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The earliest bagpipes in Ireland - testified to in the fifth
century Brehon Laws - were a mouth blown peasant instrument.
During the seventeenth century, the musette-type of bellows-blown
pipes became increasingly fashionable among upper and lower
classes alike, notably in France and Ireland |
| By the early eighteenth century the somewhat improved uilleann
pipes were replacing the harp as the preferred instrument for
most kinds of Irish music. During the latter half of the eighteenth
century, the introduction of the keyed chanter, the regulators,
and other refinements by such makers as Egan of Dublin led to
the emergence of what is perhaps the most sophisticated form
of bagpipes in the world. |
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The history of piping in Ireland extends over a span of 13
centuries. References occur in ancient Irish annals to the
cuisleannach or pipe blower. It is not certain exactly when
bagpipes first appeared in Ireland, but it seems certain that
in their earliest form they were similar to the Scottish bagpipes
of today. |
| Deriving from this older form of pipes the distinctively
Irish uilleann pipes are undoubtedly the most sophisticated
and complicated form of bagpipes in existence. It is believed
that the present form emerged around the beginning of the
18th century. The full set of uilleann pipes comprises a bag,
bellows, chanter, 3 drones and 3 regulators. |
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| The bag is inflated by the bellows; in the Scottish
bagpipes it is mouth blown. The chanter on which the melody
is played has a range of two octaves as compared with the Scottish
pipes which have a range of nine notes. In the case of the pipes
in concert pitch the range extends upwards from the D above
middle C of the piano. It has seven finger holes on its face
and one thumbhole at its back. |
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The drones, Bass, Baritone and Tenor, sound unchanging
tones in the course of the melody. The regulators, again three
in number, Bass, Baritone and Tenor, lie across the thigh
of the player in such a way that the keys can be depressed
by the underneath edge of the lower hand while it is engaged
on the chanter. The arrangement of the keys in rows permits
a single form of harmonic accompaniment to be made.
The pipes are played in the sitting position. The player straps
his bellows to his right elbow thus enabling him to pump air
into the bag. The air flow from the bag is controlled by the
left elbow, enabling the player to change octaves. The chanter
is placed on the right knee with the right hand playing the
bottom notes of the chanter. This enables the player to use
the right wrist to operate the drones and provide accompaniment
on the regulators.
The uilleann pipes are regarded as outstanding among the pipes
of the world for their mellowness and sweetness of tone. |
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Uilleann Pipe recordings by Tara Music are available
online
Uilleann
Pipers Recorded by Tara Music Include
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Liam O'Flynn
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Davy Spillane
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Seamus Ennis
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