The
Uillean pipes do indeed have drones, 3 like the
Piob Mhor.
Irish pipes are a
parlour instrument. The differ from the highland pipes in a number of ways
- Uillean pipes are bellows blown
- Uillean pipes are quieter
- Uillean pipes have keys whereas a Piob Mhor(great pipe) chanter is open holed
- Uillean pipes are more complicated and take longer to learn to play... it is said 7 years learning and 7 more years to
master...
- Uillean pipes have 3 regulators, which are like primitive oboes
I would not go as far as to say that the Uillean pipes are a mournful instrument. The Scottish bagpipe is an instrument of war, merrymaking, and mourning... a lot of
piobaireachd is slow lamentatious music. It is my experience that most Uillean pipe tunes are rather cheery... one need only listen to a few
Chieftains tunes to see for oneself.