Chanter Kit

Chanter Kit

First Step to Playing the Great Highland Bagpipe. Learn to Play the Highland Bagpipe with this authentic Scottish Practice Piping Chanter Kit. Please note: Learning to play a bagpipe begins with a exercise chanter, not with a set of pipes. This is a finish exercise chanter kit, imported from Scotland which holds all you need to get started. A key gain of this Authentic Piping Kit is that a noesis of music is not essential, which makes this an idealisti gift for anyone. This Beginners Piping Chanter Kit has been particularly devised to introduce and give a newcomer to the world of bagpipes the necessary basic achievements and psychological result of perception learning and reasoning necessary to start out playing. Everything you need to begin learning the bagpipes: it’s all here– a great exercise package for the Highland Bagpipes! The Practice Chanter, peculiarly made for the beginner, is a musical instrument in it is own right which when played, gives rise to the same musical notes as those invented on the bagpipes. The Beginners Music Book is an easy to follow Music Book containing twelve well known Scottish tunes such as “Amazing Grace”, “The Skye Boat Song” and “Auld Lang Syne” as well as tips on how to look after your chanter. The Easy Guide Playing Chart is a cautiously structured and illustrated Chart with basic instruction on keeping the Chanter. It demonstrates the rectify fingering positions followed by four basic bagpipe music lessons including scale, grace notes, time and duration of musical notes and playing tunes. The Beginners Tutor CD is a full length instructional Audio CD guiding you through the tuition from the Easy Guide Playing Chart as well as featuring all twelve tunes from the Music Book for you to listen to and learn.

It has become more and more frequent for U.S. military veterans and their families to specifically request a piper to not only pipe for a funeral, but to pipe Taps for the rendering of military honors as well. Funerals for law enforcement and fire personnel in the United States have a long tradition of incorporating pipers and military honors, and most departmental funerary protocols almost follow those of the U.S. military. The following is a brief ordinary outline of what to suppose and what will be expected of you as a fellow member of an honor guard when playing Taps.

You must be well prepared before the funeral, your pipes ought to be well tuned, well set up, steady, and reliable. Paramilitary band uniforms, appearance, and instrument will have to meet or exceed the military standards as outlined in British or Canadian Army regulatings for pipers. Civilian dress must look evenly neat and presentable; jacket brushed, metalwork polished, leather waxed, and kilt pleats and glengarry ribbons pressed; each bit as squared away as a military uniform. A homemade kilt in MacWal-Mart tartan with athletic socks and a JC Penny blazer unquestionably won’t cut it. You’ll need decent sufficient kit to look respectable standing alongside Marines in their Class A’s. However, do not wear a Prince Charlie and bow tie unless all the other members of the funeral party are in tuxedos and evening gowns. Active obligation or retired military personnel and members of the VFW or American Legion may wear their uniforms. Police, EMS, and fire personnel uniform ought to conform to agency guidelines; when in doubt check with your departmental chaplain prior to arrival. It is totally beyond my comprehension that this even needs to be said, but unluckily it does; the wearing of military uniform and insignia to which you have not earned the right is exceedingly offensive to those who have. It’s unconscionable, grossly inappropriate, and in a lot of situations may be physically dangerous (in my opinion, justifiedly so). Do not humiliate yourself, dishonor the decedent, and deeply offend their friends and family by “playing soldier”. If you show up dressed as a Pipe Major in the Black Watch, you’d damned well better be a Pipe Major in the Black Watch!

Under utterly no circumstances must you be late, so plan ahead; taking traffic, weather, and road conditions into account. You will have to report to the funeral website well prior to the indicated time and report without delay to the Officer In Charge (OIC) or Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC). If piping at a National cemetery, it will in all likelihood be very busy; check in at the gate, and make sure they recognise that you need to precede the family to the internet site in order to coordinate with the honor guard. For a military funeral, at a minimum there will be two uniformed active obligation military personnel assigned to the Military Funeral Honors detail, at least one of which will be from the decedent’s branch of service. The most eminent rating of the two will be the NCOIC. There may likewise be a color guard and/or firing detail made up of veterans from the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion. Fire, EMS, and police honor guards will also have a team leader or rating officer in charge. Always check in and coordinate with this person. Regardless of anything written herein, the OIC/NCOIC is in charge of the ceremony and is to be considered the authorized source of protocol.

