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Which countries use bagpipes?
Bagpipes are actually a family of instruments, and most countries from India to Scotland and from Sweden to Libya boast at least one indigenous variety. They date back over 3,000 years, but appear to have been developed from the hornpipe, which goes back even further.
Why are bagpipes used in military?
The purpose of having pipers play for the troops as they marched into battle was to encourage the troops to march on and face the enemy with courage. The sound of the bagpipes often lifted the spirit of the pipers fellow comrades and drowned out the sounds of the battle.
Are bagpipes German?
Medieval German Bagpipes Bagpipes with cylindrical bored double chanters and a common horn bell were known in Germany as early as in the 10th century (as mentioned in a script from Bamberg). On these instruments it was possible to play the melody with one chanter and the drone with the other.
How did bagpipes get to Scotland?
Some historians believe that bagpipes originate from ancient Egypt and were brought to Scotland by invading Roman Legions. Others maintain that the instrument was brought over the water by the colonising Scots tribes from Ireland. The chanter is the melody pipe, usually played by one or two hands.
Which countries use the bagpipes in their armies?
Recently many armies use the pipes for ceremonial purposes including former British colonies like Canada, India, New Zealand, Australia, Uganda, Sudan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and America. Bagpipes are mostly being used for ceremonial purposes now like funerals and ceremonies.
What instruments are used to play bagpipes?
Bagpipes are often played in Scotland as part of an ensemble of pipers and drummers. All the pipers play the Great Highland bagpipes and provide the melody and complexity of the music, with the mixed drum corps providing the rhythm from a selection of snare drummers, tenor drummers and one (or occasionally two) bass drummers.
Where is the bagpipe native to?
It is native to Scotland. It has acquired widespread recognition through its usage in the British military and in pipe bands throughout the world. The bagpipe is first attested in Scotland around 1400, having previously appeared in European artwork in Spain in the 13th century.
What is the difference between a war pipe and a bagpipes?
The War pipe differed from the latter only in having a single tenor drone. Great Irish war pipes fell out of use for centuries due to the British outlawing them, the Scottish bagpipes took the place of the Irish bagpipes role in the British army, which is when the bagpipes became wrongly associated with Scotland.