As a classical pianist, I can't help being always blown away by the complexity of this instrument when I see it played. Synchronizing both hand's fingers that are pressed or released, vibrating or sliding on the holes, along with blowing air in the bag with the bellows on the right elbow, and of course constantly keeping the adequate pressure on the bag with the left arm, oh and yes of course press these keys with the right wrist, ah and I almost forgot, raise or lower the chanter with both hands... and all this keeping the rythm and enchanting us with music deep from the soul.
Adoro o som da música celta e esse instrumento fantástico, o piper! E como Liann toca bem!!! É uma pena que não está mais entre nós. Perdemos esse talento incrível... RIP LIAM ✝️
I had the great good fortune to meet Liam several years ago. There is no doubt in my mind that this guy is the finest living piper. He outshines not only his contemporaries but those that preceeded him - Truly, THE king of the pipers
Wow. Never heard a piper who played like that in my life. Just flip on the drones and you get a tune so awesome it just makes your heart stop. That last hornpipe was cool too.
One thing that has always fascinated me about the Uillean pipes, is how in the world did they ever! thought up something so complicated and ingenious?! Love the sound none the less:)
I saw Liam play with Andy Irving in Hull in about 1970 - I was a folk guitarist at the time, and from an Irish family. The sound of uillean pipes played by Liam or Seamus Ennis still sends a shiver down my spine. I wonder if there are strange ancient forces at work with this instrument.
I love O'Flynn's grin after trying to explain why he played the hornpipe three times through. No worries, I'm sure there are many of us who wouldn't mind hearing it a fourth time at all! What a great set of tunes, I really like Queen of the Faeries.
Good grief! If I don`t stop watching and listening to your videos and get my day started I`ll be tempted to spend the next twenty four hours or so transfixed in front of the monitor. "She Who Must Be Obeyed" won`t be pleased.... Thanks once more. Wonderful!
I'm only now finally finding out more about Liam's work. It really sucks to be hearing how he's passed away, two years ago from now as a matter of fact. He piping is absolutely beautiful 💙.
i love uillean pipes. players with this amount of skill are amazing to listen to. I love things played in minor keys and this demonstration in sharp shows the versatility of the instrument really well
The Queen of the Fairies "takes the piper right up to the highest note on the chanter which is a bit of a dangerous area..." Great interview...marvelous hornpipe...magnificent playing. Thank you, Michael.
That hornpipe was dangerous, going right to the top notes of the chanter, plenty of room for squawking and dropping a scale...but no bother to Liam, the coolest and best of modern pipers.
@Offtofott it is the passion, the pride, the courage, and the will of a people that will never die. It is an honor just to listen to the history of a people who were happy with the very little that they had. It is a story of the people who knew the greatest gift in the world was life itself. No matter how hard things got for them they would never give up. It is the moment of joy we get from hearing such a beauty that reminds us that we can never forget where we come from.
Thanks for posting this! Someone had sent me a crude tape of this years ago so I'm glad to have a good quality version available to the public. The closeups of the hand are very instructive for pipers too.
A most complex instrument indeed. None the less, it has a voice, and i do mean voice, it almost talks in the right hands. A tune played by Davey Spillain "Midnight walker" really brings this home. I find it a little amazing that this small Island is te home to so much in the music world. Let us hope that it never goes out of fashion.
This far I've only heard the Scottish bagpipes and thought the Irish is the same, but wow... I totally fell for this. Must search for more uileann music... I envy you Irish!
The pipes have preserved and exemplified that distinctively unique mark of excellence the music has always embodied. If it wasn't for such a unique instrument the genre probably wouldn't be as finely knotted together as it is now.
Im a highlandpiper myself in Ireland, and have a family member who plays the Uilleann pipes, and from what ive seen its much harder to play the uilleann pipes
@mwj666 The best old narrow bore sets are regarded as being the best sounding all-around pipes ever developed. Wider bores may have begun in Ireland though, before they took off in America then back to Ireland, maybe never fully debugged. The narrow bore drones are totally scalable to the wide bore sizes, if all proportions are maintained, and modern chanters are improving by leaps and bounds. Liam O'Flynn is a terrifically expressive player!
