A fundamental part of learning to play bagpipes is mastering the chanter.
The transition from a practice chanter to a full-sized bagpipe is very important.
But first, choosing the right practice bagpipe chanter is a significant decision to make.
That’s why I have put in one article the best practice chanters for sale on Amazon.
Below is some additional information about the chanters and some product reviews for the top options.
Contents:
IN A HURRY? Check Out The Top 3 Practice Chanters For Beginners…
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Top 10 Practice Chanter For Sale
1. RG Hardie Bagpipe Practice Chanter, Case, and Reed Tube
- RG HARDIE BAGPIPES TWIST TRAP PRACTICE CHANTER made in Scotland by one of the finest bagpipe makers, engraved with RG Hardies logo and with recessed finger holes perfect...
- THE PIPING INSTITUTE TUTOR BOOK 1 new latest 2017 edition for beginners. This is arguably the best tutor book on the market. Was first published in 1953. This latest...
- 2 NEW AND TESTED QUALITY SCOTTISH REEDS that are matched in sound to your chanter in breathable storage tube to allow to dry out after use and avoid any mold or smells...
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A standard-sized practice chanter is from Scotland and comes with two reeds and a carrying case.
No list of the best practice chanter kits would be complete without this one.
Its recessed finger holes make it especially easy for beginners to learn to play, and the reeds are matched in sound and therefore guarantee consistent tone after time.
And, it is also a lot of fun to play!
The advantages of this kit include:
- It is great for both beginners and experienced players;
- It has a breathable case that allows the instrument to dry out between practices;
- Comes with O rings instead of traditional hemp for a higher quality instrument.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
2. Dunbar Long Poly Best Practice Chanter Kit
- Dunbar Long Poly Practice Chanter with Tested Reed
- Practice Chanter Soft Case
- College of Piping Tutor #1 Book with on-line videos
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re looking for the best practice chanter so that you can learn the bagpipes, this one should be considered.
Practice chanters are played the same as regular bagpipes but are quieter and smaller, making the learning experience a lot easier for you.
This one comes with a manual specifically made for beginners along with a tested reed for your convenience.
It makes learning simpler and easier than you’d think, in part because it is much easier to play than the actual bagpipes.
The advantages of this kit include:
- It comes with everything you need to learn to play the bagpipes;
- Online videos for easier lessons;
- It is lightweight and easy to carry around with you.
The disadvantages of this kit include:
- There is no longer a CD-ROM available in the kit.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
3. Gibson Standard Practice Chanter Kit
- Gibson Standard Poly Practice Chanter with Tested Reed
- Practice Chanter Soft Case
- College of Piping Tutor #1 Book with On-Line Video Lessons
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a very basic kit that includes a practice chanter and a tested reed.
Its soft case allows you to carry it around with you wherever you go, and it even comes with a manual specifically designed for beginning players.
It is an easy-to-use practice chanter for bagpipes!
And you should certainly consider it when you’re looking for the best practice chanter on the market, and its sleek design makes it a very attractive instrument.
Again, Gibson has produced an above the average, a superior product with its Practice Chanter Kit.
You get this chanter in hard plastic material with great durability.
Users notes show the excellent sound produced by this bagpipe chanter and how it is great for practicing.
A top-notch choice!
The advantages of this kit include:
- Its size makes it perfect when you travel;
- It is lightweight and comfortable to use;
- It comes with a case and a reed.
Its disadvantages include:
- There is no CD-ROM as there once was.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
4. Soutar Standard Poly Practice Chanter
- 18" standard black poly/blackwood practice chanter.
- Poly top with blackwood bottom.
- Nickel ferrule and imitation ivory disk sole.
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
At 18 inches long, the size of this bagpipe practice chanter is just perfect!
And it comes with a reed, so it’s ready to play as soon as you get it.
Easy to play and lightweight, this practice chanter for sale is perfect for beginning players but can be used by more experienced players.
It also has a great tone and overall sound that is very pleasing, making it easy to get excited about your next practice session.
The advantages of this product include:
- It offers a full, wonderful tone.
- Comes ready to play
- It is lightweight and easy to travel with.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
5. Dunbar Regular Practice Chanter
- Sealed with O rings for convenience
- The holes are countersunk for ease in location
- Length is 18.75 inches
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a standard-sized practice chanter that makes learning the bagpipes a very simple task.
It is made with countersunk holes that are easy to locate, and it is sealed with O rings for extra convenience.
If you’re a beginner, this is a great bagpipe chanter for sale to use, and it comes in a standard size to enable you to get the feel of a regular set of bagpipes.
It is a perfect instrument for both beginners and experts.
The advantages of this practice chanter include:
- Its beveled holes make it easier to play.
- High-quality instrument.
- It is a simple instrument to play.
The disadvantages of this chanter include:
- It doesn’t come with a reed as other practice chanters do.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
6. Rosewood Scottish Bagpipe Wood Practice Chanter with 2 Reeds
- Brand New RoseWood Practice Chanter
- Made of Rose Wood Silver Mounts
- 19" Long
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A lovely cream and brown practice bagpipe chanter is of top-notch rosewood and comes in a white and brown design.