Generally speaking, when you’re attached to a detail, the leader of that detail will render all salutes. However, there are galore points in a heap of funerals when the entire company present will be called to Attention to Present Arms. As always, when in doubt, check with the NCOIC/OIC. Regardless of uniform, if you are not, nor have you ever been, enlisted in the military, you are by definition a civilian, and you will hence render all hand salutes by placing your right hand over your heart. The one and only exception to this is uniformed civilian fire, EMS, and police personnel, who will have to conform to their departmental protocols. Just do not forget to listen, watch, and follow the lead of the OIC/NCOIC and honor guard (unless you’re actively piping); if they come to Attention, so do you, if they salute, so do you. If they uncover, so do you, if they come to Parade Rest, so do you. Most drill commands are given in two parts; the preparatory command, and the command of execution (for example; Present, Arms). When your cue is the execution of a two-part command, go on the command of execution, not the preparatory command (i.e., “Arms”). The piper of an honor guard is a highly ceremonial role; solo pipers who haven’t had much exposure to drill must seek to learn numerous from a Drum Major of a local band if at all possible, and exercise a heap of basic drill movements with pipes, such as Parade Rest, Attention, Pipes Ready, and Pipes Down.

Remember always that this is a very solemn ceremony and a obligation to be taken very seriously, and this must be reflected in each aspect of your demeanor and deportment at all times from the introductory moment of your arrival until your departure from the site.

CHURCH SERVICE

If piping for a church service at a civilian facility, uncover upon entering the chapel unless piping the casket in. Uncover and stay uncovered all around the service unless actively piping. Generally follow the lead of the honor guard; they will uncover and stay uncovered until time to render military honors. If there is any doubt, check with the officiant beforehand. No weapons of any type will have to be worn in church; this includes skian dubhs.

Just before the ceremony begins, if not piping the remains in, stand outside by the officiant and OIC/NCOIC or wherever they designate, and salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart) along with them as the remains are brought out of the hearse and into the church. If piping the remains in, the OIC/NCOIC will commonly call the accumulated company to Attention; your cue to carry through Pipes Ready; and then Present… Arms as the casket is withdrawn; that is your cue to strike in. You may or may not have been requested to enter the church with the honor guard or casket team, or to play a tune for the duration of the service. If you’ve been requested to stay outside until the end of the service, end your tune as the casket enters the chapel, and do not forget that you are still actively engaged in a funeral detail, and maintain the solemnity and dignity of the ceremony.

Casket: If not piping, be prepared to drop your salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart) as the pallbearers make a five step formal turn with the casket.

Urn: If not piping, be prepared to drop your salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart) after the pallbearers have retrieved the remains and are standing with the other pallbearers, when you listen the command “Ready, Step”.

It is not not common to pipe the remains out of the church at the conclusion of the service; coordinate with the OIC/NCOIC as to whether they want you to lead, follow, or stand aside. Once outside, stand to the left, near the hearse or apparatus. If already outside, the OIC/NCOIC will ordinarily call the gathered company to Attention (execute Pipes Ready), and then Present… Arms as the casket emerges; that is your cue to strike in. When you cut off, carry through Pipes Down and render a hand salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart). After the remains are secured, drop your salute (take your cue from the OIC/NCOIC) and move to a position predetermined by the OIC/NCOIC, and stand at Attention or Parade Rest; follow the lead of the OIC/NCOIC.

If not marching to the gravesite with the hearse or apparatus, be prepared to come to Attention and render a hand salute as it moves out. (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart).

If marching in a funeral procession, the piper (or band) will traditionally lead the marching factor right behind the color guard; coordinate with the OIC/NCOIC. When the OIC/NCOIC begins to move along the hearse or apparatus to the front, they will salute. If you are not directly attached to the detail but will be a lone piper, salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart) as you move past the hearse or apparatus to the front as well, dropping the salute when in front of the flag draped coffin (when marching with a band, the Drum Major will render the salute). Move to a point in well in front of the marching element in order to take your place in the funeral procession, directly behind the color guard.