Thank you so much for posting this. I'm like you, the music does something to my emotions. Guess it's in my blood. I wished he would have played a set with Paddy. Great bit on the history too. Amazing just amazing. If this music isn't in Heaven then we shall have to go rogue and bring it on up. It makes me feel like I'm in heaven just listening to it.
When I started playing Uilleann pipes, a full set made by Leo Rosen was around $500 USD, and you could barely give them away at that price. Now days, my set is considered priceless, and full sets made by modern makers will run you around $8000 and up, with, a two-year, plus, wait.
The rhythm is very special. It is played in 4/4 time with a feeling somewhere in between dotted rhytm and shuffle, though it's usually written out in straight 8th-notes. Also it's played a fair bit slower than a reel. Hope that helps a little bit anyhow.
I love the contrast between the flying fingers and his serene face... And three wonderful tunes, thank you for posting! What year is the interview from?
The starter version of the instrument is home-buildable in alternate construction for the melody pipe, very inexpensive and requiring no special skills or tools. Search around, you'll find enough information. But the reed is tricky, for that you should search for a reed maker. The home build pipe information should include reed data the reed maker can use.
I really fancy a go at learning but they cost a fortune and I think using your wrist on the regulators as well as playing the chanter add keeping a steady tone with thee bellows,bag and bellows???
@bigboredthing Good for you young miss! Post a vid of your efforts when you can, Id not be harsh on anyone trying to play this instrument. I wish you success :d
Liam I had the pleasure of enjoying the heavenly music you always played in the NC H and you shall a 7:30 lways be in my heart! God bless you
paula☘️🙏
Rest in peace Liam Óg :(
So sad today. Rest in peace, Liam.
A great piper...RIP
Liam, was a beautiful piper, sadly missed
Liam Og O'Flynn is 'at one' with his pipes. A legend.
As a classical pianist, I can't help being always blown away by the complexity of this instrument when I see it played. Synchronizing both hand's fingers that are pressed or released, vibrating or sliding on the holes, along with blowing air in the bag with the bellows on the right elbow, and of course constantly keeping the adequate pressure on the bag with the left arm, oh and yes of course press these keys with the right wrist, ah and I almost forgot, raise or lower the chanter with both hands... and all this keeping the rythm and enchanting us with music deep from the soul.
Jean and another one you may enjoy...th-cam.com/video/dq3m_R3Lnu4/w-d-xo.html.
clarebannerman Thanks, nice list you also got there! :)
I also love classical music...
***** This is group to contact if you have questions in relation to learning to play the Uilleann Pipes...pipers.ie/
How about the poor conductors who can read a score!
Adoro o som da música celta e esse instrumento fantástico, o piper! E como Liann toca bem!!!
É uma pena que não está mais entre nós. Perdemos esse talento incrível... RIP LIAM ✝️
Uncrowned king of Ireland.
Magnificent playing
No, we don't have to say who is best, just my humble opinion. His skills, fluid style and elevation of Planxty as a legendary group speaks for itself.
thanks for posting this one, for me he is the king of the pipers I meet Liam one time, here in the Netherlands He is an very nice man.
Incredible playing.
I really don't get how it is just possible to make two arms and two hands and ten fingers work so well all together...
Awsome mister 0'Flynn
I had the great good fortune to meet Liam several years ago. There is no doubt in my mind that this guy is the finest living piper. He outshines not only his contemporaries but those that preceeded him - Truly, THE king of the pipers
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Thank you Liam ...
Wow. Never heard a piper who played like that in my life. Just flip on the drones and you get a tune so awesome it just makes your heart stop. That last hornpipe was cool too.
One thing that has always fascinated me about the Uillean pipes, is how in the world did they ever! thought up something so complicated and ingenious?!
Love the sound none the less:)
I saw Liam play with Andy Irving in Hull in about 1970 - I was a folk guitarist at the time, and from an Irish family. The sound of uillean pipes played by Liam or Seamus Ennis still sends a shiver down my spine. I wonder if there are strange ancient forces at work with this instrument.
