Welcome to bagpipesales.com.
We invite you to browse our online catalog of bagpipes, chanters and
accessories.
On the pages to follow you'll be able to view and purchase a variety of
instruments.
Our bagpipe selection includes:
Practice Chanters
Instructional Books & CD's
Scottish Made Practice bagpipes
Inexpensive Full Size bagpipes from Pakistan
Full Size Scottish Made bagpipes
Uilleann Practice bagpipes
Miniature (toy) bagpipes
Meditteranean style bagpipes
About Bagipes:
Various forms of bagpipes have been attributed to many ancient civilizations. A style of bagpipe is mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. Some historians believe the bagpipes had their origin in Sumaria. While others believe it was spread to Persia, India, and the Roman Empire by the Celtic peoples. An Athenian dramatist, writing in the fifth century BC, mentioned the bagpipe. It is important to remember that these instruments were the predecessors of the modern bagpipe. As such they were likely different then the popular form of today. It is also important to remember that you are likely to get as many different versions of the history of the bagpipe as there are writings on the subject. The true origin is still cloudy, resulting in limited knowledge of the history and development of the bagpipe.
It has been pointed out that the cloudy history of the bagpipe may be explained in the nature of the pipes themselves. Most importantly, they do not survive the ravages of time. Made of wood and skins the ancient ancestors of the bagpipes have long since gone to dust. The other reason is that the bagpipes have been a commoner’s, or peasant’s instrument. It is unfortunately true that historians tend to dwell on the lifestyle of the rich and famous. The more modern bagpipes, that most of us are familiar with, were actually a war instrument. It was not uncommon for armies to utilize any means at their disposal to instill fear into their enemy. Costumes and loud music were favorite methods of creating fear in the enemy. Some say that the bagpipe was especially suited to this purpose, not just for the sound they create. Blowing a flute or whistle while being attacked can become very difficult when your throat tightens up. The reservoir allowed the piper to play continually, even when breathing may have been difficult.
Over the centuries there have been many styles of bagpipe. Along with the reservoir, or bag, these pipes may have one or two chanters, one or more drones and the mouthpiece. There are reeds in each of the drones and chanters. The chanter has finger holes for playing multiple notes, while the drones’ notes are fixed. The various styles of pipes can be divided into two categories. This dichotomy is based on the method used to fill the reservoir. The player can fill the reservoir by blowing with the mouth, as in the traditional Great Highland Bagpipes, or by pumping a bellows, as in the Uilleann pipes. We carry a number of styles that have a reservoir filled by mouth, and we are in the process of developing a bellows style.
Most people choose to begin their bagpipe
adventure by purchasing a practice chanter and appropriate instructional
materials. The practice chanter uses the same
fingerings as the bagpipe chanter. By isolating the practice chanter and
mastering it first, many people find learning the bagpipes an easier task.
Practice chanters are
available in wooden models or synthetic models. Some people choose the
practice bagpipes to start with. Compared to a full size set with all of
the drones, they are much easier to play and include the element of the bag and
the drones.
Groth Music Company
8056 Nicollet Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55420
mailbox@grothmusic.com
(800)969-4772 Fax: (952)884-1134