If it is a funeral with cremains or memorial service without remains, you will sound Taps on completion of the service and at a prearranged signal by the OIC/NCOIC or officiant. Usually, the flag will be encased and displayed upon the altar or stand. Usually, the honor guard will unfold the flag and hold it outstretched as you play Taps. When the flag bearers come to Attention and the flag comes taut, that is your cue to strike in. Start off on the primary note; Low A, just like a bugler. Regardless of what you may have been told or how you may have been taught, in this instance do NOT sound an E pick-up note! After sounding Taps, carry through Pipes Down. After the flag is folded, the bearer will turn and present the folded flag to the OIC/NCOIC. They will salute the bearer with the flag and take the flag with their left hand on top and their right hand on the bottom, and stand while the bearer salutes the flag. When the bearer drops his salute, they will wait until the bearer is dismissed and then go to the next of kin (normally seated on the left front seat) and present the flag, or present it to the officiant or rating officer, who will present it to the family. After presenting the flag, they will salute.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

Unless piping the casket to the gravesite, you will stand at Attention and render a hand salute as the casket is carried to the gravesite (as a frequent rule, salute whenever the flag is in motion and you are standing still; take your cue from the OIC/NCOIC and follow their lead on when to drop your hand). If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart. If you must move in front of the flag, salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart) as you walk past the flag draped casket. If you’re indoors, merely stand at attention.

Casket: be prepared to drop your salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart) as the pallbearers make a five step formal turn with the casket.

Urn: be prepared to drop your salute (If you are a civilian, place your right hand over your heart) after the pallbearers have retrieved the remains and are standing with the other pallbearers, when you listen the command “Ready, Step”.

You may be called upon to pipe the remains to the graveside. This will of course have been organized well beforehand with the officiant and OIC/NCOIC. Strike in as the casket is got rid of from the hearse. Stand at Attention facing the casket as it is being withdrawn from the hearse, carry out a proper About Face, and march the casket to the gravesite, when it comes to 60 steps per minute, stepping off on the left foot on the introductory note of the basi part. When you arrive at the gravesite, veer off to your prearranged position for the service, then turn and face the gravesite. You will have to position yourself near the gravesite, alongside the firing party. In any event you ought to take care to stand in a emplacement where the sound will carry to the funeral party and where you may be seen by the next of kin. You will have to be facing the casket. End your tune as the casket is placed upon the letting down device. Stand at Parade Rest for the duration of the funeral service; follow the lead of the OIC/NCOIC and firing party. You may be called upon to play a short tune, ordinarily after the opening prayer. This will of course have been coordinated well beforehand with the officiant, and you will take your cue from them. For a Fire service funeral, there may be a ringing of the bell, three times, three rings each, signifying the end of an alarm. For air personnel, there may be a fly-over in a missing man formation.

The casket team will position the remains over the grave and unfold the flag, keeping it taut over the remains. When the service is complete, the OIC or NCOIC will Present Arms. The firing party consisting of seven riflemen will come to Attention and fire three volleys. Come to Attention with the firing party (bring in left foot, drop right hand to side), and Pipes Up with the command “Ready”. Sound Taps after the third volley and after the NCOIC of the firing party orders “Present, Arms”; that is your cue to strike in. Start off on the initial note; Low A. Do NOT sound an E pick-up note! After sounding Taps, carry out Pipes Down with the firing party on the command “Order, Arms”. After the flag is folded, the bearer will turn and present the folded flag to the OIC/NCOIC. They will salute the bearer with the flag and take the flag with their left hand on top and their right hand on the bottom, and stand while the bearer salutes the flag. When the bearer drops his salute, they will wait until the bearers are dismissed and then go to the next of kin (normally seated on the left front seat) and present the flag. After presenting the flag, they will salute. You will be dismissed on the command of the NCOIC of the firing party at the conclusion of the service.

When a firing party is not available, you will sound Taps upon completion of the service and at a prearranged signal from the OIC/NCOIC or officiant. Usually, the honor guard will hold the flag outstretched over the coffin as you play Taps. When the flag bearers come to attention and the flag comes taut, that is your cue to strike in. Start off on the primary note; Low A. Do NOT sound an E pick-up note! After sounding Taps, carry through Pipes Down. After the flag is folded, the bearer will turn and present the folded flag to the OIC/NCOIC. They will salute the bearer with the flag and take the flag with their left hand on top and their right hand on the bottom, and stand while the bearer salutes the flag. When the bearer drops his salute, they will wait until the bearer is dismissed and then go to the next of kin (normally seated on the left front seat) and present the flag, or present it to the officiant or rating officer, who will present it to the family. After presenting the flag, they will salute.

