Can you play piobaireachd in groups or pipe bands?
Traditionally the music was composed for the solo bagpipe and this is certainly the best way to appreciate it. The notes of each tune combine with the sound from the drones to produce “harmonics” – these are not present when bands play, nor are they easily audible if other instruments play. Also the music is not in strict time, so playing it in a group loses some of the sublety of expression, which a solo performer can bring to the music. However some enterprising pipe bands have played piobaireachd, and some recent recordings have been made with other instruments accompanying a solo player.
