I bought one of these recently and really enjoy it so far. I solved the o-ring issue (them coming off) by screwing the reed into place instead of pushing and pulling the reed in and out directly. I learned that by trial and error. Only issue I notice is that it collects moisture quickly especially if the chanter is cold. Moisture collects much faster then my plastic chanter. Those little reed sponges will come in handy on this. I do enjoy the profile on the bottom hand as well.
Hi Matt my name is Darren my birthday day just gone on I got a wonderful birthday present of my my mother-in-law June who is Scottish who is now up in heaven with her husband Jim as far all I can remember I've always love to sound of bagpipes so if my birthday day has just gone I got a wonderful birthday present my chanter I am a beginner when ever I hear the sound of bagpipes it up list me I will always say this bagpipes is the best instruments in the whole world and I think the Scottish for inventing the bagpipes I watch your videos on RUclips and I find them most interesting please keep it up I will say watching you you and listening to you you have inspired me so once again please keep up the videos
Had mine for a few days now - I'm kinda neutral in my opinion at the moment. The reed that came installed was OK but I thought I could do better. I'm shooting for no tape. There were NO instructions in the case. I had to rely on your video for a tutorial (thank you). I had no idea what was in, what looks like a CD mailer, until I opened it - extra o-rings. Nice touch. I've read the reed seat is threaded and I've read that it isn't - Mine is not. Not being threaded makes "fine tuning" the reed a little more difficult and as I proceeded, the o-ring battle began. No matter if I slide it straight in or try to thread it in, the o-rings get pushed together and slide all the way up the staple to the binding. Comparatively speaking, it's a very expensive practice chanter and I honestly don't see myself keeping it very long unless I make some significant progress in the next few weeks. I would welcome any questions, comments or suggestions.
The o-rings on the reeds are a bit weird. I prefer hemp... At the end of the day, it's a practice chanter, albeit a pricey and super cool looking one, but a practice chanter nonetheless...
I have a (cheap) chanter that breaks down into a pocket sized pack, it has the same circumference all the way down as the session chanter does. I found playing it for long periods (I work a rotation 3 weeks away from home at a time) destroyed my birls on the pipes. I had the piping version of the golfing yips. I had to go right back to basics, its been a painful journey back, but I'm finally there, the process has improved my birls overall though!! I have had a similar experience using an electric chanter for extended periods too. Fine tools for brief periods but not for serious practice. I now lug a long PC around with me everywhere, more difficult logistics but vastly better results to technique, for me personally. I'm havering all over the place, to be blunt, I'm not sold on the idea of the same circumference all the way down. Looks amazing though.
I have the second generation chanter and I had the same problem with those o-rings. That’s my only complaint about the chanter. If I hemp it up, would it make a difference if I use waxed or regular hemp?
From what I'm hearing, you should be able to screw in the reed. I think I was just moving too fas tin my review to do it. If I were to use hemp, I'd use waxed on the reed.
frye912 it’s actually stated in the paper they put in the box (in mine there was) that you have to screw the reed in place but holding the reed and turning the chanter, not the other way
If you have the funds, I do recommend this chanter. I love the versatility of the 2 (and with the optional C body, 3) keys. The metal body feels a bit different when you first play it, but you quickly get used to it. Plus, you'll have the coolest looking chanter in any band practice you attend.
Matt Wills how do you feel the ESS chanter compares with the Twist Trap chanters? I own a newer Twist Trap long and like it a lot but tricky to get the notes balanced.
The twist trap chanters can feel a bit wonky at first, though many, but not all of the times, it’s because people have learned to change their blowing on different notes as they play. They had to design this around blowing at a constant pressure, because the twist trap pipes have drones. That said, I have still had to tweak a few twist trap chanters to be in town, but much less than so than almost any other practice chanter I’ve dealt with.
The ES chanter was also well balanced, but demonstrated similar tendencies to the twist trap chanter (in other words, if your breath pressure is steady, it tends to play quite well).
Is this suitable for a complete beginner? I want to eventually be able to play with my daughter who is an accomplished classical violinist now learning Celtic music. I have a background of being a trumpet and French horn player from years back.
Yes, it would be a great chanter for a beginner. Just a bit pricier, but if you know you're going to stick with learning the pipes, no reason not to invest in a quality instrument.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thank you for the quick reply. I figured that being tuned to 440, it would good for accompanying the violin as well as a solid practice chanter.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks for the info. The reason I ask is that I have a Blair Electronic PC and the low hand stretch is longer than my Gibson PC, which makes me miss some of my birls and low hand technique.
There is not. The nature of the uilleann pipes makes practice chanters not really possible (bag control is more important than on highland pipes). Thanks for asking!
