Istarski mih

Istarski mih is a bagpipe native to the regions of Istria and Kvarner, now in Croatia. It consists of a bag made most often from goat skin and a double-chanter with two single reeds. This type of bagpipe is distinct in that it has no drones, but a double-chanter with finger-holes on both bores, allowing both a melody and changing harmony to be played. In this respect the mih more resembles the bagpipes of the Southwest Asia and North Africa than other European bagpipes. The instrument is not dodecaphonically tempered, instead using the Istrian scale. Its sound is distinct and unusual.

Unlike other Croatian bagpipe-like instruments that were forgotten and replaced with the accordion and violin in the 20th century, the art of playing istarski mih has not faced such rapid cultural decay.

Ivan Matetić Ronjgov, a native Istrian composer, is credited with having revived the art of playing the istarski mih and sopile in the 20th century, and Stjepan Večković has continued the instrument's tradition into the 21st century.

See also