Bagpipe of Highland
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The Highland Bagpipe is a reed instrument which produces a continuous stream of sound. This is because the reeds are activated by air stored in the bag and not directly from the player’s mouth. The Highland bagpipe is the national instrument of Scotland, where it developed as a military instrument during the 16th century.
| Family |
| Woodwinds |
| Pitch range |
| Just over one octave. |
| Material |
| Wood, with sheepskin bag. |
| Size |
| Tenor drones 16 in (40cm) long ; bass drone 32 in (80 cm) ; chanter and blowpipe both 13 in (33 cm) ; and bag 24 in (60cm) long and 9 in (23 cm) wide. |
| Origins |
| The bagpipe may have originated in the East Mediterranean over 3,000 years ago. The Highland pipes are a major part of Scottish culture, appearing as a military instrument before the 1500s. |
| Classification |
| Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
| And also... |
| The practice bagpipe, which comprises just bag and chanter, is called a goose. |
