There are several choices of differing types practice chanters on the today. The two-sectional practice chanter comprises is just one of two main design types, and the other category is an electronic chanter. Most chanters are either made from plastic or African Blackwood, and a small percentage from metal. A further sub-division of material used would be the overall length of the practice chanter. The length, either short or long, affects the spacing of the note holes on the chanter.
Longer chanters allow closer replication of the hole spacing to that of a bagpipe chanter.
This benefits the player in the transition from the practice chanter to the pipe chanter. Just to make a brief note, shorter chanters are works just as well, and in some cases, even are more convenient to carry around the longer chanters. Please remember your choice of a chanter should be based on your own personal preference. One chanter compared to another may not necessarily make one a better piper, only practice, instruction and talent combined can accomplish this. Some pipers have more then one chanter, and this is perfectly reasonable considering not all chanters may be appropriate for all occasions, such as at band practice, commuting on a train or bus, on your lunch break, or at home.