There are several types of bagpipes. Technically, an instrument need only have an air reservoir to qualify as a bagpipe. In practice, however, "bagpipe" most commonly refers to the instrument we play, the great highland bagpipe (GHB). Some of the other common types of bagpipes are the Uilleann pipes, Northumbrian pipes, and Scottish small pipe. These instruments differ from the GHB in their scale, range, the number and tuning of the drones, loudness, and how the bag is filled with air.
	The main pipe components of a GHB include a blowstick, bag, chanter, and three drone pipes. The GHB is usually played in a standing position with the bag held between the piper's arm and side. The drones rest against the piper's shoulder and point upward. The piper inflates the bag by exhaling through the blowstick. He applies pressure to the bag with his arm to provide a constant and steady supply of air to the pipes. The air is forced through the reeds of the chanter and drones. The chanter produces the melody notes. It has a double-tongue reed at its top. It has eight finger holes and can thus produce nine notes, from low G to high A. Its conical bore means that the lower notes are the loudest. The drones produce a constant tone in accompaniment to the chanter. They each have a single-tongue reed at the bottom of the drone. The drones are tuned by adjusting their length, by sliding the second section up or down on the tuning slide. The two tenor drones are tuned to one octave below low A on the chanter; the longer bass drone is tuned to two octaves below low A. The pipes are usually constructed from african blackwood. In dry climates like Colorado the chanter is frequently made out of a hard plastic turned on a lathe. The sole, ferrules, tuning slides, and projecting mounts are available in a variety of materials, including wood, silver, gold, nickel, horn, and ivory. The choice of pipes is up to the individual piper, but bands usually use chanters from the same manufacturer for uniformity of sound. [Bagpipe diagram courtesy of Kevin Auld]
	The cost of a set of pipes will vary greatly depending on maker and materials. Cheap instruments can be had for a few hundred dollars, and high-quality pipes made from expensive materials can go well into four figures. You should avoid cheap imitations, especially those found on internet auction sites. They are often unplayable and only good for wall decoration. A set of good-quality pipes from a reputable maker can be had new for about $1000. A good used set can cost less. If you want fancy silver or ivory ornamentation the price explodes.

"What is the piper playing
  that battles in my blood?--
	    winds in it,
			waves in it,
  waters at the flood;
	    sadness in it,
			madness in it,
  weeping mists and rain--
what is the piper playing
  that beats within my brain?"

--Lt. Joseph Lee, quoted in Pipes of War by Sir Bruce Seton and PM John grant