Bagpipe

The bagpipe is an aerophone, a musical instrument class, and uses enclosed reeds to vibrate by movement of stored air in a bag. It is more commonly referred by pipers as "pipes". You might be familiar with the Irish uilleann pipes or the Scottish great highland bagpipe but there are also varieties of bagpipes coming from regions all around the Persian Gulf, Northern Africa, and Europe.

Origin

The roots of the bagpipes could be dug up to the ancient times. Because any herdsman had all the materials needed which are a reed pipe and sheep or goat skin, bagpipes might have been from a rustic instrument in various cultures. Many historians think that it started in Sumaria and it was also cited in the Holy Bible. A Roman historian even recorded that Emperor Nero played the bagpipe. It was specifically stated as "knew how to play the pipe with his mouth and the bag thrust under his arm".

The existence of bagpipes in pre-medieval times is dubious. Yet visual and textual remains could still possible prove bagpipes in ancient forms.

Parts of the bagpipe