| Music lovers throughout history have enjoyed various | | | | Air supply is usually driven by the musician blowing |
| incarnations of what we call 'bagpipes' or 'pipes'. | | | | into a blowstick or blowpipe. Some, such as Ireland's |
| Pipes are still played at the most sacred and solemn | | | | Uillean Pipes, in the 16-17th century began to use |
| gatherings. They are also now part of modern music, | | | | bellows to supply air. These are called 'coldpipes' and |
| including 'folk rock'. | | | | have a more crystal clear or refined tone. |
| Bagpipes are usually associated with Celtic countries | | | | Bags create an airtight reservoir and were, |
| like Ireland, Scotland, and England. What most people | | | | throughout history, typically made from various animal |
| don't realize is that pipes have come down through | | | | skins. Now we also have synthetic alternatives. |
| time from many different ancient civilizations, all over | | | | Chanters are the flute-like part with a reed and bored |
| the world. | | | | holes, known as the 'melody pipe'. There are varieties |
| There are many forms of pipes that do not have a | | | | of chanters including 'keyed' and 'double' chanters. |
| bag and actually look just like a flute or clarinet. As | | | | Drones are most commonly a cylindrical tube with |
| well, the different forms that the bag has taken vary | | | | either single or double reeds. Some include a 'tuning |
| widely throughout history. | | | | screw'. Drones allow distinct, simultaneous pitches in |
| The basic parts of pipes are the air supply, bag, | | | | the sound. Intonation is used in some pipe forms as a |
| chanter(s), drone(s) and intonation. | | | | tuner to modulate the drones. |