DRILL FOR CEREMONIAL PIPERS

ATTENTION

On the command of execution ‘TION, fetch heels together with feet at approximately 45 degrees. Do not lock your knees. As blood pools in your lower extremities, it is possible to pass out if your locked knees inhibit venous return. Pipe bag tucked under your left elbow, with bass drone, chanter, and blowstick in your left hand, palm upward. Bass drone will have to be perfectly horizontal and 90 degrees from your body. Right hand at your side thumb resting along the primary joint of the forefinger, hand cupped (but not clenched as a fist) with palm facing your leg. Stand erect, shoulders square, eyes straight ahead. DO NOT MOVE, FIDGET, OR LOOK AROUND! If you’re in this position for a while, very somewhat flex your knees, wiggle your toes, shift your weight, etc. to keep circulation going, as long as it’s imperceptible to bystanders.

PARADE REST

From the position of Attention, on the command of execution REST, move the left foot when it comes to 10 inches to the left of the right foot, regarding shoulder width apart. Keep the legs straight without locking the knees, resting the weight of the body evenly on the heels and balls of the feet. Simultaneously, place the right hand at the little of your back, fingers outstretched. Pipe bag remains tucked beneath your left elbow, with bass drone, chanter, and blowstick in your left hand, palm upward. Bass drone must be perfectly horizontal and 90 degrees from your body. Stand erect, shoulders square, eyes straight ahead. DO NOT MOVE, FIDGET, OR LOOK AROUND! If you’re in this position for a while, very more or less flex your knees, wiggle your toes, shift your weight, etc. to keep circulation going, as long as it’s imperceptible to bystanders.

STAND AT EASE

From the position of Attention, on the command of execution EASE, you may relax and move around, as long as your left foot doesn’t move. Keep silent.

STAND EASY

You may relax and move around, as long as your left foot doesn’t move. You may talk quietly.

PIPES READY

From the position of Attention, on the command of execution Ready, draw your pipes forward in front of you, bass drone utterly horizontal and 90 degrees from your body, bass drone, chanter, and blowstick in your left hand palm upward, understand bass drone, chanter, and blowstick in your right hand, and then with no problems or difficulties swing them up into playing position. Rotate the chanter down into playing position in your left hand; bag tucked in underneath left upper arm, blowstick in your mouth. Drop your right hand to your side, eyes straight ahead. You will have to be ready to strike in.

PIPES DOWN

From the position of Pipes Ready (in playing position on your shoulder, chanter in your hand and blowstick in your mouth), on the command of execution DOWN, with the right hand, rotate the chanter and blowstick up to the bass drone, grasping all three. Bring the pipes down in front of you, bass drone perfectly horizontal and 90 degrees from your body, grasping the bass drone, chanter, and blowstick in your left hand palm upward with your right hand palm downward on top of the bass drone. Draw the pipes straight back tucking the bag underneath your left elbow and then dropping your right hand to your right side. Eyes straight ahead.

PRESENT ARMS

From the position of Attention, on the command of execution ARMS, a civilian will fetch their right hand up to their heart, palm inward, fingers extended and close together. Pipe bag remains tucked underneath your left elbow, with bass drone, chanter, and blowstick in your left hand, palm upward. Bass drone will have to be utterly horizontal and 90 degrees from your body.

ORDER ARMS

From the position of Present Arms, on the command of execution Arms, drop your right hand to your side, and resume the position of Attention.

ABOUT FACE

From Attention or Pipes Ready, on the command of execution Face, place your right toe regarding 10″ behind and more or less to the left of where the right heel was. With your weight evenly on the ball of your right foot and left heel, turn smartly around to your right. Done properly, you ought to still be at Attention or Pipes Ready facing the opposite direction.

CADENCE

A funeral march is 60 beats per minute.

Chanter Kit Photo

Chanter Kit Picture

Chanter Kit Pic

Chanter Kit Photo

Most helpful client reviews

44 of 45 humans found the following review helpful.
Pass on this one
By R. Hosey
I started taking lessons with regards to a month ago and right away my instructor insisted I get a new chanter. This chanter did aid me figure out how to play the nine notes and grace note scale but it sounds amusive when played along side a better quality chanter. It likewise has some defects tht my instructor pointed out. The top three holes are not lined up making it difficult to play at times. I have not long ago substituted it with a Dunbar chanter sold by “Universe of Bagpipes” for a kit price of $99. That $20 extra is worth spending on a quality chanter not similar to my self who now expended $178. $79 of which was wasted on the Caledonia chanter kit. Other quality chanters for a reasonable price are Naill and Gibson plus others.

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