Well I went to the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh and saw and heard lots of wonderful piping. I thought people might be interested to see some Czech 'duda'. I was able to have a go and, after learning a couple of tunes (on the fiddle) was asked to join in a performance.
As well as my pictures, you can see many more on the Armagh Piping Club website at:
http://www.armaghpipers.com/wkpf/archiv ... lery/index
or I have a couple more at:
http://www.londonnasuwt.org.uk/bagpipe/ ... 202006.htm
Czech pipes in Armagh
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Greg_in_London
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:14 pm
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Czech pipes in Armagh
- Attachments
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- Martin and Josef from Strakonice on Czech duda - doing it properly
- czech pipers.jpg (28.83 KiB) Viewed 12980 times
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- me attempting to play the duda, but you cab at least see the bass drone
- czech pipe.jpg (26.03 KiB) Viewed 12980 times
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- me and two others performing with Martin and Josef
- czech ensemble.jpg (31.7 KiB) Viewed 12980 times
better sharp than out of tune
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kpiper1993
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- Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
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Greg_in_London
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- Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:14 pm
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You mean, 'What were they like compared to HIGHLAND bagpipes ?' I take it.
They were VERY different not only because they are belows blown, but also because the bellows is under the left arm and the reservoir under the right - the opposite of uillean pipes for example - and so disorientating. In fact it created a bit of an 'on the sea, in the waves' sort of feeling, particularly as they can be played standing up - you find yourself swaying slightly. Traditionally the bellows/bag arrangement could be either way, though.
This obviously made it hard to maintain constant pressure while playing a chanter with slightly different fingering. To be honest I didn't have long enough to try and adjust.
The chanter plays in E flat, so is a few tones higher pitched than we're used to, but matches 19th century oboes played locally.
The volume is less than we'd be used to too, but loud enough for indoors or outdoor areas that are not too loud - or for playing with other instruments.
They were VERY different not only because they are belows blown, but also because the bellows is under the left arm and the reservoir under the right - the opposite of uillean pipes for example - and so disorientating. In fact it created a bit of an 'on the sea, in the waves' sort of feeling, particularly as they can be played standing up - you find yourself swaying slightly. Traditionally the bellows/bag arrangement could be either way, though.
This obviously made it hard to maintain constant pressure while playing a chanter with slightly different fingering. To be honest I didn't have long enough to try and adjust.
The chanter plays in E flat, so is a few tones higher pitched than we're used to, but matches 19th century oboes played locally.
The volume is less than we'd be used to too, but loud enough for indoors or outdoor areas that are not too loud - or for playing with other instruments.
better sharp than out of tune
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kpiper1993
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:07 pm
- Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
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happypiper
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:25 pm
- Location: Airdrie,Scotland
- Contact:
Hi Greg
Do you Remember Me From Stakonice
We Were Jammin Out side Cavern Bar in The
Castle Iwas With The Neilston Band
Paul aka happypiper
We Were Jammin Out side Cavern Bar in The
Castle Iwas With The Neilston Band
Paul aka happypiper