Thoughts on Buying a Practice Chanter

Sharing my thoughts on buying a practice chanter is based purely on my own experience from when first starting out on my goal to eventually play the Pipes. Some accomplished pipers may indeed disagree with my thoughts as they have their own beliefs and experiences.  This blog is here to guide and not in any way advice this is what is best for you.  Your piping journey is personal to you and is very much down to you as an individual, hopefully even if you take just one point out of this blog it may help and guide you.

Firstly, before we start, I have got one piece of important advice which I consider the most important part of your journey, be it selecting a Practice Chanter or eventually selecting a set of Highland bagpipes and that is NEVER buy a cheap chanter or Set of Pipes from Asia.  You can buy these online from £50.00 – £250.00 however despite being the second biggest exporter of Chanters and Bagpipes other than Scotland, the wood used is inferior to that used in reputable  Scottish bagpipe manufacturers workshops, and does not produce the same tonal quality and I would challenge any piper to match them pitch perfect and totally balanced to a set of let’s say for instance,  McCallum’s, Henderson, Wallace, Naill or Shephard pipes to name but a few.  Many have tried and failed and all I can say is don’t waste your money unnecessarily with cheap imitations.

Moving on, there are two types of practice chanter, Long and Standard.  Practice chanters can be made from a variety of materials, including African blackwood, polypenco, and plastic. African blackwood is the most traditional and produces the best sound, but it is also the most expensive. Polypenco is a popular alternative that produces a decent sound at a more affordable price. Plastic chanters are the least expensive but do not in my opinion, produce as high-quality a sound.

Another important factor to consider is the length of the practice chanter. As mentioned earlier, long practice chanters sound a little better and feel more like a real bagpipe chanter with the same finger spacing , but they can also be more challenging to play. Standard practice chanters are a good choice for beginners or children who are just starting out, but my personal preference is the Long Chanter.

After Care

A Practice chanter is a delicate instrument that requires proper maintenance to ensure the best sound quality and longevity. Here are some general maintenance tips to keep your practice chanter in top condition:

Clean the inside of the practice chanter after use by running a cleaning rod through it.

Use a soft cloth to clean the exterior of the practice chanter.

Avoid exposing the practice chanter to extreme temperatures or humidity.

Store the practice chanter in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight.

Oil the practice chanter occasionally to prevent cracking or damage, I use Linseed oil as mine is African Blackwood.

It’s essential to use the proper cleaning materials and avoid any harsh chemicals that may damage the chanter’s wood or material.