The German word for bagpipes is Dudelsack and in Breton it is biniou koz ("old bagpipe" ) or biniou bihan ("little bagpipe"). It is traditionally played in pair with the bombarde.The two players are referred to as sonerion (in Breton) or sonneurs de couple (in French). The biniou is a mouth-blown bagpipe with one drone. It is high-pitched (an octave above the Scottish Highland bagpipes), with a range of ten notes. Its tuning has varied from one area of Brittany to the next (it can be found in the keys of G#, A, B, or C). The bombarde has a range of two octaves with its lower range pitched an octave below the biniou. The biniou provides a continuous sound due to the steady supply of air from the bag to both the drone and chanter. The chanter is only 5-1/2 inches long with 7 finger holes; the single drone is approximately 14 inches long.
Last edited by Ruanaidh; 17th September 06 at 12:14 PM.
A kilted Celt on the border.
Kentoc'h mervel eget bezań saotret
Omne bellum sumi facile, ceterum ęgerrume desinere.
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