Online bagpipe tuner
Compare Highland bagpipe Low A and drones one voice at a time. The starting reference is 480 Hz; choose your pipes’ value or capture Low A.
Octaves with Low A at 480 Hz
With Low A at 480 Hz, the tenor drone target is 240 Hz and the bass target 120 Hz. High A targets 960 Hz. These targets compare octaves of the reference.
| Note or part | Reference (Hz) |
|---|---|
| Chanter Low A | 480.00 |
| Tenor drone | 240.00 |
| Bass drone | 120.00 |
| Chanter High A | 960.00 |
How to use it
- Enable the microphone and allow access in your browser. Audio is analysed on your device.
- Warm up the pipes and select the Highland profile. Hold Low A at normal playing pressure and capture it, or enter the agreed frequency.
- Play one isolated note and let the attack settle. Compare its pitch, frequency and cents with the selected target.
- Select the tenor or bass drone and measure it separately. For other chanter notes, use the chromatic profile and your tradition’s cents offsets.
Help and explanations
Low A is a traditional note name, not an instruction to use 440 Hz. The Braw manual gives 466–490 Hz as a typical range for modern Highland pipes.
Low A, octaves and drones
With Low A at 480 Hz, the tenor drone target is 240 Hz and the bass target 120 Hz. High A targets 960 Hz. These targets compare octaves of the reference.
Temperament and practice
Other chanter notes may use just intonation or specific offsets. This profile does not impose a full equal-tempered scale. A practice chanter often has Low A near 220 Hz: use −12 semitones and a 440 Hz reference.
Tips
- Use a quiet room and place the instrument near the microphone without touching it.
- Agree on a reference with the other players; changing concert A changes every target.
- Measure at normal playing pressure. This detector follows one dominant pitch and does not separate simultaneous chanter and drone sounds.
Frequently asked questions
Should Highland bagpipes use A 440?
Not necessarily. Calibrate to Low A and your band’s reference. The initial 480 Hz value is an adjustable starting point.
Does this tuner measure every drone at once?
No. Select a voice and isolate its sound. Several simultaneous pitches can confuse this detector.
Why does a chanter note not show zero cents?
Your chosen temperament may differ from the chromatic scale. Compare against the reference and offsets used by your teacher or band.
Do I need an app or an audio upload?
No. This tool runs in your browser and measures sound locally without uploading a recording.