The word “piobaireachd” literally means pipe playing or pipe music, but is now used to describe the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe. Another name for it is “Ceol Mor” meaning the Big Music, which isolates piobaireachd from all other forms of pipe music which are referred to as “Ceol Beag” – the Little Music. Piobaireachd was well established during the 1700’s.
To describe a piobaireachd is difficult. It consists of a theme - ground or urlur, with several variations (which vary in number and complexity) that follow the theme. Commonly there are 5 to 7 variations. The theme tells a story. Often they honour an occasion.
Nothing similar to piobaireachd has been discovered in any other country in the world. Also the Great Highland Bagpipe is the only instrument which can reproduce piobaireachd satisfactorily to the ear of the devotee.
When learning piobaireachd you must learn to sing to appreciate what you are playing. The bagpipe has its own language called “cantaireachd” – that which is sung. This language was used to teach pipe music before there was written pipe music notation. Singing internalizes the music and is then expressed in the playing. |