Unboxing! ES Session Chanter - one of the hottest new practice chanters on the market! 

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.

Playing the bagpipes has been a long time dream of mine. I highly appreciate your videos. You're an inspiration. :-)

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 RU-vid 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

Love Glenmorangie. Nector d'Or in particular. Haven't tried the Lasanta yet. The chanter's also nice ;)

Just heard "the challenger"... wow! Apologies if needed but I heard a shanty that made me miss the harbours of home ... loved it 👏

I have too be honest my favorite bagpipe tune is indeed blue bonnets

Another high quality video super informative great sound &light professional professional professional Thanks

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.

Also I like the fact that the reed seats are o rings for an airtight seat!

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.

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!!

These are new cutting-edge and nice, but I like the tone and feel of whole b/wood vintage 100 year old PC's.

That sounds lush

So at the end do you recommend us buying it? Cuz i really would love to know how it feels

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.

Is there an uilleann pipes version?

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?

Matt, Where can I find a copy of Masons Apron? Love that tune!!

hi great video presentation thank you. what is the name of that jig you played at 13:44 please ? respect J of UK

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.

Matt, how is the reach of the low hand holes? I prefer the shorter reach of a Kyo or a Hardie Infinity chanter.

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.

Do you recommend this? Might get it.

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?

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?

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??

Slàinte mhath!!

General Kenobi

Wow you’re more Scottish than I am, and I’m fully Scottish aha

sláinte 🥃