Uilleann Pipes

Uilleann Pipes [ ˌ ɪlənpaɪps ] ( uilleann of ir [i ː l ʲ ən ˠ ] ( ir pioban - Uilleann ) " elbow " and English. Pipes " pipes" ) is the name for the Irish bagpipes. The name is due to the fact that the uilleann pipes are not supplied with the mouth, but through an actuated with the elbow bellows with air. Other names Union Pipes and Irish pipes.

They were developed in the form used today in the 18th century (ca. 1760-1780 ), and little has changed since that time. Their sound can be described as relatively delicate and soft (compared to the sharp sound of the Great Highland Bagpipes ).

The uilleann pipes are played sitting down. Under the right arm sits a bellows, under the left of the blind. The three drones ( drones ) are across the player's lap. They can be turned on or off via a controllable valve. In addition, there are so-called regulators, usually three. It is around, stopped whistling, which are provided with flaps and only make a sound when you press a flap. The flaps of the regulators are served while playing with the right hand edge or the right thumb and produce accompaniment chords. The chanter, called " chanter " is equipped with a double reed and has a range of two octaves, the second octave by " overblowing ", therefore increasing the wind pressure is reached. Except when playing the lowest note rests the end of the chanter on the thigh of the player. Does he think all the finger holes, so the player can set the tone interrupt (Staccato ).

Without flaps on the chanter can be generated by the semitones the C ( a minor seventh above the root D), can be so that also played in G and E minor. In addition, without flaps, only with the use of fork handles is also the Dis or It possible in both octaves. These tones are used both as a leading tone in E minor and in rare cases as a tone in a passage and alternating chord C Minor, commonly referred to as "Ghost -D". Written recorded music, so-called " Tunes" are listed in D, even if the actual sounding mood of D deviates; the uilleann pipes are thus transposing instruments. Is a Uilleann Pipe sounding tuned to D, it is called concert pitch ( concert -pitch ). More sounding moods are called cis, C, H, and B, they are collectively " flat pipes" or "flat -pitched pipes".

Due to the sophisticated coordination of arm, hand and finger movements during actuation of bellows, wind bag, chanter, drones and regulators are the Uilleann Pipes probably the hardest playable bagpipe type, but probably at the same time with the highest musical expressiveness.

The Uilleann Pipes are mainly manufactured from the very dark African hardwood blackwood or ebony. Then there were always instruments of boxwood and fruit woods such as maple or plum. The metal parts are made ​​of brass or silver, the ornamental rings of ivory, now lies more in boxwood, plastic or ( bovine ) Horn.

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