I am learning the pipes but I have a problem to play the high E.
Can anyone give me some tips to play this note? or some excersises to practice it?
Thanks
Which E are we talking about? The one immediately above "back" d?
Or the rarely achieved even with the very best of chanters with the best of reeds 3rd octave E?
If the former, it could be due to any number of problems, including your reed. Contact your pipemaker or, if available, a highly experienced piper in your area for advice.
If the latter, don't sweat it. We don't use that note very often if ever. I can't think of a single tune where it might be necessary. It's nice for making small dogs bark uncontrollably.
Chances are high that you don't have all of the holes completely covered. That is the first thing to think about and work on correcting when things aren't going right.
A great exercise is to play the lower octave note, then play the upper octave note. Switch back and forth and you'll get a good feel for what's needed to make those notes happen.
I would like to point out that (from what I've found), I can get away with a little leakage around my fingers for the lower octave notes certainly, and also the upper octave F# and G, but I absolutely cannot get away with such sloppiness and expect the E to happen. It's sort of my reality check and the one note I work on most for that.
Be wary of mucking around with your reed until you're sure you've got this sorted out. Definitely go see an experienced piper if you continue to struggle - they'll be an extra set of eyes and ear and will be able to determine whether your problems are related to hardware or physical technique.
I have a problem getting the third octave G# accurately :( That's why I gave up.
But if it's the second octave E you mean, it ought to be one of the easy ones. If it sounds a squoggy bottom octave, perhaps you aren't coordinating the extra pressure with your fingers. If you can get the F# easily, try using that as a grace note and dropping to the E.
problem uillean pipes
problem uillean pipes
I am learning the pipes but I have a problem to play the high E.
Can anyone give me some tips to play this note? or some excersises to practice it?
Thanks
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by billysp
Re: problem uillean pipes
You could try running up the octave so you don't try to play the E alone. If you are having problems in might be your reed
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by gedpipes
Re: problem uillean pipes
Shouldn't be a very difficult note to reach. If it is I would have the reed looked at for sure.
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by Eamonn Croke
Re: problem uillean pipes
Which E are we talking about? The one immediately above "back" d?
Or the rarely achieved even with the very best of chanters with the best of reeds 3rd octave E?
If the former, it could be due to any number of problems, including your reed. Contact your pipemaker or, if available, a highly experienced piper in your area for advice.
If the latter, don't sweat it. We don't use that note very often if ever. I can't think of a single tune where it might be necessary. It's nice for making small dogs bark uncontrollably.
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by Hanley
Re: problem uillean pipes
Chances are high that you don't have all of the holes completely covered. That is the first thing to think about and work on correcting when things aren't going right.
A great exercise is to play the lower octave note, then play the upper octave note. Switch back and forth and you'll get a good feel for what's needed to make those notes happen.
Cheers.
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by _Steph_
Re: problem uillean pipes
I would like to point out that (from what I've found), I can get away with a little leakage around my fingers for the lower octave notes certainly, and also the upper octave F# and G, but I absolutely cannot get away with such sloppiness and expect the E to happen. It's sort of my reality check and the one note I work on most for that.
Be wary of mucking around with your reed until you're sure you've got this sorted out. Definitely go see an experienced piper if you continue to struggle - they'll be an extra set of eyes and ear and will be able to determine whether your problems are related to hardware or physical technique.
Cheers.
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by _Steph_
Re: problem uillean pipes
You could also try spelling 'uilleann' correctly!
# Posted on May 9th 2006 by Dogboy
Re: problem uillean pipes
I have a problem getting the third octave G# accurately :( That's why I gave up.
But if it's the second octave E you mean, it ought to be one of the easy ones. If it sounds a squoggy bottom octave, perhaps you aren't coordinating the extra pressure with your fingers. If you can get the F# easily, try using that as a grace note and dropping to the E.
And Yoolean is spelt I R I S H.
# Posted on May 10th 2006 by LastToFinish