Scottish musical instruments: what do we know besides the bagpipes? What does the Scottish bagpipe sing about? The bagpipe is the history of the instrument.

When it comes to Scotland, men in plaid woolen skirts, gloomy mountains, moorlands, piercing icy winds, strong whiskey and, of course, loud and resonant bagpipes immediately come to mind. It irritates some, disturbs and brings anxiety to the soul, others its sounds remind of something elusive, but very close, dear. For the Scots themselves, the sound of the bagpipe is an echo of history, the past, a connection with the roots that is not lost over the centuries, but becomes stronger with each new generation. For a simple layman, one thing is invariable - Scottish bagpipe leaves no one indifferent.

Scottish bagpipe

The bagpipe is Scotland's most popular and iconic element. Although it is not a native Scottish musical instrument (the bagpipe was brought by the Vikings), it was this “pipe bag” that glorified Scotland on a par with the kilt.

Like all Scottish musical instruments, the bagpipe is made of improvised materials. Most often it is made from goat or turned inside out. A kind of bag is made of leather, which is tightly sewn up with five tubes inserted into it. Air is supplied through one upper bagpipe. On the bottom are holes for changing sounds. The top three make these same sounds.

The sound of the bagpipe is unlike any other musical instrument. Maybe that's what makes it so unique.

In the old days, each clan had its own piper, who accompanied all the holidays, events and campaigns of the leader.

Medieval Scottish bagpipers played drawn out melodies with a subtle form. This kind musical works still bears the name Piobaireachd and today is a textbook written specifically for the Scottish bagpipes.

Through the ages

Not everyone knows, but Scottish musical instruments are not limited to one bagpipe. This tool is only more popular, advertised and more often used on national holidays. It is logical to assume that the population of this region also invented other musical instruments that not only raised morale during the battle, but also had signal and entertainment properties.

Carnyx

A fairly rare Scottish folk musical instrument is the carnyx. Now, unfortunately, they don't play it. Last time he sang almost 2000 years ago. Now the exhibits found by archaeologists are stored in national museum Scotland. Carnyx, like bagpipes, has a very melodic sound. But if the bagpipe sometimes irritates with its "squeakiness", then the carnyx has a very gentle, velvety sound. It is just as sad, but it has the sound of the wind that lives in the Highland mountains, the smell of a fire and the taste of the salty northern sea. Just like the bagpipe, the carnyx was made from natural materials, or rather from a deer antler. Its main purpose was to give a combat signal.

whistle

Another Scottish wind instrument is the whistle. In appearance, and in its sound, it is more like a flute. The time frame of its origin is not exactly known. It seemed like he had always been there. Unlike the carnyx, the whistle is still used today. He is especially loved in Irish folk art. The whistle is a very distinctive Scottish musical instrument. Its name in translation means "tin whistle".

What unites the brass of Scotland?

All Scottish musical instruments have an unusual sound magic. The famous bourdon (stretching) tone was formed as a result of the use natural materials. And the age-old transformation of both appearance and material led to the fact that, say, the same bagpipe became so native to the Scottish population that over the past 300 years not a single military parade or any significant event took place without it.

Scottish musical instruments, among which the bagpipe occupies a dominant position, are distinguished by their simplicity and melodic sound. In addition, they all had a practical purpose. They transmitted signals, raised morale, or simply rejoiced in moments of despair.

Great Scottish bagpipe Great Highland Bagpipes checkered fabric

History of the Great Scottish Bagpipe Great Highland Bagpipes- the most famous and popular bagpipe in the world. The word "bagpipe" is strongly associated by many with the image of a Scot, dressed in a checkered cloth, in whose hands a musical instrument that makes very loud and bewitching sounds. Many are sure that the bagpipe is a purely Scottish instrument and is a Scottish invention. In fact, the bagpipe, like many other musical instruments, came to Europe from the East. According to one of existing versions, the bagpipe ended up in Scotland thanks to the Vikings. It was brought there by the Normans, whose detachments carried out sea voyages throughout Europe and reached the British Isles. Another version says that the bagpipe was brought to Scotland by the ancient Romans.

