Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Playing the bagpipes is a complex thing – so when figuring out where to focus on for improvement, maybe we can learn some lessons from the emergency room... This week, we're discussing how to triage your "performance killers", by diagnosing the most fundamental issues in your playing and prioritising what to work on in iterative rounds of improvement. Pssst – we’ve recently launched our new, comprehensive bagpipe tuning course, “The Great Bagpipe Tuning Algorithm”, which contains everything you need to know about the theory and practice of bagpipe tuning, as well as a 300+ page textbook, 90-day training plan, and 11+ hours with some of the world’s top players! Check it out here: pipersdojo.com/tuning Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

Frustrated at the neverending struggle to keep your bagpipes in tune? You’re not alone! But many pipers think that once you ‘solve’ tuning, you can move on… when really, even the best pipers in the world are still refining their approach to tuning. So how do you switch despair at the endless road to something you can not just live with, but enjoy doing? Changing how you think about tuning is the best way forward… This week, we're discussing how to “fall in love” with the process of bagpipe tuning, rather than hating the problem. Because bagpipe tuning isn’t a ‘set and forget’ skill – as any top pipers will tell you, it’s something they’re still working on, even after a lifetime of playing at the very top levels in the world… Interested to learn more? We’ve recently launched our new, comprehensive bagpipe tuning course, “The Great Bagpipe Tuning Algorithm”, which contains everything you need to know about the theory and practice of bagpipe tuning, as well as a 300+ page textbook, 90-day training plan, and

Lincoln Hilton, founder of Modern Piping and online sensation, walks us through his trial and error tuning journey as a young piper coming up through the grades. This clip is an excerpt from Lincoln's hour-long interview, included as part of our new course on bagpipe tuning: "The Great Bagpipe Tuning Algorithm". Visit https://pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more!

The great Jim McGillivray tells us a bit about his tuning process and how he uses a "pressure variance test" to check he's nailed his bagpipe tuning. This clip is an excerpt from Jim's hour-long interview, included as part of our new course on bagpipe tuning: "The Great Bagpipe Tuning Algorithm". Visit https://pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more!

How do we optimize the pitch of our pipes, and time it perfectly with the actual performance? P/M Robert Mathieson and I discuss in this interview clip. This clip is an excerpt from Robert's hour-long interview, included as part of the new course. Visit pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more!

Your surroundings – particularly temperature changes and humidity – are vital considerations for any tuning process. World champion piper Callum Beaumont explains how important these are for him to think about when preparing to play at high-level competitions. This clip is an excerpt from Callum's hour-long interview, included as part of our new course on bagpipe tuning, "The Great Bagpipe Tuning Algorithm". Visit https://pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more!

Do you find it harder to hear your bass drone than your tenors when you tune? As it turns out, so does Jack Lee! So how does he manage this and the rest of his tuning process, to get that trademark beautiful tone every time he plays? Jack is one of many world-leading pipers we’ve interviewed for our brand new Bagpipe Tuning Suite of online courses, designed to help you finally crack the code of bagpipe tuning! This clip is an excerpt from Jack's hour-long interview, included as part of the new course. Visit pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more.

How would Matt MacIsaac teach you to tune? Matt’s one of many, many world-leading pipers we’ve interviewed for our brand new Bagpipe Tuning Suite of online courses, designed to help you finally crack the code of bagpipe tuning! Visit pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more. Inside the “Great Algorithm” Bagpipe Tuning Suite you’ll receive... In depth “Bagpipe Tuning in Theory” module, with quizzes to test your knowledge Comprehensive “Bagpipe Tuning in Practice” module 90-Day Tuning Training Plan 11 full-hour interviews with many of the world’s greatest pipers (including the one this clip is from!) 300+ Page Full Color Textbook “How to tune your pipe corps” expansion course Triple-your-money-back guarantee Course Details: ✅ Tuition: Just $169 until October 22nd. ✅ Payment Plans: 2- and 3-month payment plans available. ✅ Level: Beginner through Advanced (any piper on the full pipes needs to understand “the algorithm”). ✅ Setting: Online/Virtual ✅ Course Length: 15-20 Hours Visit pipersdojo.com/tuning

Introducing the Bagpipe Tuning Suite that helps you finally crack the code of bagpipe tuning! Visit https://pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more. Inside the "Great Algorithm" Bagpipe Tuning Suite you'll receive... --In depth "Bagpipe Tuning in Theory" Module, with quizzes to test your knowledge --Comprehensive "Bagpipe Tuning in Practice" module --90-Day Tuning Training Plan --11 full-hour interviews with many of the world's greatest pipers (!!!) --300+ Page Full Color Textbook --"How to tune your pipe corps" expansion course. --Triple-your-money-back guarantee Course Details: --Tuition: Just $169 until October 22nd. --Payment Plans: 2- and 3-month payment plans available. --Level: Beginner through Advanced (any piper on the full pipes needs to understand "the algorithm"). --Setting: Online/Virtual --Course Length: 15-20 Hours Visit https://pipersdojo.com/tuning today to learn more

