Bagpipes produce a 'continuous wailing' sound which is produced due to its unique construction. Air is maintained by squeezing the bag with the left hand, while a breath is taken, the flow of air can be kept up in both the drone pipes and chanter. The mouthpipe contains a round piece of leather hinged onto the bag end which acts as a one way valve. As the player blows air in, the flap opens, when he stops blowing the air pressure within the bag forces the flap shut. The chanter has seven finger holes and a thumb hole, and has a usual range of an octave and one note.

Always happy to be corrected on a point and thought this note and band site were worth including - The Bagpipes DO work great within the blues and blues rock genre. PIPAPELLI from Western North Carolina uses the Great Highlands Bagpipes as one of the main driving forces in their bagpipes and bluesrock band. 3 CDs have been released, their most recent "BorderGuard" is getting plenty of radio airplay in the states, the UK, australia and now in Scotland! ...playin' the pipes like no other, more like a sax or horn section, or a les paul thru a wah wah pedal!!

Play the Bagpipe sound

If there are other BLUES/ROCK bands using the bagpipes - let us know and we'll include a link to the site here!