How many practice chanters do you own?

[pancelticpiper]

Are we counting only non-powered ones?

Andrew

Hah! I admit I have a Fagerstrom, that I didn't even consider.

[Elizur Wright]

When I first started piping a few years ago, I was amazed at how many folks in the band had multiple chanters, and for the life of me couldn't figure out why. Did they need them for different purposes or tunes? No. Different climate conditions? Also no. Just... because? Yes.

That being said, I now have four practice chanters (including a Fagerstrom), and am still tempted when I see other "classic" chanters pop up for sale in the Trading Post.

[Klondike Waldo]

Technically, none. I have a Mark Cushing A SSP chanter with a PC top he made for it which I occasionally use. My son has an old ( 1970s) Lawrie I started with a lifetime ago, but doesn’t play.
I prefer to work up tunes directly on the pipes, GHB, LBP and SSP. I sometimes use the Cushing chanter for quiet practice: blowing so lightly that the reed doesn’t sound, but I can hear the pitch change with the fingering.

[EquusRacer]

When I first started piping a few years ago, I was amazed at how many folks in the band had multiple chanters, and for the life of me couldn't figure out why. Did they need them for different purposes or tunes? No. Different climate conditions? Also no. Just... because? Yes.

I felt the same way, and started with one. As Pip mentioned, other circumstances arose. For me, I was gifted one, which got me on the road so many years ago. But it was a cheap one that cracked. So I invested in a more quality ABW one. Then I wanted a plastic one to have in the car, and not worry about temp or other condition changes. Then I tried a long one (went back to standard; but still, that's another). Then when my instructor died, I inherited all his. Then I found my current old Henderson in a kind of music/pawn shop (they didn't have a clear idea of its value). Then I had students, on and on (yes, as Andrew mentioned, there are the electronic ones, too).

But I also wondered about those who have a large number of bagpipe sets. I'm not referring to different types of pipes (e.g., GHB, small pipes, shuttle, etc.), but to all sorts of standard GHB. I've only had one set of GHB at a time (I had a beginner set, which I sold when I bought my current set 38 years ago). Yet my wife, who no longer plays, when started out, bought three sets! And she was just beginning! I asked her why? "Because I got great deals", was her response. Well, we sold one set; and another sits to be sold. But I'm glad she has the third (it's a early 1900s Lawrie), for I can now have that as a back-up if I leave the country (mine has ivory; so I won't leave the country with it).

[el gaitero]

Too many. a ~dozen at last count,...old RGH,RGL,PH,etc,..some ivoried;...I’ve thot about shedding many...just keep forgetting to getting around to post them.
The absolute keeper is an old coccus full ivory David Glen in impeccable condition.

[Eddie Selden]

After reading these, I feel quite inadequate with only two PCs: poly and ABW Naills. Enough to rotate during a long practice session, not too many to steer money away from pipe gear.

[Pip01]

I felt the same way, and started with one.
As Pip mentioned, other circumstances arose.

Yet my wife, who no longer plays, when started out,
bought three sets!

And she was just beginning! I asked her why?
"Because I got great deals", was her response.

But I'm glad she has the third (it's a early 1900s Lawrie),
for I can now have that as a back-up if I leave the country...

Greetings to EquusRacer, and to All,

Hmm--now into--"The Multi-Sets of Pipes" Soup!! :-)

And--yes--"circumstances arose"--and--"I got great deals."

When ever I bump into--an old--and grand--set of pipes-- my
first thoughts always are--these need to be saved!!--so that
they may be--passed on--to a Good Home--where they shall
be lovingly played--and warmly cherished. :-)

So for me--it is always--Stewardship--rather than--acquisition.

And sometimes--it does take a bit of bother--and a great glob
of that Old Rascal Time--to find the proper Good Home for them--
but afterwards--it is warming--to know of them--back out into the
world--and being played--and loved.

And so--it now falls to us--to help sustain--The Piping Game--
that we have so fortunately--been bequeathed... :-)

Regards--and Good Fortune!!--to All,

Pip01

[Margaret]

Even I (a non-piper) have a practice chanter. I asked my drumming son the other day how many practice pads he has, and he thought for a second and came up with 9. I can imagine that snare drumming pads all have different sounds and applications just like practice chanters.

[McThistle]

Looking about the house, I count 9 PCs
This includes an Alexander PC that is the same size as a pipe chanter
but with inverted countersunk holes for use as a Goose..

My 8 sets of GHB have 13 chanters. It is useful to have a selection
to fit the venue and weather.

[DerekMc]

Shoulder checks ----- 2, which isn't that bad.

[johnsog]

I still have my first PC hanging up on the wall. I loved it as the gateway into piping but it just doesn't sound good. I tried a couple of others that looked beautiful but sounded crummy; I gave those away to folks who thought they might want to get into piping but seemed not fully determined (I did explain that they didn't sound great). I have two not that I use: a Dunbar and I forget what the other one is. The Dunbar I bought when I was taking a lesson from Wes Shepherd near Winnipeg. I have mentioned that I was dissatisfied with the sound of my chanter. He told me to wait a moment... then emerged from a side room with a plain black plastic PC for me to try. It sounds fantastic!! I had had no idea a PC could sound GOOD!! I later bought another chanter so I could keep one at school for practicing during lunch. Alas, I no longer have a sequestered office space but that one, the louder of the two, lives in my pipe case while the quieter Dunbar stays at home for practice.

[FlightMedic]

I think I am down to 4 and I still use the first one I bought (Gibson Long Poly) more than all the others combined.... 5 if we count the Technopipes which at times have been the only way I was practicing due to travel, family, etc.

I'd like to say I don't need anymore PC's but I cant help but surf that damn Maverick website every couple of months... and that Duncan Macrae PC would look awfully nice in my pipe case...

[Kevin]

I seem to be in the minority here. I only have two, one long Tru-Tone PC and one Fagerstrom Technopipe. There are miscellaneous other chanters floating around the house, but they belong to my wife and kids. I also have two Walsh A-SSP chanters in a common stock, which allow you to play some simple harmonies; it's a half done project at the moment. I believe Panceltic has a more complete version.

Kevin

[burp birl]

3 chanters that I regularly use (2 custom Lindsey's and a plastic "Pringle" brand) . The Pringle chanter is surprisingly good and my 'go to' chanter for playing with others.

NOT Used:
1 old Henderson (1940?) with a super thin ivory sole
2 Lawrie's (learned off one...circa 1960 and the other much newer with the white sole and ferrule)
??? A really old unmarked chanter with super deep counter sunk holes. My father got it as a boy in the 40's. Sounds like crap!
?? unknown newer plastic chanter with a HORRIBLE High G. I'd give this out at band practice to members who forgot their chanter at home. : )

Jenni