Playing and Handling Bagpipes

Two Swedish Cases

Abstract

This article elucidates the relationship between musicians and makers of musical instrument by analyzing and comparing two Swedish cases. In the late 1970s, the domestic Swedish bagpipe was revived by a group of enthusiasts. Many of them were as much interested in the instrument itself as in its repertory and playing technique. The combination of maker and musician is still rather common. At the same time as the Swedish bagpipe revival, the Scottish Highland bagpipe was introduced in Sweden. Contrary to the first case, the players of Highland pipes bought ready-made instruments and spent on the whole less time with the handling of the instruments.

The study shows that although organologically related, the two bagpipes are very different when comparing the relationship between musicians and instrument makers, arguing for a broader approach that also includes the instrument making when analyzing folk-music repertoires.