Furthermore, it is the perfect instrument for both beginners and more advanced players, and its sturdiness means that it will last for many years to come.
If you want to start with something basic and simple to learn, this bagpipes chanters is the instrument for you because it makes getting started on the bagpipes easy and fast.
The advantages of this practice chanter include:
- Very easy to learn
- It is a very attractive instrument.
- It is high in quality because of the wood used.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
7. Frazer Warnock Standard Bagpipe Practice Chanter
- FRAZER WARNOCK BAGPIPES STANDARD PRACTICE CHANTER made in Ireland by one of the finest bagpipe makers, engraved and with recessed finger holes perfect for learners...
- THE PIPING CENTRE OF SCOTLAND TUTOR BOOK 1 new latest edition for beginners. This is arguably the best tutor book on the market. Was first published in 1953. This latest...
- 2 NEW AND TESTED QUALITY FRAZER WARNOCK REEDS that are matched in sound to your chanter in breathable storage tube to allow to dry out after use and avoid any mold or...
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
A little larger than other bagpipes chanters, this is one instrument that you’ll want to consider when researching the best practice chanter kits available.
It comes with everything you need to start playing, so all you have to do is take it out and get to work.
It comes from Ireland so that you don’t have to worry about its quality.
Also, you get the two reeds, matched in sound for great tone every time you practice.
Besides, the case allows you to carry it around with you with little effort.
The advantages of this chanter kit include:
- Comes in a larger size that is easier for beginners.
- It features high-quality workmanship.
- It comes with everything that you need to start playing immediately.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
8. Barefoot Bagpiper Bagpipe Practice Chanter
- BAREFOOT BAGPIPER STANDARD PRACTICE CHANTER made in Scotland, it features an engraved nickel plated ferrule, it is a standard length which is 18 inches long. It has...
- 2 NEW AND TESTED QUALITY FRAZER WARNOCK REEDS that are matched in sound to your chanter in breathable storage tube to allow to dry out after use and avoid any mold or...
- BAREFOOT BAGPIPER CARRY CASE, elegant corduroy to dry out after use. Easy to fit in any bag. Ideal for travel or commuting
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Well, if you’re shopping for the best bagpipes practice chanter on the market, this one should at least be considered.
It is an instrument by a company specializing in Irish and Scottish bagpipe instruments, and it comes with a hardwood that will keep it in excellent condition for a very long time.
It even has nickel mounts for extra sturdiness, and it is a conventional way to begin to learn the bagpipes.
This is a well-made piece and the perfect way to learn this majestic instrument.
The advantages of this practice chamber include:
- Great value for the money
- It is a high-quality instrument.
- It is easy to play and fun to learn.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
9. Roosebeck Bagpipe Practice Chanter in Black
- Includes a reed, a book & CD
- CD tutorial by Pipe Major R.T. Shepherd
- Book includes photographs of finger positions, exercises, melodies & more
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a standard 18-inch-long practice chanter in basic black.
Meanwhile, it uses a high-quality red cedar, and the last two holes are spaced closer together than the other holes to make it easier to learn.
It weighs less than five ounces, so it is lightweight enough to carry you wherever you go.
When you’re learning to play, quality is important, and this practice chanter is sturdy enough to last through many practice sessions.
Besides, it also has a great tone and is fun to play.
The advantages of this bagpipe practice chamber include:
- Very solid and sturdy.
- Its sound is full and rich.
- It is very easy to learn to play.
The disadvantages of this practice chanter include:
- The reed comes with doesn’t last very long.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
10. Bagpipe Practice Chanter Kit (Soutar Child) with Book, Chanter Case, Spare Reed, Reed Case
- Bagpipe Practice Chanter, Tutor Book, Spare Reed, Chanter Case
Last update on 2021-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Researching the best practice chanter will likely bring you to this option every time.
Perfect for children to learn on, this instrument has sunken holes to make playing the notes a lot easier.
The rubber O-rings make for a great airtight seal, and it is a craftsmanship of a top-notch Scottish company specializing in these instruments.
For young people wanting to learn to play the bagpipes, this practice chanter is perfect, and it even comes with a reed for your convenience.
The advantages of this practice chanter include:
- High-quality instrument.
- It comes ready to play with its own reed.
- It is the perfect size for children of all ages.
Check Price & Reviews on Amazon
What Are Bagpipe Practice Chanters And What Are They Used For?
The chanter is an instrument that consists of double reeds inside of a long narrow pipe-like body.
It is the part of the bagpipe in which you blow into to create the music.
On this part, there are nine holes that, when pressed, create a specific sound.
Unlike a full-sized bagpipe, you won’t find any bag attached to it, making it easier to play and practice on.
Essentially, the practice chanter is good for practicing by both experts and beginners for several reasons.
Obviously, convenience is the first reason since the bulky and heavy bags are hard to tote around.
Additionally, it creates a much quieter sound making it easier to practice indoors.
Bagpipe practice chanters require less breath than the regular bagpipe, making it easier to practice and play.
What Are Practice Chanters Made Of?
