Back D 'treble, roll or cran' and OAIM pipe tuition

[PIPERFOOL16]

Dear Sirs,
would anyone be able to explain or have an idea where I can see a video demonstration of the technique used on the back D described variously as a cran, roll or treble please? There is a description of it towards the end of the H.J. Clarke tutor with a recommendation that the tune 'Father O' Flynn' is a good one to practise on. I would like to use it in 'Toss the Feathers'. This tune features in the 2nd volume of the NPU's video series 'The Art of Uilleann Piping' but unfortunately it is used to illustrate bottom D crans and although Gay McKeon uses the technique for the back D in the tune he does not explain it. However many times I try to look at the video frame by frame I cannot make out exactly what is happening (and of course I cannot hear it at the same time). The Clarke tutor describes one way of performing it as sliding the thumb up and down over the hole, but emphasises the importance of rhythm.

Secondly, I wondered if anyone has used the OAIM uilleann pipe tuition lessons given by Mike Smyth? Any feedback on their usefulness would be much appreciated.

Thank you
PIPERFOOL16

[djm]

I can help a little on the back D cran, but no video.

Play the back D.
Swipe downwards over the hole with the corner of your thumb. Make sure you cover the hole enough to cut the sound off completely for a just moment in passing.
Swipe upwards over the hole with the corner of your thumb, again making sure you completely close off the back D hole momentarily as your thumb passes.
Then close the back D hole with your thumb to complete the roll.
Repeat.

Go slowly. Make sure you shut the sound off each time you swipe with the thumb, both downward and upward.
Slowly speed up your practice of the back D roll, making sure to completely close the back D hole each time you swipe.
You can add more swipes before the final closing of the back D hole to suit the tune.

Some people shun the back D roll. Pat Mitchell is often quoted as the authority behind this prejudice. Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke. I love the sound of a good stacatto back D roll. It's one of the few ornaments you can use to spice up this note.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with OAIM.

djm

[Mr.Gumby]

the authority behind this prejudice

An aesthetic decision is hardly a prejudice.

Wasn't there someone who said that if you want to rub your hole, please have the decency to do it in private?

[wooff]

Was it not Seamus Ennis who commented in regard to those ' skid thumb triplets' something to the effect of " My father would never have done that!"

[djm]

And look what happened to him.

There are no uilleann police, just those who would try to bully and browbeat others with their own personal tastes. Roll on if you choose, I say.

djm

[Otto Kraan]

Many players swipe their back Ds so much that they are unable to perform nice, staccato "lift" Ds . Actually, that was me, a few years back . Using d-e-d triplets broke me of my swipe-only Ds.

[PJ]

Swipe downwards over the hole with the corner of your thumb...

My thumb has no corner. Does that mean I'm a freak?

[djm]

Oh, I'll bet it does, PJ, but you're tempting me to follow the path of evil...

djm

[chaos97]

Is there a known origin to this technique? Possibly Highlands (I don't play myself-is that something they do?) Is there evidence of it existing pre-Paddy Keenan?