The bagpipe is a wind instrument known in antiquity. The history of the bagpipe is probably several thousand years old. The first instrument identified as a bagpipe dates back to 3000 BC. It was found during excavations ancient city Ur in the territory of the kingdom of Sumer. The Roman emperor Nero was known as a master of various musical instruments, including the bagpipe. Different kinds bagpipes were widespread in the lands of the ancient Slavic states, some of these bagpipes have survived to this day. “A bagpipe and a horn - assemble our house” - says a Russian proverb-refrain. The history of the instrument called "bagpipe" includes an extensive collection of archival materials: chronicles, frescoes, bas-reliefs, figurines and popular prints depicting bagpipes of various periods of time. See the bagpipe gallery for details.

The big Scottish bagpipe was developed in the 16th-19th centuries in the north-west of Scotland. In the Middle Ages, the Scottish bagpipe was used as a functional instrument. In the clans of the Scottish highlanders there was a special position "clan piper". The duties of the clan piper included the sound accompaniment of all ceremonies and events (including ritual ones), solemn dates, gatherings of sea otters and various everyday signals. Around the same time, the first championships of performing skills among pipers began to be held. In the old days, Scottish bagpipers played drawn out melodies with a subtle form. This type of music is called Piobairreachd("Pibroch") and today is a textbook written for the Scottish bagpipes. Later, marching and dance forms of music for the big Scottish bagpipes appeared.

The sound of the Scottish bagpipes frightened the enemies and raised the spirit of the Scottish highlanders. Therefore, it is not surprising that for a long time the bagpipe was under the ban of the British Kingdom. However, later it was the British who formed the regiments of the Scottish Highlanders, who traveled half the world with bagpipes, participating in the colonial campaigns of Great Britain. The great mountain bagpipe gained its worldwide popularity in the second half of the 20th century. Piper orchestras began to form not only in the states that are part of the British Dominion (Canada, Australia, New Zealand), but also in other countries. Pipe bands (Pipe Bands - pipe bands) appeared in Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Japan, United Arab Emirates etc. Such a large-scale increase in interest in the Scottish bagpipe was largely due to international festival military brass bands Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Since 1947, this festival has been held annually in Scotland on the plateau of the medieval Edinburgh Castle. The solemn appearance of the combined band of pipers of the royal troops of Great Britain is recognized as one of the largest and most colorful shows of military brass bands in the world. This bright event could not go unnoticed in different parts Sveta. A great contribution to the development of world interest in the Scottish bagpipe was made by one of the best military bagpipe bands in Scotland, famous for its joint work with Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, as well as many rock and pop stars from Great Britain and Hollywood. Exactly Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes & Drums performed for the first time on bagpipes on British radio air "Amazing Grace". This work at one time broke all records of popularity, and then became an unfading classic. The song "Amazing Grace" was performed at one time by the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley himself.

Scottish bagpipes today are made in the key of B flat major, the mode is Mixolydian. Sound pressure power - 108 dB, in the mountains or in open space, the radius of the sound range can reach 6 km. The modern Scottish bagpipe is tuned at 446 Hz, unlike all classical musical instruments, which are tuned at 440 Hz. It turns out that the tonality of the Scottish bagpipe is located almost in the middle between B flat and C becar, which gives a feeling of the appearance of the 25th key, in addition to the 24 classical ones known to us. This acts on the listener as a "frame 25 effect". The fact is that from childhood, from all television, radio and compact media, we hear any of the 24 keys of a well-tempered system. We are used to these consonances. The 25th key sounds to us like news or a signal that attracts our attention on a subconscious and conscious level. Having heard it once, you will never confuse this sound with anything. Some craftsmen today make a version of the Scottish bagpipe with an authentic, low tuning of A = 440 Hz. The magic of the sound of the Scottish bagpipes lies in the piercing timbre, loudness and constant accompaniment of the main melody by a bourdon tone that comes from three pipes lying on the performer's shoulder. Another feature is the natural tuning inside the fret of the chanter (melodic pipe) of the bagpipe. A well-tempered tuning would give a flat consonance of intervals relative to a bourdon tone, a natural tuning gives a very strong feeling of chanting. All these qualities make the Scottish bagpipe an ideal musical instrument for ceremonies, parades and solemn moods, as well as for psychic attack. The Scottish bagpipe has taken part in all the military campaigns of the British Army over the past 300 years.

