Traditionally, the drone reed would have been made from a ... enough air through to get the stiff reed vibrating. Highland bagpipe music is written in the key of D major, where the C and F are ...

1. The Scotsman newspaper warns that bagpipes face an ‘existential threat’. Their poor sales last year found them in the bottom three worst-selling instruments in the UK, along with the kazoo ...

Bagpipes are made out of a few parts. The drones are pipes that are tuned to play a single note. They are tuned by the fixed length of the pipe. The chanter is a tube with finger holes.

A second recorder is then installed as a drone, which produces the continuous harmonizing note typical of bagpipes. A pair of pens are used to create the blowpipe which supplies air to the instrument.

It’s a double-reeded instrument and breaking in reeds is difficult.” Maintenance is key to bagpipes. Drones must be oiled to keep them from cracking, reeds must be try and connections should ...