Bagpipes (gajde) are a class of instrument that are made of tanned goatskin. The gajdunica, naška, roga, dulca and trubnja (bordun, burdon, and drone) are made of wood. Inside the bagpipes, in the chanter and drone are one-way valves made of reed or elder tree wood. In the chanter (gajdunica) there are two reeds, which is typical of all old Croatian instruments with skin, except for the duda, which has three or four reeds in its chanter. In the drone (trubanj or bordun) there is one reed that gives the low, basic sound of the bagpipes. The wooden parts often have tin-inlay decorations. 

Today, bagpipes are usually made in the key of E (and sometimes in the keys of D or F). The tones that can be produced on bagpipes are in the key of E: the low bass drone of tone E (bordun), the keynote of E and fourth B (the right accompanying side of the chanter); the sounds E, F sharp, G sharp, A, B and C sharp (the left melodious side of the chanter). The bagpipe is played by blowing air through a blowpipe into a bag that is held and pressed under the left arm; the drones are laid across the left shoulder. Both hands are used for playing on the chanter.

The music played on bagpipes is usually playful and merry. People often sang to the accompaniment of bagpipes. In the past, weddings and other entertainments were always accompanied by the playing of pipers.