How loud are the uilleann pipes?
Much quieter than the Great Highland Bagpipes! The uilleann pipes were created for indoor use, and while modern sets tend to be louder (and higher pitched) than 18th or 19th-century sets, they still aren’t a “battlefield” instrument. In general, the uilleann pipes, with drones and regulators, are a little bit louder than a violin or oboe. Unlike a violin or oboe, though, they have no dynamic range–they can’t get louder or softer. There are some small things that can be done by a piper to affect volume, but in general, they’re always pretty much at the same volume level. Since they’re relatively quiet, though, they can be played with other instruments (fiddle and concertina are particular favorites of mine).
