Scottish musical instruments: what do we know besides bagpipes?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

When it comes to Scotland, men in plaid woolen skirts, gloomy mountains, moorlands, piercing icy winds, strong whiskey and, of course, loud and resonant bagpipes come to mind. It irritates some, disturbs and brings anxiety to the soul, others its sounds remind of something elusive, but very close, dear. For the Scots themselves, the sound of the bagpipe is an echo of history, the past, a connection with the roots that is not lost over the centuries, but becomes stronger with each new generation. For a simple man in the street, one thing is invariable - the Scottish bagpipe leaves no one indifferent.

Scottish bagpipe

The bagpipe is Scotland's most popular and iconic element. Although it is not a native Scottish musical instrument (the bagpipe was brought by the Vikings), it was this “pipe bag” that glorified Scotland on a par with the kilt.

Like all Scottish musical instruments, the bagpipe is made from scrap materials. Most often it is made from goat or sheep skin, turned inside out. A kind of bag is made of leather, which is tightly sewn up with five tubes inserted into it. Air is supplied through one upper bagpipe. On the bottom are holes for changing sounds. The top three make these same sounds.

The sound of the bagpipe is unlike any other musical instrument. Maybe that's what makes her so unique.

In the old days, each clan had its own piper, who accompanied all the holidays, events and campaigns of the leader.

Medieval Scottish bagpipers played drawn-out melodies with a subtle form. This type of music is still called Piobaireachd and today is a textbook written specifically for the Scottish bagpipe.

Through the ages

Not everyone knows, but Scottish musical instruments are not limited to one bagpipe. This tool is only more popular, advertised and more often used on national holidays. It is logical to assume that the population of this region also invented other musical instruments that raised not only morale during the battle, but also had signal and entertainment properties.

Karnyx

A fairly rare Scottish folk musical instrument is the carnyx. Now, unfortunately, they don't play it. The last time he sang was almost 2,000 years ago. Now the exhibits found by archaeologists are stored in the National Museum of Scotland. Carnyx, like bagpipes, has a very melodic sound. But if the bagpipe sometimes irritates with its "squeakiness", then the carnyx has a very gentle, velvety sound. He is just as sad, but in himyou can hear the sound of the wind that lives in the mountains of the Highlands, the smell of a fire and the taste of the s alty northern sea. Just like the bagpipe, the carnyx was made from natural materials, or rather from a deer antler. Its main purpose was to give a combat signal.

Whistle

Another Scottish wind instrument is the whistle. In appearance, and in its sound, it is more like a flute. The time frame of its origin is not exactly known. It seemed like he was always there. Unlike the carnyx, the whistle is still used today. He is especially loved in Irish folk art. The whistle is a very distinctive Scottish musical instrument. Its name in translation means "tin whistle".

What unites the brass of Scotland?

All Scottish musical instruments have an unusual sound magic. The famous bourdon (stretching) tone was formed as a result of the use of natural materials. And the age-old transformation of both appearance and material led to the fact that, say, the same bagpipe became so native to the Scottish population that over the past 300 years not a single military parade or any significant event took place without it.

Scottish musical instruments, among which the bagpipe occupies a dominant position, are distinguished by their simplicity and melodic sound. Moreover, they all hadpractical purpose. They transmitted signals, raised morale, or simply rejoiced in moments of despair.