Klarinet Archive - Posting 000074.txt from 1994/02

From: Niall O'Byrne <niallob@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Vibrato
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 12:10:59 -0500

On Feb 7, 18:59, "Jay Heiser (Product Manager, Govt Systems" wrote:
> Subject: Re: Vibrato
> -->Finger vibrato is not some odd-ball technique. It's one of the primary
> -->expressive devices used in all sorts of bagpipe traditions (where wind
> -->vibrato is pretty much impossible) including the Western classical one.
> -->It's influence on present-day wind traditions cannot be underestimated.
> -->If you want to hear what it sounds like, listen to a contemporary Irish
> -->piper. There are plenty of them knocking about. Liam O'Flynn is one of my
> -->favorites.
>
> I should know this, having spent 4 yrs in a Scottish Military style band
> at the College of Wooster (yes I did, and no, I won't tell you what is
> worn underneath).
>
> Is this more common with uelian pipes than highland pipes? Ooliaan?
> (Irish pipes, however you spell them)
>

I asked a friend of mine who knows a lot more about this than I do and
this is what he said,

[start insert]

Finger vibrato is a vital component in the playing of all Irish Wind
instruments, especially uileann pipes (uileann meaning 'elbow' in Irish),
Concert whistle and feado/g.

For excellent examples of this style of playing, check out 'Atlantic Bridge'
by Davey Spillane (whistle and uileann pipes) or anything featuring Paddy
Moloney.

[end insert]

Uileann pipes have key activated drones and the tune pipe can be "stopped"
against the thigh hence musically it is more flexible.
Also the air is dry because it is coming from an elbow powered bag. Other
than that both are Celtic instruments and unless there is a different
emotional flavour to Irish music as against Scottish the use of finger
vibrato and finger bends should be the same-ish.

--
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