The Uilleann Pipes

Very few musical instruments in the world enjoy so much praise for their beauty, myth and extraordinary sound as the Uilleann Pipes. Evolving through centuries, loved by gentry and travelling musicians alike, banned by foreign forces and at stages becoming virtually extinct, the Uilleann Pipes are still one of the most amazing musical instruments ever developed.
 

Through the work of Davy Spillane, the Uileann Pipes made the quantum leap from the solo and ensemble piping of traditional Irish music to being fully integrated into many other musical forms and genres. 
 

PJ Curtis writes,  "There are simply no other pipers who are as capable of spanning this uneasy divide as is Davy Spillane. His instinctive feel, love and understanding of both his instrument and traditional music forms, coupled with a highly imaginative approach and willingness to explore new music genres, places him apart both as an Uilleann Piper and Musician"

The Uilleann Pipes belong to the woodwind family. Instruments like the Bassoon, Oboe, Carinet, and Bagpipes, are also part of this family. The Bassoon and the Oboe closely resemble the Uileann Pipes, or Irish Pipes, in that they both use "Double Reeds" or "Split Reed". When air passes through this reed, it produces a sound.  The Chanter of the pipes is a conically bored instrument equipped with finger holes and keys. These finger holes, when covered, alter the length of the bore which results in different notes.

The three regulators are "Stopped Pipes". Notes are played in accompaniment to the chanter only when a mechanical Key is depressed by the wrist or fingers. They can be used chordically or rythmically.
 

Low Whistle Davys Low Whistles, that he plays exclusively, are the flute instruments that you hear on his records. They are based on the most ancient whistles that date back to pre-Babylonian times.

Davy Spillane began his apprenticeship to pipemaking with Johnny Bourke back in the early 70's. Davy was always interested in pipemaking so that he could have more control and input over the tone and tuning of his own pipes as a player. Even today as a professional musician, he is regarded as one of the country's leading pipemakers. In his performances, Davy plays concert his own D100 Uilleann Pipes and Low Whistles exclusively. Enquiries in relation to any of these  instruments should be made to instruments@davyspillane.com

Davy does not endorse any other manufacturer, or brand, of Low Whisle, or Pipes