History of Medieval Bagpipes
The bagpipe is an ancient musical instrument, with roots going back thousands of years. Popularly known for its widespread use in Ireland and Scotland, the bagpipe has become recognizable as a traditional instrument of these countries. With its eerie and unmistakable tone, the bagpipe has performed many roles in Scottish and Irish history, particularly during medieval times, and continues to be the cornerstone instrument of traditional Celtic music today.
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Anatomy of a Bagpipe
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Bagpipes are woodwinds, related to flutes, clarinets, oboes and similar instruments. Medieval bagpipes were originally a peasant's instrument, and were made from natural materials. Although many variations in construction were used, common to all bagpipes were a wind bag diaphragm made of sheepskin, a wooden blow pipe for filling the bag with air, and a wood chanter (similar to a simple flute) with which the piper would use to finger notes. The sound would emit by the open end of the chanter and by one or more drone pipes attached to the bag. It is the constant drone note and use of the air bag that distinguishes the bagpipe from other woodwinds and helps produce its distinctive sound.
Medieval Bagpipe References
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Although ancient instruments similar to the bagpipe have been identified in books and artwork throughout Europe and the Middle East, dating back to the first century BC, the bagpipe in Medieval Scotland and England was believed to appear sometime early in the middle ages. Since Scottish and Irish history were relayed verbally up to about 15th century, the earliest direct written reference to the bagpipe was not published until the early 1600s.
Early mention of bagpipes was in the form of songs, stories and poetry, passed on verbally through generations. Being a commoner's instrument, bagpipes were not used in mainstream classical music in Europe and were consequently ignored by writers and artists. Any dates or historical facts before written records are largely speculative and rely on post-publishing of verbal accounts.
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Medieval Bagpipe Use
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It is widely known that bagpipes were a musical instrument of war, with Scottish armies using its haunting sound to frighten and intimidate the enemy, usually the English, upon approach. It is a misnomer that pipes were originally employed for this purpose.
With the bagpipe's full melodic sound, due to the drone notes accompanying the melody, it became the instrument of choice for formal events such as weddings and funerals, as well as for general entertainment.
Bagpipe Development
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During the Dark Ages, peasants had little reprieve from the oppressive drudgery of everyday survival, using music, dancing and storytelling as entertainment. Proper musical instruments were not available, so they took to building their own. Bagpipes, bodhrans (a simple drum of goat hide stretched over a round wooden frame), simple wooden flute-like instruments and crude stringed instruments could be made from available resources.
Bagpipes of the Scottish Clans
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In Scotland, clans were communities of people within a geographical area, united by clan chiefs recognized by the Scottish king. Each clan employed its own piper, who played the clan's tune in the morning, performed for entertainment and formal ceremonies and composed music based on clan figures and landmark events.
Bagpipes in Ireland
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Scottish immigrants settling in Ireland during the middle ages brought the bagpipes and Scottish music with them. Ireland at that time was repressed by the English monarchy, which outlawed bagpipes because of the Scottish use during battles against the English. Bagpipes maintained a covert presence in Irish folk music, however, leading to the eventual development of an Irish version, called Union Pipes, also known as Uilleann Pipes.
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References
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- Photo Credit jula jules: Flickr.com