Ever heard someone say "real pipers don't use a metronome"? This week, we're discussing how rhythm is the most foundational skill any musician – including bagpipers – needs to develop. But do some people just naturally have better rhythm? Can you develop it? And how do you know when you've got it right? Pssssst... We're launching our new, comprehensive bagpipe tuning course VERY soon at Dojo U, for everything you'll ever need to know about bagpipe (and band!) tuning – more info will be posted here very soon: http://pipersdojo.com/tuning Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

Feel like you're flying blind when you tune your pipes? We have so many variables to manage while we're listening to our tuning – and chances are, especially if you're just starting out, you're not entirely sure what you're actually listening for... This week, we're discussing how to think of bagpipe tuning as an 'algorithm' – and if maths or computers aren't your thing, don't worry! At its core, an algorithm is just a series or set of instructions that achieves an intended result – and having a uniform set of inputs and processes to follow could help you develop the skills needed to have a breakthrough with your tuning, once and for all... Interested to learn more? We're launching our new, comprehensive bagpipe tuning course very soon at Dojo U, for everything you'll ever need to know about bagpipe (and band!) tuning – more info will be posted here very soon: http://pipersdojo.com/tuning Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.co

Is your tenor drone sharp? Is your C flat compared to your drones? Are your drones flat or sharp compared to your low A? Who cares?! This week, Andrew and Jim discuss the "who cares" model of bagpipe tuning – where it doesn't matter whether you know instinctively whether your pipes are in tune, or even which way you need to shift a tuning pin or tape to fix the tuning. Instead, it's important to become comfortable with the *process* of testing, trial and error, and perfecting a system that you can replicate each time you play, and get faster and better at each time. Interested to learn more? We're launching our new, comprehensive bagpipe tuning course very soon at Dojo U, for everything you'll ever need to know about bagpipe (and band!) tuning – more info will be posted here very soon: http://pipersdojo.com/tuning Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

For better or worse, digital tuners are widely used in the piping world. They're easier than ever to access, with many smartphone apps now available. And they're a useful reference tool that can show you what pitch your reeds are sounding at. But most importantly – what CAN'T your digital tuner tell you? This week, Andrew and Jim discuss the pros and cons of bagpipe tuners, when they're good, when they're not, and when you need to "put down the ducky" if you want to be a better bagpiper... Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

It's the instrument we all started on, and a very different one to the full pipes... but for something that's mostly used for practice, does it actually matter if your practice chanter is blackwood or polypenco (plastic)? Long or short? Tuned or not? This week, Andrew and Jim discuss all things practice chanter, including what to look for and what to consider when you're buying your first, or in the market for a new one... Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

While rushing and lack of control are huge problems for beginners and intermediates, if we roll it back a step further – do you actually know where the beat is supposed to go in the first place? Bagpipe music isn't always written in a way that makes that easy to answer. So this week, Andrew and Jim discuss where to place the beat in bagpipe music, how embellishments likely developed, and whether we should be prescribing where to place the beat at all... Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

Have you ever hit a wall in your piping? It could be because your foundations need fixing... This week, Andrew and Jim look at the root causes of player stagnation, which usually aren't fixed by doing more reps, or trying to play faster, or any of the many other ways we tell ourselves we'll get better if we just keep pushing. Often, the best way to progress is actually to take a step backwards – by methodically fixing fundamental gaps in skill, from the ground up. Think you're too far advanced to need this approach? You may be suffering from "bagpipe status disease" – and you're holding yourself back as a result... Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

Are you a "wet blower"? Many pipers seem to inexplicably have a bagpipe that accumulates WAY more moisture than their bandmates... but before you get too attached to that as part of your piping identity, you might want to hear what we have to say about the "myth" of wet blowing... On this week's episode, we explore some other variables that may be at play for "wet" blowers, like condensation, proper instrument maintenance, efficient setup, and environmental conditions, which can significantly impact moisture levels. Got a question or topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave us a comment or send an email to support@pipersdojo.com!

Is there a difference between band and solo chanters? Does it matter if you choose an African blackwood or a polypenco (plastic) chanter? And does the hole size of a chanter make any real difference to the sound? This week, Andrew and Jim are busting every myth you've ever wondered about bagpipe chanters, and touch on the traumatic moment that so many pipers have experienced – that bone-chilling CRACK when you turn a blackwood chanter from the bottom... Got a question or topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com!

Ever heard of the pitch–time continuum? If you haven't, that's not surprising, because Andrew made it up... but it's a great way to visualize what happens inside your pipes as you play, what effect heat and moisture have on whether your reeds go sharp or flat, and why the darned things never seem to stay in tune! On this week's episode of Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss bagpipe tuning – one of the (if not the single) most frustrating topics for any beginning or intermediate piper. We'll look at how your pipes change over time, what causes this, and some suggestions for ways to prepare for and solve these issues when you're playing. Interested to learn more about tuning? We can't say too much yet, but we're developing something HUGE and very exciting that is coming soon – and we think it will have an enormous effect on your ability to tune your own bagpipes. Watch this space... Got a question or topic you'd like covered in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you – leave us a comment or ema

How do you plan the perfect practice session? Should you practice more on the practice chanter or the full pipes? And would the formula change depending on whether you're a complete beginner or have been playing for a while? This week on Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim dive into a listener question from Brad, all about how to structure a practice session for optimal improvement. They dive so deep they go all the way through to how you'd teach a beginner to get started on the bagpipes in general, among many other tangents (just for something different)...