Introduction and History of the Uilleann Pipes
Below is a sample of a tutorial from uilleannpipe.com, if you would like access to the videos, audio or printing capabilities
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Learning to play the uilleann pipes has never been easier with these carefully designed uilleann pipe lessons. There are over 50 video tutorials and dozens of tunes on this site and more are being added every month to allow the lesson plans to improve, grow and always stay current.
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Introduction
The uilleann pipes are a unique and complex instrument and without the proper education can be very hard to learn. Uilleann pipe instructors are far and few between and learning out of a book is boring. These online lessons are here for people who can't find a good teacher or can't afford the time and money to have one. The lessons are designed to give the learner background information on the Uilleann Pipes as well as Irish music.
These lessons comprise of audio, video and written text to guide you step by step to become an Uilleann Piper. They will explain how to finger the pipes and read the music. The exercises and tunes that have been chosen are designed to make you a well-rounded player so that both your playing and the sound of your pipes will be top notch.
History
Uilleann Pipes got their name from the Irish word meaning elbow. Bagpipes have been around for hundreds of years, however, the Uilleann pipes didn't get their start till about 1700. The instrument was derived from a combination of a French Musette and the Great Irish War Pipe. Unlike most bagpipes these pipes had a chanter that could play 2 octaves. By the 18th century people had begun adding regulators to them and they were being called 'Union Pipes' probably because of the union of the regulators and the chanter. A couple of years later pipers added 2 more regulators to the pipes making it a total of 3. These pipes were much more mellow sounding then the traditional bagpipes. The Uilleann pipes had become quite popular in Ireland until the famine hit and then people didn't have the time or money to play anymore and the almost fell out of existence. The pipes were brought over to North America in the 20th century and the instrument switched keys from 'A' to 'D' in-order to make them a little louder and easier to play with other Irish instruments. The uilleann pipes have had a resurges in popularity of the last 20 years because of there use in River-Dance, Braveheart, Titanic and numerous other movies and productions.
There is obviously much more history concerning the Uilleann pipes and it's only a click away the Internet is full of stuff concerning the Uilleann pipes and if that interests you I recommend just 'googling' uilleann pipes and see what you find.
Uilleann Pipes got their name from the Irish word meaning elbow. Bagpipes have been around for hundreds of years, however, the Uilleann pipes didn't get their start till about 1700. The instrument was derived from a combination of a French Musette and the Great Irish War Pipe. Unlike most bagpipes these pipes had a chanter that could play 2 octaves. By the 18th century people had begun adding regulators to them and they were being called 'Union Pipes' probably because of the union of the regulators and the chanter. A couple of years later pipers added 2 more regulators to the pipes making it a total of 3. These pipes were much more mellow sounding then the traditional bagpipes. The Uilleann pipes had become quite popular in Ireland until the famine hit and then people didn't have the time or money to play anymore and the almost fell out of existence. The pipes were brought over to North America in the 20th century and the instrument switched keys from 'A' to 'D' in-order to make them a little louder and easier to play with other Irish instruments. The uilleann pipes have had a resurges in popularity of the last 20 years because of there use in River-Dance, Braveheart, Titanic and numerous other movies and productions.
There is obviously much more history concerning the Uilleann pipes and it's only a click away the Internet is full of stuff concerning the Uilleann pipes and if that interests you I recommend just 'googling' uilleann pipes and see what you find.
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Give this video to the left a watch it's full of great info about the pipes if your new to them. The last part of this lessons is to go onto youtube and listen to as many recordings of uilleann pipers as you can. Listen to old recordings by Seamus Ennis and new ones by John McSherry and listen to the different ways people have played over the years. In this beginning stage of your piping it will be very important to listen to as many pipers styles as you can so that you can take what you like from their playing and create your own style. |