Uilleann Pipe Nerd - Learn the Uilleann Pipes Online.
  • Home
  • Lessons
    • Beginner >
      • Lesson 1: Introduction and History of the Uilleann Pipes
      • Lesson 2: Parts of the Uilleann Pipe Practice Set
      • Lesson 3: Uilleann Practice Set Fundamentals
      • Lesson 4: UIlleann Pipe G and Metronomes
      • Lesson 5: Uilleann Pipe F#
      • Lesson 6: Uilleann Pipe E & Half Note
      • Lesson 7: Uilleann Pipe D​, Whole Notes & 3 Blind Mice
      • Lesson 8: UIlleann Pipe A & Legato
      • Lesson 9: Uilleann Pipe B & Tied Notes
      • Lesson 10: Uilleann Pipe C# & Dots
      • Lesson 11: Uilleann Pipe C and the Key of G
      • Lesson 12: UIlleann Pipe Back D & 8th Notes
      • Lesson 13: Easy Songs and 3/4
      • Lesson 14: Uilleann Pipe High E
      • Lesson 15: Uilleann Pipe F#
      • Lesson 16: Uilleann Pipe High G
      • Lesson 17: Uilleann Pipe High A
      • Lesson 18: Uilleann Pipe High B
      • Lesson 19: Uilleann Pipe Tunes Using Both Octaves and 2/4 Time
    • Novice >
      • Lesson 1: Tuning Uilleann Pipe Chanter
      • Lesson 2: Uilleann Low Hand Strikes
      • Lesson 3: Uilleann High Hand Strikes
      • Lesson 4: Uilleann Pipe Songs with Strikes
      • Lesson 5: Uilleann Pipe Cuts on Bottom Hand
      • Lesson 6: Uilleann Pipe Cuts on Top Hand
      • Lesson 7: Uilleann Tunes with Cuts and Strikes
      • Lesson 8: Uilleann Pipe Slow Airs and Slides
      • Lesson 9: Uilleann Pipe Vibrato
      • Lesson 10: Repeats, Intro's and Endings
      • Lesson 11: Uilleann Pipe Polkas
      • Lesson 12: Ascending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 13: More Ascending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 14: Descending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 15: More Descending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 16: Uilleann Pipe Marches
      • Lesson 17: Uilleann Pipe Triplets and Staccato
      • Lesson 18: Uilleann Pipe Hornpipes
    • Advanced >
      • Lesson 1: Rolls in Jigs
      • Lesson 2: Uilleann Pipe Jigs
      • Lesson 3: Rolls in Reels
      • Lesson 4: Uilleann Pipe Reels
      • Lesson 5: Uilleann Pipe Hard D
      • Lesson 6: Uilleann Pipe Ghost D
      • Lesson 7: Uilleann Pipe Short Rolls
      • Lesson 8: Uilleann Pipe Popping
      • Lesson 9: Uilleann Pipe F Natural
      • Lesson 10: Sessions and Variations in Irish Music
  • Tunes
    • Airs >
      • Dawn of the Day
      • South Wind
      • Sally Gardens
    • Marches >
      • Mairi's Wedding
      • Song of the Chanter
      • Brian Boru's March
    • Polkas >
      • Britches Full of Stitches
      • John Ryan's Polka
      • Maggie in the Woods
    • Jigs >
      • Garrett Barry's Jig
      • Sporting Pitchfork
      • Kesh Jig
      • Donnybrook Fair
      • Morrison's Jig
      • The Butterfly
    • Reels >
      • Mountain Road
      • The Ships Are Sailing
      • The Morning Star
      • Merry Blacksmith
      • Cooley's Reel
      • Drowsy Maggie
    • Hornpipes >
      • Harvest Home
      • Off to California
  • Blog
  • Links
  • Contact

Lesson 1: Tuning Uilleann Pipe Chanter

Picture
​
​Keeping your Uilleann Pipe  Chanter reed in tune is definitely challenging and a little overwhelming at first. The reed is made of cane and  is an organic material that is affected by the heat, cold and humidity in your house.  In this lesson I will cover the basics of chanter tuning and hopefully answer some questions you may have about your reed and tuning.  Learning to play is only 1/2 the battle, keeping an instrument sounding good and in tune is the other and it takes just as much time to learn. Don't be discouraged if learned to tune your bagpipe takes a long time, there is a lot of time and trial and error involved before you ever get it right.

Before, we get going there are couple things you should know.  Play your pipes for 5 min before making any major adjustments and always exercise caution with handling the reed, they are very fragile. 


When to Adjust a Reed

It's pretty simple, when your reed is out of tune, too hard or easy to play its time to make some adjustments. However, it's important to keep in mind that constant adjusting of the reed to achieve "perfect" tuning can ruin the reed, and waste valuable playing time. If you adjust a reed incorrectly you can make the problem worse, create a new problem or damage the reed.  If your reed is in tune, playing at a comfortable pressure, able to achieve the second octave, has a back D that sounds good, and a bottom D that doesn't gurgle then thank the Uilleann Pipe gods and enjoy your instrument. Don't mess with your reed, If your reed doesn't sound like all the things I just described then lets begin learning to tune your chanter reed. 

What Do I need to Tune a Chanter?