I love O'Flynn's grin after trying to explain why he played the hornpipe three times through. No worries, I'm sure there are many of us who wouldn't mind hearing it a fourth time at all!
What a great set of tunes, I really like Queen of the Faeries.
amazing instrument that touches the soul, amazing player too
rest in peace Liam, we won't forget you
I remember watching Liam O'Flynn coming to play in my school as a young lad, fantastic musician!
Very Awesome!. So Pretty
Good grief! If I don`t stop watching and listening to your videos and get my day started I`ll be tempted to spend the next twenty four hours or so transfixed in front of the monitor. "She Who Must Be Obeyed" won`t be pleased....
Thanks once more. Wonderful!
The fairies were always dangerous, but the Queen of them...
I'm only now finally finding out more about Liam's work. It really sucks to be hearing how he's passed away, two years ago from now as a matter of fact. He piping is absolutely beautiful 💙.
ONE of the GREATEST things I've ever witnessed!
He is king of the pipers, disciplined and dedicated
Seen Liam playing with Planxty in the 70s Brilliant.
i love uillean pipes. players with this amount of skill are amazing to listen to. I love things played in minor keys and this demonstration in sharp shows the versatility of the instrument really well
The Queen of the Fairies "takes the piper right up to the highest note on the chanter which is a bit of a dangerous area..." Great interview...marvelous hornpipe...magnificent playing. Thank you, Michael.
That hornpipe was dangerous, going right to the top notes of the chanter, plenty of room for squawking and dropping a scale...but no bother to Liam, the coolest and best of modern pipers.
A dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis! A wonderful inspiration to us all and a credit to traditional music the world over. HE will be missed!
The most beautiful piper there is!!!!
@Offtofott it is the passion, the pride, the courage, and the will of a people that will never die. It is an honor just to listen to the history of a people who were happy with the very little that they had. It is a story of the people who knew the greatest gift in the world was life itself. No matter how hard things got for them they would never give up. It is the moment of joy we get from hearing such a beauty that reminds us that we can never forget where we come from.
superb musician he has taken the pipes to an international audience the greatest piper at present
Same can be said about The chieftains and Paddy Moloney.
As for the greatest piper..., have you ever heard Joe McKenna play? :D
KeiraR paddy isn't even in the same league as Liam...
Amazing! Greetings from Greece!
Thanks for posting this! Someone had sent me a crude tape of this years ago so I'm glad to have a good quality version available to the public. The closeups of the hand are very instructive for pipers too.
Liam og O'Flynn. Probably Ireland's best uileannn piper.
I just noticed from this video that uilleann pipers use their wrists to get to the drones too! Incredible.
Thank you for posting this. Ever since I discovered Kila I've been in love with the uilleann pipes!
magical, beautiful... god bless the irish!!!!!,, im from argentina and im playing thir music and im really blessed!
Lovely ❤
Fair play to you Liam, indeed!
abolutely outstanding performance - overwhelming !
One of the best pipers. My favourite irish piper.
Who would have known that a sprightly baroque oboe and a vacuum cleaner would sound so good together!
A most complex instrument indeed.
None the less, it has a voice, and i do mean voice, it almost talks in the right hands.
A tune played by Davey Spillain "Midnight walker" really brings this home.
I find it a little amazing that this small Island is te home to so much in the music world.
Let us hope that it never goes out of fashion.
Thank you very much.
I was lucky enough to have a few pints with himself and Barney one morning mid seventies . The white horse . V
This far I've only heard the Scottish bagpipes and thought the Irish is the same, but wow... I totally fell for this. Must search for more uileann music... I envy you Irish!
It doesn't get any better than this!
Perfect, never error. Fantastic
:) Going to start learning the pipes, got my first lesson in 3 weeks time, I'm a 17 year old girl, and can't wait!
Brilliant!
Mighty stuff!
Grand tune!
The pipes have preserved and exemplified that distinctively unique mark of excellence the music has always embodied. If it wasn't for such a unique instrument the genre probably wouldn't be as finely knotted together as it is now.
