I play pastoral pipes so I have to play open, but I've ordered a uilleann practice set so I'll be practicing a more closed style soon! I have played the pastoral without the foot joint and its fun (not easy) but it's not tuned for it really. But it is interesting to do.
@@Crynni I think you’re right, it’s interesting how ensemble piping favours a more open approach. Someone like Cillian Vallely is a great example of this, he really sits well around the other instruments in Lunasa
Using both according to the situation is definitely the way to go. The argument made by another comment is spot on on how ensemble-playing requires for a more open piping, but I'd say that even as a soloist, if you played ONLY closed, it gets tiresome real quick. Going back and forth between both stiles to emphasize musical moments is the best that you can do. Is the same approach that most instruments have because usually they are able to do allkinds of different dynamics and articulations. Most of world pipes do not have most of those qualities, and if your pipe (uilleann) has at least a couple of this resources, USE THEM. Thanks for these videos Jason.
The thing I love about open-style pipers is how they contrast it by using closed passages. And the thing I love about tight-pipers is how they counterbalance the feel via open phrases. Great musicality all around!
In my first like 6 months to a year of playing the pipes I played the chanter like a whistle, totally open. When I started to want to do triplets I realized I needed to learn closed. Even then for a while though I played open until I wanted to stop the chanter for some reason. At some point as my ear developed I realized playing open affected tonality. I especially realized I didn’t like how F# sounds if you don’t if you don’t cover your pinky and ring finger holes. So since then I’ve been struggling to force myself to play closed most of the time and just use open style for effect. It’s easier when I learn new tunes but it’s difficult to overcome muscle memory on tunes I’ve played open for so long
OMG you shot the video! Can't thank you enough, Jason. Made my day! I'm still too early in my piping journey to understand which style fits me but I do know I learned a lot from this. Thanks for taking the time.
Fantastic video, Jason. Loved your dramatic intro! 😂 It was very interesting to hear the closed and open demonstrated. You naming the different pipers for each style helped a lot in hearing the difference cuz I listen to a lot. Personally, still too new at it to go one way or the other in my own playing, but quit sure my teacher Eliot plays more closed. And since you mentioned Robbie Hannan as a closed player, I know Eliot learned from him and considers him the best. So not much doubt about it. He also teaches closed style, I think, because even as a beginner, he has me doing lots of cuts and very rhythmic punctuation. Although my playing is still far from rhythmic. But 🤔, I think I like the open style better. 😳 Again, great video. Sorry writing a book here, but guess I had a lot to say. Thanks! ❤️
A-MEN friend! So glad you made this video. I've had this topic come up a lot in our pipers club, and just generally explaining piping to non pipers. I tend to lean a little more towards closed/staccato. You really nailed the nuances of each and blending the two. You mentioned many of my idols of piping too! anyone watching this video should definitely explore every piper mentioned here. Cheers!
Thanks for a very informative video, Jason. I can't choose. Liam O'Flynn's "Johnny Cope" is a great example of closed piping with all sorts of nuance. It's hard to beat Paddy Keenan's "Bucks of Oranmore" for excitement.
I'd love to be good enough at playing to have a tighter style and be able to employ the closed style more often but at the moment it a raggle taggle mix but more open (Paddy Keenan-esque but not as good as his playing). Looking forward to hearing you playing in Belfast at the end of the month!
Nice analysis here! I find that I can't always tell the difference between the two. At some point, a "legato piper" can have so many tight triplets that they outshine the rest of the notes he plays. And if we consider O'Flynn a staccato piper, let's not forget how open his playing was on Planxty 2 compared to other albums. I always thought that treating the pipes as a music instrument and not just "advanced bagpipes" (no offense to any kind of bagpipes or pipers), it's a good idea to use all the colors we can get from them. Combining open and closed styles opens greater possibilities in phrasing, rhythm, and dynamics. I still enjoy any kind of skilled piping ofcourse!
I have heard early LoF that sounds like his teacher Leo Rowsome. Even with the big regs and everything. He could really break out the open style when he felt like it!
What piping style do you prefer then? Open or Closed? 🤘
For solo-piping, I think closed is more interesting to listen to. Playing in a group, I prefer open.
I play pastoral pipes so I have to play open, but I've ordered a uilleann practice set so I'll be practicing a more closed style soon!
I have played the pastoral without the foot joint and its fun (not easy) but it's not tuned for it really. But it is interesting to do.
@@Crynni I think you’re right, it’s interesting how ensemble piping favours a more open approach. Someone like Cillian Vallely is a great example of this, he really sits well around the other instruments in Lunasa
@@timeastwoodbagpipergood luck with your piping journey! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the new challenge
@@sionrouse thanks, maybe our paths will cross one day, I'm in North Wales!
