Expert: Arash Ebrahimi - 12/31/2008

Question
I'm learning to play the practice chanter. Can you help me with a couple of questions. To my western-trained ear, the scale seems sharp beginning with the 4th, (C in key of G). Is this normal in bagpipe world or an indication of an out of tune chanter? Less air pressure loses the pitch entirely so I don't think I'm over blowing. (Some online sound clips I heard sounded sharp too leading me to think this may be normal). Also, in fingering according to the charts, playing the scale up from my chanter's lowest note (G), there seems to be no effect whether or not I replace (close) my right little finger to play C and then D, and whether I close my right middle fingers and open my right little finger to play E F G A on up the scale. The latter part of the scale seems to play, albeit sharp, whether or not the bottom 4 holes are open or closed. Can you offer any comments or suggestions?
Thank you.


Answer
Hello,

You must be a musician with a highly trained ear to be able to pick up on the idiosyncrasies of the bagpipe practice chanter.  The good news is that the things you picked up on are all normal.  The bad news is if you are bothered by any of it, it will be magnified that much more when you transition to the bagpipes.

It's very difficult, in fact, impossible to get the exact scale of the bagpipe chanter on the practice chanter.  The practice chanter is used mainly for practicing the skill of fingering.  Practicing the musicality comes with the bagpipes.  For this reason some things might not sound exactly "right" on the practice chanter.

Every practice chanter sounds different.  If you get a chance, sit in on a practice with a nearby bagpipe band.  The variance in pitch among all practice chanters can drive most people wild!

The actual bagpipe chanter itself has been pitched higher and higher.  Some say this is because of bagpipe band competitions . . . trying to stand out in a competition from the other bands.  Whatever the reason, the practice and bagpipe chanter are a bit "wonky".  Here is a page that might explain better.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~emacpher/pipes/acoustics/hearscales.html

The fingering issues you mentioned (pinky placement for C, etc.) are more of an issue with the bagpipe chanter than the practice chanter.  You will notice a difference when playing the bagpipes, but probably not so much on the practice chanter.

This caps out my knowledge of the practice chanter scale and pitch.  For more information I recommend speaking with the head of a bagpipe band in your area.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Arash