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      • 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
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      • Lesson 13: Easy Songs and 3/4
      • Lesson 14: Uilleann Pipe High E
      • Lesson 15: Uilleann Pipe F#
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      • Lesson 17: Uilleann Pipe High A
      • Lesson 18: Uilleann Pipe High B
      • Lesson 19: Uilleann Pipe Tunes Using Both Octaves and 2/4 Time
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      • Lesson 6: Uilleann Pipe Cuts on Top Hand
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      • Lesson 11: Uilleann Pipe Polkas
      • Lesson 12: Ascending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
      • Lesson 13: More Ascending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
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      • Lesson 15: More Descending Uilleann Pipe Cuts
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      • Lesson 17: Uilleann Pipe Triplets and Staccato
      • Lesson 18: Uilleann Pipe Hornpipes
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      • Lesson 5: Uilleann Pipe Hard D
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      • Lesson 7: Uilleann Pipe Short Rolls
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      • The Butterfly
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​LESSON 17: UILLEANN PIPE HIGH A

Watch the video below to learn to play High A on the Uilleann Pipes and then try the exercises below. The High A has the same fingering as the Low A, but it's an octave above it in pitch.  High A cannot be as easily obtained as High E, F# or G. It generally needs another high octave note before it as a "run into it" to ensure that doesn't sound in the octave below.  Be carful not to squeeze too hard or the chanter will shut off.  Learning to squeeze the right amount of pressure for the second octave takes some practice, and it's even harder for the High A, so don't get discouraged if you find this hard at first. Take your time and double check to make sure you are playing each note correctly before moving on to the next lesson. 

Picture
Things to Remember:
​
  • ​Use the pads of your fingers, not the tips.
  • If the chanter makes a squeaky harsh sound that means your not covering the holes well enough.
  • Your fingers should be arched slightly, but be mostly straight. 
  • Take your time and don't rush.
  • Chanter bottom should be against your leg.
  • Keep fingers relaxed.
  • Don't worry too much about tuning, you will learn that later.​
  • Learning to squeeze the right amount of pressure for the second octave takes some practice, so don't get discouraged if you find this hard at first.
  • ​You need to do a run of lower notes to hit this note sometimes.

High A Exercise #1

I have written the runs out below you will have to perform to hit the High A.  When learning to play tunes later on these runs will not be written in the sheet music. You will just have to remember that to hit a High A sometimes you need to do a run up them. Also, don't forget that you will have to shut off your chanter quickly in-between the really high and low notes.
Picture
Good Job! That was hard.

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  • 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 Pipe Low Hand Strikes
      • Lesson 3: Uilleann Pipe 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: Uilleann Pipe Rolls in Jigs
      • Lesson 2: Uilleann Pipe Jigs
      • Lesson 3: Uilleann Pipe 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
      • Lesson 11: Uilleann Pipe D Crans
  • 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