Very informative! I now know more stuff! Thanks for posting!😍
Using both according to the situation is definitely the way to go.
The argument made by another comment is spot on on how ensemble-playing requires for a more open piping, but I'd say that even as a soloist, if you played ONLY closed, it gets tiresome real quick. Going back and forth between both stiles to emphasize musical moments is the best that you can do. Is the same approach that most instruments have because usually they are able to do allkinds of different dynamics and articulations. Most of world pipes do not have most of those qualities, and if your pipe (uilleann) has at least a couple of this resources, USE THEM.
Thanks for these videos Jason.
The thing I love about open-style pipers is how they contrast it by using closed passages. And the thing I love about tight-pipers is how they counterbalance the feel via open phrases. Great musicality all around!
Great video Jason. I'm in the closed / staccato camp.
In my first like 6 months to a year of playing the pipes I played the chanter like a whistle, totally open. When I started to want to do triplets I realized I needed to learn closed. Even then for a while though I played open until I wanted to stop the chanter for some reason.
At some point as my ear developed I realized playing open affected tonality. I especially realized I didn’t like how F# sounds if you don’t if you don’t cover your pinky and ring finger holes. So since then I’ve been struggling to force myself to play closed most of the time and just use open style for effect. It’s easier when I learn new tunes but it’s difficult to overcome muscle memory on tunes I’ve played open for so long
OMG you shot the video! Can't thank you enough, Jason. Made my day! I'm still too early in my piping journey to understand which style fits me but I do know I learned a lot from this. Thanks for taking the time.
thanks no problem !
Fantastic video, Jason. Loved your dramatic intro! 😂 It was very interesting to hear the closed and open demonstrated. You naming the different pipers for each style helped a lot in hearing the difference cuz I listen to a lot. Personally, still too new at it to go one way or the other in my own playing, but quit sure my teacher Eliot plays more closed. And since you mentioned Robbie Hannan as a closed player, I know Eliot learned from him and considers him the best. So not much doubt about it. He also teaches closed style, I think, because even as a beginner, he has me doing lots of cuts and very rhythmic punctuation. Although my playing is still far from rhythmic. But 🤔, I think I like the open style better. 😳
Again, great video. Sorry writing a book here, but guess I had a lot to say. Thanks! ❤️
A-MEN friend! So glad you made this video. I've had this topic come up a lot in our pipers club, and just generally explaining piping to non pipers. I tend to lean a little more towards closed/staccato. You really nailed the nuances of each and blending the two. You mentioned many of my idols of piping too! anyone watching this video should definitely explore every piper mentioned here. Cheers!
The list could go on as well! There’s so many great pipers with their own unique styles
Love these videos ! 😅😅 amazing.
I prefer a mix but a little staccato goes a long way !😊😊😊
Thanks for a very informative video, Jason. I can't choose. Liam O'Flynn's "Johnny Cope" is a great example of closed piping with all sorts of nuance. It's hard to beat Paddy Keenan's "Bucks of Oranmore" for excitement.
I'd love to be good enough at playing to have a tighter style and be able to employ the closed style more often but at the moment it a raggle taggle mix but more open (Paddy Keenan-esque but not as good as his playing).
Looking forward to hearing you playing in Belfast at the end of the month!
Should be a blast! :)
Imo sent me here. Subscribed! Liked!
ahah! Thanks Imo!
Nice analysis here!
I find that I can't always tell the difference between the two. At some point, a "legato piper" can have so many tight triplets that they outshine the rest of the notes he plays. And if we consider O'Flynn a staccato piper, let's not forget how open his playing was on Planxty 2 compared to other albums. I always thought that treating the pipes as a music instrument and not just "advanced bagpipes" (no offense to any kind of bagpipes or pipers), it's a good idea to use all the colors we can get from them. Combining open and closed styles opens greater possibilities in phrasing, rhythm, and dynamics. I still enjoy any kind of skilled piping ofcourse!
I have heard early LoF that sounds like his teacher Leo Rowsome. Even with the big regs and everything. He could really break out the open style when he felt like it!
@@sionrouse oh, right! Wonder how many Leo Rowsome students kept his playing style.
Mix of both, depends on the tune.
Uilleann pipes only have two settings, off and on. Most other types of pipes only have one, at least when they start playing. On.
Prefer closed. But it’s all great 🎶
Request : please do one on regulator playing 😊😊😊😊
Okay ;)
I second that
I play open... but I want closed..
And which style do you play, Jason?
I like to think I'm in the open camp but I probably do enough chanter stops and tricks that would put me in the closed!