The Scottish bagpipe has gone through a long evolutionary path of development - over time, the system and mode have changed, the keys of the instrument and its appearance. In the old days there were Scottish bagpipes with a double chanter, with a different number of drones. final version The well-known and now popular Scottish bagpipes appeared in the 17th century. A B-flat major chanter of the Mixolydian mode and three drones aimed at the sky - in this form, the great Scottish bagpipe has survived to this day with virtually no external and technological changes.

Musical instrument: Bagpipe

Bagpipes... What associations do you have when you mention this instrument? Surely - fabulous Scotland with its picturesque plains and ancient castles, a man in a plaid skirt, holding a kind of "pouch" with tubes sticking out of it ... Many consider the bagpipe to be an original Scottish instrument. However, this is not entirely true - where and when it appeared, today it remains a mystery. It is only known that the bagpipe is traditional instrument many peoples of Europe and Asia, but the Scottish one, which is a symbol of its country, is especially popular.

The bagpipe is a reed wind musical instrument.

Sound

Friedrich Nietzsche said: “How little is needed for happiness! Bagpipe sound. - Without music, life would be a delusion. The German imagines even God singing songs.

Some believe that the voice of the bagpipe has magical properties, and its sound is similar to the guttural singing of a person. The sharp continuous timbre of the instrument, which is heard for several miles, invariably attracts attention.

At its core, the bagpipe is a polyphonic instrument that plays a melody against the background of the monotonous harmony produced by bourdon pipes. Its deep and piercingly strong sound, with a nasal and buzzing timbre, is created as follows. The piper fills the bag with air with the help of a mouthpiece pipe and, pressing with his elbow, drives it to the pipes, simultaneously pressing his fingers on the sound holes of the chanter (melody pipe). From time to time, a musician can sing along to the background sound of bourdon pipes, playing tunes on the instrument in between. The music of the bagpipes is characterized by the copious use of frior embellishments and short trills.

Range instrument is very limited, depending on the type of bagpipe, it is from one to two octaves.

It is quite difficult to play the bagpipe, it was believed that only strong men with a strong physique, but at the present time, women are also fond of playing this instrument.

A photo:

Interesting Facts:

• The Scots call their bagpipes "highland bagpipe", which in literal translation- “mountain bag with pipes”. In other countries, the bagpipe is called: in Ukraine - “goat; in Belarus - "duda"; Bulgaria - "guide"; in Russia - “bagpipes; in Georgia - “stviri” or “gudastviri”; in Armenia - "parkabzuk" and "tic"; in Estonia - "torupill"; in Moldova and Romania - "chimpa"; in Chuvashia - "shabr" and "shapar"; in Mari El - "shuvyr"; in Germany - "zakpfayfe" and "dudelzak"; in England - "bagpipe"; in Holland - "dudelzak"; in France - "cornemuse".
• The largest Scottish bagpipe is called the Highland, it is the most popular today and is used in Scottish military bands.
• There is evidence that the ancient Roman emperor Nero, who was fond of playing the bagpipes, played music on the instrument during the great fire of Rome.
• Scotland has no national anthem. An unofficial anthem country is considered folk song"Flower of Scotland", which is traditionally performed on bagpipes.

