Hornpipe (instrument)

The hornpipe can refer to a specific instrument or a class of woodwind instruments consisting of a single reed, a large diameter melody pipe with finger holes and a bell traditionally made from animal horn.

One rare Scottish example, called the stock-and-horn, is referred to by Robert Burns among others.

Other hornpipes include the Spanish gaita gastoreña, the Basque alboka and the Eastern European zhaleika.

[1] The traditional hornpipe has one or two narrow internal bores between 4 mm and 12 mm each, with one or two idioglot single-reeds respectively, similar to the bagpipe drone reed, which is sometimes surrounded by a cap made of horn or wood which is sealed with the players lips.

The bell is shaped from a section of horn, wood or sometimes rolled bark, and may have tuning holes or decorative work.