Nick Whitmer practice set. Right handed Chanter (no keys), bellows, popping strap, choice of right handed McHarg bag (not currently tied in) or left handed McHarg bag (tied in). If you want the right handed bag, I’ll send you the fittings and you can tie it in, or I can tie it in if you would prefer.
Reed plays very easily, but has narrow range of pressure where it’s in tune on back D. Two additional reeds included, one which is definitely bad, but could be used for parts. The other one played ok when I got it in November 2003…but did not play well a couple of weeks ago when I tried it.
I’m selling it because I now have a new half set. PM me if you want any additional information. I’ll post/email some pics if you would like to see more details.
18" Lowes case $25 value included (if you want it).
Also, with some chanters, there is a slight curve to the line of finger/sound holes…on the right hand chanter the curve looks like: “(”…and on left handed chanters:..“)”. Not every chanter is like this.
I have seen it on Gallagher chanters, Britton and Childress chanters among others. Whether it is intentional or not, I have noticed a slight arc to the line of the finger holes. I can only assume that it is designed to fit the way the fingers naturally lie. I have also seen it on flutes and whistles. As I have said, not every chanter is like this. Perhaps I am either on crack, or my eyes are playing tricks on me.
No way! I just received a new half set (see pictures of your pipes thread), so I no longer need the practice set. Unless I was to have a major problem with the half set, I doubt I’ll ever play the practice set much.
I’d rather take the money invested in the practice set and use some of it to get a good reed making kit.
Plus, there are others out there (I hope) ready to get started who could use a relatively low cost but servicable practice set.
Since I’ve gotten the half set I’ve practiced more than ever…it seems the obsession is getting worse, not better.
-gary
“ergonomic” finger-placement thing isn’t ergonomic at all for the pipes, Does anyone have pictures of chanters with the holes askew? It makes sense in a flute, yeah, but not a chanter.
Hey, it makes perfect sense. My Britton chanter has the top hole (C) offset a bit to the left, and the back d hole noticably offset in the same direction. Difficult to convey the arrangement with a photograph, though . . . He is also known for scalloping the holes, very comfortable grip, requires less of a stretch to cover the holes, I call that ergonomic!
I’ll also say it does not “ruin” one’s grip, I can play a standard chanter without any particular difficulty, but I do prefer Tim’s design.
JVF
I have seen it (offset top finger hole, slight curve) on other chanters as well. As I have stated earlier, it isn’t on all chanters, especially not the older chanters such as Taylor, Coyne or Egan for example. It makes perfect sense to construct a chanter in this fashion, especially when the thing is supposed to be played with the ‘flats’ rather than the ‘tips’ of the fingers. It promotes a more relaxed wrist positioning (certainly for the top hand) which I am certain would cut down on incidents of carpal tunnel syndrome. Thanks to Vanfleet for confirming that I am not a crackhead, nor imagining things. Whew!..I need a drink…oooops.
Well, OK, I see your point, but it does depend on how you hold the chanter. I find inline very comfortable, and would have to change my grip to play a chanter with holes as you describe.
I started playing the chanter as a kid, though, so maybe my hands developed in such a way that inline works for me. I would imagine that someone who starts later, or someone with arthritic hands, might like your setup better.
On the flute, I like the slightly-curvy arrangement, since holding the flute is weirder.
The understanding of ergonomic placement of the toneholes seems to be a rather recent development. As I understand it, whether for flutes or pipe chanters, the old way of thinking was that the player must adapt to the instrument. The newer thinking is that the instrument should adapt to the player.
We each have different shaped hands. When I was first having trouble covering the holes this was brought home to me when my pipemaker showed me he had no trouble using the same chanter. But his hands are squarish. My hands may be larger and longer than his, but the relative size of my little fingers are much shorter than his. I can see where this could have a significant effect on finger placement to cover all the holes.
I applaud any pipemaker who is sensitive about the differences between us all and is opting for a more modern ergonomic understanding by adapting their chanter designs to the player instead of being locked into older designs merely for historical accuracy.
Y’know, my M&EFlute is sectioned such that the left hand holes and the right hand holes are on separate peices, so that you can roll each section for comfort. What about a sectioned chanter?
Perhaps someone could build one that collapses telescopically?It would be more comfortable to carry, at least. Hey, djm, why don’t you ask your maker to redo your Bb set that way?I’m sure he’d be okay with that. G’wan, ask him. I double-dog dare ya.
