CHasR

you and many many others. 2 of the worlds foremost pipemakers live in Vermont, and they;ve simply closed their books (ie: stopped taking new orders) New Uilleann pipes are all custom made to order. Full sets can sell for more than $25k, and the wait list.... , well a picture's worth 1000... Most Uilleann would-be's start with a practice set (chanter, bellows & bag) and add on the rest (drones, regs, etc) as funds become available. start saving! As a piper, Im sure you know that Pakistan-made instruments (although instantly available and temptingly cheap) are not viable for use as an *actual* musical instrument. These are instantly available and often less expensive than Highland pipes. There are a number of excellent small GHB makers active today. There; s several major species in production, all with the same fingering as GHB, Scottish Small Pipes: Bellows blown, multiple drone configurations. its a source of argument, but many pipers feel they sound like a practice chanter with drones. Made in A, Bb, C, & D "Kitchen" Pipes, essentially mouthblown smallpipes, again the same result. Each pipemaker seems to have their own copyrighted design and individual version of this type. Sometimes called 'Fireside' pipes Border pipes: Bellows blown, louder than smallpipes, and with a chanter tone that is closer to the Highland pipes. Sometimes called Lowland pipes. Google Fred Morrison to hear one of the best on these. Usually found only in A & Bb. draggin ya back into the whirlpool again aint i.... sorry

when i was a kid there was a street busker (in Philly, right around the corner from bens orig print shop) that had an assortment of plain old wine glasses, fastened to a card table with holes in it by thousands of rubber bands. The pitch was adjusted by adding or subtracting water from the glasses (he used a turkey baster for this). He actually had to spend a lot of time tuning because the water would evaporate, etc, but he wore a tux, played all classical rep, Dont know what happened to him. Sure it s not the same rotating thing Ben concocted, but the sound is identical (was this in the "removed" video above I wonder?) Ive heard that crystal is like, THE WORST thing to use for an armonica because of lead in the glass? eventually you poision yourself.

Samuel Adler's 'The Study of Orchestration' http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/333298.The_Study_of_Orchestration is likely the most direct way to get a permanent hold of instruments ranges, transpositions, and idiomatic writing. (apart from spending 7 years in music conservatory) :thumbsup:

hi all ! I play dozens of exotic woodwinds. Primarily bagpipes, 4 of which I play on a daily basis: Scots Highland, Irish Uilleann, Italian Zampogna, & French Musette. Pretty much got chops on most winds, except flute & bassoon. never sussed those out o well. wow. incredible selection of smileys here!!!