The Instruments

Bagpipes are one of the world's oldest known instruments. There are various theories on their origin, but the fact is that they have existed in many cultures. The best known of these instruments is the Great Highland Bagpipe that has become the Scottish national instrument.

The Great Highland Bagpipe
The highland bagpipe consists of a chanter (the part that plays the tune), three drones that rise above the shoulder and maintain a constant tone, a mouthpiece and a bag. The bag acts as a reservoir of air to keep the reeds going while the piper takes a breath. Each of the drones employs a reed. Traditionally, these reeds were made of a cylindrical piece of cane that was split, bridled and sealed on the end to protect it from excess moisture. In recent years, most pipers have replaced these with synthetic reeds. Reed makers are constantly experimenting with new styles and techniques to improve reliability and tonal quality.

The chanter is the part of the instrument that sings the song. It has nine notes that begin with G on the bottom and end with A on the high hand. The reed in the chanter is not like the drone reeds, but consists of double blades, similar to an oboe.

The nine note limitation of the highland pipe is what leads to the uniqueness of its' music. Since sound is constantly coming forth and the reeds cannot be tongued, the music employs special fingerings called doublings, throws, taorluaths and crunluaths for embellishment.

Today, the most common music for the highland bagpipe is the light music of marches, strathspeys, reels, jigs and hornpipes. This is known as Ceol Beag. However, the original (or classical) music of the highland bagpipe is Ceol Mor...(Gaelic, meaning Big Music), also known as Piobaireachd. This is the true music of the highland bagpipe that is handed down from master to student through an oral tradition known a cantariachd.

Small pipes and chamber pipes have enjoyed a revival during the past 20-25 years. These instruments have the same nines notes as the great highland bagpipe, but are much more mellow in tone and quieter in volume. They are wonderful instruments in their own right and great practice instruments for highland pipers.

The Small Pipe
The true Scottish small pipe is usually bellows blown and the three drones are nested together in a commons stock, which lies across the chest. The drones consist of a base, a tenor and unique to the small pipe, a baritone. It is this baritone that lends special warmth to the sound. Fingering is similar to the highland bagpipe, but much of the lowland music is played with fewer grace notes and includes "shakes" and "slides" as embellishments. These instruments come in different keys, with A and D being most common for playing with other instruments. However, Dave's first small pipe was made in the key of B flat to match Bud's chamber pipe.

The Chamber Pipe
The chamber pipe looks like a highland bagpipe that was put into the microwave. This smaller version of the highland pipe is in the key of B flat, just like it's larger cousin. It is primarily an indoor instrument that has a warm sound, somewhat like the small pipe.

Our first small pipe and chamber pipe were made to match by Kilberry. We are most grateful to Neil Manderson for his patience with our many questions and for the delivery of such wonderful instruments.

To learn more about the history of the instrument and its' music, we recommend reading "The Highland Pipe and Scottish Society 1750-1950, by William Donaldson. Tuckwell Press, Ltd., Copyright 2000.