind it's ok. Likewise regs, don't often hammer out a full three reg chord but will pick out single notes to add harmony.
This does all depend on your room acoustics as well.
Drones can also gain you some space, regs even more so!
I can't see the point of playing uilleann pipes at all if you're not going to use the drones. There's a local player who I have never seen use the drones yet (I don't think she can) and she just sounds like a very bad oboist. Why not just take up the oboe, C clarinet or soprano sax if you want to play a two-octave reed instrument?
And since the drones, historically, got there first, it's up to guitarists and piano accordionists to figure out how to fit in with them, not the other way round.
Drone/Regulator use
Drone/Regulator use
Hello everybody. Was wondering how many pipers out there use their drones and regulators in a session. I'm not at that level yet but was wondering if the pipes just get drowned out by other instruments or what. I would think that they would sound great in a session but again I haven't tried it so I wouldn't know.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by WishiwasIrish
Re: Drone/Regulator use
Every situation is different.
As you play with different people in different settings, you will develop a feel for what is needed or better yet when it's not needed.
You shouldn't play the drones and regs just because you have them. But that does'nt mean you should never use them.
You'll want to use them to add favorably to the music.
However sometimes drones and regs can steal away from and muddy up the music.
These are things you only learn through experience.
Trial and error becomes touchy with some players and you've got to be careful with pipes because the instrument tends to take over and if all the layers are used too much, it becomes overbearing.
In many situations, the chanter is all you need.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by Gone to work
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I have a fairly quiet set, will commonly use the drones for tunes where it supports the group sound. I'll play my regs now and then, but only if it would add to the music. Less often if there is a backup player, unless it's someone I know has an understanding of the regs.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by Michael Eskin
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I play a half set at the moment, and in sessions with more than one or two other musicians leave the drones off nearly all the time. Personally I don't find they add a lot if there's already a lot going on sonically. I might fire them up for the last time through a tune if it's in the right key.
If I'm just playing with one or two other musicians, and if all are amenable, I might be a bit more likely to turn the drones on if the tunes are in the right key. Not always.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by markinpdx
Re: Drone/Regulator use
So much of the sound of the pipes gets lost in a group I never ever play them in a session situation (i.e. anything over two other players) .
The whistle or the flute will do the job for me.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Drone/Regulator use
The drones make sense when you play with other melody instruments if the tunes are in a mode fitting to the drones.
IMHO when you have a guitar or a piano it's not wise to use your drones.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by swisspiper
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I would never the drones with a chordal backer
(guitar, 'zouk, keyboard, harp, etc.).
The drones fight with the chord changes and it turns
into off-key dissonant mush.
I do not care how bloody rustic, trad, or quaint it may sound with them on, that is not good music in my humble opinion.
Grinchy this morning,
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by Piece
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I play a half set and only turn on the drones in a session if there are one or two other melody players, no backers, and the pub is dead quiet.
First of all, I find it difficult to tune the damned things if there's a lot of ambient noise, like you get in pubs. I can't hear the beats. I also think that the register of the drones is so low that it gets kind of lost in a loud pub or busy session. If you have backers in your session, the drones muddy the sound and don't seem to add much.
One of my pet peeves are people who play regs at a session without any tact. They just slam them and it sounds like a New York City traffic jam in the middle of the session (my other pet peeve, of course, is that I don't have regs and can't inflict this on anyone myself).
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Drone/Regulator use
Most pub sessions are a musical/sound chaos and there you can/should use your drones and regs to increase craic(=noise).
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by nemethmik
Re: Drone/Regulator use
Hi Wishiwasirish
As a very crap piper, I cannot see me ever taking my pipes to a session, and if I did it would be a practice set only.
The reason I would only take a practice set is simple - I have seen what can happen to drones in a pub situation (uilleann, small and border pipes). Repairing drones can be expensive.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by BigDavy
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I agree with what everyone else has said. But I'd also add that the drones can have more effect when they are not switched on all the time (i.e. adding them after a couple of plays or partway through a set) even in a small session. IMHO as a non-piper etc.
I like to hear the regs well played, but less is probably more both in terms of how many sets they are used on and how heavily they are used in a set. (Aside to TSS: Kenny made a really good job of playing the regs upon request a few weeks back, I think you were there but it might have been the week that you were away. He had them set up beautifully and played them very well).
But it all depends on how big the session is, and of course slow airs or other solo play is an entirely different matter.
- chris
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I use my drones and regulators in sessions. Drones and regs sound especially nice in small sessions of 3-5 participants. They tend to get lost in bigger sessions but I will still use them in that context, mostly because they’re still fun to play even if no one but me hears them. That being said, I tend to use them most when either playing a set of tunes I started or when playing a set of tunes I know very well with someone else and I know what he or she is going to do next.
I’ll play mine a lot because
a) The reeds can deteriorate if they are not used
b) I want to emulate the styles of certain pipers who use or used the regulators extensively;
c) I think regulators are an essential, if frustrating part of the instrument and a good piper will make use of them at least some of the time (if they are working, of course!).
I will happily play just the chanter with a good bouzouki or cittern player, I’m a Planxty fan through and through. I’m not too bothered if some guitarist can’t figure out how to accompany a tune against a D drone and decides to sit out, though. ; )
Big Davey’s warning about mishaps leading to damaged or broken pipes is well taken. Unless you’re playing a practice set, sit with your back to the nearest wall and watch out for drunks and children! : )
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by Seosamh Ui Sinan
Re: Drone/Regulator use
Mostly I play in a session with a piano accordionist, who's very handy with the bass buttons, all 120 of them. I use the regs for the odd long chord or bit of vamp. Or I'll syncopate what he's doing, to get on his nerves - helps that we're friends and he has a sense of humor. Never shut the drones off. You asked for pipes, you get pipes. Strummers and their precious beloved tonal centers can go suck it. I play the fiddle too so key of A won't stop me. Need to find a way to play the fiddle and the regulators at the same time. Hooked up a melodica to the chanter stock a few weeks back - that opens up a whole new world of being irritating and weird. Also practicing playing tunes on the piano. Am available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc.
Avoid sessions with >5 people, too. Would rather play music.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by KLR
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I use both at sessions, drones add 'swell' to the session, especially if there aren't many people playing. Does depend on who's accompanying though. If it's guitar/bouzouki that's playing 'counterpoint' rather than hammering out chords then in my mind it's ok. Likewise regs, don't often hammer out a full three reg chord but will pick out single notes to add harmony.
This does all depend on your room acoustics as well.
Drones can also gain you some space, regs even more so!
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by piperjon
Re: Drone/Regulator use
I can't see the point of playing uilleann pipes at all if you're not going to use the drones. There's a local player who I have never seen use the drones yet (I don't think she can) and she just sounds like a very bad oboist. Why not just take up the oboe, C clarinet or soprano sax if you want to play a two-octave reed instrument?
And since the drones, historically, got there first, it's up to guitarists and piano accordionists to figure out how to fit in with them, not the other way round.
# Posted on December 11th 2010 by Jack Campin