When it comes to Scotland, men in checkered wool skirts, gloomy mountains, moorlands, a piercing icy wind, strong whiskey and, of course, a loud and sonorous bagpipe immediately come to mind. It annoys some, disturbs and disturbs the soul, while others its sounds remind of something elusive, but very close, native. For the Scots themselves, the sound of the bagpipes is an echo of history, the past, a connection with the roots, which does not lose itself over the centuries, but becomes stronger with each new generation. For a simple layman, one thing is invariably the Scottish bagpipe leaves no one indifferent.
Scottish bagpipe
Bagpipes are Scotland's most popular and iconic element. Although it is not an original Scottish musical instrument (the bagpipe was introduced by the Vikings), it was this “bag with pipes” that glorified Scotland along with the kilt.
Like all Scottish musical instruments, the bagpipes are made from improvised materials. Most often, it is made from goat or sheep skin, turned inside out. Some kind of bag is made of leather, which is sewn up tightly with five tubes inserted into it. Air is supplied through the top one into the bagpipe. At the bottom are holes for changing sounds. The top three make these very sounds.
In its sound, the bagpipes are not like any musical instrument. Maybe this is what makes her so unique.
In ancient times, each clan had its own piper, who accompanied all the holidays, events and campaigns of the leader.
Medieval Scottish pipers reproduced lingering melodies with a subtle form. This type of music is still called Piobaireachd and today is a textbook material 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 possessed signaling and entertaining properties.
Carnix
A fairly rare Scottish folk musical instrument is Carnix. Now, unfortunately, they do not play it. The last time he sang almost 2000 years ago. Now the exhibits found by archaeologists are stored in the National Museum of Scotland. Karniks, like the bagpipe, has a very melodic sound. But if the bagpipe is sometimes annoying with its "squeakiness", then the carnix has a very delicate, velvety sound. He is just as sad, but he can hear the sound of the wind that lives in the Highland Mountains, the smell of a fire and the taste of the salty North Sea. Like a bagpipe, carnix was made from natural materials, and more precisely from a deer horn. Its main purpose was to provide a combat signal.
Whistle
Another Scottish wind instrument is whistle. In appearance, and in its sound, more like a flute. The timing of its origin is not exactly known. He always seemed to be. Unlike carnix, whistle is still used. He is especially loved in Irish folk art. Whistle is a very distinctive Scottish musical instrument. Its name in translation means "tin whistle."
What unites the winds of Scotland?
Unusual magic of sound possess all Scottish musical instruments. The famous bourdon (stretching) tone was formed as a result of the use of natural materials. And the centuries-old transformation of both appearance and material has led to, say, the same bagpipe becoming 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 (English bagpipe) dominates, are distinguished by their simplicity and melodic sound. In addition, they all had a practical purpose. They transmitted signals, raised morale or simply delighted in moments of despair.