The Arts In Berwick -- Music
The Northumbrian Bagpipes

The origin of these bagpipes, in which the bag is inflated by bellows rather than by blowing, is lost in antiquity. Around in the middle ages, four types are known.


In 18th.Century a Newcastle piper added keys to his chanter increasing the range of the instrument. The pipers to the Duchess of Northumberland kept the tradition alive until the modern upsurge in folk music.

Today adaptation of traditional tunes in an upbeat 'Celtic' style by skilled performers has created a whole new audience, and given the ancient instrument an almost radical image.

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