RIP Liam ♪8^(
Im a highlandpiper myself in Ireland, and have a family member who plays the Uilleann pipes, and from what ive seen its much harder to play the uilleann pipes
Beautiful!
It does have rather bewitching sound, I love it.
I just love the reference with the cylinder recordings.. Wonderful playing and a wonderful interview!
The king of pipers
Lovely piping
Magic!
@mwj666 The best old narrow bore sets are regarded as being the best sounding all-around pipes ever developed. Wider bores may have begun in Ireland though, before they took off in America then back to Ireland, maybe never fully debugged. The narrow bore drones are totally scalable to the wide bore sizes, if all proportions are maintained, and modern chanters are improving by leaps and bounds. Liam O'Flynn is a terrifically expressive player!
Thank you so much for posting this. I'm like you, the music does something to my emotions. Guess it's in my blood. I wished he would have played a set with Paddy. Great bit on the history too. Amazing just amazing.
If this music isn't in Heaven then we shall have to go rogue and bring it on up. It makes me feel like I'm in heaven just listening to it.
When I started playing Uilleann pipes, a full set made by Leo Rosen was around $500 USD, and you could barely give them away at that price. Now days, my set is considered priceless, and full sets made by modern makers will run you around $8000 and up, with, a two-year, plus, wait.
Pretty good thanks :) been learning slowly but surely, its very tricky juggling my studies with pipes, but getting there :)
First reel is : The Sailor's Cravat & the 2nd is "I'm Waiting For U."
That d'' is (as he says) "a bit of a dangerous area."
I hope I get there before I die...
love this stuff.... i wish i could play a pipe....
Rainbows, puppy dogs, and uillean pipes!
But he knew the right people to give the gift to.
If you watch the clip in full he tells you the names of the two reels.
The rhythm is very special. It is played in 4/4 time with a feeling somewhere in between dotted rhytm and shuffle, though it's usually written out in straight 8th-notes. Also it's played a fair bit slower than a reel. Hope that helps a little bit anyhow.
never..get...tired..
The Scarlet Cravat and I'm Waiting for You.
@khasab Yeah still learning :), it's tricky and I haven't got a lot of time to practice because I'm at university, but I'm mastering the basics ^_^
I can't believe all of his high notes are in-tune!
💔💔💔
one day... i WILL learn uillean pipes. and when i do.... lol :) I(L) Liam!
Hows that going for you....3 yrs later
Bit of a confusing title on this video because there;s a very famous piping tune called 'King of the pipers'. Fantastic video all the same.
What's the title of this masterpiece?
I love the contrast between the flying fingers and his serene face... And three wonderful tunes, thank you for posting!
What year is the interview from?
In heaven you get a harp, in hell you'll get a set of uilleann pipes and you have to become as good as Liam, Leo, etc. :D
If you can find an Irish music school in your area they might have rental sets.
Me too, but my hands are too small. I can go C# or C, but not below that. Wish I could...
The starter version of the instrument is home-buildable in alternate construction for the melody pipe, very inexpensive and requiring no special skills or tools. Search around, you'll find enough information. But the reed is tricky, for that you should search for a reed maker. The home build pipe information should include reed data the reed maker can use.
@CollieryRaas Loads---Just Google "Liam O Flynn"
I really fancy a go at learning but they cost a fortune and I think using your wrist on the regulators as well as playing the chanter add keeping a steady tone with thee bellows,bag and bellows???
@culmie Thank you! I'll see what I can do in the future :-)
@bigboredthing Good for you young miss! Post a vid of your efforts when you can, Id not be harsh on anyone trying to play this instrument. I wish you success :d
The sound of Ireland
Did you start to learn!!
Sadly my hearing is very poor. I can hear the pipes, sure, but not the interview. Would you be so kind as to tell me the name of the first piece?
He's good. But were going to have to agree to differ on that one. Lets just count ouselves luck that we can hear them both.
Where does Liam O'Flynn call home? Is he in the Dublin area or out west?
splortz kildare. Down the road from me 😂
I'll let ye know....I'm gettin' some soon(practice)...
I expect it soundin' like the ugly wail O' A Banshee at first!!!