I made this “silencer” for the chanter, just to be able to practise late at night (the only time I have for that luxury):
A large cardboard tube (got it from work - we had some posters sent in it) lined with ordinary carpet and some synthetic fur. Price for the whole thing: about 10$.
I cut holes for the hands and chanter stock, and glued a piece of leather in the bottom as a popping strap. Just pop in the chanter, connect to the bag, close the lid and place the whole thing on your lap -it works!
Here is a MP3 of the difference in volume - it was recorded with a computer mic, so don’t expect much - and its a sample, not a performance
On a more serious note, Neillidh Mulligan has taught me numerous ways to modulate chanter off the knee sound by using the natural soundbox created by the pipes, your seat, and both legs (in yer crotch so to speak) For example, try a 2 finger lower octave F with chanter off the knee and pull the chanter into the void at varying speeds and note the effects…try a roll this way…wave the chanter bell around a little to add some vibrato…experiment!
Strange - I checked them on two machines without problems… But I could send them in an e-mail if you’d like?
Ausdag - It’s a Williams D. Way flat on the clip though. Its suffering under the danish winter right now, poor thing…
And to clarify; it is only for dampening the sound of the chanter when I’m practising. With a full time job, a baby and an appartment where everyone in the building can hear when you fart, something like this is essential… :roll: :roll:
Morten, you’re a genious. A mad one, but a genious nonetheless. I’m gonna make one of those things tomorrow as it’s just what I need with the kid and wife trying to sleep during my practice time. Thanks much. Now why didn’t I think of that?
:roll: