Probably you have already had replies, in case not - this is usually played as a transposing instrument when playing the traditional NSP tunes. i.e. you read G but it sounds D (the note above middle C on piano). It is up to you what you do when playing any other music. In other words, if you read D = D (concert pitch) it is good for playing along with many singers, as the average voice range is comfortable with the actual range of the D chanter, which is (concert) low A to (concert) F# on top line of treble clef. If you are not used to transposing you may find it confusing to do both. If you are playing the traditional NSP literature along with other pipers, who are using either the F or G chanter, you will find that the D chanter does not go high enough. If you want to play fiddle tunes and are thinking in concert pitch (i.e. D = D) your high range is too limited. However, if you want to have it for the rich, mellow (somewhat quieter) tone, it is an enjoyable additional instrument. Many of the pipers on the USA/Canada Pacific coast seem to enjoy playing the D chanter (mainly as a transposing instrument) - probably simply because someone got the first people started on it and the others just followed suit. Sheila
************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
