dudy

Dudy are a family of bagpipes traditional to Central and Eastern Europe, with a prominent presence in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The term dudy is used to refer to bagpipes in several Slavic languages, and in Polish the instrument family is commonly described by this name. Typical dudy consist of a bag that stores air, a chanter for the melody, and one or more drones that provide a continuous harmony. The chanter is fingered to produce scale passages, while drones sound a steady pitch. Most dudy are mouth-blown, though some regional variants use bellows to supply air.

Regional forms vary in details such as the number and tuning of drones, the material of the bag, and the size of the chanter. Dudy can be found in a range of folk musical styles, from pastoral dance tunes to ceremonial pieces. In some areas, more elaborate versions feature two drones and higher-key chanters; in others, simpler, single-drone types predominate.

Historical records date dudy to the Middle Ages in several Central European cultures, and they have remained part of folk traditions through the modern era. They experienced revival in the late 20th century alongside other folk instruments and are played by contemporary ensembles, at folk festivals, and in educational programs to preserve regional heritage.