noun
chanter
The pipe that plays the melody in a bagpipe or similar instrument.
The piper covers holes on the chanter to change notes.
Etymology
The name treats the melody pipe as the instrument’s singer. It produces the changing tune, while the other pipes may sustain accompanying drone notes.
More examples
- Air from the bag flows through the chanter.
- She practices the tune on a practice chanter.
- The shop sells replacement chanters for several types of bagpipes.
Forms
chanter · chanters
Similar words
- pipe
- A broader term, not specifically the melody-playing part of bagpipes.