The bagpipe is a wind musical instrument used with closed reeds blown from a constant fiber of air into a bag.
This instrument has two types of pipes: the melody pipe and the chanter.
The bagpipe reeds have a history of more than a thousand years and were played in European countries, the northern part of Africa, and West Asia, with regions that include Turkey and the Persian population.
In the medieval period, the bagpipe was used by street musicians to give entertainment to street goers. As time passed, the bagpipes too evolved, based on the region.
There are three types of bagpipe reeds.
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Best Bagpipe Reeds For Beginners
Playing the bagpipes is a lot of fun, but in order to play the instrument properly, you have to have a high-quality reed.
In fact, this is the only way to ensure that your tone is what it’s supposed to be.
If you’re shopping for the best bagpipe reeds, you can shop online to make it a bit easier.
Reeds are sold at dozens of online stores, and you can even view honest reviews to help you decide which ones to buy.
Below are some of the most popular bagpipe reeds, which should help you find the one that is right for you.
1. Frazer Warnock 5-Pack of Practice Chanter Reeds
- FRAZER WARNOCK PRACTICE CHANTER REEDS 5 PACK made in Ireland by one of the finest bagpipe makers, these reeds offer a lovely consistent sound.
- REUSABLE CARRY CASE ensures you reeds are kept safe and allowed to dry out once removed from your chanter
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With a steady tone that is truly authentic, these reeds are made by a top company in Ireland.
They come in a pack of five and their own carrying case for your convenience.
They are made by a bagpipe maker that pays attention to every detail.
The reeds produce an even, consistent tone, and they are considered some of the best bagpipe chanter reeds around.
The pros of these reeds include:
- They come in a set of five, so they will last;
- They come with a convenient carrying case;
- Bagpipe experts make them, so they are high-quality.
2. Scottish Bagpipe Drone & Reeds Set with Tutor Book
- Great Highland Bagpipes Rosewood Silver Amounts/Scottish Bagpipes with Practice Chanter
- Brand New Full set of Rosewood Bagpipe Black Finish Features Full Size Bagpipe 40 x 20 Synthetic Bag 30 X 12
- Full set Silver with Nickel Plated Plain Mounts Bagpipe Scottish Bagpipe Black Watch Tartan Cover and Matching Cord
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Complete with a tutor manual that many players will find beneficial, these bagpipe reeds and drones are just what you need regardless of how experienced you are.
The manual helps all types of players, and it comes with three drone reeds and two chanter reeds.
It also provides a lot of equipment for such a low price.
The pros of these reeds include:
- The set consists of enough reeds to last for a while;
- The tutor manual is helpful for all players;
- Reasonably priced.
The cons include:
- It does not come with a reed pipe.
3. Great Highland Syntactic Drone Reeds
This reed set comes complete with ten pieces in total.
This includes two chanter reeds, two syntactic practice reeds, one cane bass, two cane tenor drone reeds, one syntactic bass, and two syntactic tenor drone reeds.
A practice chanter reed pipe completes the collection, and a top Irish manufacturer makes them.
The reeds are easy and fun to play, and they are reasonably priced.
When researching the best bagpipe reeds, this one will pop up on your list.
The pros of these reeds include:
- High-quality materials for easy tuning;
- Nice high-pitch sound;
- A complete set of most reeds you’ll ever need.
4. G1 Platinum Bagpipe Reed
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Made with a mature treated cane, this set of two bagpipe reeds comes with a plastic vial to hold them in.
Each reed is tested for top-notch quality and its high A, which is sharper, is suitable for many types of chanters.
Used by many Grade 1 bands and soloists, the G1 platinum bagpipe reed is durable and long-lasting.
The pros of these reeds include:
- They are made to the highest quality standards;
- They are tested for pitch and clarity;
- The best cane sources are used to make the reeds.
The cons include:
- Some users may consider the price a bit high.
5. Great Highland Bagpipe Cane Reed & Practice Chanter Drone Reeds
If you’re researching the best bagpipe drone reeds, this one will likely appear on the list.
Manufactured by the House of Scotland, this seven-piece set includes two chanter cane reeds, one cane bass, two cane tenor drone reeds, and two syntactic reeds for the bagpipe practice chanter.
They are easy to play and easy to tune.
The pros of these reeds include:
- They have the high-pitched sound that players love;
- The price is low and starts at under $20;
- Only high-quality cane is used for the reeds.
6. Scottish Bagpipe Practice Chanter Syntactic Reeds – Pack of 6
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These reeds are handmade from synthetic materials and are perfect practice chanter reeds.
They are durable and high-quality, and they offer expert craftsmanship every time.
At a price of under $16, this is also a set of bagpipe reeds that enables you to get a lot of bang for your buck.
The pros of these reeds include:
- Very reasonable price;
- Well-made plastic reeds made by hand;
- Ability to be used in Scottish goose bagpipes also.
7. Great Highland Bagpipe Synthetic Drone Reeds – Set of 3
The reeds are easy to play and easy to tune, and they have a great sound as well.
They produce the great high-pitch sound that bagpipe players love, made of nice, high-quality synthetic material.
They contain one synthetic bass drone reed and two synthetic tenor drone reeds for your convenience.
The pros of these reeds include:
- Although synthetic, they are very high-quality reeds;
- They are very reasonably priced;
- They come with a warranty.