• Scottish regiments always went into battle to the sound of bagpipes. Pipers walked in the forefront, raising the warlike spirit of the soldiers. During World War I, over 500 bagpipers died on the battlefields as they were easy targets.
• In the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, at Waverley railway station, visitors are greeted by the bewitching sound of bagpipes. In this city, the bagpipes performed by the guard of honor also sound at the neo-Gothic world-famous monument dedicated to Walter Scott.
• The Scots endow the bagpipes " magical powers”, for example, it can scare away rats. There is also a belief that the piper begins to sound beautiful only after a year, when he gets used to the owner.

• Bagpipes were banned in Scotland in 1560 during church reform, and also in 1746 after the Jacobite rising.
• The only copy of the Russian bagpipe, which was recreated according to the descriptions in old documents, is kept in Moscow in the M.I. Glinka.
• Very significant collections of bagpipes are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (USA), in international museum bagpipes in Gijon (Spain), the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford (UK), the Morpeth Chantrey piper museum in Northumberland (UK) and the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix (USA).
• At the first festival of military bands "Kremlin Star", held in Moscow in 2008 on Red Square, a combined orchestra of pipers and drummers from all over the world, consisting of 350 performers, took part.
• In St. Petersburg for several years there has been an orchestra "Bagpipes and Drums of St. Petersburg". He speaks at all events related to British culture.
• Some bagpipes are made of ivory, which is banned in many countries, so traveling with such an instrument is very problematic.
• March 10th is International Piper's Day.
• Queen Elizabeth of England wakes up every day at 9:30 am to the sound of military marches. Her alarm clock is an ensemble of pipers dressed in full dress uniform. Her husband Philip does not share the Queen's love for the sound of bagpipes.
• The development of bagpipes has led to the creation of MIDI electronic keyboard instruments, which can be played with various types of bagpipes.
• Pakistan is the world's largest bagpipe manufacturer. long time was a British colony. For the soldiers permanently stationed in this country of the Scottish military units, the Pakistanis learned how to make bagpipes. Having gained freedom, the locals did not leave this craft, but today good quality the instruments from Pakistan are no different.

Design

For each nation, the bagpipe differs in its design, but the principle of the device is always the same. This is a tank made from the skin of animals or their bladder, and several pipes - one for filling the fur with air and several for playing to create polyphony.

• The air reservoir is called a bag and is usually made from the skin of a calf, goat, elk, sheep, cow, and even a kangaroo. The bag must be airtight and hold air well.
• The mouthpiece tube (injection) is designed to fill the fur chamber with air. It is inserted into the bag from above and attached to it with wooden cylinders - drains. The blowing tube is equipped with a shut-off valve that prevents air from escaping backwards.
• A melodic tube similar in appearance to a flute is called a chanter, on which the piper performs the main musical theme. The tube, which has several playing holes, is attached to the bag from below. Inside it has a cane, which is hidden in the drain and, when exposed to air, begins to oscillate.
• Bourdon pipes or drones create a constant background sound and are tuned to the tonic and dominant of the key in which the main melodic theme sounds. The number of drones in the instrument varies from one to four, and they are also inserted using drains in which reeds are inserted into the tubes.

Varieties

The bagpipe is very popular folk instrument all over the world and its varieties are incredibly numerous. Almost every country has its own version of the instrument, which is made from various materials, with a different number of tubes. The principle of the bagpipe device is always the same, however, each nation has its own design features, for example:

• Irish - distinguishing feature tool lies in the fact that the filling of the bag with air occurs through the bellows.
• Spanish - a feature of the instrument is a double reed chanter and single reed drones. There are eleven holes on the chanter - eight game holes, one of which is on the back side and three are not closed at the bottom of the bell.
• Bulgarian - differs from other instruments in that there is a hole in the bag, which the performer closes with his index finger.
• Mariyskaya - has two melodic tubes, which makes it possible to perform a two-voice melody. The air tank is made from bull bladder.
• Mordovian - the pitch of the bourdons on the instrument can be changed during the game, since there are three playing holes on the bourdon pipe. Playing tubes are removable and can be used as separate musical instruments.
• Chuvash - all bagpipe pipes are made not of wood, but of metal.

