Why does this sound so different?

The culturell surrounding in the beginning of european bagpiping didn't know the modern octave system (scale with 8 notes) but instead used the pentatonic system (scale with 5 notes). Similar differences to our known octave system are found in the near- and fareast cultures, where partially 9 - 12 tone systems are used. That is why this music sounds so exotic to us. The pentatonic system of the piper was after all so similar that the writing could be transferred rather easily. That there are still differences can be ascertained by trying to play the bagpipe with any other octave instrument. The harmonizing needs a lot of effort.

Where are the notes?

Playing from memory corresponded with the long tradition of this music. Notes weren't known in past centuries. Actually there wasn't anything like our known music note writing. The tradition of the songs of the clans was passed on. Piping today is a little easier. The piper learns the pieces like any other musician first by notes. He uses the handy and lowsounded Practice Chanter. Does he know the song by heart, he must bring it on to the pipe. Now he must coordinate playing, airpressure and armpressure so that a continues melodie is produced. That also means starting to play without transition and emptying out the air supply. An aftersound of the bordune after finishing the song is prohibited. But there is more to learning to play this instrument . Wood and leather needs care and usage. The beginning piper learns to prepare and to warm up the reed which produces the sound. He also learns to adjust the drone reeds that produces the steady tone in the three bordunes. After that he must harmonize the bordune to the low A of the chanter. Only when everything is perfectly harmonized the bagpipe will produce its characteristic sound. Before each playing of the band, especially on events, all instruments must be harmonized exactly.