Bagpipes

It is hard to trace back bagpipes with absolute certainty. There have been tantalisingly obscure mentions of bagpipe-like instruments dating back to antiquity, as reported by Aristophanes, the ancient Greek playwright, who mentioned bagpipe-like instruments in his works in 4,000 BCE. In his comedy play "The Acharnians," which was written in 425 BCE, Aristophanes refers to an instrument called the "askaulos." The askaulos was a type of ancient Greek bagpipe or bagpipe-like instrument.

Bagpipes or bagpipe-like instruments have also been found in other regions throughout history, including parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Each region often developed its own variations and styles of bagpipes.

In the 14th century bagpipes were use in courtly music in England, though this gradually died out and they moved northwards and westwards.

Despite the prevalence of the modern Scottish Great highland Bagpipe, bagpipes are poplar across a large part of Europe and North Africa and are used particularly in the production of folk music.

Bagpipes usually have a chanter and one or more drones which are supplied with air from a bag, which is placed under the player's arm and compressed. More refined versions are bellow-blown.

The key components of bagpipes include:

Bag: The bag of a bagpipe is the central component of the instrument and provides a continuous supply of air to the pipes. It is typically made from animal hide or synthetic materials and is inflated by the player using their arm or a bellows system. The bag acts as an air reservoir, allowing the player to maintain a constant flow of air while squeezing it with their arm to produce sound.
Blowpipe/Mouthpiece: The blowpipe, located at the top of the bag, serves as the entry point for the player's breath. It is a long tube with a mouthpiece at the end, through which the player blows air into the bag to maintain pressure.
Drones: Bagpipes usually feature one or more drone pipes. Drones are longer pipes that produce a constant, continuous sound. They are typically mounted on the bag and extend over the player's shoulder or across the chest. Drones are usually tuned to produce a single note, creating a harmonic background for the melody played on the chanter.
Chanter: The chanter is the melodic part of the bagpipe and is played by covering and uncovering the finger holes. It is a pipe with finger holes along its length, similar to a recorder or flute. By covering or uncovering the holes, the player can produce different pitches and play melodies.
Reeds: Bagpipes use reeds to produce sound. The drones and chanter each have their own reeds. The reeds vibrate when air passes through them, creating the characteristic sound of the instrument. The reeds can be made from cane, metal, or synthetic materials and require regular maintenance and tuning.

LIST OF BAGPIPES IN THE COLLECTION