Binioù

File:Biniou-kozh-monte.JPG

A biniou kozh

The is a type of bagpipe. The word means 'bagpipe' in the Breton language.

There are two bagpipes called in Brittany: the traditional or ( means 'old' in Breton; means 'small') and the or ( means 'big'), which was brought into Brittany from Scotland in the late 19th century. The oldest native bagpipe in Brittany is the , from which the is thought to be derived.

The is essentially the same as the Scottish great Highland bagpipe; sets are manufactured by Breton makers or imported from Scotland or elsewhere.

The has a one octave scale, and is very high-pitched with a soprano sound; it is tuned to play one octave higher than the bombard which it accompanies. More traditional forms have a single drone, while modern instruments sometimes have two. In the old days the leather used for the bag was usually from a dog's skin, but this is nowadays replaced by synthetic materials or other leathers which are easier to procure, like cow or sheep.

File:Bombarde und Biniou.JPG

Two : a (to the left) and a (to the right)

Traditionally it is played in duet with the , a double-reed instrument which sounds an octave below the chanter, for Breton folk dancing. The is typically used as part of a band, although it is sometimes also paired with a .

Films

• Of Pipers and Wrens (1997). Produced and directed by Gei Zantzinger, in collaboration with Dastum. Lois V. Kuter, ethnomusicological consultant. Devault, Pennsylvania: Constant Spring Productions.