Beginning the Uilleann pipes is a daunting task at the very least. Here are some basic steps to start out. The first thing you want to do is get a hold of a penny whistle in the key of D. Below you will see some photos of penny whistles.
Playing the Penny Whistle
The penny whistle can be considered the gateway instrument to Irish music. it's a simple system instrument which allows you to play tunes and pick up melodys that you can then transferr to other instruments like the Uilleann pipes or fiddle. A penny whistle can be chiep or expensive. the whistles above are from top to bottom a Susato D, Thin Weasel D, O'Reardion D, O'Reardon C. be careful when picking your first whistle and make sure that it's in the key of D.
Now you have to start learning tunes. below you will find 3 tunes played simply on the whistle to start out with. Listen to the tune and listen for the basic melody. I play through each tune two times and you'll notice that the two times are very similar but not exactly the same. playing Irish music and the pipes especially is about improvising around a basic melody. so while listening to these tunes and learning them don't learn them note by note and embelishment by embelishment but get the idea of the melody and make the music your own. I'll be uploading slow piping versions of these tunes soon so keep checking back. you can practice along with a whistle or starter set of pipes as you work on this or just hum, whistle, or sing along. Good luck and remember to have fun.
The Dawning of the Day
Tripping up the Stairs
Gander in the Pratty Hole
