Bagpipes Lessons

Learn to play the Bagpipes.

Bagpipes are played by supplying air into a bag through a blow stick or blowpipe. In older instruments, some pipes were covered at the tip by the tongue while inhaling but modern ones are fitted with a valve and do not need this. The airtight bag acts as a reservoir that holds air and regulates it as the player pumps or breaths. It enables the player to keep a continuous sound for a certain length of time.

The chanter or melody pipe is played using one or both hands. It is open-ended and the player is not easily able to stop or pause while playing. Bagpipes therefore mostly share legato sounds where there are no pauses or rest by the player. Grace notes are used to create illusions of accents and articulation to break up notes.

These instruments are very technical and have specific systems per bagpipe. They take a lot of time to study and master. It is also possible to play two chanters - one in each hand. When played together, either one of the chanters gets drone accompaniment from the other or both play in harmony of sixths and thirds. It is possible to play the two chanters in unison as well.

There are different kinds of bagpipes and each has its own features. They include the Great Highland Bagpipe, which is played in a scale that ranges from low ‘G’ key to high ‘A’ key. Bands in civilian and military performances use it very often.

The Irish bagpipe is among the most developed bagpipes known. It is played in passages of short staccato in keys of natural C and D major.

Northumbrian bagpipes are small and produce a staccato style but the player needs to use tight fingering. This type of bagpipes has four drones and it is possible to tune it to different pitch combinations.

The biniou is another type of bagpipe from France. It is produces higher pitched sounds as compared to the other types.

Bagpipes are commonly made from various materials such as skins from cows, sheep and goats. Some of the modern bags are made from synthetic materials such as gore-tex. To produce a rich sound, the ideal bagpipe should be made African Blackwood, ebony, rosewood or Cocobolo, which has low density and eliminates buzzes. A potential buyer should consider how durable a bagpipe is before buying. The instrument should have a properly threaded ferrule and mount to ensure correct fit and durability.

A buyer can seek recommendation before making a purchase. Another example of bagpipes are the Scottish small pipes which are placed across the knees allowing the player to play an effective but limited chordal accompaniment.

Bagpipes are mostly designed with one drone. A drone is a tube, which is cylindrical in shape and has one reed. It is designed with two parts or more allows manipulation of pitch.

To learn how to play the bagpipe, it is best to get a piping tutor. It takes a lot of musical skill to master the art of playing bagpipes.

Other Instruments

Click this link to find prices for Bagpipes lessons.

Look for information on another musical instrument.

Search in our directory for a Bagpipes tutor.

Go to this link to become a Bagpipes teacher.