Celtic Britannia: Celtic Bagpipe Music

Celtic Bagpipe

One of the most important instruments in Celtic music is the bagpipe. It is traditionally played in Scotland, Northumbria, Ireland, Canada and the USA. The term Celtic bagpipe music can be used to define a musical tradition in areas inhabited by people of Celtic origin.

Bagpipes of British Celtic Origin

Common to England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States of America, the bagpipe of Celtic origin is composed of an airbag, blowpipe, chanter and drones. Some bagpipes have bellows instead of a blowpipe. Amog the British bellows bagpipes are the Northumbrian and Lowland pipes.

Difference Between Blowpipe and Bellows

The blowpipe is the mouthpiece used to inflate the bag with air from the player's mouth. Highland bagpipes of Scotland are mouth-blown. The bellows is an alternative way to inflate the bag with air, and is placed between the player's upper left arm and the side of their chest. The piper inflates the bag with air through movement of the arm.

Chanter

The chanter is the finger piece with which the player gives the notes, and comprises a set of holes, similar as with a flute. The melodious tune of the bagpipe is given by the chanter.

Drones

Bagpipes of British origin usually have a set of three drones, these being placed on the piper's shoulder and upper left arm. The drones vary in pitch, and each gives a distinct and constant droning sound that accompanies the melody given by the chanter. One of these is known as the tenor drone.

For more on British bagpipes, read on:
celticbritannia.blogspot.com/2011/05/british-bagpipes.html