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Quiz about The Great Highland Bagpipe GHB

The Great Highland Bagpipe (GHB) Quiz

Test your knowledge about this widely recognized Scottish instrument.

A multiple-choice quiz by pipingxena. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
pipingxena

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
249,290

Updated
Mar 12 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
375

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. How is the great Great Highland Bagpipe classified as a musical instrument?
Hint

As a flute

None of these

As a single reed woodwind

As a double reed woodwind

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the musical mode of the Great Highland Bagpipe?
Hint

Aolean mode

Mixolydian mode

Ionian mode

None of these

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. A Great Highland Bagpipe student starts learning on a different instrument.
What is that instrument called?
Hint

None of these

Beginner bagpipe

Practice chanter

Piper's flute

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Question 4 of 10

4. At one time Great Highland Bagpipe music was learned by listening instead of by reading a written staff. What is this system of teaching tunes called? Hint

Canntaireachd

Ear Training

Coel Mohr

None of these

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Question 5 of 10

5. A Great Highland Bagpipe has one chanter and 3 drones. What is the purpose of the drones? Hint

None of these

To give the music a "wah-wah" sound, creating a beat

To give a steady note with overtones that blend with the melody

To echo the melody being played

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. How is a bagpipe drone tuned? Hint

It is tuned by the manufacturer and doesn't need to be changed unless a reed is replaced.

It isn't ever tuned.

It is turned clockwise to flatten and counterclockwise to sharpen.

A section of the drone is slid up and down until the desired note is obtained.

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the name of the practice instrument that includes a bag but no drones? Hint

A practice bag

A goose

A half set

None of these

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. How many holes are on a GHB chanter? (Do not count the ends of the chanter) Hint

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which one country is most responsible for spreading the Great Highland Bagpipe throughout the world? Hint

Ireland

France

Germany

Great Britain

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. From what is a Great Highland Bagpipe bag made? Hint

Gortex

Cow hide

All of these

Sheep Skin

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How is the great Great Highland Bagpipe classified as a musical instrument?

Answer: As a double reed woodwind

Though the GHB has single tongued reeds in its drones, the chanter, which creates the melody, is fitted with a double reed. This reed resembles an oboe reed.

2. What is the musical mode of the Great Highland Bagpipe?

Answer: Mixolydian mode

The scale on the chanter is in Mixolydian mode with a flattened 7th.

3. A Great Highland Bagpipe student starts learning on a different instrument. What is that instrument called?

Answer: Practice chanter

The practice chanter is used by students and experienced pipers alike. It looks similar to a recorder and contains a double reed inside the mouthpiece. The practice chanter is used to learn and practice the techniques required to play bagpipe chanter. It is also used to learn new tunes. This instrument is much quieter than the bagpipe and can be played indoors comfortably.

4. At one time Great Highland Bagpipe music was learned by listening instead of by reading a written staff. What is this system of teaching tunes called?

Answer: Canntaireachd

Canntaireachd is Gaelic for "chanting". At one time bagpipe music was passed from teacher to student by singing the notes. In canntaireachd each note and embellishment has a standardized sound or word associated with it. The teacher would sing a tune using these sounds and words.

The knowledgeable student would be able to interpret the sounds and play the correct notes and embellishments. About a century ago the written music staff became more popular for teaching piping so that the "standard" canntaireachd is not used often now.

However, many modern pipers have their own sets of sounds that they use to sing their tunes.

5. A Great Highland Bagpipe has one chanter and 3 drones. What is the purpose of the drones?

Answer: To give a steady note with overtones that blend with the melody

Steady blowing and squeezing is a must in pipe playing. The drones should never waiver, but give an steady clear note. A "wah-wah" sound, as is often heard in non-piping music for a "Scottish" flavor, is a sign of an inexperienced piper, a very tired piper or an out of tune bagpipe.

6. How is a bagpipe drone tuned?

Answer: A section of the drone is slid up and down until the desired note is obtained.

"Shorter is sharper." By changing the distance the air column travels from the reed to the end of the drone, the pitch of the note is changed. By shortening the length of the drone the note is sharpened. Conversely it is flattened by lengthening the drone.

7. What is the name of the practice instrument that includes a bag but no drones?

Answer: A goose

The goose is made up of a bag and a practice chanter. Many times an actual bagpipe can be made into a goose by removing the drones and plugging the drone stocks. A practice chanter then replaces the bagpipe chanter, making the instrument comfortable for indoor practice.

8. How many holes are on a GHB chanter? (Do not count the ends of the chanter)

Answer: 10

There are 8 finger holes in the chanter and located near the bottom are two "tone holes", which make the lowest note of the GHB scale.

9. Which one country is most responsible for spreading the Great Highland Bagpipe throughout the world?

Answer: Great Britain

Because Great Britain had Scottish regiments in its army, the bagpipe was taken around the world and introduced to the British Empire, notably the Middle East, India and Pakistan.

10. From what is a Great Highland Bagpipe bag made?

Answer: All of these

Traditionally the bag was made of sheep skin. It can also be made of cow hide. The natural hide bags require "seasoning". Seasoning is a thick mixture that makes the bag air tight. Recently bags have been made of gortex or a combination of gortex and hide.

Source: Author pipingxena

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