Hey Matt, I bought myself the ES chanter hoping for an easy time. I keep getting squeaks on Low A or it just closes up. I have tried all the reeds but get the same results. Any advice?
Perhaps try sanding one of the reeds down a bit with 320 grit sandpaper? You can also try to get in touch with the folks at ES Session Chanters (I don't own this one, so I can't help too much).
the finger area looks to be NARROW and STRAIGHT? does that feel a bit different on the bottom hand? and how did the HOLES feel under your fingers? i'm looking at a closeup of it...i see they're taper drilled...looks like they are larger on the outside vs a practice chanter? or are they equal to PC?
Yes, the key should be C (TRANS +0 |Key:C| is what mine reads) with the A being set at wherever your chanter is at (476 seems about right for the winter).
I bought one of these recently and really enjoy it so far. I solved the o-ring issue (them coming off) by screwing the reed into place instead of pushing and pulling the reed in and out directly. I learned that by trial and error. Only issue I notice is that it collects moisture quickly especially if the chanter is cold. Moisture collects much faster then my plastic chanter. Those little reed sponges will come in handy on this. I do enjoy the profile on the bottom hand as well.
Hi Matt my name is Darren my birthday day just gone on I got a wonderful birthday present of my my mother-in-law June who is Scottish who is now up in heaven with her husband Jim as far all I can remember I've always love to sound of bagpipes so if my birthday day has just gone I got a wonderful birthday present my chanter I am a beginner when ever I hear the sound of bagpipes it up list me I will always say this bagpipes is the best instruments in the whole world and I think the Scottish for inventing the bagpipes I watch your videos on RUclips and I find them most interesting please keep it up I will say watching you you and listening to you you have inspired me so once again please keep up the videos
Playing the bagpipes has been a long time dream of mine. I highly appreciate your videos. You're an inspiration. :-)
Love Glenmorangie. Nector d'Or in particular. Haven't tried the Lasanta yet. The chanter's also nice ;)
I have too be honest my favorite bagpipe tune is indeed blue bonnets
Brilliant tune! I didn't intend for it to become my "theme" but it just kinda worked out that way.
Had mine for a few days now - I'm kinda neutral in my opinion at the moment. The reed that came installed was OK but I thought I could do better. I'm shooting for no tape. There were NO instructions in the case. I had to rely on your video for a tutorial (thank you). I had no idea what was in, what looks like a CD mailer, until I opened it - extra o-rings. Nice touch. I've read the reed seat is threaded and I've read that it isn't - Mine is not. Not being threaded makes "fine tuning" the reed a little more difficult and as I proceeded, the o-ring battle began. No matter if I slide it straight in or try to thread it in, the o-rings get pushed together and slide all the way up the staple to the binding. Comparatively speaking, it's a very expensive practice chanter and I honestly don't see myself keeping it very long unless I make some significant progress in the next few weeks. I would welcome any questions, comments or suggestions.
The o-rings on the reeds are a bit weird. I prefer hemp... At the end of the day, it's a practice chanter, albeit a pricey and super cool looking one, but a practice chanter nonetheless...
Kinda of off topic & non related to the video, but do you have harmonies sheet music for Highland cathedral??? Great video keep up the good work!!
My last video has my harmonies to Highland Cathedral in the description: ruclips.net/video/3KjJ-1PSmw8/видео.html
@@MattWillisBagpiper appreciate it alot thankyou.
Just heard "the challenger"... wow!
Apologies if needed but I heard a shanty that made me miss the harbours of home ... loved it 👏
Ah yes, "The Challenger"... Originally named after my car, but it stuck because it's a difficult tune to play!
I have a (cheap) chanter that breaks down into a pocket sized pack, it has the same circumference all the way down as the session chanter does. I found playing it for long periods (I work a rotation 3 weeks away from home at a time) destroyed my birls on the pipes. I had the piping version of the golfing yips.
I had to go right back to basics, its been a painful journey back, but I'm finally there, the process has improved my birls overall though!! I have had a similar experience using an electric chanter for extended periods too. Fine tools for brief periods but not for serious practice.
I now lug a long PC around with me everywhere, more difficult logistics but vastly better results to technique, for me personally.
I'm havering all over the place, to be blunt, I'm not sold on the idea of the same circumference all the way down. Looks amazing though.
PS where are the island whiskys!! Talisker, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Caol Isla, Ardbeg :)
There will definitely be some peated whiskies in the future! And thanks fir sharing your thoughts on the cylindrical chanter issues you had.
Another high quality video super informative great sound &light professional professional professional
Thanks
I have the second generation chanter and I had the same problem with those o-rings. That’s my only complaint about the chanter. If I hemp it up, would it make a difference if I use waxed or regular hemp?
