Oaten pipe

The oaten pipe was a type of reedpipe made from the straw (dried stalks) of the oat plant or similar natural materials, commonly associated with pastoral culture. An 1898 dictionary described the instrument as "The simplest form of a reed pipe, a straw with a strip cut to form the reed, at the end closed by the knot".[1] Similar instruments are made across a variety of cultures, while the specific term "oaten pipe" is found in English literature, connoting pastoral imagery.[2]

Some records describe the "oaten pipe" as simply a noisemaker or bird-call, while others specify that it had several fingerholes for playing a melody.[3] Scottish musicologists noted that oaten pipes served as a musical toy for boys, with the possibility of being a practice instrument (an improvised practice chanter) for later playing the bagpipes.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Stainer and Barrett's Dictionary of musical terms - Sir John Stainer, William Alexander Barrett - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  2. ↑ The Lycidas and Epitaphium Damonis of Milton, ed. with notes and intr. by C ... - John Milton - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  3. ↑ Woodwind Instruments and Their History - Anthony Baines - Google Books. Books.google.com. 1991-10-28. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  4. ↑ The Highland Bagpipe: Music, History, Tradition - Joshua Dickson - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-07-15.

See also

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