Scottish bagpipers. What does the Scottish bagpipe sing about? Special Purpose Music

What does the Scottish bagpipe sing about? October 1st, 2011

In Scotland they say that the sound of a bagpipe should combine the voice of a man with the voice of an animal and should be heard for three miles. The ancient Scots, like other cultures that use the bagpipe, have been fascinated from time immemorial by its long and continuous sound. Tales have come down to us about pipers from the Isle of Skye - the Mac Crimmon clan, about a magic bagpipe and about a cave where you can still hear its sounds.

The bagpipe is an ancient reed wind instrument. This bag pipe (English bagpipe) is known among many peoples under different names: gaita, duda, dudelzak, goat, sarnay, chimpoy, shuvyr, etc. Nevertheless, the Scots consider the bagpipe their own national instrument.

The Scottish bagpipe is today the best known, the most popular and the loudest. It developed in the 16th-19th centuries in the highlands and on the western islands of Scotland and is an air reservoir (fur) made of goat or sheepskin, which contains a small tube for blowing air, a playing tube with a chanter with a beep and nine playing holes for playing a melody, and three bourdon tubes for sounds that continuously stretch and do not change in pitch.


Unknown author - Portrait of a musician playing the bagpipes. 1632

When playing, the bagpipe is held in front of you or under your arm. The musician blows air through a special tube and, pressing the air-filled tank with the elbow of his left hand, begins to play the playing tube with his right hand. During breaks in the air injection, the piper presses the bellows to the body, and the sound continues.

The Bagpipe Player 1624 Hendrik Terbruggen

Who, where and when invented this unusual instrument- unknown. Traces are lost in the mists of time. Some sources say that the bagpipe comes from Southwest Asia, others say that the bagpipe was invented in India in order to play and sing at the same time. There are speculations about her Egyptian and Greek origin. The first historical information refers to Rome in the first century AD: the notorious emperor Nero played the bagpipes. It is also known that the Romans brought bagpipes to the British Isles. And if the Celtic harp was an instrument of the gods and druids, then the earthly music of the bagpipe entered the life of peasants, shepherds, soldiers and kings.

the Blind Piper Joseph Haverty (1794-1864)

Countless threads are connected with the soul of the Scots, with their sorrows and joys. In the old days, bagpipers played slow, drawn-out pibrokh melodies, delighting the ears of highlanders and shepherds. At feasts in the castles of kings, folk festival bagpipes could not do without. In the Middle Ages, it was used by the clans of the highlanders as a ritual and signal instrument.

the Bagpiper by Abraham Bloemaert

The whole history of Scotland is the history of the struggle of the people for freedom, for the opportunity to preserve their traditions, habits, customs, way of life. In this struggle, a stubborn character was tempered mountain people. To the sound of bagpipes, the Scots went to battle for their independence. The bright, harsh sound of the instrument awakened the strength of the warriors, instilled the courage and faith necessary for victory.

Portrait of Francois Langlois By Van Dyck (1599-1641)

The Romans were never able to subdue Scotland. In the 11th century, the Scottish kingdom was formed. The English kings tried for a long time to conquer the mountainous country, but the Scots, a stubborn and stubborn people, opposed the English for many centuries. The Scottish armies were led into battle by pipers, and for the English, the sound of bagpipes became associated with the sounds of battle.

In 1746 Scottish prince Charles Stuart was defeated in a battle with the British near the town of Culloden. The British, under pain of death, forbade the highlanders to play the bagpipes, wear kilts and use tartan, thereby destroying the clan system and age-old traditions. From national culture freedom-loving people should not have left a trace.

Ironically a large number of Highlanders were recruited into the British army, which willingly used the bagpipe. The creation of Scottish units as part of the regular British army saved the bagpipe from oblivion. Created in 1757, the Scottish regiments had their own pipers, inspiring the army in campaigns and battles.

And today in Scotland, entire military bands of bagpipers have been created, performing military, folk and dance melodies, accompanied by drums. The Scots love singing and dancing. On the folk holidays, like many centuries ago, there is music played on bagpipes.

Traditions are returning, and the Scottish bagpipe is now experiencing a new peak in popularity. The number of people who are fond of playing this wonderful instrument is growing all over the world. And if you want to hear the bagpipes, you can go to Scotland or St. Petersburg, where the annual Piper street festival is traditionally held in early June. There are also several clubs and halls in Moscow where ethno-concerts of Celtic music are held. On them you can hear bravura Scottish marches and incendiary dance melodies performed by bagpipes.

In Scotland they say that the sound of a bagpipe should combine the voice of a man with the voice of an animal and should be heard for three miles. The ancient Scots, like other cultures that use the bagpipe, have been fascinated from time immemorial by its long and continuous sound.

Tales have come down to us about pipers from the Isle of Skye - the McCrimmon clan and their magic bagpipes.

