Help! Bagpipes...

[SippinTea]

My mid-term is on Monday, and I'm having difficulties distinguishing between Highland Pipes and Union Pipes. I have to be able to recognize the difference in just a few seconds of an audio track, and.... ACK!

Anybody have any knowledge of bagpipes that could give me some ideas? What characteristics should I listen for, and what sounds distinguish each type from the other?

Stevebert?
Scott?
Anyone?? *lol*

[World Traveler]

I don't know anything about distinguishing between different types of bagpipe sounds but I know that there is nothing wrong with bagpipes that a good pair of scissors can't fix.

[sunlight]

Step 1
Note the size of the bagpipes: Scottish Highlander bagpipes are nearly 3 feet long when fully extended; Uilleann (ILL-uhn) pipes about 24 inches and shuttle pipes about 16 inches. Measure bagpipes from the top of the pipes to the lower portion of the air supply.

Step 2
Observe the source of air for the pipes. Identify Uilleann pipes by the bellows. Examine whether the piper blows air into the pipes or if they are inflated with a bellows under the piper's arm.

Step 3
Listen for the pitch of the drones: the constant background sound behind the music of the pipes. Count the number of drones that are audible: one, two or three. Listen for three drones in larger bagpipes and one or two in smaller pipes.

Step 4
Look at a photo array of different bagpipes. Go to the library or visit websites online and view the bold difference in various types of bagpipes. The most obvious is in construction, sound, size and appearance.

[sunlight]

The Uilleann Bagpipe (pronounced illen) is an instrument native to Ireland. The word uilleann comes from the Irish for elbow and has only been in common usage since the beginning of the twentieth century, prior to that they were known as Union pipes. Unlike the highland bagpipe that is an outdoor rather loud instrument, it is played indoors and emanates a soft melodic sound. The sound is generated by the musician, in a sitting position, pumping the bellows situated on his right elbow which in turn fills the bag at his left side and by applying steady pressure with the left elbow brings the chanter to life. The set typically consists of a chanter (tune playing part), bag, bellows, drones and regulators.

[sunlight]

The Higland pipe has a very distinct musical character, and the instrument is perhaps the loudest of all bagpipes; contributing to this are the pair of tenor drones, duplicates of one another - a feature not found on any other bagpipe and one that seems to have as its only function an increase in volume. The pipe in this collection is in the key of A (at 440hz) rather than the more modern and ubiquitous B-flat (more on this below).

[MelodyB]

Thanks, Chel...that was way more than I personally ever wanted to know about bagpipes! Lol

I know this wasn't my thread or question, but I found it informative, and I never felt the need to know this info. Haha!

[sunlight]

:grin: I love bagpipes!

[SippinTea]

BOL! Chel, you're a mess.

And yes, observing the instruments, measuring the pipes, and observing the source of air would help tremendously (especially since it would be rather obvious then) but since I can't do that... sound is all I have to go on.

Unlike the highland bagpipe that is an outdoor rather loud instrument, it is played indoors and emanates a soft melodic sound.

"Soft melodic sound"?!?! *snortlaugh* Sorry, but there's nothing soft and melodic about bagpipes - ANY type of bagpipe!

The Higland pipe has a very distinct musical character, and the instrument is perhaps the loudest of all bagpipes;

Aye. They are indeed the loudest. But in this case volume depends on the CD player and speakers.

Ack!

I don't know anything about distinguishing between different types of bagpipe sounds but I know that there is nothing wrong with bagpipes that a good pair of scissors can't fix.

I would be very tempted to agree with you. But since I have both Irish AND Scotch blood in me, I'd feel a wee bit disloyal.

Thanks, Chel...that was way more than I personally ever wanted to know about bagpipes! Lol

I know this wasn't my thread or question, but I found it informative, and I never felt the need to know this info. Haha!

Now you know, dearie, now you know.



Ya know what? David has a friend who plays bagpipes. Maybe I should try calling him. Or emailing him. Or something.