What are Bagpipes?
Bagpipes are musical instruments which are most commonly associated with the British Isles, although they are played in other places as well. The distinctive brassy sound of a set of Great Highland Bagpipes can often be heard in Scottish heritage celebrations and parades. Playing the bagpipes well does require training and skill, or the sounds produced can be quite unpleasant when the player does not know what he or she is doing. Several companies manufacture bagpipes for sale in the United Kingdom and abroad. There are four main components to a set of bagpipes: an air supply, a bag, a chanter, and a drone. Additional drones may be affixed to the bag to achieve a greater variation in sound. When playing, the bag must be kept fully inflated with the efforts of the player, which can be very physically demanding, especially when the player is also marching. Mechanized methods of creating a steady air supply have been explored, but not widely adopted.