The bagpipe is an ancient reed wind instrument. This bag pipe (eng. bagpipe) is known among many nations under different names: gayta, duda, dudelzak, goat, sarnay, chimpoy, shuvyr, etc. Nevertheless, the Scots consider the bagpipe their national instrument.

The Scottish bagpipe is today the best known, the most popular and the loudest. It developed in the 16th-19th centuries in the highlands and on the western islands of Scotland and is an air tank (fur) made of goat or sheep skin, into which a small tube for air injection, a chanter playing tube with a beep and nine playing holes for playing a melody are inserted. and three bourdon pipes for sounds that are continuously drawn and do not change in pitch.

When playing, the bagpipe is held in front of you or under your arm. The musician blows air through a special tube and, pressing the air-filled tank with the elbow of his left hand, begins to play the playing tube with his right hand. During breaks in the air injection, the piper presses the bellows to the body, and the sound continues.

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 of the ancient city of 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.

The Great Scottish bagpipe or the Great Highland Bagpipe is the most famous and popular bagpipe in the world. The word "bagpipe" is strongly associated with the image of a Scot, dressed in a checkered cloth, in whose hands is a musical instrument that makes very loud and bewitching sounds. Many are sure that the bagpipe is 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.And if the Celtic harp was an instrument of the gods and druids, then the earthly music of the bagpipe entered the life of Scottish peasants, shepherds, soldiers and kings.

Countless threads are connected with the soul of the Scots, with their sorrows and joys. In the old days, bagpipers played slow, drawn-out pibrokh melodies, delighting the ears of highlanders and shepherds. At feasts in the castles of kings, at festivities, bagpipes were indispensable. In the Middle Ages, it was used by the clans of the highlanders as a ritual and signal instrument.

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 the sea otter and various household 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 kind musical works is called "Piobaireachd" ("Pibroch") and today is a textbook written for 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 bagpipes was largely due to the international festival of military brass bands. Since 1947, this festival has been held annually in Scotland on the plateau of the medieval Edinburgh castle. The ceremonial exit of the combined band of pipers of the royal troops of Great Britain is recognized as one of the largest and most colorful shows 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 pipe bands in Scotland Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes & Drums, famous for his joint work with Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, as well as many rock and pop stars in the UK and Hollywood. It was Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes & Drums who first performed "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes on British radio air. This work at one time broke all records of popularity, and then became an unfading classic. song "Amazing Grace" performed at one time by the king of rock and roll Elvis Presley himself.

"Time To Say Goodbye" by Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

If there is a large Scottish bagpipe, then, of course, there is also a small Scottish bagpipe.The small Scottish bagpipe (The Scottish smallpipes) was based on the small Northumbrian bagpipe (the Northumbrian smallpipes). Its fingering is identical to the Great Highland Bagpipe.It is noteworthy that the end chantera (melodic tube played) remains open; there are no valves, and the sound is dominated by legato, and less often staccato, the range is 9 notes.

Many bagpipers who play the big Scottish bagpipe use this bagpipe as a second instrument. It seems that the small Scottish bagpipe is the result of combining the principles of the Northumbrian bagpipe and the fingering of the big Scottish bagpipe.

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 sound range can reach up to 6 km. The system of modern Scottish bagpipes is 446 Hz, unlike all classical musical instruments, which are tuned to 440 Hz. It turns out that the tonality of the Scottish bagpipes 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 tube) 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 setting the mood, 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.

Topic« Last Of The Mohicans» performed by Royal Scots Dragoon Guard

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 drones (tubes sticking out of the bag, giving additional sound). 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.

Traditions are returning, and the Scottish bagpipe is now experiencing a new peak in popularity. The number of people who are fond of playing this wonderful wonderful instrument is growing all over the world.

Mint

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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 bagpipes 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 man in the street, one thing is invariable - the 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 from scrap 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 type of musical work is still called Piobaireachd and today is a textbook written specifically for the Scottish bagpipe.

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 the National Museum of 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 mountains of the Highlands, 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 was always 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.

The Scottish big bagpipe, or as it is also called the mountain bagpipe, is the most common bagpipe in the world. Many are absolutely sure that such an instrument as a bagpipe is a Scottish invention. But in fact, she came to Europe from the East.

The history of bagpipes goes back several millennia. It has been known since antiquity. The first musical instrument, which was called the bagpipe, was found during excavations ancient city Ur in the kingdom of Sumer.

Big or highland bagpipe began its development in the 16th - 19th centuries in the territory of northwestern Scotland. In those distant centuries, the bagpipe was used as a functional instrument. The highlanders of Scotland then had the position of "clan piper". His duties included sound accompaniment of all celebrations and events, including ritual processions. At the same time, the first competitions in performing skills among pipers began to be held.

In ancient times, bagpipe players played long-drawn-out melodies with a hardly perceptible form. This type of musical work was called "Piobaireachd" ("Pibroch"). Today it is a textbook material that has ever been written for this musical instrument. Later, various dance and marching forms designed for the big bagpipe were invented.

