How It Works

Fundamentally, a bagpipe is very similar to other double-reed instruments. Except that in our case, instead of putting the reeds (pipes have 4 reeds) directly into our mouth to blow, we have a bag. The bag is filled by forcing air through the blowpipe and keeps a constant supply of air moving over all four reeds at the same time. Pressure is applied with the arm to keep the bag solid and produce a steady tone from the chanter and drones.

To the right is an exploded view of the Scottish Highland Bagpipe with its various parts labeled.
 
Drones - Provide a steady background hum to accompany the melody played on the chanter. There are two tenor drones, tuned one octave below Low A on the chanter, and one bass drone, tuned two octaves below Low A on the chanter.

Traditionally made of hardwood - fruitwoods and African Blackwood. Several makers are now producing pipes made completely of Polypenco plastic, with good success, and experimenting with other dense hardwoods such as Cocobolo. When you buy a set of pipes, you are mostly interested in the drones. Chanters are interchangeable, while the drones are a matched set. The drones are the heart of the bagpipe.

Projecting Mounts - Decorative and functional. Projecting mounts help keep the turned wood of the drone from splitting. In addition, they provide a decorative flair to the most dominant feature of the Great Highland Bagpipe. Projecting mounts may be made of ivory, imitation ivory, nickel, stainless steel, brass, sterling silver or wood.

Ring Caps - Ring caps serve the same function as projecting mounts and ferrules, keeping the wood of the drones from splitting at the ends. Ring caps also cover the top and create a resonance chamber at the topmost section of the drone. Ring caps may be made of ivory, imitation ivory, nickel, stainless steel, brass, sterling silver or wood.

Ferrules - Ferrules help keep the drones from splitting by binding the lathe-turned wood at the ends. Ferrules are also decorative, often being made of engraved sterling silver. Ferrules may also be made of ivory, imitation ivory, nickel, stainless steel, brass, or wood.

Tuning Slides - Also referred to as the "tuning pins" - slide into and out of the top sections of the drones. As the drone tops are moved farther down the tuning slide, the note produced by the drone rises in pitch. Conversely, the pitch will be lowered by moving the drone top farther up the tuning slide. Tuning slides are part of the wooden drones, but are commonly sheathed in nickel, stainless steel or engraved sterling silver for a decorative flair.

Drone Cords - Decorative braided rope attached to the drones in order to keep them together. Without drone cords, the drones would not stand up over the piper's shoulder properly. Usually made of wool or silk and available in a variety of colors and patterns to accent the piper's kilt and possibly match the bag cover.

Blowpipe Mouthpiece - Simply the end of the blowpipe that goes in the piper's mouth. Usually made of plastic or hardened nylon, commonly fitted with a rubber cover for comfort. Mouthpieces are available in different sizes, shapes and diameters according to the piper's preference.

Blowpipe - Allows the piper to blow air into the bag. Traditionally made of wood but now commonly made of plastic because of wood's propensity toward cracking with moisture. The blowpipe is fitted with a one-way air valve that lets the player take a breath without air blowing back into the player's face.

Blowpipes are now available in various models and for different applications. Telescoping blowpipes are commonly used with young pipers, so they may extend the pipe as they grow instead of purchasing a new blowpipe every time they outgrow the last.

Blowpipe Valve - Very simply, it keeps the air you put into the bag from escaping through the blowpipe when you take your next breath. Traditionally made of leather, now more commonly made of rubber or plastic.

Drone Reeds - Traditionally made of Spanish cane, today it is more common to use synthetic reeds produced by reed craftsmen around the world. The Highland bagpipe uses a bass and two tenor drone reeds. They are of the "single reed" variety, having a single tongue which lays against the reed body and vibrates to produce a tone. Synthetic drone reeds, the most commonly used today, may be constructed using parts made of plastic, wood composite, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aluminum, rubber and other materials.

Stocks - Short wooden tubes that the drones, chanter and blowpipe are fitted into. The stocks are tied or otherwise fastened to the bag with high-tension line or rubber fittings, depending on the bag system in place.

Pipe Bag - The pipe bag is a reservoir that supplies air to all four reeds at once. Traditionally the bag is made of leather - usually cow or sheep hide. Modern bags are being made out of synthetics such as Gore-Tex and other similar materials. Even contemporary leather bags are high-tech, with advanced tanning processes and bag dressings (additives that help seal the bag and control moisture). The Ross Canister Bag has been a huge step forward with internal desiccant chambers designed to remove all moisture from the breath before it reaches the reeds.

Bag Cover - Covers the pipe bag for a decorative effect and can be fitted with non-slip material for added control. Bag covers may be made from wool, velvet and commonly corduroy. Pipe bands usually have matching bag covers for a uniform look.

Chanter Reed - A double reed, much like an Oboe or Bassoon reed but closer in construction to a French Bombarde reed. Made with thick Spanish cane. No substitute has been found to match the tonal qualities of cane chanter reeds… yet. Chanter reeds are available in different styles and by different makers, each having its own characteristics. Very few pipers make their own chanter reeds, as there are many good brands from which to choose.

Chanter - The soul of the bagpipe. The chanter is where the fingers are placed over holes to produce a melody. Also traditionally made of wood but now commonly made of Polypenco plastic. The Highland Bagpipe chanter has a conical bore, making it louder on the bottom of the scale and quieter on the top.

Chanter Sole - Mainly decorative but can also add some weight to the bottom of the chanter, adding some stability while playing.