The Bagpipe Scale
The Great Highland Bagpipe plays a nine-note scale. Learning the correct fingering for each note is the very first thing you must do on the practice chanter.
The Nine Notes
From lowest to highest: Low G, Low A, B, C, D, E, F, High G, High A.
The bagpipe scale is often described as a form of A mixolydian — it has a
flattened seventh (G natural rather than G sharp). This gives bagpipe music
its characteristic modal sound.
Finger Chart
In the chart below, O = hole open (finger lifted), X = hole covered (finger down). The holes are listed top to bottom: Left Hand: LT (left thumb, back hole), L1, L2, L3; Right Hand: R1, R2, R3, R4 (pinky).
Note LT L1 L2 L3 R1 R2 R3 R4 ------- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Low G X X X X X X X X (all covered) Low A X X X X X X X O B X X X X X X O O C X X X X X O X O (C is the tricky one) D X X X X X O O O E X X X O O O O O F X X O X O O O O (F also needs care) High G O X X X X X X X High A X X X X X X X X (all covered + blow harder)
Note on C and F: C and F have unusual fingering patterns because
the bagpipe scale is not straightforward. Practice C and F separately until they
feel natural. Many beginners find C the most difficult note.
Practice Advice
Start by going slowly up the scale from Low G to High A, then back down. Every transition must be clean — no gaps, squeaks, or fuzzy notes. Once you can play the scale smoothly in both directions, try alternating notes: Low G, Low A, Low G, Low A and so on to build finger independence.