For this week’s song share I was unsure what type of music I wanted to explore so I ended up looking through examples for each version of song we discussed this week. While doing so I came across this video and I immediately decided I would write about it. I think this video is so cool! Before this Chapter I had never heard of the uilleann pipes, so when I found this video featuring them I was so intrigued. They really are a unique instrument. I had no idea that there was a form of bagpipes that did not require air to be blown into it by the person. I was so fascinated that this instrument produces sound by using the air from the bellows, while having the player do fingerings on the instrument like the highland bagpipes. I don’t believe I have ever seen an instrument that is not blown into by the person that uses fingerings as this instrument does, which I found very interesting.
The instrumentation for this piece is something I also found extremely enjoyable. The pairing of the uilleann bagpipes and the fiddle make such a beautiful sound that works so well together. The instruments have a very similar timbre so the music they make blends as if it were just one instrument. The fiddle in particular seems to be playing a sort of accompaniment for the bagpipes, as the uilleann bagpipes tend to keep its same melody for most of the piece.
I as well thought that the context of this video was quite intriguing. The two musicians in playing are of South American descent which I found interesting as they are playing traditionally Irish instruments. I think that this blending of cultures is quite fun and helps inspire others to learn more about different cultures, while still upholding the respect and appreciation for the traditions being shared. The two musicians do a great job of portraying the fun they are experiencing with their performance while also showing the dedication they have for their talent in their attention to detail in the music.
Speaking of the two musicians, you may notice that once again I have picked a video that incorporated female artists. I think when many think of stereotypical bagpipes, they envision a man in a kilt playing his highland bagpipes in a mountainous area. What I really appreciate about this video in particular is that it broke almost everyone of those stereotypes. It involves a woman from South America playing Irish bagpipes, wearing casual everyday clothing, in a simple park-like setting. I loved the uniqueness of this video and how it was something that I had never heard of or thought to think about. I really appreciate the opportunities I have had to learn so many new things doing these song shares, and I hope to continue doing so in the coming weeks.
The Video:
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