References

http://blog.thempowergroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/tumblr_lumrmaXdpn1r5bg4ko1_500.jpg

http://www.hendersongroupltd.com/historybagpipes.asp

http://soundcalledmusic.com/bagpipes/

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/musicalinstruments/bagpipes

Most commonly played pieces

There are over 200 different Scottish folk songs But the most popular and the most commonly played pieces.

Highland Cathedral
Amazing grace
The brave

How does it work?

Great Highland bagpipes have three drones that come out the top of the bag which produce a constant sound,  1 chanter with the nine notes of the pipe scale , and a bag made of sheep or elk skin which the piper presses with his arm when he wants to take a breath.
How is it made?

The bagpipe produces sound by blowing air into the blowpipe every few seconds to keep it inflated and passing air through the reeds held in the drone (the constant sound) the chanter (which is used for the melody).  It is necessary for the player to always keep the blowpipe covered when he/she exhaled, or the air would escape.  The most important thing about playing the bagpipes was keeping the air pressure in the bag constant.

“Failure to maintain constant air pressure results in the pitch of the various pipes changing, and worse yet changing relative to one another - in other words, the bagpipe will sound out of tune” (Seeler).  

What is a great Highland bagpipe?

A Great Highland bagpipe is a traditional Scottish folk instrument. It is similar to other bagpipes but very different.  It is also the most commonly played kind of bagpipe.