Generally, modern practice chanters require either wood, plastic, or a combination of the two.
Traditionally, African Wood was a part of manufacturing, but alternatives eventually had to be found due to a shortage of this type.
Shortages in 1960 searched for different materials imperative, and it was during this time that derlin, or plastic, was identified as a good alternative.
The use of derlin revolutionalized the way that pipes were made and produced.
Nowadays, there are wide varieties of different plastic and wood chanters.
Chanters now come in different price ranges, quality, styles, sizes, and durability by virtue of using these two materials.
Here is a list of the top-selling and durable best practice chanter reeds.
Answers To The Most Common Questions Concerning Practice Chanters
The bagpipes are an instrument with a rich and deep history and culture that can be traced back centuries.
Starting as an instrument used in war, this unique instrument is still widely used by various folk artists to this day.
But if you’ve ever had the chance to play the pipes, you might know that it’s a very hard instrument to learn, with even the most basic principles being difficult to master.
This feeling is shared by many players, which is why new students of the instrument are encouraged to start with the practice chanter.
The practice chanter is an instrument designed for beginners who are starting their journey with the bagpipes.
This is the instrument used to learn the basics of the instrument, precisely the fingering positions for playing melodies on the pipes.
In fact, there are even some very experienced players who still practice using chanters as they can make the process much easier.
In this article, we answer some of the most common practice chanter questions.
Read on to find out more.
FAQs
A practice chanter is designed to ease one’s way of playing the pipes.
While it is an instrument on its own, it’s usually used as a practice tool for beginner players and experienced players alike.
This is because it takes out a lot of the complexity that comes with playing the pipes.
The fingering methods are exactly the same, so you will use the same hand positions on a chanter as you would a full set of bagpipes.
The difference here is that you don’t need to inflate the bag before a sound can be produced.
Instead, the instrument is closely related to other woodwind instruments, as you blow straight into a reed to create a sound.
Aside from that, though, most of the playing is just like playing the pipes.
The fingering is the same, and the sounds made are similar, so to play the chanter, blow into it while playing the notes as you would on a set of pipes.
You can’t necessarily “tune” a practice chanter as you would a piano or a guitar.
However, there are times when you could fingering the instrument correctly, but the note that’s being played is slightly off.
This could be for several reasons.
As with most woodwind instruments, the first thing you need to check is how you’re breathing.
You can also check with a tuner if the pitch is correct.
If it isn’t, you can adjust the reed accordingly.
A quality chanter needs to be used to make your practice a more pleasant experience and ease the learning curve.
You can first look at the brand of the chanter you’re getting as more established brands like Gibson, Mccallum, and Walsh tend to be more consistent with the quality of their products.
However, the brand isn’t the only important thing.
You also need to take a look at the material, and it’s best to avoid ones made out of Rosewood as they tend to be of lower quality.
Ideally, you should go for chanters made of a black material called polyplastic.
Another thing people tend to look at is the size, as chanters come in long, regular, and junior sizes.
The size you choose should be the one you’re most comfortable with.
But it’s advised to go for either long or regular sizes as these have the same spacing between the holes of standard bagpipes and will make the transition easier.
To make sure your chanter is in the best condition possible, it’s important to clean it after use.
To do this, you have to take apart the chanter and separate it into its three parts.
Then, simply blow into the reed, blow out the top, and blow out the bottom.
Some people choose to clean them further by using cotton brushes on the parts to dry them and bore oil on the top to retain moisture. Just remember to let everything dry before reassembling.
Holding a chanter is similar to holding other woodwind instruments like the recorder.
However, the difference lies in where you put your fingers.
On a chanter, instead of putting the tips of your fingers on the hole, it’s advised to place your fingers in a way that the line right below the first knuckle is what’s resting on the holes.
This will allow for more effortless playing as well as a smoother transition to a full set of pipes.
A practice chanter will come in three parts: the chanter top, the chanter bottom, and the reed.
There’s a component called the reed seat on the chanter bottom, which rests on top of the bottom part of the chanter.
To assemble the chanter, all you have to do is rest the reed on the reed seat.
Once that’s done, simply place the chanter top on the chanter bottom, careful not to hit the reed.
Now, your chanter is ready for playing.
Setting up a bagpipe practice chanter takes two things: the chanter and a tuner.
Simply assemble the chanter like you regularly would, resting the reed on the reed seat and attaching the two parts.
Once done, try playing a high A and a low A note on the chanter with a tuner nearby.
The tuner should have the exact same reading for both notes (though the high A can be slightly flat).
If they aren’t the same note, adjust the reed, and repeat the process until the chanter is tuned.
After that, it is ready for playing.
There isn’t any standard length of time you should be practicing on the chanter.
In fact, most professional players still practice and learn new music on a chanter because of how practical it is.
However, before going out and getting bagpipes, you need to make sure you are very comfortable with the chanter.
This means being able to play the scales, knowing the notes and finger positions, and having a good understanding of the basic principles.
Once you have all of that down, you can start practicing with a full set of pipes, but be ready for a steep learning curve as a whole new set of skills will have to be learned once you move from a practice chanter to a full set of bagpipes.
