They’re up there with the harp as a musical symbol of Ireland but the Uilleann Pipes came close to extinction just over a generation ago. Passionate piper and former archivist with the pipers association, Na Píobairí Uilleann, Terry Moylan says it’s all about mastering the air.
Mastery of air? That sounds more like wizardry
Watch Finbar Furey in action and it may indeed seem like magic. Moylan agrees there’s a bit of a learning curve to start with. “You need to master the control of the air supply, using a bellows and bag. The aim is to maintain a constant, smooth flow.” Likening it to learning to ride a bicycle, Moylan says that once you’ve got the knack, you don’t have to think about it again – although, as with all instruments, you’ve still got to get to grips with the music making side of things.
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Can I teach myself or do I need lessons?
Unlike the flute or whistle, Moylan says that piping has a system of fingering that needs be shown and learned. While you’ll find plenty of internet clips, including at Na Píobairí Uilleann and the Online Academy of Music, there’s no substitute for hands-on teaching. Find a list of teachers in your area and a calendar of Try the Pipes sessions at Na Píobairí Uilleann and at the Armagh Pipers Club in Northern Ireland.
Okay, all signed up. Now, what about an instrument?
The Uilleann Pipes descended from the bagpipe but they’re much softer in sound. They nearly died out in 1970 when Leo Rowsome, the last full-time maker of Pipes in the world, died. That provided the impetus for Na Píobairí Uilleann to set about safeguarding the instrument’s future. It was a project that culminated in Uilleann Pipes becoming Ireland’s first piece of Intangible Cultural Heritage, inscribed into the records of Unesco in 2017, where they joined the likes of Argentinian Tango and Austrian Avalanche Management. All that is a roundabout way of saying: Uilleann Pipes are something very special and you can’t just pop into a shop.
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So, how do I get some?
“They are not mass-produced like other instruments,” says Moylan. “Every set is handmade and no two are identical.” This means you need to either seek out a pipemaker; find a list at pipers.ie; or see if you can source a second-hand set. “Like all areas of life, there is a range of abilities on offer,” says Moylan. Beware, however, “not all makers will deliver a reliable instrument”. He warns against some cheaper versions from overseas “which, unfortunately, have turned out to be expensive firewood”.
How expensive?!
Considering the time and work that goes into making a full set, it is not surprising that a price in the region of €10,000 or above can be quoted. Don’t run scared just yet, however. Starter sets, consisting of just bag, bellows and chanter (the “stick” part used to play the melody) are available for around €1,300, depending on the maker. Get up to speed that way, then start to add drones and regulators for the fancier stuff. Handy with your fingers in more ways than one? Ballyfermot College runs a traditional music course that covers instrument making, including Uilleann Pipes. Really serious? Contact Na Píobairí Uilleann to find out about their loan scheme, set up to enable more people to access this incredible instrument.