You should have these 5 things in your pipe case at all times to help tune your chanter reed.
1) Electrical Tape 
2) Bagpipe Hemp
3) Instrument Tuner
​4) Needle Nose Pliers
​5) Humidifier 

Making chanter Sharper or Flatter


Tuning Individual Notes


Tuning The Second Octave 


Reed Quite and Weak Back D

(VIDEO COMING SOON)

​A reed that is quiet, has a weak back D, and is sharp in pitch indicates that the lips may be too closed. The lips can often be opened either by sliding the bridle up, or by carefully squeezing the outside corners of the bridle. Remember that a tiny adjustment in of the bridle can make a great difference. You can either use your fingers or a set of pliers carefully to do it.

Reed is LOud and cant hit 2nd octave

(VIDEO COMING SOON)

A reed that is too loud, has difficulty getting the second octave, and is flat in pitch may be too open. This can often be corrected by closing the aperture of the lips by either sliding the bridle down, or carefully squeezing it closed while.  R
emember that a tiny adjustment in of the bridle can make a great difference. You can either use your fingers or a set of pliers carefully to do it.

How long will a reed Last?

There is a no one correct answer to this question. There are just simply to many factors to take in mind.  However, if you take good care of your reed then it should last you a very long time. Most problems that diminish the longevity of a reed can be reduced if the proper steps are taken. 

Step 1: Do not leave your pipes near airconditoners, heaters or in direct sunlight.
​Step 2: Keep humidifier in pipe case. (Here is the one I use.)

By just doing these two things you are greatly reducing the chances for your reed becoming excessively dry. If you don't do these 2 things you run the risk of the cane drying out, consequential warping, leaking, closing up and your pipes being rendered unplayable.

    SIGN UP FOR NEWLETTER

Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Home
  • Lessons
    • Beginner >
      • Lesson 1: Introduction and History of the Uilleann Pipes
      • Lesson 2: Parts of the Uilleann Pipe Practice Set
      • Lesson 3: Uilleann Practice Set Fundamentals
      • Lesson 4: UIlleann Pipe G and Metronomes
      • Lesson 5: Uilleann Pipe F#
      • Lesson 6: Uilleann Pipe E & Half Note
      • Lesson 7: Uilleann Pipe D​, Whole Notes & 3 Blind Mice
      • Lesson 8: UIlleann Pipe A & Legato
      • Lesson 9: Uilleann Pipe B & Tied Notes
      • Lesson 10: Uilleann Pipe C# & Dots
      • Lesson 11: Uilleann Pipe C and the Key of G
      • Lesson 12: UIlleann Pipe Back D & 8th Notes
      • Lesson 13: Easy Songs and 3/4
      • Lesson 14: Uilleann Pipe High E
      • Lesson 15: Uilleann Pipe F#
      • Lesson 16: Uilleann Pipe High G
      • Lesson 17: Uilleann Pipe High A
      • Lesson 18: Uilleann Pipe High B
      • Lesson 19: Uilleann Pipe Tunes Using Both Octaves and 2/4 Time
    • Novice >
      • Lesson 1: Tuning Uilleann Pipe Chanter
      • Lesson 2: Uilleann Low Hand Strikes
      • Lesson 3: Uilleann High Hand Strikes
      • Lesson 4: Uilleann Pipe Songs with Strikes
      • Lesson 5: Uilleann Pipe Cuts on Bottom Hand
      • Lesson 6: Uilleann Pipe Cuts on Top Hand
      • Lesson 7: Uilleann Tunes with Cuts and Strikes
      • Lesson 8: Uilleann Pipe Slow Airs and Slides
      • Lesson 9: Uilleann Pipe Vibrato
      • Lesson 10: Repeats, Intro's and Endings
      • Lesson 11: Uilleann Pipe Polkas
      • Lesson 12: Ascending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 13: More Ascending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 14: Descending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 15: More Descending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 16: Uilleann Pipe Marches
      • Lesson 17: Uilleann Pipe Triplets and Staccato
      • Lesson 18: Uilleann Pipe Hornpipes
    • Advanced >
      • Lesson 1: Rolls in Jigs
      • Lesson 2: Uilleann Pipe Jigs
      • Lesson 3: Rolls in Reels
      • Lesson 4: Uilleann Pipe Reels
      • Lesson 5: Uilleann Pipe Hard D
      • Lesson 6: Uilleann Pipe Ghost D
      • Lesson 7: Uilleann Pipe Short Rolls
      • Lesson 8: Uilleann Pipe Popping
      • Lesson 9: Uilleann Pipe F Natural
      • Lesson 10: Sessions and Variations in Irish Music
  • Tunes
    • Airs >
      • Dawn of the Day
      • South Wind
      • Sally Gardens
    • Marches >
      • Mairi's Wedding
      • Song of the Chanter
      • Brian Boru's March
    • Polkas >
      • Britches Full of Stitches
      • John Ryan's Polka
      • Maggie in the Woods
    • Jigs >
      • Garrett Barry's Jig
      • Sporting Pitchfork
      • Kesh Jig
      • Donnybrook Fair
      • Morrison's Jig
      • The Butterfly
    • Reels >
      • Mountain Road
      • The Ships Are Sailing
      • The Morning Star
      • Merry Blacksmith
      • Cooley's Reel
      • Drowsy Maggie
    • Hornpipes >
      • Harvest Home
      • Off to California
  • Blog
  • Links
  • Contact