| Scottish GHP are loud - quite loud. In fact, they were designed to be used in battle and were an effective means of frightening off an enemy (or so the Scotts will tell you!) Scottish pipes are also only capable of producing approximately one octave of sound, which cannot be turned off or stopped mid-tune unless the piper stops squeezing the bag. Scottish pipes use three drones placed over the pipers' shoulder, while the chanter is held in front. Scottish pipes are also mouth blown - introducing moisture to the reed, which naturally softens it. Consequently, GHP players must replace their reeds fairly regularly as the cellulose in the cane breaks down over time from the high moisture.. |
| These are SCOTTISH pipes |
| These are IRISH pipes |
| leg for a staccatto style of playing heard often in uilleann piping. With the unique nature of the instrument, it requires that the piper be seated when playing as opposed to the recognizable parade marching and competition/military style employed by GHP players. The uilleann pipes are a social instrument designed to be played indoors, either solo, or with small groups of musicians in a 'session'. Basically, these are informal gatherings occuring at a local pub, or even someone's home in which several musicians (not just pipers) will get together and play music for the fun of it - no competitions, no marching, and no itchy wollen skirts. Just friends getting together to have a bit of "craic" or good times together. |
Once again, Scottish pipes are mouth blown:
Uilleann pipes are "dry" blown with a bellows under the
arm: connected to the bag by a blowpipe across the
pipers waist.
arm: connected to the bag by a blowpipe across the
pipers waist.
GHP players often march in parades and formations
while they play (or WORSE as seen here!):
while they play (or WORSE as seen here!):
| By contrast, uilleann pipers must sit to play - which also puts one in a handy position to reach for a cold pint or a bite of fish and chips during a session! More detailed descriptions including photos, soundfiles and video can be found on pages throughout this site. Feel free to look around, and ask questions. You can reach us at: info@uilleann.org |
| All photos on this page come from Universe of Bagpipes and are used with their kind permission. |
| Copyright © Salt Lake Piping Club 2003 - 2011 |
| What ARE Uilleann Pipes? |
| And why are we so blasted obsessed with the things on this site? Simply put, the Irish uilleann (say ILL-uhn) bagpipe is one of the most beautiful instruments ever created. It's also one of the most complex. There are several fundamental differences between the Scottish "great highland pipes" (GHP) and uilleann pipes (UP). Read on to learn more: |
| By contrast, the UP tend to be a much more complex instrument. The volume of UP's is much softer - about as loud as a fiddle, and the UP chanter is capable of ataining over a two octave range with a good reed. The UP chanter also has a very distinctive and sweet tonal quality unlike the loud, somewhat nasal tone common in GHP. UP's also incorperate a 3 drone pattern, but some makers have added more than this. UP's are also noteable in their use of "regulators" which are essentially three more keyed and stopped chanters that lay across the pipers lap above the drones. The piper plays chordal harmonies with his wrist while operating the bag and bellows (the UP are 'dry' blown in this manner), the option to switch the drones on or off - all while playing the main chanter - which can be stopped against the |
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