Also, the sounds made by the bagpipe, in ancient times, were used to intimidate enemies and raise the spirits of the highlanders from Scotland. Therefore, for a long time, the bagpipe was under the strictest ban of the English Kingdom.

The big mountain Scottish bagpipe gained worldwide popularity in the second half of the 20th century. Orchestras began to be organized, both in the countries of the British Dominion and in other states. Such orchestras are called pipe bands (orchestras of pipers). Pipe bands even appeared in Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

The bagpipes received such a development in popularity after the international festival brass bands Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This festival has been held every year since 1947. It is held in Scotland on the territory of Edinburgh Castle.

In addition, the Scottish bagpipes gained popularity thanks to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes & Drums military band, consisting of Scottish pipers.

The great Scottish bagpipe has come a long way evolutionary development. Over time, the device, appearance, mode and tone of the instrument changed.

On the this moment, this type of bagpipe is widespread: a B flat major chanter of the Mixolydian mode and three drones directed to the sky.

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by the most famous symbols Scotland, perhaps, are thistle, kilt, whiskey and loud bagpipes. With the first three, everything is more or less clear. But the idea of ​​​​Scotland as the homeland of the bagpipe is completely wrong.

The history of bagpipes is rooted in the darkness of centuries. It is believed that it was brought to Scotland by Roman legionnaires. There is evidence that the Roman Emperor Nero had a bagpipe as one of his favorite musical instruments. According to another version, the Vikings did it.

leather bag

However, the mention of the "pipe bag" can be found in the works of the Greek comedian Aristophanes, who lived in the 5th-4th centuries BC. Also, the remains of an instrument similar to a bagpipe were discovered during excavations of the capital of the Sumerian kingdom, the city of Ur, and dated approximately III millennium BC. For many centuries, the bagpipe "registered" on the territory of almost the entire Eurasian continent.

In it they call it a gaita, in Belarus it is called a duda, in a goat, in Russia it is actually a bagpipe (since cowhide was used for the production of the instrument). Moreover, in Russian folklore, the saying has even been preserved: “Bagpipe and horn - collect our house.” Armenians, Maris, Chuvashs, Mordovians and Ossetians had similar instruments. But the bagpipe especially took root in Scotland, where it received the simple name highland bagpipe. AT literal translation- “mountain bag with pipes”. And often the tool is called even simpler - pipes (“tubes”).

At the same time, the design of bagpipes is similar everywhere. This is a bag made of calf, bull or goat skin. From 2 to 5 tubes are inserted into it. One of them, the “blower”, serves to fill the fur with air. Others are bourdons, which create a continuously drawn tone, against which the melody unfolds, which the piper right hand extracts with the help of one or more solo pipes (chanters). At the same time, the musician presses on the air bag with the elbow of the left hand.

However, sometimes some technical improvements are made to the design. For example, in the Irish bagpipe, not the lungs of the musician, but furs are used to pump air. In the Armenian “parkapzuk” and the Chuvash “shapor”, instead of a leather waterskin, a bull or cow bladder was used. Wooden pipes-bourdons were sometimes replaced by pipes made of reeds, reeds, or even goose feathers. And sometimes they, like a melodic cane, were cast from tin.

Special Purpose Music

The bagpipe received a permanent residence in Scotland somewhere in the middle of the 16th century, when a special musical style"pibrokh" - lingering melodies with an elusive form. Pipers have always been in demand at holidays or funerals, as it was believed that music protects those present from the evil eye and appeases the spirits. And also on the battlefield. There was even a saying: "Highlanders do not give up while the bagpipes are playing."

Indeed, the melody of a big bagpipe, which was heard at a distance of up to 16 kilometers, frightened the enemies and raised the spirit of the soldiers. This was taken into account 2 centuries later by the British monarchs during the Jacobite uprising (who advocated the restoration of the Scottish Stuart dynasty to the throne), and parliament banned not only bagpipes, but also kilts, which were traditionally worn by musicians.

True, the ban did not last long - until the moment when the royal government needed elite units formed from fearless highlanders. Representatives of the Macleod clan, as well as pipers and drummers of the McCrimmon family, played a special role in this. And there were legends about them. For example, one of them reads as follows: the fairy of mountain rivers presented the founder of the MacLeod family with a silver chanter, which allowed the owner to play without falsehood. But she set a condition: you can’t talk badly about your instrument.

The Chanter was passed down from generation to generation, and somehow the MacLeod ships went on an expedition. But a storm began, and the piper, in order to raise the morale of his comrades, began to play. However, at some point, the musician's hand slipped from the chanter, and he, out of tune, burst into curses at the bagpipes. At that moment, the chanter fell out of the stock and was swallowed by the abyss.

Subsequently, during colonial wars the British continued to use the combat experience of the Scottish regiments in hot spots, and the bagpipe became the official instrument of British military bands.

In the same bagpipe, which has a limited range and functionality, was supplanted by the accordion and button accordion. But it is still popular in the Bulgarian Rhodopes and in Western Belarus.