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LESSON 5: UILLEANN PIPE HARD D
When lifting the chanter off the knee and applying a tiny bit more pressure and cutting the note with an A, Hard D can be achieved. It gives the note a harsh edge that is loaded with harmonics and is a really cool piping ornament only achievable on the Uilleann pipes. On most chanters the hard D is more in tune than the "soft" D is in many cases.
Its important to notice that when you play the A cut you are bringing your chanter off your knee while also playing an E and when playing the Low D you need to add just a bit more pressure. I know it sounds like you are doing a lot at one time but eventually it becomes very easy and second nature.
I will put a little dot under the Hard D's that I play. However, when you look at normal sheet music there will not be any Hard D embellishment symbol and you will have to choose where and when to play them.
Its important to notice that when you play the A cut you are bringing your chanter off your knee while also playing an E and when playing the Low D you need to add just a bit more pressure. I know it sounds like you are doing a lot at one time but eventually it becomes very easy and second nature.
I will put a little dot under the Hard D's that I play. However, when you look at normal sheet music there will not be any Hard D embellishment symbol and you will have to choose where and when to play them.
Hard D Exercise #1
Song of the Chanter (with Hard D)
You should remember this tune from an earlier lesson, however this time there are hard D's in the tune.
Notice that before the Hard D's there is an A cut instead of a F# cut, this makes it possible to play a Hard D.
Notice that before the Hard D's there is an A cut instead of a F# cut, this makes it possible to play a Hard D.
