How to Properly Tape Your Pipe Chanter
Chanter tape seems like one of the simplest things in piping. Put a piece of black tape over the top of a hole, adjust the pitch, and you're done.
But there's a little more to it than that.
How you apply your tape, the tape you use, and how well you maintain it can all affect the stability of your chanter.
And the first thing to understand is that not all black tape is created equal.
Use the Right Tape
It can be tempting to think that any roll of black tape will do the job, but there are a couple of characteristics I look for in good chanter tape.
It needs to stick well and stay where you put it. Some tapes can slowly slide or creep over time, changing how much of the hole is covered—and therefore changing the pitch of the note.
You also don't want tape that stretches too much as you apply it. If you're pulling and stretching the tape around the chanter, it can gradually try to return to its original shape and move from where you positioned it.
Once I've set up a chanter, I want the tape to stay where I put it.
Don't Just Put a Small Piece Over the Hole
The way you apply the tape is just as important.
When taping the top of a hole, I like to start the end of the tape behind the chanter, then wind the tape around and across the hole.
Once you have the edge positioned exactly where you want it over the hole, continue wrapping the tape around the chanter so that it overlaps itself approximately two times.
There's a reason for the extra tape.
The outer layer helps lock the piece underneath in position. Instead of relying entirely on the adhesive to keep that critical edge exactly where you placed it, you've now wrapped another layer over it to help prevent it from moving.
That little bit of extra security can make a big difference.
Give Yourself a Clean Edge
Rather than tearing the tape, use a cutting tool to give yourself a neat edge.
A clean cut makes it easier to see exactly where the piece of tape starts if you have to move it in the future.
Your chanter will look a lot tidier too.
Check Your Tape Every Week
This is probably the most important part.
Chanter tape is not something you apply once and forget about.
Make it part of your weekly maintenance routine to look carefully at every piece of tape on your chanter.
Check that the edges haven't moved. Look for tape that is starting to lift, stretch, wrinkle, tear, or lose its adhesive. If a piece looks questionable, replace it early.
Don't wait until it fails.
I've seen pipers have problems in contests because of something as simple and preventable as poorly maintained chanter tape. We spend countless hours practicing, tuning, selecting reeds, and preparing our instruments. It doesn't make much sense to risk all of that over an old piece of tape.
Especially before a competition or important performance, take a few minutes and inspect your chanter.
How to Replace Old Tape Without Losing Its Position
There's a simple trick I use when replacing an old or damaged piece of tape that helps preserve exactly where the edge was positioned.
Don't take the old tape off first.
Instead, take a fresh piece of tape and place it over the remaining exposed portion of the hole, lining its edge up exactly against the edge of the old tape.
That temporary piece of tape becomes your guide.
Now remove the old tape. You can clearly see exactly where its edge was because the temporary piece has preserved that position.
Apply your new chanter tape, lining it up against your temporary guide.
Once the new tape is securely in place, remove the temporary piece below it.
You've now replaced the worn tape while keeping the new edge in essentially the same position as the old one.
This can save you from having to find that tuning position all over again.
One More Tape Trick: Making Birls Easier
Chanter tape isn't only useful for tuning.
If you're someone who struggles with birls—particularly on a chanter with larger finger holes—there's another little trick you can try.
Put a small amount of tape across the bottom of the hole.
You're not trying to significantly close the hole. You're simply shortening the open area slightly so your pinky doesn't have quite as much distance to travel across the hole during the birl.
For some pipers, particularly those with smaller hands or a pinky that struggles to cover a large hole cleanly, that small change can make the birl considerably easier to execute.
Just remember that any time you change the amount of an open hole with tape, you should listen carefully to the note and make sure you haven't affected the tuning in a way you don't want.
It's a simple adjustment, but sometimes a very small change to the chanter can make a big difference in how comfortably your fingers work.
Tape Is Part of Your Chanter Setup
Good chanter setup is about consistency.
Once you've found the right reed, balanced your chanter, and positioned your tape, you want everything to stay as stable as possible.
That's why I'm particular about the tape I use and how I apply it.
We offer chanter tape that I personally use and am happy to put my name behind, along with Thistle Tone Snippers, which make it easy to get a quick, clean cut when applying or replacing tape.
But regardless of what tape or cutting tool you use, the principles are the same:
Use tape that sticks without excessive stretch, secure it properly around the chanter, give yourself a clean edge, and check it regularly.
And when it's time to replace it, don't throw away the position you've already established. Use another piece of tape as a guide and put the new tape right where the old tape was.
It's a very small part of your bagpipe setup—but it's also a very easy part to get right.
Happy Piping!
Melvin Reeds
Great Sound Starts with a Great Reed
Comments