Practice chanter stage.

This is the initial stage for anyone interested in learning to play the highland bagpipes. A practice chanter looks like a simple flute / recorder, however it has a double reed (similar to and oboe) made of thin plastic.

Most practice chanters are made of plastic but they were traditionaly made of wood. As the practice chanter is not a loud instrument the material it is made of does not play a large factor in the overall sound of the instrument.

PLEASE NOTE IT IS HOWEVER IMPORTANT TO HAVE A WELL MADE CHANTER AND GOOD WORKING REED TO MAKE ANY PROGRESS!

All our practice chanters (even our less expensive ones) are ideal for learning and will offer years of service.

Practice chanter come in several sizes:

1/2 size practice chanter Suitable for young (6-8 year old) children learning

Standard size practice chanter are used by many players even those who are advanced . This is the traditional size and offers a good approximation to the highland bagpipe chanter.

Long size practice chanter as the name would suggest is slightly longer than the standard. Finger spacing is very similar to the standard size practice chanter but the pitch is a half tone lower. Only developed recently (20 years ago) they offer a closed and more "in tune" approximation to the highland bagpipe chanter. We would normally advise anyone who is advanced at another instrument to get this size.

MOVING ON
The next step is normally onto the Highland bagpipe. Although it can be a big step from practice chanter to full bagpipe it can be broken down to three basic stages.

• Playing the bagpipe with the chanter "blocked off"
• Playing the bagpipe with the drones blocked off
• playing the bagpipe with chanter and one or two drones blocked off

These stages will help with holding/ controlling the set , tuning , developing stamina and a better "ear" .

Within a couple of weeks it should be possible to transfer the practice chanter "knowledge / technique" to the full pipes

Don't make the mistake of buying a "cheap" Highland bagpipe. Often the worst purchase possible is the "bargain " Highland set . Beware many "quality" musical retailers feel quite happy to sell unplayable bagpipes.