The bagpipe is a reed instrument, typically featuring either a single or double reed, with an air reservoir housed in a bag. A standard set…
The Bagpipe, a Popular Solo and Marching Band Instrument
Category: Articles
Serendipity Arts Festival showcases Indian music heritage and performances
(headline image: Bombay Lights) The aptly-named Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) is a multidisciplinary celebration of creativity held every December in Goa. The compelling lineup spans…
Victorian Vice: Unmasking the Raucous Roots of Music Hall Culture
Writer and musician John Phillpott explores the drinking dens of Victorian England and uncovers the musical underbelly of that so-called prudish age… A POPULAR show…
The Rubab: An Asian Lute Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List
(headline image: A female Rubab master is teaching a child student how to keep the fret and pluck to play the notes – Photo by…
The Kora: West Africa’s Cherished 21-Stringed Harp-Lute
(headline image: Toumani and Sidiki Diabate – Photo by Youri Lenquette) The kora, a 21-stringed instrument, holds a significant place in West African musical traditions,…
The Life and Legacy of Legendary Bluesman Elmore James
It’s now more than 60 years since the groundbreaking slide guitarist Elmore James died from a heart attack at the tragically early age of 45.…
The Pipa: An Enduring Pear-Shaped Chinese Lute
(headline image: Landtom professional chicken wing wood Chinese pipa) The pipa, a traditional Chinese lute with a history dating back to the Han dynasty (206…
Cape Verde’s New Wave of Women Vocalists: Stepping Out of Cesária Évora’s Shadow
Cape Verde has long been celebrated for its musical heritage in which its women vocalists have played a pivotal role down the centuries. The archipelago’s…
The Shekere: A Fundamental Traditional African Percussion Instrument
(headline image: Latin Percussion shekere, LP486) The shekere is a percussion instrument made from a dried gourd, covered with a net woven with beads, stones,…
The Bouzouki: An Alluring Long-Necked Lute with Roots in Greece
(headline image: Greek bouzouki – CC BY 2.5, Link) The bouzouki is a musical instrument deeply rooted in Greek tradition, renowned for its distinctive sound…