The chanter (Irish: seamsúr; Scottish Gaelic: seannsair; Scots: chanter, chaunter) is the part of the bagpipe that the player uses to make the melody. It has several finger holes, and in simpler versions, it looks like a recorder. On more complex bagpipes, such as the Northumbrian bagpipes or the Uilleann pipes, the chanter may also have keys. These keys help the instrument play a wider range of notes and support more musical scales. Like other parts of the bagpipe, the chanter is often decorated with materials such as silver, nickel, gold, brass, bone, ivory, or plastic.

Cylindrical vs. conical bore

Chanters are divided into two main types: parallel and non-parallel bored. This describes the shape of the inside of the chanter. On the Great Highland Bagpipe, the inside is cone-shaped, which helps create a very loud sound. In contrast, the Northumbrian pipes have a straight, parallel bore, which produces a softer and more gentle sound.

Keyed chanter

Most chanters do not have keys. However, some use keys to help them play more notes and more accidentals. The Northumbrian smallpipe is the most common instrument that uses this type of key system.

Double chanter

Another type of chanter is the two-piped chanter, also called a double chanter. The two pipes can be played separately, one in each hand, or together at the same time, as seen in many Arabic bagpipes. One pipe may create a drone sound that supports the other, or the two pipes may play together in harmony using intervals like thirds and sixths, as found in the northern Italian Müsa and central-southern Italian zampogna. In some instruments from the Carpathian basin, up to five separate pipes can be placed side by side in one instrument. These allow for both melody and rhythm: in the simplest version, one pipe plays the melody while another provides a changing drone. More complex instruments may divide certain notes into separate pipes that are closed at one end.

Intonation

Because of the drones that accompany the bagpipes, the lack of changes in the melody, and the consistent sound of the reed, many bagpipe traditions use just intonation to tune the tones of the chanter. However, bagpipe tuning can vary greatly between different traditions. On the Great Highland bagpipe, the notes of the chanter are adjusted by using tape to slightly cover the finger holes when needed. In the past, wax was used for this purpose, just as it was for other woodwind instruments.

Practice chanter

The practice chanter is a tool used to practice playing the Great Highland Bagpipe. It looks similar to the bagpipe's chanter but is smaller. It has a part at the top before the reed, allowing it to be blown directly from the mouth. It is often used as a first instrument so learners can practice finger movements before learning how to control the bag. It is usually made of hardwood or plastic.

The modern practice chanter may have developed from the hornpipe or "stock-and-horn," a type of reed instrument from Scotland. This older instrument had a capped double reed and a bell made from animal horn. It was played by shepherds and others.