Piob (Peeb) means Pipe; Piobaire (Peebair) means Piper; and Piobaireachd (Peeb-air-och - 3 syllables) means pipe/playing pipe music. Many people "simplify" the pronunciation by saying "Peebrock", probably from the spelling "Pibroch" which is seen in some Light music and songs. Though more accurately titled Ceol Mor (Cowal More) meaning Big (or Great) Music, the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe is commonly referred to as Piobaireachd. This is the music that summoned the clans to battle, celebrated sweet victory and terrible loss, commemorated murder and lamented the deaths of their chiefs and heroes.

The term 'Slow Air' applies to slow tunes which have evolved from a variety of historical roots. You may find some slow airs being referred to as 'laments' or 'pastorals'. These distinctions tend to apply more to the reason for writing the music than to any real structural characteristics within the tune. Laments are slow airs written to mourn a death while pastorals are written as beautiful tunes for listening to.