Piper Wanna Be

[Piper]

At the risk of swimming against the tide here, the first practice chanter I bought was of questionable middle eastern origin. Some type of light colored wood (probably sheesham). Much to my instructor's surprise, it tuned right in with his WWII vintage blackwood practice chanter. I've used it for over 8 years now. It's no longer my primary one, but has been relegated to "downstairs" use. I play it while waiting out commercials, or waiting for a download. It is possible to get a good cheap chanter, although the odds are against you. A couple of years ago I picked up a Dunbar blackwood practice chanter, with a poly top. The poly top eliminates the area most prone to cracking due to moisture. I've also found the standard length practice chanter to be easier to use than the long. It rests on the table more comfortably. Even with the long chanter, you're still making a major change in the position you hold it in when you change to the pipes. I think that takes more getting used to than the difference in length.

[auld argonian]

At the risk of swimming against the tide here, the first practice chanter I bought was of questionable middle eastern origin. Some type of light colored wood (probably sheesham). Much to my instructor's surprise, it tuned right in with his WWII vintage blackwood practice chanter. I've used it for over 8 years now. It's no longer my primary one, but has been relegated to "downstairs" use. I play it while waiting out commercials, or waiting for a download. It is possible to get a good cheap chanter, although the odds are against you.

Well, figger that out of the thousands of these that have been made there has to be a couple that are good...you lucked out.

Best

AA