Throughout history, music has undergone various evolutions, often linked to economic and political changes, and in other cases due to constant improvements in materials and technologies.

Among the most fascinating and evocative musical instruments is the bagpipe, with its unique design, developed and used in specific cultural, social, and territorial contexts. In the following lines, we will focus on the bagpipe, examining its origins, characteristics, types, and how it has evolved in Italy.

Bagpipes: What are they

Before delving deeper into the characteristics of the bagpipe, it is useful to provide a definition for those who may not be familiar with this instrument. The bagpipe, known in its Italian variant as the zampogna, is a musical instrument capable of producing a distinctive sound using a bag and functional elements.

The bagpipe is mainly composed of a pipe inserted into a bag, which, by utilizing the air reserve, generates highly evocative sounds. In common imagination, it is considered a Scottish instrument, but its global diffusion has led to various versions, each with specific characteristics.

Bagpipes: Origins

The availability of many types of bagpipes highlights how difficult it is to pinpoint the origins of this musical instrument. The earliest evidence dates back to Egyptian representations from the 1st century BC, where an image depicts a bagpipe player, specifically with a reed instrument.

Moving beyond this historical period, more evident records are found in Greco-Roman culture, particularly during the Imperial era, which then led to various versions across the Mediterranean.

In the 12th century AD, the first official references were documented with a manuscript found in Lombardy depicting a bagpipe made with a small bag and a single melodic reed.

In the following years, several versions of the bagpipe were developed, but by the 14th and 15th centuries, the first representations of the modern bagpipe emerged, featuring two reeds and a large bag: the drone and the chanter.

In Europe, this format became increasingly popular, especially in Scotland, where this type of bagpipe remains preferred. In France, it gained prominence only between the 17th and 18th centuries, while in Spain, it was not seen as a viable alternative to local instruments. In Italy, several versions were developed, which we will analyze in more detail later.

Bagpipes: Characteristics

Although not all bagpipes are identical in terms of materials, dimensions, and sounds, some common characteristics can be identified among the most widely used ones. Specifically, there are seven main components: bag, blowpipe, chanter, tenor drones, bass drones, cord, and stock.

Bag: This essential element stores air, whether warm or cold, which is then channeled to the reeds to produce the desired sound.

Blowpipe: Known in English as the blowpipe, this is the part that allows the musician to insert air into the bag to generate sounds.

Chanter: The chanter refers to the reed used to play melodies. As one might expect, it is the component responsible for creating predefined sounds and melodies using the air stored in the bag.

Tenor drones: Traditional European bagpipes usually feature two tenor drones, useful for providing the chanter with a fixed accompaniment note.

Bass drone: Typically, there is a single bass drone, which is larger and elongated, and it also provides a fixed accompaniment note.

Cord: The drones, whether tenor or bass, are tied with a cord, though only the bass drone rests on the player’s shoulder.

Stock: An essential feature of any bagpipe is the stock, which connects the chanter and the blowpipe to the bag. This part is usually made of wood and ensures the bag is securely attached to the other components, minimizing air loss. In recent years, the composition of the bag and movable elements, as well as their dimensions, can vary significantly depending on the model of the bagpipe and the artisan/company producing it.

Bagpipes: Types

When choosing a Western European bagpipe, there are generally two types of this musical instrument: warm air and cold air bagpipes.

Warm air: These bagpipes do not have a bellows and are inflated by the musician blowing directly through the mouthpiece.

Cold air: Cold air bagpipes, on the other hand, are inflated using a bellows operated by straps positioned under the musician’s elbow. This setup uses arm movements to fill the bag with air.

The Scottish bagpipe is a warm air instrument, while the Irish bagpipe, known as Uilleann pipes, is a cold air instrument.

Bagpipes: The Importance of Regional Variations

Having reviewed the main characteristics and types of bagpipes, it is worth examining the regional variations more closely. We will first discuss the Scottish bagpipe and then explore the Italian variants.

Scottish Bagpipe

When referring to the Scottish bagpipe, we are typically talking about the GHB or Great Highland Bagpipe, which, despite appearing consistent over time, has at least four variants. In addition to the historical information mentioned earlier, the Scottish bagpipe has been used by the British Army since the 18th century, officially recognized by military authorities.

However, it was not until 1852 that bagpipers were acknowledged as formal roles within the military context. Today, they remain a cultural hallmark of the Scottish militia, though the bagpipe has gained greater popularity in folk and popular music in recent years.

Bagpipe players use a technique involving a closed fingering system, with the greatest challenge being the rapid management of closures and openings to produce notes.

Italian Bagpipes

Focusing on the most notable and widely used Italian bagpipes, the main types include the Zampogna, Piva, Launeddas, and Baghèt.

Zampogna

This type of bagpipe is particularly popular in the central and southern regions of Italy, where it is referred to as the Zampogna. It is characterized by the presence of reeds and a bag, which is commonly made of sewn animal skin.

The Zampogna is associated with festivities, rituals, and folk music, especially during the Christmas season. During this time of year, the Zampogna with two chanters is preferred, one dedicated to melody and the other to accompaniment.

Piva

The Piva, or Musa delle quattro province, refers to the bagpipe from the Emilia region, specifically used in the valleys of the Emilia Apennines, in the area between Piacenza, Genoa, Alessandria, and Pavia. Locally, it is also called Muzetta and features a detachable chanter, which can also be used as a flute.

Although it represents a historical piece of Emilian culture, the Piva fell out of use after World War II, except in the Modena area in the 1980s. In this version, the bagpipe had a double-reed chanter and a goat leather bag.

Launeddas

One of the most fascinating and distinctive bagpipes in Italy is the Launeddas, originating from Sardinia. This musical instrument features a beating reed and three pipes: the longest, called the tumbu, serves as the bass, producing a single note without holes. The second pipe, called mancosa manna, serves as accompaniment, while the third, known as mancosedda, is free and allows for melodic play.

Various models exist, differing mainly in the composition of the pipes, which can be made from marsh or river reeds. Currently, this bagpipe is mainly used for religious rituals.

Baghèt

The Bergamo-Brescia area favors the Baghèt bagpipe, which features a sheep leather bag and a double-reed pipe made from marsh reeds. There are also two single-reed drones. The Baghèt is mainly used during the Christmas season.

The bagpipe, in all its variations, remains a deeply cultural and traditional instrument, reflecting the heritage and identity of the regions where it has thrived. Whether it is the Great Highland Bagpipe of Scotland or the various Italian versions, each type brings a unique voice to the rich history of music worldwide.