torupill

Torupill is a traditional Estonian bagpipe and a recognizable part of Baltic folk music. The instrument consists of a flexible bag that stores air, a chanter for melody, and one or more drone pipes that provide a continuous pitch. The chanter is fingered to play a scale, while the drones offer harmonic accompaniment. Air is supplied from the bag, which is squeezed under the arm to maintain a steady airflow.

Construction and design vary by region, but the basic setup—bag, chanter, and drone(s)—is consistent. The chanter carries the melodic finger holes, and the drone pipes typically stay in constant pitch, creating a characteristic bagpipe texture. Reeds used in torupill can be of different types depending on maker and period, contributing to a range of timbres.

Historically, torupill has been documented in Estonian folk life from the medieval and early modern periods, with regional variations appearing on islands and inland areas. After a period of decline in the 19th and early 20th centuries, interest in the instrument revived in the latter half of the 20th century through ethnomusicological research and musician-led reconstruction. Contemporary makers have rebuilt traditional designs and, in some cases, experimented with new materials and configurations.

Today, torupill is played by practitioners in folk ensembles, at regional festivals, and within experimental and contemporary folk music scenes. It remains a symbol of Estonia’s intangible cultural heritage and continues to inspire traditional performances as well as modern compositions.