As I have posted elsewhere, I have the good fortune to have a tutor, and am enjoying the learning process.
I have a McCallum Long practice chanter in polypenco (plastic). With a large selection of reeds in my collection, we found the Cabareed P/c reed to give us the best tone and ease of blow. I started with this chanter and keep it with me as I travel in my car, and practice at traffic lights. (Throws on D at the present time).
For sessions with my tutor and at home I am using a Dunbar Deluxe Long Practice Chanter. It has a water trap and is African Blackwood. The reed of choice is Abbott. The two supplied by Dunbar Bagpipes with the chanter provide a deep rich tone. The sound is awesome. The Dunbar is a joy to practice with, as the spacing is a little bit further spread then the McCallum, but is spot on with the Sheppard Bagpipe chanter that the band uses. In about two years I hope to be truly ready to be learning the GHB. I am more interested in perfecting my technique, and interpretation of the music, for which the practice chanter is the only tool of beginner or experienced piper.
I now am using the same chanter as my tutor. This makes learning the techniques, and posture easier on both the tutor and myself. We are watching each others fingers a lot at this stage. I appreciate the tutor helping me with proper finger movement and placing.

You should work with your tutor on the ins and outs of the practice chanter. Your tutor wants to put the package together that is going to make your transition to piping both enjoyable, and with quality.
Slainte
Steve