Key of first smallpipes
Key of first smallpipes
I'm considering purchasing some smallpipes some time up the road. What is the best key to buy for your first pipes? I see that mostly A, D, or Bflat are available. Thanks.
"Wake up your bones,
Tune up your drones,
Let flee that heavenly tone."
Tune up your drones,
Let flee that heavenly tone."
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highland-piper
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Re: Key of first smallpipes
The A chanter plays in the key of D -- it's probably the most popular.
The D chanter is higher pitched -- it's harder to finger due to the hole spacing being tight.
The Bb chanter is probably most useful for playing with highland pipes. Like if you were recording a CD.
If you play highland pipes, then the A chanter is more or less the size and shape of a practice chanter. My A chanter has a kind of bubbly sound. My D chanter has more of a clarinet sound.
The D chanter is higher pitched -- it's harder to finger due to the hole spacing being tight.
The Bb chanter is probably most useful for playing with highland pipes. Like if you were recording a CD.
If you play highland pipes, then the A chanter is more or less the size and shape of a practice chanter. My A chanter has a kind of bubbly sound. My D chanter has more of a clarinet sound.
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iain beag
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Re: Key of first smallpipes
I agree with Highland Piper, go for a set in A.
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bogman
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Re: Key of first smallpipes
Definitely A if you want to play with other tune instruments in a session.
Re: Key of first smallpipes
Thanks for you help. The A sounds good. I want to be able to play with others in the future in sessions.
"Wake up your bones,
Tune up your drones,
Let flee that heavenly tone."
Tune up your drones,
Let flee that heavenly tone."
Re: Key of first smallpipes
Highland-piper,
The chanter is named an A chanter yet plays in the key of D? I'm puzzled why they call it an A chanter?
The chanter is named an A chanter yet plays in the key of D? I'm puzzled why they call it an A chanter?
"Wake up your bones,
Tune up your drones,
Let flee that heavenly tone."
Tune up your drones,
Let flee that heavenly tone."
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Nanohedron
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Re: Key of first smallpipes
That would be comparable to when you're playing the G fingerings on a D chanter (the first, or tonic, note for that scale starts with the upper hand ring finger). Play the same fingerings on an A chanter, and you have the D scale.tin-titan wrote:The chanter is named an A chanter yet plays in the key of D? I'm puzzled why they call it an A chanter?
"If you take music out of this world, you will have nothing but a ball of fire." - Balochi musician