Scottish Highland Bagpipe Practice Chanter Black Silver Mount Free Reeds, Bag and Book (Brown Chanter)

I've dreamed of playing the bagpipes for about 50 years now and finally decided to see if I was up to the challenge. I am following the advice that you learn to play the practice chanter before moving on to basic bagpipes then to full pipes. Being a petite female (small hands for sure) it has taken a lot of finger exercising to be able to get the pinky finger on the bottom hole (A). But I expect it would be that way with any chanter purchased for an adult. The sound isn't quite what I expected but is good enough to be able to tell if I am playing the right notes or not. The sound quality is also dependent on how even your blowing is. You will want to purchase extra reeds ( this does come with 2 reeds) and some hemp at some point as both do wear out. Hemp is good they say for 4 to six months. Make sure that you take the chanter apart after each time playing so that it can dry out. If you don't it will eventually ruin the chanter because mold will build up inside... that will also pose a health issue to your lungs called pipers lung. All in all I feel this is a good beginner chanter. Eventually you'll want a better one but this is an inexpensive way to find out if this instrument is a good fit for you. Best of luck to all who wish to learn to play the bagpipes and don't be like me and wait until you are almost 60 yrs old to start. LOL Although better late in life than never!

3 stars for price, it looks nice, and it makes sounds. So it IS a practice chanter in the sense that it makes sounds tantamount to music notes. It's really the equivalent of buying a $30.00 guitar...don't expect it to play like a Gibson or even an Epiphony. With instruments, you get what you pay for, and at this moment, you're looking at buying a $20 instrument whose counterparts sell for 75-100 bucks. That said, the chanter is incredibly hard to blow. It definitely is a good exercise for your lungs if you're training to play great pipes. I actually reamed the chanter out (don't try it unless you know what you're doing!!!) to make it easier to play and raise the volume a bit. Worked so-so. The reeds included are best described as follows: Someone in Pakistan looked at a picture of proper chanter reeds and made a semblance of one in the style of a Khyber Pass Webley revolver. They honked, they squeaked and they made vaguely turkey-like noises at varying pitches, none of which sounded like a chanter reed should. I ordered Warnock reeds for it, and I know it will help with the tone, but the chanter itself is cheap, and it's something to play around with until I get the pipes I'm saving for. Probably pick up a good practice chanter too, and give this one to someone who wants to learn to play pipes, and needs something to play around with and learn breathing and finger control. It's good for that...and messing with your cats.

I'm in a class of beginner bagpipers, this practice chanter is the WORST sounding chanter in the class. So embarrassing, like a dying goose is crying for help. My teacher tried it and couldn't get it to sound right. My advice, start out with at least a $100 range practice chanter and you'll be happier and more engaged.

This is my first experience with a chanter, as I am just learning. I do find the holes are difficult to cover, but that's probably me. For the low price, I do think it is good enough to get started until I a ready to step to a more expensive one.

It’s a good starter instrument to see if it’s worth pursuing. The book it comes with is ok, but there are plenty of videos to get you started. If you can learn on this started model, better quality models will be easy to play.

.The chanter is pretty to view but very difficult to get a decent sound for beginners. Came with bad cheap reeds. Got what I paid for. If you seriously want to learn to pipe, invest in a good chanter and reeds. Otherwise, prepare to be frustrated. I ended up spending $175.00 which is still lower end but at least I could begin to learn with it.

I don’t know what everyone is complaining about. You payed less that $30 for a PRACTICE chanter. It works. I like it. I will probably spend more that $100 for one in the future but right now I am on a budget and this gets the job done.

I didn't understand how the reed is used. I find the fingering awkward and difficult. I got discouraged and put the chanter aside for now, but hope to take it up again in the future.

was the right choice to help my lungs and the muscles in my mouth. That was the main intention. Playing it proper will take more time.

the reeds are broken. Gonna return product

Bought as a sort of joke present for my Mum, but with a serious reason behind it She suffers with breathing problems; research has shown that playing a wind instrument can help with the issue. So I bought her a Chanter.

Reeds were crap didn't seat down in it very good

The Chanter is okay but the reeds that came with it are horrible. If a better reed is installed into the chanter, not only the chanter would sound better, it would even take less effort blow. Overall a decent chanter for the price.