Ever heard of the Highland Bagpipe?
Well, in this day and time, if you mention the word bagpipe, you suddenly have images of tartan wearing pipe bands or maybe a classic ACDC song. But bagpipes have been around longer than Mickey Rooney and were being played for thousands of years before they ever made their way to Scotland.
No one is quite sure when the Highland Bagpipe first arrived. One theory has the Romans introducing them during their invasion of the British Isles. Still another solution is that the Irish may have had them when they were invaded by the Scots. Or perhaps none of the above.
The current Highland Bagpipe is made up of three drones. These include two tenors, one bass, a chanter, a blowstick, and the bag which is usually made up of leather but can be a synthetic fabric.
Players of the Highland Bagpipe were held in very high esteem and the Highlanders never ventured anywhere without them including battles. In 1396, the first recorded use of the instrument in battle happened at the clan fight at Perth. The sound of the bagpipe was feared by enemies and could be heard from as far away as 10 miles.
After the English quashed the clan in the mid 1700's, it became a crime to wear tartan or play bagpipes. The bagpipes were designated as a weapon and disappeared from the Highlander landscape until the Victorian age. During this time, it suddenly became fashionable to be a piper and a Highlander in general.
It is easy to forget the storied past of the Great Highland Bagpipe and the many battles they invoked. Next time you hear a bagpipe, sit down and really listen to the soulful sounds emitting from the bag. It is almost a surreal experience. Keep in mind that you may be listening to the oldest instrument known to mankind.
Are you interested in playing bagpipes and finding great bagpipe sheet music? Then you need to visit the free site http://bagpipesheetmusicstore.com. It is a great resource on all things bagpipe.
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