Why does my chanter sound like crap?

[chasem]

It's the chanter. I'm guessing it cost somewhere between $15 and $25? That style chanter is typically Pakistan-made and doesn't actually pitch well. I've heard some where the scale played on that was nowhere near the actual bagpipe scale.

Invest in a Gibson, McCallum, or other poly, British-, US-, or Canadian-made practice chanter. It will sound better (correct) and that one change will make a huge difference in how much you want to play.

[hag]

I'm with you chasem, its the Pakistan made chanter. Drop the Pakistan and invest in a Gibson,McCallum, or other poly chanters.
hag

[TheOfficialBren]

Excellent! Thank you, gents, for all of your valuable advice!

The reed is a Gibson. I bought it from a piping supply store, don't recall which.

I play the feadóg (Irish Whistle) and the amount of air required is significantly more than that. I've noticed that it's best that I not try to play both back-to-back, kind of like drumming and playing guitar. Drums then guitar usually equals mush. Guitar then drums is usually okay, though. The body requires some "reset" time.

Serious props to you guys who march and pipe!

Yes. Very interested in Skype lessons. I'll PM you, POTP.

So...longer chanter is closer to a bagpipe chanter. Got it. I'd like to get proficient enough to invest in a set of pipes but that's definately a long way off. Not in a hurry.

Why don't they just make PCs to the same specs as the GHB chanter to begin with?

[MacGumerait]

Bren , greetings my friend !

I can certainly understand your frustration with the practice chanter you are using . In my own humble opinion , I don't think you will get satisfaction with it , regardless of the reed .

The " practice chanter " is just as important as the set of pipes one chooses . It begins at the beginning ,

Some practice chanters are longer , some not , but the important thing to remember .... a good practice chanter will result in good piping . ( well sometimes )

[EagleJCS]

Why don't they just make PCs to the same specs as the GHB chanter to begin with?

Well, the short answer is it's a difference in the bore of the chanter. Most PC's have a cylindrical bore (the interior diameter is the same all the way through) while the bagpipe chanter has a conical bore (the interior diameter at the top of the chanter is much narrower than at the bottom).

The difference being necessary for both volume and pressure. The narrower the bore, the more pressure is needed to sound a note - not that we blow/squeeze any harder for the higher pitch notes on the GHB, but it takes more pressure for the note to sound. That's also why the higher pitched notes are quieter (relatively speaking) on the GHB than on the PC.

If the PC bore were conical, the blowing pressure would vary greatly from note to note, and the student would have a much more difficult time learning to play (and the beastie's a challenge enough already!). Having a cylindrical bore allows the player to concentrate less on blowing and more on learning finger technique and tune.