Fundamentally, a bagpipe is very similar to other double-reed instruments. Except that in our case, instead of putting the reeds (pipes have 4 reeds) directly into our mouth to blow, we have a bag.

The bag is filled by forcing air through the blowpipe and keeps a constant supply of air moving over all four reeds at the same time.

Pressure is applied with the arm to keep the bag solid and produce a steady tone from the chanter and drones.

To the right is an exploded view of the Scottish Highland Bagpipe with it's various parts labeled.

* For more details, click on the words labeling the part of the pipe you would like to know more about.