The bagpipe is a folk instrument found throughout Europe, which simultaneously plays not only a melody but also a sustained note of unchanging pitch (called a 'drone,' meaning 'humming of bees' from the image of its timbre).

The piece, broadly speaking, is in ternary form: Prelude – A (measures 4–27) – B (measures 28–51) – A' (measure 52 onwards). However, A' is not a simple recapitulation of A but a significantly varied version.

In the Prelude and section A, the left-hand ostinato representing the drone progresses in a 3/8 time cycle. In the repetition of the theme, the range of the ostinato is expanded, and imitation is added to the inner voice of the right hand.

In section B, judging from the notation, the low note in the left hand at measure 28 likely gives the impression of continuing to sound. Additionally, the bass G that appears seven times from measure 35 is also likely intended to evoke a drone. Both Bartók's own performance and that by his wife Ditta play these Gs with a slightly greater resonance than other notes, even if they are not sustained.