Cheap pipes?

[Jerry]

I haven't joined in, but my daughter is also interested in learning the pipes. She plays any woodwind instrument from the baritone sax to piccolo. Her major instrument in college was oboe and she has played the oboe in local symphony orchestras, so I think she could handle the fingering and such. My problem is that being on a retirement income, I don't have 500 to a thousand dollars to spend. If I did, there would be at least one tank on its wey to Amelia county Va. She doesn't have the cash either as she is only working part time while working on her Masters degree.

[haukehaien]

The thing is, she doesn't need a set of pipes to start with - she needs a practice chanter (and an instructor.) She should probably find an instructor first and get the PC that he/she likes, but at any rate, a PC is $45-75 depending on type and where you buy it. She will be 6 months or longer on the PC before going to the big pipes - I would guess the time might be longer since she's also working on a master's, which is likely to cut into practice time. That's 6 months or longer to save up for a set of pipes ....

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

The thing is, she doesn't need a set of pipes to start with - she needs a practice chanter (and an instructor.) She should probably find an instructor first and get the PC that he/she likes, but at any rate, a PC is $45-75 depending on type and where you buy it. She will be 6 months or longer on the PC before going to the big pipes - I would guess the time might be longer since she's also working on a master's, which is likely to cut into practice time. That's 6 months or longer to save up for a set of pipes ....

Ok, probably showing my ignorance here, but what in the world is a chanter and what does it have to do with pipes? Is it like practice pipes?

[haukehaien]

The practice chanter (PC) is similar to the chanter of the pipes, which is the part of the pipes that is fingered to play the melody. The PC is designed strictly for learning the fingerings and embellishments; it's not really very much of an instrument on its own. The PC is mouth-blown rather than using a bag to supply the air. Its primary purpose is to train your fingers to play the notes before you have to deal with the pipes. It's very important to have the notes and so in muscle memory when you start on the full pipes, because there is a lot else going on then - breathing and squeezing the bag, smoothly so as to maintain a steady tone, balancing the pipes, marching if you're planning to play with a band ... it's basically impossible to begin learning on the pipes, you have to have a PC. The PC is also useful for working out tunes that you're learning, so that you don't have to deal with the full instrument while you're still learning them. I use mine all the time.
If you get one of the electronic PCs, then you also have the advantage of being able to plug in headphones and practice while watching TV at home, riding the subway, on airplane flights and so on.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Haukehaien, thanks for the explanation. I figured that it had something to do with the pipes, but could not figure out what. I now understand.

[Prester John]

I've heard that there are disadvantages to some of the electronic chanters, in terms of striking the holes...do you find this true?

Which one would you recommend?

[haukehaien]

I have no personal experience with any of the electronic chanters. The general consensus among those on the Bob Dunsire forum who do have such experience seems to be for the Fagerstrom or the Deger. Apparently the Fagerstrom is somewhat better at detecting "crossing noises" - the sound produced when you lift your finger(s) too early, before others are all the way down, which makes it nice for practicing, but the Deger is also capable of playing a drone sound, so it sounds like a full set when you're practicing.

I hope to buy one of these in the future, but don't have the cash - or, truly, the need - to do so at the moment. They're listed under the "nice to have, but not necessary", for me at least.

You can see both of them at Song of the Sea .