November | 2018 | Lions and Lilies

By Cathy A

I have a confession to make. I absolutely love the sound of the bagpipes. Nothing stirs my soul quite like the haunting melody of weeping pipes or rouses my fighting spirit like a Highland marching band. But contrary to popular belief, the bagpipes did not originate in Scotland. Nor are they just a ‘folk’ instrument associated with kilts and wailing laments!

The bagpipes are an ancient musical instrument which are believed to have originated in Egypt, with the Oxford History of Western Music[1] noting the documented use of the instrument on a 5^th century Hittite slab at Eyuk, Turkey. It has also been suggested that the Romans introduced the instrument to their armies – ‘the cavalry heralded by trumpet and the infantry by bagpipe.’

Hittite slab from Eyuk, Turkey

The medieval Italian bagpipe known as the Zampogna, is etymologically related to the Greek ‘sumfonia’ meaning ‘concord or unison of sound’. The Greek bagpipe, the Tsampouna or Tsabouna, is itself a reborrowing of the word ‘zampogna’ and its Roman counterpart, ‘cimpoi’ which means ‘symphony – of many sounds together’.

Greek Tsabouna

The Tsabouna, as played in this clip, consists of a bag derived from an animal skin and one chanter, or pipe.

The Bag

The bag is an airtight reservoir that holds air and regulates its flow via arm pressure, allowing the player to maintain continuous even sound. The player keeps the bag inflated by blowing air into it through a blowpipe or pumping air into it with bellows. Materials used for bags vary widely, but the most common are the skins of local animals such as goats, dogs, sheep, and cows.

The Chanter

The chanter is the pipe played with two hands. Almost all bagpipes have at least one chanter; though others, such as pipes from southern Europe and Asia have two chanters.

The chanter is usually open-ended, so there is no easy way for the player to stop the pipe from making constant sound or ‘legato’. The ability to add accents and provide movement within the legato takes many years to master.

Chanter Reed

The note from the chanter is produced by a reed, which maybe single (a reed with one vibrating tongue) or double (two pieces that vibrate against each other). In general, double-reed chanters are found in pipes of Western Europe while single-reed chanters appear in most other regions.

Drone

Most bagpipes have at least one drone – a pipe which is generally not fingered but rather produces a constant harmonizing note. The drone is generally designed in two or more parts with a sliding joint so that the pitch of the drone can be adjusted.

Depending on the type of pipes, the drones may lie over the shoulder, across the arm opposite the bag, or may run parallel to the chanter. Some drones have a tuning screw, which effectively alters the length of the drone by opening a hole, allowing the drone to be tuned to two or more distinct pitches.

Variations of the bagpipes can be found all around the world, through Europe and Asia, Northern Africa and the America’s – the Volynka (Russia), the Zukra (North Africa), Gaita (Portugal and Spain), Zampogna (Italy and Greece) Cornemuse (France), Moshug (India) and the Zumarah (Egypt). Though the construction of the instrument may differ slightly, the sound is hauntingly similar.

Bulgarian Kaba Gaida

The history of the Scottish bagpipe is shrouded in myth and mystery. A great many scholars believe the woodwind instrument first appeared in the highlands around the late 14^th century, but did not reach its peak in popularity until the mid 1500’s.

Iain Odhar of Clan MacCrimmon is said to have reinvented traditional bagpipes tunes into melancholy pieces referred to as ‘piobaireachd’ (pronounced piobroch) which consist of extended compositions with masterful melody’s and elaborate variations in pitch and tone. William Manson, in his book The Highland Bagpipe[2] suggest that Iain was the son of Donald who originated in Cremona, Italy and brought with him both a new style of bagpipe and soulful playing method.

Farewell to the Laird of Islay Bagpipes (Piobaireachd)

And the bagpipe remains just as popular today, right? Well, far more popular than you may realise. Did you know that the bagpipe features in 3 of Australia’s most iconic, top selling singles? Well here they are for your enjoyment …

Long Way To The Top – ACDC (my personal favourite).

You’re The Voice – John Farnham and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Under the Milky Way – The Church (Synclavier – synthesised bagpipes).

And finally – Cathy T’s favourite … Mull of Kintyre – Paul McCartney and Wings.

[1] Oxford History of Western Music – Richard Taruskin (Oxford University Press 2005)

[2] The Highland Bagpipe – Its History, Literature, and Music, With Some Account of the Traditions, Superstitions, and Anecdotes Relating to the Instrument and Its Tunes – William, Laird Manson – 1901