A History of the Great Highland Bagpipe

The Great Highland Bagpipe is the most common variety of bagpipe in the world today. It is comprised of a bag, a chanter, a blow pipe, and three drones - two tenor, one bass. The instrument works like other wind instruments, with the performer manipulating the instrument with air flow and fingering on the drones.

While historical records about the earliest forms of bagpipes are lacking, it is speculated that the Hittites may have recorded information on a rudimentary bagpipe around 1300 BC. The next possible historical mention comes in a play by Greek writer Aristophanes. While the description of "[piping] with your bone flutes into a dog's rump" may not be particularly detailed, it does show similarities to the bagpipe as we know it today. The bone flute may be a simplified version of the drone; the "dog's rump" the bag used to produce the sound.

Undeniable evidence of the bagpipe begins appearing in artwork around 1000 - 1200 BC. The images vary depending on the artist, and many varieties are presented even within the same piece of art.

Chaucer provides the first written documentation of bagpipes that can be confirmed in his Canterbury Tales. During the prologue to the Canterbury Tales, the Miller is described as being able to play a "baggepype" rather well.

The more common thought of military or police association with bagpipes was first documented in Ireland in John Derrick's painting "The Image of Irelande." In it, a bagpiper is seen falling during battle, holding an instrument that looks similar to the Great Highland Bagpipe of today.

Theory and music specifically documented for the bagpipe began to appear in Ireland and Scotland during the 18th Century. The instrument was used for lighter dance music versus the heavier folk tunes, ballads, and military anthems performed today. While the bagpipe described is not exactly the Great Highland Bagpipe, the bagpipe is similar in range and performance technique to the modern Great Highland Bagpipe.

The Great Highland Bagpipe began to overtake other varieties in the mid-19th Century, when Queen Victoria of England called for a musician to be pulled into the court as her official piper. While other varieties of bagpipes were still popular, they quickly grew out of favor as the royal bagpipe became the standard. As the use of the Great Highland Bagpipe rose throughout Great Britain and Ireland, in Europe, the instrument became less popular due to limited range and tonal quality.

World War I and II allowed for the proliferation of the Great Highland Bagpipe, introducing it to many countries for the first time as well as bringing the instrument back in European nations where it had fallen into obscurity. Now, Great Highland Bagpipes are the most popular variety worldwide. They are the instrument of choice for drum and pipe ensembles constantly used during parades, festivals, and competitions.