Uilleann Pipes

Bbbbolger

About a month (maybe more) ago, I saw an article about uilleann pipes on RTE. It said to buy a new pair there was a waiting list of years due to the fact that theres so few uilleann pipe makers in the country. Is this true? I've always wanted to take up the uilleann pipes but the waiting period to get a set really puts me off.

I know it would take a long time to actually be good at them too; although I do have traditional groundings in a few instruments so I wouldn't be a complete novice.

nuttz

There are long waiting lists for new sets, the list is longer for the top makers(up to 10 years), some makers have closed their books also.

There are different Piper clubs around the country where sets can be loaned out, Na Piobairi Uilleann in Dublin most notably, but there are clubs in Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford, Armagh, etc. also.
You could avoid waiting lists and purchase a set from someone selling their instrument for one reason or another.
NPU also have a for sale section on their website:http://www.pipers.ie/classifieds.asp . There is also a classified section on the Uilleann Obsession site: http://www.uilleannobsession.com/classifieds.html
If you are starting on the pipes, you would start with a practice set, as you progress you would then get the drones and then subsequently the regulators.

Where in the country are you?

Bbbbolger

Thanks for all the info. Im from Wexford. Won't really be looking into getting a set this year (Leaving Cert year...I've enough distractions) but it's definately a future plan.

bodhrandude

The fellah to get in touch with there is Kevin Rowsome, I think he is based in Wexford and is a great player and maker of the instrument. http://www.esatclear.ie/~rowsome/kevin.htm

nuttz

bodhrandude wrote: »

The fellah to get in touch with there is Kevin Rowsome, I think he is based in Wexford and is a great player and maker of the instrument. http://www.esatclear.ie/~rowsome/kevin.htm

Kevin lives in Dublin and he doesn't make pipes. His father, grandfather and great grandfather did though.

etn

Hi. My son is very interested in taking them up. What type should I Buy? e.g

maker?

key ?

half set or practice set?

I know absolutely nothing about them! I am on the internet alot so I might pick up a set secondhand. I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Banbh

There is advice on buying uilleann pipes on the website of Na Piobairi Uilleann.
I have a low D whistle, which is fingered in much the same way as a pipe chanter. It would be a cheaper way of finding out how much interest you have.

colin29

etn wrote: »

Hi. My son is very interested in taking them up. What type should I Buy? e.g

maker?

key ?

half set or practice set?

I know absolutely nothing about them! I am on the internet alot so I might pick up a set secondhand. I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Contact Na Piobairi Uilleann, http://www.pipers.ie/
They have a pipes on loan scheme in place but there will no doubt be a waiting list. Try and get a loaner as it's alot of money to shell out only to find out he's lost interest after only a few weeks or months.
As for buying a set, practice set in the key of "D" to begin with, try and find a maker near to where you live(easier said than done), be careful looking on places such as ebay as there are alot of dodgy sets out there coming from Pakistan which will give you nothing but heartbreak.
Also check out these forums as you will get great advice, http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewforum.php?f=6&sid=c4ab38ffa931d343962c6784ce73d40b

http://www.uilleannforum.com/

All the best.

Colin

KathleenMcCabe

Practice set is definately the way to go.

If the pipers club in dublin didn't suit, it's worth knowing that the seamus ennis centre in Naul also hires them out to people in classes.

Your local comhaltas also might be able to put you in contact with teachers, pipers or makers in your area that might be able to help.

Good luck in your search

Kathleen