The mišnice (also mjeršnice) is an instrument like a bagpipe, made from goatskin. Its date of invention is unknown but it is known to have existed in Europe by the 9th century. Different forms of the instrument were found in North Africa and Eastern Europe, especially Croatia, Serbia, Hungary and Ukraine. It is played by blowing into one pipe while using the fingers to cover or uncover holes in another pipe. It sounds similar to modern bagpipes, but not identical. The

chanter The chanter is the part of the bagpipe upon which the player creates the melody. It consists of a number of finger-holes, and in its simpler forms looks similar to a recorder. On more elaborate bagpipes, such as the Northumbrian bagpipes or the ...

, on which the melody is played, is actually a double pipe, with six holes on each side; one set of holes is used as the

drone Drone most commonly refers to: * Drone (bee), a male bee, from an unfertilized egg * Unmanned aerial vehicle * Unmanned surface vehicle, watercraft * Unmanned underwater vehicle or underwater drone Drone, drones or The Drones may also refer to: ...

, while the other plays the tune in almost the same register. The mišnice has been featured in the paintings of Andrea Schiavone.

External links

Picture of a man playing the mišnice

Sound of the mišnice being played
by Peter Boro. Bagpipes North African musical instruments Musical Instruments articles needing expert attention {{Bagpipes-stub