Types Of Bagpipes
Theories abound that the bagpipe of today was developed from an instrument similar to a hornpipe or shawm [a musical instrument of the woodwind family]. Whoever decided to add a bag to the mix was either brilliant or cruel, depending on where you stand!
Modern Bible translations render the word sum·pon·yah´ at Daniel 3:,10,15 as "bagpipe" so the instrument appears to be very ancient.
Also highlighting its varied cultural background is the fact there are at least 50 different types of bagpipes from various countries. The most commonly know are:
Great Highland Bagpipe: the Scottish bagpipe most people are familiar with.
Border pipe : Also termed the Lowland Bagpipe
Scottish Small Pipe: "cousin" to the GHB
Uilleann pipes : Bellows-blown bagpipe with keyed chanter, from Ireland
Great Irish Warpipes: Used by all British Army Irish regiments [except below]
Brian Boru bagpipes: Used by Irish Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regiment
Gajdy or gajde: Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Croatia.
Doedelzak: From Flanders and the Netherlands
Dudelsack : German bagpipe
Tsampouna (also tsambouna, tsabouna, etc.) : Greek island bagpipe
Zampogna : A generic name for an Italian bagpipe
Säckpipa: Traditional Swedish bagpipes
Schweizer Sackpfeife: Swiss bagpipe
Mizwad: Tunisian bagpipes often referred to as mezoued
Z.aqq: Maltese bagpipes
It becomes readily apparent that the bagpipes are well known throughout the world in various forms and under different names. In most cases the design of the bagpipes is fairly standard and at the very least consisting of an air supply [a blowpipe or bellows to supply the air], a bag [to hold and contain the air], and a chanter [where the air is allowed to escape]. The chanter can be played by one or two hands.
Each bagpipe around the world has a unique design, personal sound, and repertoire of music that it can play. The GHB [Great Highland Bagpipe] is of course the most well know instrument used by pipe bands everywhere for parades and highland games.
It is interesting to note that fine bagpipes are not really mass produced like other instruments. Instead they are still hand crafted by skilled craftsmen who take great pride in their work and the sound their instrument produces and specialize in the design of the bagpipes.