Chanter

The chanter is the melodic pipe of a bagpipe. It is the pipe on which the player finger-t holes to produce the tune, while other pipes called drones provide a continuous harmonic drone. The chanter’s pitch and range, together with the drones, define the instrument’s characteristic sound.

Construction and mechanism: The chanter is a bored wooden or synthetic pipe that houses a reed (most commonly a single reed, though some varieties use double reeds). It typically has multiple finger holes and a thumb hole to allow a wide range of pitches. The bore, length, and reed type determine the chanter’s scale, timbre, and responsiveness. Materials range from traditional African blackwood and other hardwoods to modern plastics.

Range and tuning: In traditional sets, the chanter is tuned to a specific key (often A) and offers a range of about two octaves, though exact ranges vary by tradition and instrument. Fingering systems differ between bagpipe styles, influencing the available notes and ornamentation.

Variants and contexts: The most familiar example is the Great Highland bagpipe chanter, used in Scottish piping traditions. Other bagpipes use their own chanters, such as Scottish smallpipes and Border pipes, as well as the chanter of the Irish Uilleann pipes, which operates within a bellows-blown set and has its own fingering and range. Some chanters are keyed to allow access to accidentals.

Maintenance: Reeds are sensitive to moisture and should be adjusted for pitch stability. Regular maintenance includes keeping the chanter clean and dry, inspecting finger holes and pads, and ensuring the overall alignment of the instrument.