Uilleann Bagpipes
A Brief History and Tutorial

Uilleann bagpipes (pronounced ill-in) are uniquely Irish. The modern pipes you know today had their beginnings in the early eighteenth century. Pipes in Ireland before this period back to about the eleventh century were Irish war pipes. These were very similar to today's Highland pipes of Scotland. The war pipes from the eleventh century to the early eighteenth century were made up of a chanter, bag and two drones. Henry VIII used Irish pipers in battles against the Scots and the French. They were at the battle of Boulogue in 1544.

The pipes were also used at funerals. In the sixteenth century a traveler to Ireland wrote "With it also they accompany their dead to the grave, making such mournful sounds as to invite, nay almost force the bystanders to weep." The following video is an excellent example of the mournful sound of the Uilleann bagpipes. This is an old film clip of a performance by Seamus Ennis.

Bagpipes were very popular throughout Western Europe and parts of Asia in this early period. Borrowing and combining ideas from other countries like Scotland, England, and France, the Irish began redesigning the bagpipes in the early eighteenth century.

These newer pipes had a chanter of two full octaves compared to the old war pipes with just nine notes. Instead of a blowpipe the bag was inflated with a bellows operated between the waist and the elbow. With the addition of ideas from the other countries mentioned above a modern set of pipes are made up of a bag, bellows, chanter, drones and regulators. The final design came about the late eighteenth century with the addition of the third drone. These pipes are played in a sitting position rather than standing or marching like with war pipes.

The Gaelic word for elbow is uilleann hence the name Uilleann pipes, although the original name was Union pipes. Some believe the name Union came from the Act of Union (1800). This was about the same time as the final design came into being. But I don't think that is right. The name Union pipes was mentioned before 1800. The tenor regulator was the first to be added to the pipes. It was added to sound in unison with the chanter. This regulator and chanter were regarded as being in union with each other. So I think that is more likely where the name Union pipes came from.

Before I get into the parts of Uilleann bagpipes first a little upbeat musical break for you. Barry Kerr accompanied by Ruben Bada plays the pipes in the next video. The two tunes are "Stranger at the Gate" and "O'Shaughnessy's Jig". (Note: Berry plays left handed). I bet you tap your feet.

The Components of Uilleann Bagpipes

2 - The bag is usually made of a soft cured sheepskin. Rubber and other material are used sometimes but they're not as good. The bag receives air from the bellows and sends it out to the chanter, drones and regulators.

3 - The chanter is the business end of a set of pipes. This is where the melody is played. It's usually made out of some type of hardwood like blackwood or rosewood with silver or brass and ivory fittings. Although now days the ivory is either simulated or mammoth ivory. It has a range of two octaves upwards from D to the middle C of the piano. The chanter as you can see in the videos is played with the fingers similar to playing the tin whistle only much more complicated. The chanter uses a single reed of plastic or cane.

The above three components make up a beginners set of pipes. It's suggested that the beginner play this set for at least a year before adding the drones or regulators. Although the regulators may never be added depending on the skill of the player. It's also suggested a beginner should not try to learn to play on their own. This is a very complicated instrument to play. It's best to seek out a good teacher to learn to play the pipes.

4 - The drones are usually made out of the same type of hardwood as the chanter with silver or brass and ivory-like fittings. There are three drones on a full set of pipes. The shortest is the tenor drone tuned to the bottom note of the chanter. The middle size drone is baritone. This is tuned an octave below the tenor. The longest drone is the bass. This is tuned an octave below the baritone. The three drones together sound continuously in accompaniment with the chanter. The drones use a single reed each.

5 - The regulators are made out of the same material as the chanter and drones. Like the drones it takes three to make a full set of pipes. These are stopped pipes fitted with keys. Unlike the drones that play continuously, the regulars only sound when a key is pushed with the wrist or lower part of the hand. There are four keys on the bass regulator, four on the baritone and five on the tenor, a total of thirteen keys. The regulators use a double reed each for sound.

A full set of pipes consist of a bag, bellows, chanter, drones and regulators. It takes a very skilled player to work a full set of Uilleann bagpipes.

Below is an instruction video for Uilleann bagpipes that will give you a good look at what I just described to you.

If you decide to play the Uilleann bagpipes, good luck to you. I wish you success. It takes a lot of time and dedication to play this instrument. I myself won't ever try the Uilleann pipes. I tried the fiddle once, much to my wife's horror, as you can imagine. If I ever got hold of the pipes I'd probably drive her out of the house. On second thought ... maybe...just kidding dear. I think I'll just be very content listening to the skilled players.

I hope this page taught you something about the Uilleann bagpipes.

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