The Vale of Wylye Pipes & Drums

Home

LATEST NEWS:

or many centuries, the stirring and evocative music of the pipes has captivated and entertained audiences around the world.

The pipes are among the oldest of musical instruments; they're so old, infact, that their true age and origin is unknown although many believe they originated in the Middle East. Variations of the pipes are still played in countries like France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, India, Russia and others - but in Scotland they are an integral part of the country's culture. Scotland is the ancestral home of the 'Great Highland Bagpipes' otherwise known to many as the 'Great Pipes'.

The Great Pipes consist of an air bag - commonly made of sheepskin or leather - into which are bound five pipes - a bass drone, two tenor drones, the mouthpiece and the 'chanter' on which notes are played. The chanter is a short pipe with eight holes, one for the piper's thumb and eight for his fingers. The piper can produce a total of nine notes from low G to high A. To make this limited range of notes sound more pleasing, the piper introduces 'grace notes' (trills) which - with the wailing of the drones - forms the trademark 'skirl' sound of the pipes.

Unique Visitors