Practice Instruments
Most people begin their bagpipe playing career on one form of practice chanter or another. There are many out there and most will serve the purpose of learning the basics. It is also important to remember however that whilst the practice chanter will be used to learn the basics, all bagpipe players continue to use their practice chanter for as long as they play. This is used to practice existing tunes and also to learn new ones.
Practice chanters can vary substantially in price. Many are cheap imports from the Far East and whilst these will play, they will not produce the correct tone, nor last the ultimate pace. All Kilberry practice chanters are made in our Edinburgh workshop and all are reeded and checked before being despatched.
An interesting step between practice chanter and full highland pipes is the practice pipe. This gets the player used to operating a bag whilst producing a reasonable drone sound, for a relatively low price.
Practice Chanter (plastic)
The plastic chanter produces an excellent sound. A smaller child's version of this chanter is also available.
Kilberry Price: £28.00 +VAT in EU (41.47EUR $50.66)
Practice Chanter (Blackwood)
These are made from African blackwood. The standard finish on the wooden chanters incorporates a plain nickel ferrule and 'button' style sole. A smaller child's version of this chanter is also available.
Kilberry Price: £45.00 +VAT in EU (66.65EUR $81.41)
Practice Chanter (long)
These have become more popular over the past few years with the finger holes now being counter-sunk and the same spacing apart as the actual pipe chanter. This can prove an advantage when learning.
Kilberry Price: £43.00 +VAT in EU (63.69EUR $77.79)
Practice Pipes
Practice pipes slot into the area between learning to play on the practice chanter and playing a full set of Highland pipes.
Kilberry Price: £99.00 +VAT in EU (146.64EUR $179.10)
