Uilleann pipes

Uilleann pipes [ˌɪlənˈpaɪps] (from ir. uilleann [ˈiːlʲən̪ˠ] (ir. pioban-Uilleann) "elbow" and english pipes "whistles") is the name for the Irish bagpipe. The naming is due to the fact that the uilleann pipes are not supplied with air by the mouth, but by a bellows operated by the elbow. Other names are Union Pipes and Irish Pipes.

They were developed in the form in use today as early as the 18th century (c. 1760-1780) and have been little 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. A bellows sits under the right arm, the bag under the left. The three drones (drone pipes) lie across the player's lap. They can be switched on or off by means of an operable valve. In addition there are so-called regulators, usually three of them. These are damped whistles which are fitted with keys and only emit a sound when a key is pressed. The keys of the regulators are operated with the edge of the right hand or the right thumb and produce accompanying chords. The melody pipe, called the "chanter", is fitted with a double reed and has a range of two octaves, the second octave being reached by "overblowing", i.e. increasing the wind pressure. Except when playing the lowest note, the end of the chanter rests on the player's thigh. If he holds all the finger holes closed, the player can interrupt the note (staccato).

Without keys on the chanter the semitones can produce C (as a minor seventh above the fundamental D), so that G and E minor can also be played. In addition, without keys, only with the use of fork fingerings, the D sharp or E flat is possible in both octaves. These notes are used both as leading notes in E minor and in rare cases as notes in a passing and alternating chord in C minor, usually referred to as "ghost D". Written musical pieces, so-called "tunes" are notated in D, even if the actual sounding tuning differs from D; thus, the uilleann pipes are transposing instruments. If a Uilleann Pipe is tuned to D, it is called concert-pitch. Other sounding pitches are C sharp, C, B and Bb, these are collectively called "flat pipes" or "flat-pitched pipes".

Due to the demanding coordination of arm, hand and finger movements when operating bellows, windsock, chanter, regulators and drones, the uilleann pipes are probably the most difficult type of bagpipe to play, but probably also the one with the highest musical expressiveness.

Uilleann pipes are mainly made of the very dark African hardwood grenadilla or black ebony. There have also always been instruments made of boxwood and fruitwoods such as plum or maple. The metal parts are made of brass or silver, the decorative rings of ivory, today more often of boxwood, plastic or (cow) horn.