Uilleann Pipes

Dear Pianobook Community,

The Uilleann Pipes are not quite as well known as the Great Highland Pipes (and not nearly as loud), but they have a beautifully melancholic sound that has captivated me for years. Unfortunately Uilleann Pipes are so uncommon that most people have to contact the pipe-makers directly, and then wait three to eight months for their pipes to be built. That is the situation I have currently found myself in.

Fortunately it is much easier to find a “Practice Set” which consists of the chanter, bellows, and bag but none of the drones or regulators (smaller drones activated by palm keys). I decided to take my practice set and utilize the magic of sampling to create the closest I can come to a full set.

PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PLAY THIS LIKE A PIANO!

Typically Uilleann Pipes come in one of three keys: D, C, or B. I have set the drone notes on D1, C1, and B0 accordingly. Next are the regulators which I have mapped from G1 to G#2. And lastly the chanter (which would normally have just under a two octave range) I have extended down to B2 and my playing abilities limited me from going higher than A4 consistently (so I’ve stretched it to C5).

This was as much an exercise in sampling as it was in learning new Kontakt skills. There are three keyswitches (C0 for Sustain, D0 for Staccato, and E0 for a velocity-based combination of the two). I have also recorded two different mic positions, two round robins for each long note and five for each short. And there’s a reverb knob just for fun!

I hope you enjoy playing this instrument as much as I do!

Sincerely,
Kelan Rooney

P.S. – My reed doesn’t seem to like the “top D” (D4) on my chanter. You’ll see what I mean when you try it out!