On the subject of chanters

[Andrew Green]

Hey guys,
One thread concerning bagpipes, and learning has got me wondering...
who makes a good quality, but decently priced practice chanter?

I was thinking about getting one of the all inclusive learning kits from Kiltmart, or from OWorlds, but I really don't expect a high quality set of pipes in the $200 range. Those are Rosewood, so they aren't necessarily bad, and the bags are synthetic, so there is no seasoning to be performed on them. I am not sure how they would fair as a learner set, as I have not heard them... I mean, I suppose they would work (they come with a chanter to work with first)... but how well, and how long is at this time, unknown to me.

So to pose my questions, who here knows where nice chanters can be had, and perhaps a good set of pipes later down the road... and by good, I am hoping for under $1000, which isn't saying a whole lot for great pipes...
although scotwebstore seems to have a good set for $600-$750; I am under the impression that they use modern synthetics, and that it's a put it together yourself set (not necessarily bad, as you learn how to assemble and maintain the instrument in the process). I have books on how to learn, and a tape or two... and I have been meaning to start for a while. Might as well do it sooner than later.

An added bonus, is that I could practice at work on Saaturdays, and totally move forward with a desire, as well as kill time (Saturdays I get paid to do practically nothing, so I might as well use it as a creative outlet). If I am still there, I could even play the full pipes without worries, and I might even gain approval from some of the local sherriffs (the airport I work at has its own division, and one of the guys who stops by to say hello from time to time digs the pipes).

[Mike S]

Andrew, as strange as it may sound, the very LAST thing you need to worry about as a neophyte "would be" piper is an actual set of pipes. You will be starting out on the practice chanter, and using it almost exclusively for the next year or so.

Those "rosewood" (actually usually the cheapest Sheesham wood) Sialkot, Pakistani made souvenir grade pipes are worse than useless. Whatever you do, don't get suckered into that trap. The same applies to the never ending supply of low grade practice chanters one finds at every gift shop and Ebay ad nauseum.

First thing to do is get a good instructor. There is much to learn, and plenty of opportunities for derailing into bad habits and misinformation without a proper tutor.

I would recommend a good polypenco/Delrin chanter (I personally recommend a Gibson Long, but there are many fine makes/models). Definitely try to get a full sized "long" chanter, I think that they sound better and make transitioning to the full sized pipe chanter much easier.

Inquiries such as yours (understandably VERY commonplace on such sites) can be answered most thoroughly on www.bobdunsire.com which is THE premier website Forum devoted to the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Best of luck.

[Andrew Green]

Mike:
I have no intention of dumping a ton of money on a set of pipes, when I cannot even play a chanter as of yet! I appreciate the advice, and concern though.
Delrin actually sounds like an awesome medium to build out of, I was reading a fair share about it on hotpipes.com. They price for a chanter made of the synthetic material seems like a good, durable instrument.

The mention of trying to find a good set of pipes...
I like to plan, that's all... a good set is a good set, and a quality maker's work lasts for years. Chances are, the model will still be in production when I am ready for a set, it just doesn't hurt to see what is out there, and what comes recommeneded... just sort of sorting out the good info from the chaff. See where my thought process goes on that?

Thanks for the input, I hope to hear more.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

as far as acutal pipes go I would start out with a plastic (polypenco) set as they are more durable, and not very expensive Dunbar has a set of 3


dp1's are the bare bones basic set

P1'S. IMITATION AFRICAN BLACKWOOD. ANTIQUE DESIGN. NO IMITATION IVORY, BEADING OR COMBING. CHALICE STYLE TOPS. POLY CHANTER. COMPLETE WITH REEDS HIDE BAG, VELVET BAG COVER, AND WOOL CORDS.

