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![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GHBAnalysis.jpg)
Sound Analysis of the Great Highland Bagpipe
The sound you produce from your bagpipe can be analysed using the state-of-the-art Overtone Analyser.
How the sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe is analysed
When you shine white light through a prism, it splits into seven (7) colours as below:
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/vectorstock_27385811-1024x1024.png)
The same happens when you put the sound of the bass drone through an audio analyser, it splits into overtones (harmonics). Example below:
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-2-Bass-Harmonics-e1674488139755.jpg)
The bass drone overtones (harmonics) follow the Natural Harmonic Progression as in the above example
The human voice overtones also follows this Natural Harmonic Progression as in the example, below:
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-3-Voice-harmonics-e1674487953305-1024x544.jpg)
The harmonics of the human voice are the same for bass drone of the Great Highland Bagpipe
Human Male Voice Harmonics
GHB Bass Drone Harmonics
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-4-Bass-Voice-harmonics-e1674488167535.jpg)
The samples below show the sound quality of unstable and stable drones
Unstable drones:
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-5-Unstable-Drone-Final-2-e1674488208498.jpg)
Stable drones – shown with Highland Reeds’ HR3 drone reeds:
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-6-Stable-Drone-HR3-e1674488235367.jpg)
If you compare the images, the stable drones have solid harmonics (lines) whereas the unstable drones have weak and poor harmonics shown by the fragmented lines.
Drones with chanter scale
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-7-Drone-with-Chanter-Scale-e1674488258493.jpg)
The report you receive from our analysis
Item 1 – Image of your recording with basic comments:
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-8-Image-of-your-recording-e1674488326177.jpg)
Item 2 – Also the chart frequencies of the drone and chanter notes:
![](https://highlandreeds.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Image-9-Chart-Chanter-frequencies-e1674488349143.jpg)
How to get your analysis
1. Send an email with the following:
- Your Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- “GHB Analysis” in the Subject field
- Sound recording (MP3, MP4, WAV – if unsure send it through and we will check the format)
Your recording should be of you playing a slow tune that has the full pipe scale – including low G – as in, for example, Killiecrankie.
2. Email the file to 4analysis@proton.me
3. We will confirm receipt of your email and will Invoice you with payment instructions within seven (7) days. We only accept payment through Wise – see https://wise.com/
4. Once we have received payment the analysis will be emailed to you.