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Lesson 17: UIlleann Pipe triplets and Staccato
Staccato
If you see a note with a dot above or below the note like the image here it should be played staccato. It is done by fully closing off every hole after the staccato note has been played and before the next note is sounded, so that there is a very short stop between the notes. The time value of this stop is taken away from the time value of the staccato note, thus slightly shortening the length of the staccato note. The reason for playing some notes staccato is it gives a nice crispness flavor to the tune. The overall effect should sound like your saying P's in rapid succession. P-P-P
Staccato is mostly found in triplets, though you do see and hear them every now and then else where in tunes.
Staccato is mostly found in triplets, though you do see and hear them every now and then else where in tunes.
Triplets
A triplet means you play three notes in the space of two. In most types of music the notes would be played evenly. However, in Irish music triplets are played with extra emphasis placed on the last note of the triplet.
Notice that the first 2 notes are shorter and the last note is held.
When playing a G (high or low) in a staccato triplet you don't need to raise both fingers. You only need to raise the top one. This doesn't make for the best sounding G. However, it makes them much easier to play and they are done so fast that you can't tell the G is a little out of tune.
A triplet means you play three notes in the space of two. In most types of music the notes would be played evenly. However, in Irish music triplets are played with extra emphasis placed on the last note of the triplet.
Notice that the first 2 notes are shorter and the last note is held.
When playing a G (high or low) in a staccato triplet you don't need to raise both fingers. You only need to raise the top one. This doesn't make for the best sounding G. However, it makes them much easier to play and they are done so fast that you can't tell the G is a little out of tune.
Tripets EXERCISE #1
There are many different triplets used in piping. However, these two below are most used so lets master these first. These two triplets below should always be played in a staccato fashion. All other triplets can be played open or closed, it's which ever you prefer.
