What does a bagpipe sound like?

A bagpipe produces a fairly high, nasal sound concurrent with a drone bass. On Scottish pipes, the drone sound consists of two unison tenor voices and a bass voice one octave lower. The bagpipe player produces the instrument's sound with a reed, as is the case with some woodwind instruments.

The bagpipes possess another similarity to woodwind instruments in the series of holes with which the players change notes. The bag, traditionally made of sheepskin, aids in the production of the bagpipe's unique sound. Manufacturers treat the sheepskin with a special seasoning to keep the air in and eliminate moisture.