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Scottish bagpipe

Highland Bagpipe

Here it is a quick outside description of the instrument.

The composing parts are essentially similar to the ones of other instruments with drones, but in the case of the Scottish bagpipe, to the bag (where the air is stored) are connected a blowpipe and three drones with fixed sound equipped with tuning regulators and a simple reed, and also a conical chanter and double reed.

As the instrument has got only a singing drone, though it is quite common, it fails any possibility of counterpoint, that is possible in other instruments such as the key Zampogna or the "Launeddas".In its typical shape two of the three tenor drones are the same, tuned in Bb an octave below the low Bb of the chanter; the third one (bass drone) is longer and performs a Bb an octave below the other two.

The three drones must be put on the left shoulder and forearm (the right one for left-handed players). The number of drones, starting from the kind with a single fixed sound pipe, has increased to three to be able to support adequately the consistent sound of the chanter. To acquire and learn efficiently to play a Scottish bagpipe check the website Kilberry.

More information: wikipedia.