8. Scottish Bagpipes Syntactic Drone Reeds – Set of 3
Some of the best bagpipe reeds on the market are a set of one bass and two tenor drone reeds.
They are easy to play and tune, and their sound is loved by bagpipe players worldwide.
They also start at under $17, so they are very reasonably priced.
The pros of these reeds include:
- They are great for Scottish bagpipes and Highland bagpipes;
- They have a great high-pitched sound;
9. House of Scotland Cane Drone Reeds – Set of 3
This is the perfect setting for all bagpipe players with one cane bass drone reed and two cane tenor drone reeds.
They are perfect for both Highland and Scottish bagpipes, and they start at under $13 for the set.
This makes them affordable for everyone.
The pros of these reeds include:
- They are very reasonably priced;
- They are made of high-quality materials;
- The set is a convenient combination for players.
10. Balance Tone Drone Reed in Bb
Considered some of the best bagpipe reeds available, these drone reeds are made for Bb, or 466 Hz, pipe chanters.
They come with one bass and two tenor drone reeds, priced very reasonably. They also have great tone quality.
The pros of these reeds include:
- Great air efficiency;
- Very steady performance;
- Great overall quality.
Types Of Bagpipe Reeds You Can Buy Online
If you play the bagpipes, you’ll want to make sure you have an ample supply of reeds.
You will have to have reeds that you can use when you play your instrument.
If you’re buying bagpipe reeds, you should strongly consider buying what you need online.
Why should you get what you need online? Shopping online offers some advantages, particularly when purchasing something like this.
Here are a few of the perks:
Not every music store carries reeds that are designed for bagpipes.
Some stores only cater to instruments that are more widely played.
Thankfully, this shouldn’t be an issue at online music stores.
Because online shops don’t have to worry about shelf space, they can offer their customers a huge selection of products.
If you’re looking for reeds, you’ll be able to find them.
1. The Bagpipe Drone Reed
- World's Best-Selling Drone Reeds: Trusted by pipers globally for its exceptional tone and steadiness.
- Standard Set: Includes one bass and two tenor reeds, perfect for a full, rich sound.
- Universal Compatibility: Works seamlessly with all models of bagpipes, both new and vintage.
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The musical note produced by the other reeds in the bagpipe is called drone reed.
These are known as drones, as they create a single note; only those are tweaked to the chanter.
The drones are mainly made of cane in the modern historical period.
The drone (bagpipe drone reeds) bagpipes are also called the Great Highland bagpipes.
It evolved from the Scottish nativity.
As the drone bagpipe served in modern times, it was popularized by the British military forces.
The drones were later manufactured with bamboo due to their stiffness and natural pipe formation.
The drone reed is still known for its best tuning sound. But due to the cane’s practical nature, which can be changed by the external weather factors, it lost its push towards its development in modern times.
You’ll Have a Lot Of Appealing Choices When It Comes to Buying Bagpipe Drone Reeds.
It’s always nice to have options when you are shopping.
As long as you buy your bagpipe drone reeds online, you should have a lot of great reeds to choose from.
You’ll be able to compare different reeds against each other and see what each product offers.
You’ll be able to purchase products made from top brands, and you’ll have the chance to seek out great deals.
If you buy what you need online, you won’t have to settle for something sub-par. Instead, you’ll be able to get exactly what you want.
Ordering Online Can Save You Money
Bagpipe reeds aren’t prohibitively expensive, but if you buy multiple reeds, the cost will add up.
You should try to save money whenever you have the chance to.
If you order what you need online, you’ll be able to take advantage of lower prices.
Shopping online will also give you a lot of opportunities for discounts. There are almost always sales going on online.
There are often discounts and special promotional codes as well.
2. The Synthetic Drone Reed
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As discussed earlier, the drone reed is the best bagpipe instrument.
To push from the greatest musicians has seen its vivid evolution into recent times by manufacturing it with plastic and other synthetic materials.
The synthetic drone reed is also known as a modern drone reed.
As time passed, people started making synthetic drones with carbon fiber and glass fiber to balance the wind moisture in the bag.
The drone’s strength is increased through various synthetic materials daily to increase air efficiency.
The air efficiency increases based on the reed strength to produce better sounding.
Buying Synthetic Drone Reeds Online Is Easy
Running out to the store to buy something can be a big hassle.
When you have to drive out somewhere, you have to give up a lot of your time.
In contrast, buying things online is one of the easiest things you can do.
If you order your synthetic drone reeds online, you won’t have to worry about store hours.
You’ll be able to place your order at any time of day.
It won’t be difficult for you to get to the store; you’ll simply have your order sent straight to you.
You should start ordering items like reeds online if you lead a busy life.
It can make a difference.
You’ll be Able to Learn More About What You are Buying
When you purchase reeds from a brick-and-mortar music store, you have to rely on the knowledge of the staff.
If the staff at the store can’t tell you a lot about a particular product, you have no real recourse.
When you buy reeds online, you’ll be able to look at detailed product descriptions.
You’ll also have the chance to read product reviews.
This means that you will be able to gain a lot of insight into a product.
You’ll be an informed consumer.
If you plan on purchasing bagpipe reeds online, you should start looking at stores that carry what you want.
Once you’ve found a store you want to shop at, you can start admiring their reeds.
Look at the products they are selling, and decide what you would like to buy.