Artworks:

Black Bear (listen)

Highland Laddie (listen)

Flower of Scotland (listen)

Application

The bagpipe was originally used as a solo instrument, but later it began to be used in ensemble and orchestral music-making. Today, the bagpipe is the official instrument of military and police bands in countries such as Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. In orchestras, bagpipes are played accompanied by drums.

An ideal musical instrument for playing ceremonial melodies, bagpipes are traditionally played during royal dinners in the UK.

Due to the increasing popularity of the instrument, the bagpipe is increasingly being used at weddings, holidays and dance parties.

It is very problematic to use bagpipes in an ensemble with other instruments: firstly, it has a very loud sound; secondly, the tuning of the bagpipes does not coincide with the tuning of the piano, violin and wind instruments. However, the sound of the instrument is sometimes used to embellish compositions in such musical genres like metal, hip hop, punk and rock.

- a musical instrument consisting of two or three playing pipes and one for filling the fur with air, and also having an air reservoir, which is made from animal skin, mainly from calf or goat skin. A tube with side holes is used to play a melody, and the other two are used to reproduce polyphonic sound.

The history of the appearance of the bagpipe

The history of the bagpipe goes back into the mists of time, its prototype was known back in ancient india. This musical instrument has many varieties that are found in most countries of the world.

There is evidence that during the time of paganism in Russia, the Slavs widely used this instrument, it was especially popular among the military. The warriors of Russia used this tool to enter a combat trance. From the Middle Ages to this day, the bagpipe occupies a worthy place among the popular instruments of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Where was the bagpipe invented and by whom specifically, modern history unknown. To this day, scientific debates on this topic are ongoing.

In Ireland, the first information about bagpipes dates back to the 10th century. They have genuine confirmation, as stones with drawings were found on which people held an instrument that looked like a bagpipe. There are also later references.

According to one version, an instrument similar to a bagpipe was found 3 thousand years BC, at the site of the excavations of the ancient city of Ur.
AT literary works the ancient Greeks, for example, in the poems of Aristophanes dated 400 BC, also have references to the bagpipe.
In Rome, based on literary sources during the reign of Nero, there is evidence of the existence and use of bagpipes. On it, in those days, "all" ordinary people played, even the beggars could afford it. This instrument enjoyed wide popularity, and it can be said with full confidence that playing the bagpipes was a folk hobby. In support of this, there is a lot of evidence in the form of statuettes and various literary works of that time, which are stored in World Museums, for example, in Berlin.

Over time, references to the bagpipe gradually disappear from literature and sculpture, moving closer to the northern territories. That is, there is not only a movement of the instrument itself territorially, but also by class. In Rome itself, the bagpipe will be forgotten for several centuries, but then it will be revived again in the 9th century, which will be reflected in the literary works of that time.

There are several suggestions that the homeland of the bagpipe is Asia, from which it spread throughout the world. But this remains only an assumption, because there is no direct or indirect evidence for this.

Also, playing the bagpipe was a priority among the peoples of India and Africa, and in mass form among lower castes which is still relevant today.

In Europe in the 14th century, many paintings and sculptures depict images that reflect the actual use of the bagpipe and its various options. And during wars, for example in England, the bagpipe was generally recognized as a type of weapon, as it served to raise the morale of the soldiers.

But there is still no clarity about how and where the bagpipe came from, as well as who created it. The information presented in the literature sources differs in many respects. But at the same time give us general ideas, relying on which, one can only speculate with a degree of skepticism about the origins of the creation of this tool and its inventors. After all, the bulk of literary sources contradict each other, since some sources say that the homeland of the bagpipe is Asia, while others say Europe. It becomes clear that it is possible to recreate historical information only when carrying out deep scientific research in this direction.

