Electronic Bagpipes Combine Classical Bagpipe Sound With Digital Versatility
Electronic bagpipes are fun and versatile instruments that let people play traditional bagpipe music in a non-traditional manner. With an electronic bagpipe or chanter, pipers can use software and applications to enhance their piping. There are many different types of electronic bagpipes available on eBay for both practice and pleasure.
What are electronic bagpipes?Electronic bagpipes are electronic musical instruments that mimic the notes that a traditional set of bagpipes make. These bagpipes have a simulated chanter that plays the melody. Some of these bagpipes also have a drone, which is the harmonizing pipe. Some have a simulated bag, which the piper presses to turn on a switch inside that then emits a constant note, or even a traditional bag. First introduced in the 1970s as a novelty, today digitalized bagpipes have become popular as practice instruments. They are also being used more often in performances. Some of the latest iterations include instruments known as A-Pipes, which use an innovative optical fingering detection system.
Brands of electronic bagpipesThere are several brands of bagpipes on the market today. These instruments come in a variety of styles, and many of them can be purchased in either new or gently used condition. Some of the available popular brands are:
- Ross Technologies - Ross Technologies carries a range of electronic chanters that consists of their original style, micropipes, midipipes, and e-pipes bagpipes. These pipes can be for practice or performance and feature stored Great Highland Bagpipe notes.
- Blair - Blair makes a Blair Digital Chanter that features the sounds of a Great Highland Bagpipe, Scottish Smallpipe, or a Practice Chanter.
- A-Pipes - A-Pipes (alien pipes) are bagpipes based on optical fingering detection and are designed to be played in all environments.
- Glencoe - GlenCoe electronic chanters are small and portable and feature 80 hours of playing time per charge.
- Hevia - Hevia makes a range of electronic bagpipes with real bags that interact with the notes from the chanter.
Electronic bagpipes provide emulated music that mimics standard bagpipe sounds such as Highland and other genres. Many of these instruments have a library of recorded notes from actual classical bagpipes and have digitalized music that is midi or other types of electronic sounds. Most electronic bagpipes can be played with downloadable software and applications and come with a USB cable.