From what I'm hearing, you should be able to screw in the reed. I think I was just moving too fas tin my review to do it. If I were to use hemp, I'd use waxed on the reed.
frye912 it’s actually stated in the paper they put in the box (in mine there was) that you have to screw the reed in place but holding the reed and turning the chanter, not the other way
Matt Willis Bagpiper I screw it in and out the “right” way and slowly...... the rings still roll off. Thank you very much for the advice on the hemp!
Eric M I do it that way, they still roll off
Also I like the fact that the reed seats are o rings for an airtight seat!
So at the end do you recommend us buying it? Cuz i really would love to know how it feels
If you have the funds, I do recommend this chanter. I love the versatility of the 2 (and with the optional C body, 3) keys. The metal body feels a bit different when you first play it, but you quickly get used to it. Plus, you'll have the coolest looking chanter in any band practice you attend.
@@MattWillisBagpiper I think the maverick may have took the coolest looking chanter in any band podium now....
Matt Wills how do you feel the ESS chanter compares with the Twist Trap chanters? I own a newer Twist Trap long and like it a lot but tricky to get the notes balanced.
The twist trap chanters can feel a bit wonky at first, though many, but not all of the times, it’s because people have learned to change their blowing on different notes as they play. They had to design this around blowing at a constant pressure, because the twist trap pipes have drones. That said, I have still had to tweak a few twist trap chanters to be in town, but much less than so than almost any other practice chanter I’ve dealt with.
The ES chanter was also well balanced, but demonstrated similar tendencies to the twist trap chanter (in other words, if your breath pressure is steady, it tends to play quite well).
These are new cutting-edge and nice, but I like the tone and feel of whole b/wood vintage 100 year old PC's.
hi great video presentation thank you. what is the name of that jig you played at 13:44 please ? respect J of UK
That’s the third party of “Long Island Jig” by Rob Mathieson. Great tune!
@@MattWillisBagpiper - thank you
Is this suitable for a complete beginner? I want to eventually be able to play with my daughter who is an accomplished classical violinist now learning Celtic music. I have a background of being a trumpet and French horn player from years back.
Yes, it would be a great chanter for a beginner. Just a bit pricier, but if you know you're going to stick with learning the pipes, no reason not to invest in a quality instrument.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thank you for the quick reply. I figured that being tuned to 440, it would good for accompanying the violin as well as a solid practice chanter.
@@moorejl57 It is nice having a practice chanter you can readily play with other instruments!
Matt, how is the reach of the low hand holes? I prefer the shorter reach of a Kyo or a Hardie Infinity chanter.
This is a practice chanter, so the reach is pretty standard, though the A body is slightly longer than the B♭ one.
@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks for the info. The reason I ask is that I have a Blair Electronic PC and the low hand stretch is longer than my Gibson PC, which makes me miss some of my birls and low hand technique.
Is there an uilleann pipes version?
There is not. The nature of the uilleann pipes makes practice chanters not really possible (bag control is more important than on highland pipes). Thanks for asking!
Hey Matt, I bought myself the ES chanter hoping for an easy time. I keep getting squeaks on Low A or it just closes up. I have tried all the reeds but get the same results. Any advice?
Perhaps try sanding one of the reeds down a bit with 320 grit sandpaper? You can also try to get in touch with the folks at ES Session Chanters (I don't own this one, so I can't help too much).
You should try the new es chanter!!
the finger area looks to be NARROW and STRAIGHT? does that feel a bit different on the bottom hand? and how did the HOLES feel under your fingers? i'm looking at a closeup of it...i see they're taper drilled...looks like they are larger on the outside vs a practice chanter? or are they equal to PC?
I talk about this in the video, and it's super comfortable on the bottom hand. I like it! Finger holes are similar to most practice chanters.
What are your settings for the istrobosoft? I have the GHB sweetener and mine is set to key:c, concert A 476hz and it seems like it’s right??
Yes, the key should be C (TRANS +0 |Key:C| is what mine reads) with the A being set at wherever your chanter is at (476 seems about right for the winter).
Matt,
Where can I find a copy of Masons Apron? Love that tune!!
pipetunes.ca
@@gunnsmoke357 Good answer, Chucknado!
Got my own copy. Worth every penny.
Do you recommend this?
Might get it.
Hello! If you're in the market for a new chanter and have the funds, I definitely recommend this practice chanter.
I’m going to have to save up something fierce and purchase one! I have a poly chanter that is so out of tune it’s not funny.
That sounds lush
Good word! I can see why Lincoln Hilton uses one!
Wow you’re more Scottish than I am, and I’m fully Scottish aha
If only I could do a convincing Scottish accent...
General Kenobi
Hello there!
Nice
Slàinte mhath!!
sláinte 🥃
Slainté!