German bagpipes

we typed this article to give a summary about bagpipes being common (or used to be common) in german-speaking regions. As "german talking region" I'd like to establish the historic Germany ("Teutschland") as Michael Praetorius may have seen it in the times: like the Netherlands (that have been part of the "Holy Roman Empire of German countries" until 1648) and Bohemia.

This text is definately not total; too large could be the quantity of photographs and explanations of bagpipes in historic papers, too large the possibility of misinterpretation. I actually do perhaps not claim this short article becoming 100per cent typically proper often. This text is most likely rather contradictious and filled with inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Sorry for this, but I am no historian and my profession is carefully un-musical. Kindly view this article as an amateur musician's work for a historical review over his favourite instrument. with this specific web page let me deal with all enthusiasts of bagpipes also historic instruments - folks who are enchanted by the heart of an instrument that a lot of men and women start thinking about lifeless outside of the celtic Europe (especially in Germany). I really hope to have one or perhaps the various other reaction - I'm looking towards any remarks and suggestions.

First evidence of bagpipes in Europe could be available at Aristophanes (greek author of comedy pieces, 445 - 385 B.C.), Dio Chrysostomus (in addition greek, ca. 100 A.D.), Marcus Valerius Martialis (roman poet, 40 - 100 A.D.) and Gaius Suetonius Tronquillus (roman author, 70 - 130 A.D.). The latter pointed out the bagpiping Nero (most likely!) in his biographies about roman emperors ("De vita caesarum"). Dio Chrysostomus blogged about a contemporary sovereign, perhaps Nero too, whom could play a pipe ("aulein") together with mouth also with his "arm gap". Chrysostomus and Martialis both mention the askaules, which literaly suggests "bagpiper" [8]. Regrettably there's nothing known in regards to the look among these pipelines, only their noise is described (by Aristophanes) as somewhat "buzzy" or "wasp like" [2].

The initial medieval evidence for bagpipes can be found in the "Hieronymus-letter" to Dardanus from the 9th century:

"chorus quoque simplex pellis cum duabus cicutis aereis: et per primam inspiratur per secundam vocem emittit"

"...an tool with an easy bag and two air-tubes; and through the first [tube] it's blown, out of the 2nd comes the voice."