The bagpipe practice chanter is a double reed woowind instrument in appearance somewhat like that of a recorder. Although it can be played as an instrument in its own right, its main function is as an adjunct to the bagpipe. In this respect, its purpose is twofold. First, it is the instrument which one uses to learn how to play the bagpipes, before one takes up the playing of the bagpipes. Secondly, after one has learned how to play the bagpipes, the practice chanter, as its name implies, can be used as a practice instrument.