Today's Highland Bagpipe can trace its history back to a Middle Eastern origin. Ancestors of modern Celtic people brought this instrument with them as they traveled west and north from Mesopotamia (known today as Iraq and Iran.) As their culture evolved, so did this unique instrument.
Piobaireachd is the classical music of the Highland bagpipe. "Piob" is a Gaelic word meaning a pipe, or bagpipe. "Piobair" is a piper, and "Piobaireachd" is what a piper does with a pipe. For hundreds of years this has been the only kind of music played on the bagpipe. Until this last century Piobaireachd was not written down but passed from teacher to student through "canntaireachd," or mouth music. This method of chant employs various combinations of vowel and consonant sounds to represent the notes and embellishments of Piobaireachd.
In the middle 19th century the British began integrating the bagpipe into their regimental style military bands. If you have ever listened to Piobaireachd you know that it is difficult at best to march to! Ceol beag, or "little music," includes marches, strathspeys, reels and hornpipes, and is the most common form of music played today. Ceol beag is to the bagpipe what Jazz would be to a clarinet, flute or trumpet. Ceol Mor, or big music, would then be comparable to Classical music on the previously named instruments.
Although it looks almost impossible to play, the bagpipe (a.k.a. "wheeze & squeeze") can be learned by almost anyone with a little dedication and a toleration for moderately loud music. The most difficult part of playing the bagpipe is in blowing more air in one hole than is escaping from the other four holes! With a little practice, however, the results can lead to many hours of enjoyment.
The bagpipes were a solo instrument originally, that is until the British got a hold of them! The British integrated them into their military marching bands to create a unique sound yet unequaled. Since the bagpipe has only one volume level accented and rhythmic cadences of the side, tenor and bass drums help give the band as a whole a sense of volume and dynamics (not to mention keeping everyone in step as they march!).
Bagpipe bands probably draw more spectators than any other type of band. Not for their unique sound alone, but their lively music and bold appearance help remind many people of the Celtic heritage they posses.
Stop by the South end of the park and listen to the Ceol Beag and maybe even a little Piobaireachd. The best way is to lie on the grass in the shade of huge maple trees and let the warm summer breeze carry the tunes of the pipers over your soul for a refreshing alternative to modern music.