Bagpipe Anatomy
Before you begin playing, you should know the names of the main parts of the Great Highland Bagpipe. This will help you follow instructions, ask questions, and understand what is happening when something goes wrong.
The Bag
The bag is the air reservoir at the centre of the instrument. It is traditionally made from animal hide, though synthetic bags are now common and require less maintenance. The piper keeps the bag inflated by blowing through the blowpipe and squeezing the bag under the arm to push air through the reeds.
The Blowpipe
The blowpipe is the tube you blow into to fill the bag. It contains a non-return valve (a small leather or synthetic flap) that prevents air from flowing back into your mouth when you breathe in. Without this valve, maintaining continuous sound would be impossible.
The Chanter
The chanter is the melody pipe. It has eight finger holes and plays a nine-note scale (Low G through High A). The chanter reed sits inside the top of the chanter and vibrates to produce sound. The chanter hangs at the front of the bag and is held in both hands while playing. For more detail see the chanter page.
The Drones
The three drone pipes — two tenor drones and one bass drone — are the long pipes that rest on the piper's left shoulder. They produce continuous notes that accompany the melody. The tenor drones sound an A, and the bass drone sounds an A one octave lower. For more detail see the drones page.
The Stocks
Stocks are short wooden or plastic sockets tied into the bag. Each drone and the blowpipe and chanter are inserted into a stock. The stocks create an airtight seal between the pipes and the bag.
The Hemp
Hemp is the waxed thread wound around the joints between pipe sections to make them airtight. Getting the hemp right on each joint is an important part of setting up and maintaining your pipes.
Reeds
The bagpipe uses two types of reed: a double reed in the chanter and single reeds in each drone. See the chanter reed page for more information.