Hello Nika,
Yes there is a difference and a common meaning as well:
"to pipe " means:
- to play on a pipe "to pipe a tune"
- transport by pipeline " pipe water , oil ..."
- to force ( cream for example) through a shaped nozzle to decorate food.
- to utter a shrill cry
"to pipe up" means:
- to begin to sing or play.
- it has the common meaning with 'to pipe' ,when it means to utter a shrill cry .