750.00

DP2's

IMITATION AFRICAN BLACKWOOD. HALF MOUNTED WITH IMITATION IVORY PROJECTING MOUNTS AND NICKEL FERRULES. FULLY BEADED AND COMBED. POLY CHANTER. COMPLETE WITH REEDS, HIDE BAG, VELVET BAG COVER AND WOOL CORDS

875.00

DP3's

IMITATION AFRICAN BLACKWOOD. FULLY MOUNTED WITH IMITATION IVORY PROJECTING MOUNTS AND FERRULES. FULLY BEADED & COMBED. POLY CHANTER. COMPLETE WITH REEDS, HIDE BAG, VELVET BAG COVER AND WOOL CORDS.

the only diffrence between the p2, and p3 is that the ferrels are immitation ivory on the p3's
the price will vary by dealer but this would be about average for price.
I'd say go with a hide bag first as you will learn bag maintence that way
the reeds that usually come with it are usually EZ drones which are good reeds ...but eventually you will want an upgrade.
I aggree with Mike on quite a few points.

1 get a LONG practice chanter......it helps with muscle memory if you start with you fingers in the right place to begin with doubly if you have large hands !
2. rosewood, caucus wood, anything reading "east india company " and MOST sets on Ebay SUCK .......let me repeat that ........ rosewood, caucus wood, anything reading "east india company " and MOST sets on Ebay SUCK!!!!
I was suckered the first time I bought a set and got some pakistsani pipes the money I spent on them and put into them to get them playable I would have had a nice set of blackwoods if I would have just waited a while

3 get an instructor if you cant get one or dont live close enough to one there are books (college of piping tutor I,II,III ) available but you have to be SUPER CRITICAL of what you do ie looking in a mirror the whole time you practice and starting over the instant you realize you messed up till you get it right. it takes lots of discipline to learn the pipes...... multiply that 20 fold if your on your own.

4 bobdunsire.com is your friend!!! I learned SOOO much about maintence, technique, short cuts, ect that I wouldnt have on my own! some of the best pipers IN THE WORLD are members of that site, and they will gladly give you advice to pretty mych anything you could need to ask about the pipes.
also there is a bagpipe directory on the "front page " that will give you an infinite " yellow pages" to everything bagpipe related

good luck and if yo have any questions pm me ..even if I dont know the answer I will find out for you

Scott

[beerbecue]

Playing the pipes can get quite expensive.... I have read bob dunsire's forums for quite a while now, and have formed my own opinions that differ from what has been previously posted...

That being said....

My instructor (pipe major for the Mohawk Valley Frasers, which by the way is Barb T.s pipe band), who has been playing for the majority of his life (30+ years, I would imagine.....) gave me some advice recently concerning the practice chanter and pipes..... with which I whole-heartedly agree...

First, you will be on the practice chanter for about a year (sometimes as short as 8-9 months if you work really, really hard), so, no need to worry at all about pipes.... That time will also give you the opportunity to save for a nice set... A good set of pipes will last a lifetime, so it is frugal to invest in a set that you will be happy with for a long time. More importantly, if you plan to play in a band, they may have preferences that you will need to take into consideration.

The chanter - in his experience, full size v. standard chanter really makes very, very little difference, at least in your fingering while you are learning the instrument. Why? The only hole that is appreciably off is the low G. It is off by only about 1/8th of an inch (or less). I have personally played both lengths of chanter, and I have NO TROUBLE switching from one to the other. In terms of cost, standard chanters can be purchased for around half as much as a full-size chanter. Also, it is easier in most cases to get true pitch from a standard size practice chanter..

Once you start the pipes, and you are sure you are going to stick with it, invest in a nice, full length PC at that time... Keep your delrin one around as a knockaround, and pamper a nice blackwood one as well.

Even after starting with the pipes, you will still use the practice chanter for learning tunes, etc. It will be your friend for life.

Invest in what you have to now, hold off on the niceties until you are really sure you will stick with it for the long haul.

Most of all, have fun, get an instructor, get an instructor, get an instructor, play slowly and cleanly, and get those D-throws down...

[Andrew Green]

I figure I'll get one of the Dunbar long practice chanters....I think it is called the MV-2000 or something along those lines. Along with a tutor book or three.... I did manage to find a teacher relatively close, but I have yet to give him a call. He does private lessons, so something should be able to be worked out. I still have to call him though. He had been on vacation for a while, and I don't want to be a pest and ring him up before he's had a chance to settle back into his routines.

[haukehaien]

You might want to talk to the teacher before buying a PC - some teachers prefer their students to have specific ones.

[Andrew Green]

Not a bad idea. I'll email him, and see what's up.