It should be possible to tune the pipes with a regular chromatic tuner, although the "nice" frequency ratios of the notes of the pipe scale are slightly different from those of an equal-tempered scale. The differences are shown in the following table (note that the "new" D and high G are used):
The pitch of the notes referred to as "A" is close to a standard A# or Bb.
The standard frequency for A is 440 Hz and the standard for A# is therefore
466.2 Hz. Tuning the chanter to 466, 468, 470, 472, and 475 Hz deviates by
-1, +7, +14, +22, and +32 cents respectively from this standard frequency.
Combining these offsets with the deviations listed in the
previous tuning table produces the values in
the table below, which can be used to tune the chanter with a chromatic tuner.
Note that values are given for the Just D and G's. (Values are +/- 1 cent
due to rounding.)
Chromatic Tuning Table
(values +/- 1 cent)
| Chanter Note | Meter Note | Deviations from meter 0 for low A = ... | ||||
| A = 466Hz | A = 468Hz | A = 470Hz | A = 472Hz | A = 475Hz | ||
| high A | A# | -1 | +7 | +14 | +22 | +32 |
| high G | G# | -5 | +3 | +10 | +18 | +28 |
| F(#) | G | -17 | -9 | -2 | +6 | +16 |
| E | F | +1 | +9 | +16 | +24 | +34 |
| D | D# | -3 | +5 | +12 | +20 | +30 |
| C(#) | D | -15 | -7 | 0 | +8 | +18 |
| B | C | +3 | +11 | +18 | +26 | +36 |
| low A | A# | -1 | +7 | +14 | +22 | +32 |
| low G | G# | -5 | +3 | +10 | +18 | +28 |