446 - Is the Practice Chanter a "Real" Instrument? (Dojo Conversations Episode 116)

Pipers start their journey on a practice chanter – but can you do more with a practice chanter than just… well, practice? 

This week, Jim and Andrew discuss practice chanters – should be seen as standalone instruments or just tools for learning the bagpipes? The conversation touches on competitive piping cultures in Scotland and North America, the introduction of practice chanter contests in CLASP, and debates the benefits and potential downsides of fancy chanters, friends' experiences, and the influence of stereotypes on the piping image. Join the debate on whether practice chanters deserve more respect!

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Here’s what we cover this week:

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

01:04 Discussing Practice Chanters

01:49 The ES Session Chanter Debate

06:27 Practice Chanter Competitions

15:00 Cultural Differences in Bagpiping

19:57 Personal Bagpiping Stories

23:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts