Piping

A type of bagpipe has been played in many countries over many centuries, but that which is universally known and played is the Great Highland Bagpipe. This is distinguished by having three drones (two tenor and one bass), a blowpipe, a chanter of nine notes and, of course a bag as an air reservoir.

Organised piping competitions have taken place over 200 years and are a means of maintaining high a standard of playing. Competitors come from many parts of the world to 'do the circuit' of piping competitions at Highland Games throughout Scotland. Scottish players now face stiff opposition from fine pipers from USA, Canada and the Antipodes.
Light music is a much more recent form of pipe music and credit for this is usually ascribed to the army, which formed pipe bands. A marching tune played on the bagpipes was a means of raising morale of soldiers and it kept them in step.
You may notice that the competing piper offers the judges a prescribed number of tunes and a judge then selects what he wants the competitor to play. Once on the platform, the piper has to take time to tune his bagpipes - this often takes longer than the audience (and the judges) enjoy!

The bagpipe is notoriously difficult to play. Ambient temperature affects it and particularly cold or rain affects the piper's fingers! He requires great dexterity, fine co-ordination of movement and deep concentration. There is great skill in the setting-up of the bagpipe and as if that were not enough, all music must be memorised.
When visiting the Highland Games you have the rare opportunity to listen to some expert pipers. Make the best of it - it is wonderful music! Pipers are friendly people, why not talk to them and learn something of the instrument and its music? They will be delighted you are interested.