Cheap bagpipes.

by David Schofield
(Qld, Australia)

Hello Mr. Robertson. I have a cheap set of pipes, probably made in Pakistan. But I am learning to play them. I can play 6 tunes from my tutor book. I am aware that a cheap chanter can be out of tune with itself. My chanter is in tune with the piano, but C and F in my tutor book are actually C sharp and F sharp according to the piano. Is this right?

My practice chanter is definitely out in a top note, but I haven't looked into that yet, because it is not in tune with the piano.

One day I will buy a good set of pipes. I can't join a pipe group as I look after my mother full time.

Dave Schofield, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia.

Bills Reply

Yes, Dave, the C and F relatively are meant to be sharp, but must be in balance with the chanter range and agreeable unison blend with the well tuned steady drones.

You may try placing by degrees an amount of suitable adhesive tape across the top of an offending very sharp note hole. The Pakistan pipes as you agree are not likely to sound good even when set up as well as possible.

Regards,

Bill