Glossary of Bagpipe Terms - B

B

Back D

The note played by the thumb hole of the Uilleann pipe chanter. It has a distinctive haunting quality, subtly different from the rest of the scale.

Backstitching

An ornament in Uilleann piping. The stitch is two staccato gracenotes played above the main note pitch; backstitching is the process of playing several of these stitches on a series of melody notes.

Bag Seasoning

Seasoning a bag keeps the leather supple, while allowing it to absorb moisture and keep the bag airtight.

Bag Cover

The pipe bag is often covered with a cover, mainly for decoration but possibly also to help the player keep a grip on the bag while playing. Materials can include corduroy, velvet, or wool.

Popping

On the Uilleann chanter, the effect created by playing a staccato note while simultaneously lifting and replacing the chanter on the leg. Also known as barking, as this is the sound created.

Tuning Bead

Northumbrian pipe drones incorporate a tuning bead and/or slide which allows the player to raise the pitch of the drone by a whole tone to play in other keys.

Birl

Onomatopoeic name for a Highland bagpipe embellishment on low A, consisting of two very fast taps or strikes to low G.

Blade

The vibrating element of a bagpipe reed. Reeds can be single or double; generally speaking, chanter reeds are double and drone reeds single. The blade is also known sometimes as a tongue.

Blowpipe

The pipe through which the bag is inflated.

Bombarde

A shawm-like instrument traditionally played in duet with the bagpipe in Brittany.

Biniou

Biniou means bagpipe in the Breton language.

Bottom D

The lowest note available on an uilleann chanter. Called Bottom D to avoid confusion with the two higher Ds available. It is obtained by lifting the chanter off the leg.

Bridle

(On a double reed for a chanter) A strip of copper about 1/8" to 3/16" wide and 2" long with slanted edges used to control the aperture of the two blades of a reed. (On a reed single reed for a drone) A few winds of hemp or else some sort of elastic band to control the length and position of the vibrating tongue.

Brien Boru Pipes

A 20th century attempt to create an instrument similar to the Highland bagpipe, but with an extended range that could handle popular Irish melodies. Several bands were formed, one or two of which still exist.