Definition & Meaning of "musette"

What is a "musette"?

A musette is a small bagpipe commonly used in French folk music. It features a melody pipe and one or more additional pipes that provide a steady background sound. The player blows air into a bag made of animal skin or synthetic material to produce music, and changes the pitch by covering or uncovering holes along the pipes. Known for its bright, cheerful tone, the musette is often used in traditional French music and dance, adding a lively and distinctive sound to performances.