It seems kind of hit and miss to try and get the ghost D on the first try. I have a Rowesome style chanter, I’ll fill the bag and use just a bit less pressure than the first octave E flat and half of the time I’ll get the ghost. I was wondering if it could be snapped similar to the hard D to ensure that the ghost D would sound. Any little tricks out there to coax out that ghost reliably?
A forum search using the term “ghost” and reading the first few pages of results leads me to believe that precious few actually know the difference between a ghost D and a second octave Eb. Though the term “ghost D” seems to be used by many pipers for an Eb that is used in particular types of passages, they are not the same note and the reed is vibrating in a distinctly different way, (much like the difference between a hard and soft bottom D,) and the Eb and ghost D are fingered the same using only the fifth finger, The ghost D is flatter than an Eb, ideally but seldom a perfect D, and softer in tone than the back D. In addition to being a little used and difficult technique to master, it would be a rare piper indeed who could execute it flawlessly with totally dependable repeatability, and further, will simply not sound at all on many chanters. The key seems to be in using very low bag pressure.
Hmm… can you tell us about any examples we can look up?
Patrick.
Okay, I’ll be bold (surprised?).
In my experience, the ghost is not a low pressure note at all. A low pressure note will produce a 1st octave note.
That note has _everything to do w/reed strength, and chante_r, …oh yeah…and the player! (can’t forget that one)!
IMHO, it’s not the rare piper that can hit that note at will, it’s the rare piper who knows when not to use that (unqiue-to-the-Irish-pipes-sounding, but way over-used) note.
Oh yes…and to answer Kevin’s question;
Try to make your way to an experienced teacher in your area. If there’s no one nearby, see Patrick D’arcy for Skype lessons. I’m certain you will find it worth your while.
Can you post a soundfile of ghost D compared with back D and Eb?
I’ll try to post sound file.
A ghost D is not necessarily:
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An Eb grace note for the back D
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A note that is passed through sliding on the way from E to D
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An Eb which is used between notes and musically substituted for a D such as in the variation on “Hand me Down the Tackles” (Back D, Eb, C#, Eb, B, Eb, A)
Although it is certainly possible to play a ghost D in this example, some pipers may play an Eb that is simply flat, which maybe is not uncommon on CP chanters. -
And Eb on a chanter that plays flat in the second octave, although I suppose it it is possible that some pipers may actually not play a second octave Eb and they are actually always playing a ghost D, and their reeds are broken in in that way, and therefore their Eb may sound rather flat.
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An Eb in the second octave.
You cannot change pressure to go from second octave Eb to Ghost D without stopping the chanter in the same way that you cannot go from a soft bottom D to a hard bottom D without cutting and/or stopping the chanter. You can, however go from a ghost D to an Eb but it will drop to the first octave instead. You cannot slide down into a ghost D in a similar way that you can not slide into a hard D. It is opened from a stopped chanter. The reed is in a different vibrating pattern altogether for the Ghost D, and is generally at a very very low pressure, lower than the first octave Eb is played, and it should be readily distinguishable from the second octave Eb which is played at a higher pressure. Many chanters just don’t do it at all. It is rather elusive on many CP chanters, and I know virtually nothing about flat chanters, so it may be easier on them.
You simply need more experience.
…love it!
and you need…?
Thank you for offering, but this wisdom I have provided gratis.
Ahh, wait til my teacher sees this. He’ll be at me with the stick for sure. 
The Ghost D sounds like a harmonic note, a whistling D. Very cool to lead into the back D. Very different from the Eb.
I was just hoping for the magic Grail !
For magic Grails, try archeology!
Here is a clip.
For Ghost D’s, try lower pressure.
Huh… cool 
PD 
It’s an excellent demonstration of the difference between back D, ghost D and Eb. I have to admit I was one of those who considered ghost D and Eb to be the same thing. I love to slide up from back D to E and back (one of the sounds unique to piping).
Thanks Uillman for clearing up the confusion. Now I’ve got to see if I can play it on my chanter.