Hooked on Bellows!

[Maeve]

I have a new hare-brained idea and need to be either rescued or guided here! :) And you can stop laughing right now, Matt .....

Since I have started playing my HM smallpipes, that's all I do anymore ... the Highlands have gone by the wayside and those at the Pipers Club were laughing at me because I've lost my lip! But ya outta see my arm! :lol:! Anyway .. this has opened more doors and I suddenly have the support of my husband here! I guess he's for any pipe that doesn't blow him out the door! The new thought here is .... I WANT TO LEARN THE UILLEANN PIPES! :)

Being as there are no teachers of these pipes in my area and I have absolutely no knowledge of them at all, I'd really love some input and suggestions.... what are half pipes, etc. etc. etc. I've been gleaning what I can from the web pages but a lot of it still doesn't make sense to me. Do I stand a chance at learning these without help?? Are there ANY similarities to the Highlands in fingering??? Or is it more tin whistle?? Makes, makers .. what do I look for??? Thanks in advance for any help ... here or privately!
Love and Light,
Maeve
maeve@bagpipechat.com

[Ian Lawther]

Maeve,
Do a forum search on uilleann and you should find much of what you are asking answered in older threads - if you can't find it we can help further.

I have just emailed a fellow on the uilleann pipes mailing list who I'm 99.99% certain is in Florida. If he gives the ok to pass on his details I'll put the two of you in touch and you can probably get a better idea of whats involved by seeing a set close up etc.

Also you could check out this site with a list of Florida uilleann pipers. (http://cavanagh.members.atlantic.net/uilleann/florida_listing.htm)

Ian

[Maeve]

Thanks, Ian ... I did do a search on the forum but didn't find a WHOLE lot of usable information there. And I have been hitting all of the Uilleann pipe web sites ... that might take me a while. The one thing that you offered that I hadn't found was the FLORIDA site! That's exciting as Orlando is only about 2 1/2 hours from here. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale are about 6 hours :( I've forwarded the site to the only other (struggling) Uilleann piper that I know .. maybe we can get together and support each other through this. I know that he is REALLY discouraged, which is kind of what puts me off of taking the plunge. I'm still in the dark with all of this but will take my time and research it as much as I can before making choices. Husband is disappointed because he thought he found a Christmas present for me ... until I mentioned the waiting lists! :lol:! Thanks!

[Ian Lawther]

Maeve,

From the site I sent you will see a link to something called the "Tionol". This is the term used by uilleann pipers for a gathering - which normally takes the form of a weekend workshop. There is one in Orlando in mid February next year, and if you can hold on that long it would be good to go as an observer so you can see different makers sets, see people at different stages of learning and get an overview.

It will either put you off all together or loose you to uilleann pipes......

Ian