History of the Scottish bagpipe

The Scottish bagpipe is the most popular and recognizable bagpipe in the world. At the mention of a bagpipe or bagpiper, as a rule, it is the Scottish bagpiper in a checkered kilt who appears first of all. This image is inextricably linked with the spread of Scottish culture throughout the world.
Scottish bagpipes and thistles are the symbols of this small but proud state with their motto showing one of the sides national character Scots: "Nemo me impune lacessit" which in Latin means: "No one will touch me with impunity."
The bagpipe ended up in Scotland around the 13th and 14th centuries.
By this time, she was already widely known in the cities of Europe, England and Ireland.
Having appeared in the cities of the Scottish plains (lowlands), the bagpipe has firmly entered the life of people. Pipers are minstrels who perform at all sorts of holidays, fairs and weddings. In some cities, bagpipers receive a salary from the city treasury - one of their functions is to walk around the city in the morning and evening, playing the bagpipes, announcing the beginning and end of the working day. The art of playing the bagpipe flourished in the Lowlands until 1560, when, after the Scottish Reformation, the priesthood forbade the playing of many musical instruments, including the bagpipe, declaring them diabolical.
In the highlands, the development of the bagpipe takes place in a slightly different way. It was in the Highlands that the bagpipe evolved and became the national instrument of the Scottish highlanders. Any action, be it a holiday, a wedding, or a battle, is accompanied by the sounds of bagpipes. The piper in the clan is highly valued and has privileges in relation to other members of the clan, the profession is passed down from generation to generation. One of the most famous hereditary pipers is the McCrimmons. They served the Clan Macleod of Dunvegan. The McCrimmons open a college on the Isle of Skye and teach bagpipes there.
In 1746 there is historical battle at Culloden (battle of Culloden). The Scots are led by Charles Edward, popularly nicknamed Handsome Charlie. These are mainly representatives of clans and the Scottish nobility. Fighting for the independence of Scotland from England, they suffer a crushing defeat, and from that moment dark times begin for the Scots. The government of England, namely George II, is taking brutal measures aimed at destroying the Gaelic culture and eradicating the clan system in Scotland. A law is passed forbidding the Scots to wear a kilt. It is also forbidden to carry any weapon, carry a bagpipe, and even more so play it. For disobedience threatens exile and hard labor. In fact, everything happens much more prosaically - the English patrol is given the order to kill local residents dressed in national clothes.
The worst thing is for the Scots, who live far in the mountains - they simply do not know anything about these prohibitions. Some Scots simply have nothing to change into - having only one kilt, they cannot afford any other clothes.
Only in 1782 does the persecution decrease and the law ceases to operate. For almost half a century, a lot of music and cultural heritage countries are lost. Recovery happens bit by bit.
In the 19th century, the Scottish bagpipe appears in the British army. Scottish regiments participating in campaigns led by the British Empire fight to the sound of the Scottish bagpipes. When playing, the bagpipers go first and lead the soldiers behind them. The sounds of bagpipes flying several kilometers ahead frighten and make opponents nervous and encourage the advancing Scots.
But, being an easy target, bagpipers die very often.
Over time, a law comes out according to which pipers should not go ahead of the army.
In our time, the Scottish bagpipe has received tremendous development throughout the world. The United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia - in all these countries, the Scottish bagpipe has found its second home. The bagpipe was also adopted by many oriental and African countries: India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan… The national music of some of these countries has been adapted for performance on the Scottish bagpipe.
In Russia, the bagpipe appeared relatively recently and has already won the love of the public. Bagpipes can be heard at performances not only musical groups performing traditional Scottish music, but also bands playing other genres - pop, rock, jazz. In 2008, the first festival of military bands "Kremlin Zorya" was held in Moscow on Red Square. Pipers from many countries of the world took part in it. A combined orchestra of pipers and drummers, consisting of 350 musicians, performed the traditional Scottish music, and at the end of the performance, a medley of Russian folk songs sounded.

When writing the text, materials from books were used:
"Scotland. The mystical land of the Celts and Druids" Author: Irina Donskova
"The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands 1934" Authors: Frank Adam, Thomas Innes
"The bagpipe: the history of a musical instrument"

The article is taken from the website of Evgeny Lapekin