Biniou

Binioù means bagpipe in the Breton language.

There are two kinds of Binioù found in Brittany: the binioù kozh ("kozh" means "old" in Breton) and the binioù bras ("bras" means "big"), sometimes also called pib-veur.

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

The "binioù kozh" has a one octave scale, and is very high-pitched; its lowest note is the same pitch as the highest on the great Highland bagpipe. It has a single drone two octaves below the tonic. Traditionally it is played in duet with the "bombarde", a shawm which sounds an octave below the "binioù" chanter, for Breton folk dancing. The "binioù bras" is the one heard as part of a bagad.

It is typically suggested by locals that the binioù originates originally from KernVeur (Cornwall in Breton). But as traditions in the country have died (as the mother tongue - Cornish), so it seems has the role of the Binioù.

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.