Why does my chanter sound like crap?

[PiperOfThePlains]

Like many others have put here, I, too, own one of these chanters. The are most certainly of Pakistani origin; and, although usable (I use this term loosely), are hardly any good for firewood.

If you're serious about piping, I would strongly recommend a Shepherd, McCallum, or Dunbar chanter, with a Shepherd or Dunbar reed. (I started on the Dunbar Millennium 2000 chanter.) As far as what to look for in a quality PC, always go with the long one. "Regular" or "Child's" size practice chanters are only hurting you in the long run. A long PC (About 20/22" long) will better prepare your fingers for a full size pipe chanter.

You should be blowing enough to keep the chanter going; but not too hard as if to kill (stop) the reed, nor too soft to make it, as said above, like a duck call. Keeping the mouthpiece comfortable in your lips is incredibly difficult on a chanter. They make them to be too small, casing the piper to use more muscle power to keep it sealed.

If you are interested in lessons, PM me and I can get you set up my instructor for Skype lessons.

I hope this helps!

EDIT: I notice you're using an Abbot reed. These take a lot of air to operate, which may be the cause of your frustration.