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The Great Highland Bagpipe (GHB) is native to Scotland and is the pipe most people think of when bagpipes are mentioned. Main pipe components include a bag, a blow-stick, a number of single-reed drone pipes and a double-reed chanter.

Popularity
Interest in the bagpipes has always been popular and many people have tried without success to play them, it is basically a solo instrument for lamenting on the side of the mountains, these days however is associated with marching bands.

Location
There are many clubs throughout the British Isles in association with this instrument.

Age
There is no age as long as you can play a chanter and hold a set of pipes, it is available to all age groups.

Ability
Co-ordination is one of the prime factors for playing this instrument as well as a bit of puff. There are schools where you can obtain certificates through the stages.

Description
The GHB is usually played in a standing position with the bag held between the piper's arm and side. The drones rest against the piper's shoulder pointing upward. The bag provides a constant supply of air to the pipes, inflated by blowing into a blow-stick. The sound is created by inflating the bag and applying pressure to the bag with the arm. The air escapes through the drones and chanter, via reeds placed within each pipe. The drones produce a constant tone accompaniment with the chanter

Dedication
Like all instruments this requires a lot of dedication and many bad notes along the way, but dedication will find a professional note and many hours of enjoyment.

Potential
There is great potential once you have mastered this to join in a marching band, perform at fairs and country shows, as well as the solo performance admired by many, folk clubs always welcome a good piper.

Closely Related Activities
Marching and displays in team performance, costume and choreography, understanding music are among some of the activities involved with this ancient instrument.

Further Reading
There is a wealth of information available for this instrument, probably the most widely documented.

Cost
The cost of a set of pipes will vary greatly depending on maker and materials. Cheap instruments can be had for a few hundred pounds, and high-quality pipes made from expensive materials can go well into four figures (dollars *or* pounds!). If you're going to be at all serious about playing you should avoid cheap imitations - with cheap pipes, you get exactly what you pay for.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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