The whole family of pipes are all based around very simple principals of a bag, chanter and drones. All these things go together to make what we now know as the sound of the pipes. Piping, like so ...

A second recorder is then installed as a drone, which produces the continuous harmonizing note typical of bagpipes. A pair of pens are used to create the blowpipe which supplies air to the instrument.

The bagpipes have several different parts. The blow piece fills the bag with air, vibrating the drones' reeds and creating the bass tone. Then, the pressure from your arm on the bag blows air ...