Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Sight-reading is something a lot of pipers struggle with, especially if you didn't learn how to read music before you started learning to play bagpipes. But it doesn't have to be hard. This is my simple, straightforward approach to sight-reading. It's a bit like juggling – you can quickly master it, if you just tackle it one ball at a time. ____ The Piper’s Dojo Weekly Show, Dojo Conversations, brings you weekly advice about how to be a better bagpiper. This episode was first livestreamed on Facebook, so like our Facebook page to receive notifications when our weekly streams go live; subscribe to our YouTube channel; or follow, rate and review wherever you tune in to your favorite podcasts!

Hemp is finicky. Day to day, your joints' tightness can change quite a bit, so when it comes to technique, my golden rule: it has to be fast. Watch as I demonstrate how to wrap hemp on your drone or reed seats for a ‘hemp edit’ – when your pipes are already hemped, but just need a little tune up to get them nice and tight to play again. ____ The Piper’s Dojo Weekly Show, Dojo Conversations, brings you weekly advice about how to be a better bagpiper. This episode was first livestreamed on Facebook, so like our Facebook page to receive notifications when our weekly streams go live; subscribe to our YouTube channel; or follow, rate and review wherever you tune in to your favorite podcasts!

Licking, poking, pinching... what's the best way to sound absolutely incredible every time you choose a new reed? In this video, Andrew steps you through how to deal with challenging reeds, and the best way to manipulate them to sound incredible... The Piper's Dojo brings you weekly advice about how to be a better bagpiper. Like our Facebook page to receive notifications when our weekly streams go live; subscribe to our YouTube channel; or follow, rate and review wherever you tune in to your favorite podcasts!

We had some great questions submitted about our last two podcasts in the Dojo Conversations series, a new weekly show where we do a quick dive into some tips on a different piping topic each week. Andrew held a quick follow up Q&A session to answer these, as the submitters probably aren't the only ones curious about these... Got a question for us? Want us to cover a specific topic in future? Add a comment to this podcast, or send it to us on any of our social channels! __________________________________ The Piper's Dojo brings you weekly advice about how to be a better bagpiper. Like our Facebook page to receive notifications when our weekly streams go live; subscribe to our YouTube channel; or follow, rate and review wherever you tune in to your favorite podcasts!

We need a certain amount of moisture in our bagpipes. But too much can be a major problem. Too many players reach straight for moisture control systems and fancy gadgets to manage it, but that's treating the symptom, and not the cause. Let's delve into the real causes of moisture issues, including the stuff we need to do when we’re NOT playing... The Piper's Dojo brings you weekly advice about how to be a better bagpiper. Like our Facebook page to receive notifications when our weekly streams go live; subscribe to our YouTube channel; or follow, rate and review wherever you tune in to your favorite podcasts!

How do you know if your bagpipe chanter reed is the right strength for you? This simple test is a pretty foolproof way to find out... listen as we step you through how to do it, some of the factors that contribute to the the reed strength you need, and some of the pros and cons of easy vs hard chanter reeds. _________________________________ The Piper's Dojo brings you weekly advice about how to be a better bagpiper. Like our Facebook page to receive notifications when our weekly streams go live; subscribe to our YouTube channel; or follow, rate and review wherever you tune in to your favorite podcasts!

Real bagpipers play with all the embellishments in. And they sure as heck never use metronomes, that's just ridiculous. Ok... but what about real MUSICIANS?

In case you weren't aware, I've been putting together some free workshops for anyone who'd like to attend over the long, cold winter here in New York. I ran the first of these in November last year and had huge interest – around 400 pipers from across the US and Canada (plus a few from the UK as well!) tuned in to learn more about the "11 Reasons Pipers Fail." Given how much great feedback we had about the content, I wanted to make it more accessible to pipers in other parts of the world. To that end, I've scheduled a second session, still entirely free, that I'll be hosting at: USA: Saturday, January 29 @ 7PM (New York / EST) New Zealand: Sunday, January 30 @ 1pm Australia: Sunday, January 30 @ 11am (Syd / Melb),10am (Bris), 8am (Perth) In the workshop, I'll take you through a number of core concepts that illustrate how most pipers are already on a collision course with bagpiping disappointment and failure. But, it's not all doom and gloom – understanding the 11 deadly pitfalls in attempting to master a

01:20 - Why is a tube-style manometer better than a gauge? 24:25 - Will I ever "get" rhythm "down"? 33:53 - Is Piobaireachd required to become a "real" piper? --> What IS a real piper? If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today!

Amongst other Q&A today, we discuss the problem of memorization. Is it possible for a 71-year-old to memorize more than a few tunes? Is the bagpipe freedom process for beginners? How to transcribe the rhythm of a tune you heard on YouTube. Embellishment discussion. If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today!

Register now at https://dojouniversity.com/workshop ___ As you may have heard, I am putting together some free workshops this winter for anyone who'd like to attend. The first one will be this November 14th, at 1pm New York Time, called "11 Reasons Pipers Fail." So, what's this workshop all about? Frankly, it's been a tough one to put into words. Have you ever achieved a goal, but still felt empty? Have you powered through to the finish line, just to realize (usually immediately) that you were wrong about where the real finish line actually was? Cramming for a big test in high school comes to mind. Usually, a good solid all-nighter would suffice to get me that "A" I needed to "keep my grades up." But it was an empty victory. Next week there was going to be another test, and because I "crammed" for the previous test, I never actually learned the material! So, from there I was stuck in a perpetual cramming cycle. Did I get my "A"? Yep. Was I happy during or after the process? Hell no. And by the way, I rem

Is the bagpipe freedom process for beginners? How to transcribe the rhythm of a tune you heard on YouTube. Embellishment discussion. If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

It's been a while since we behaved ourselves long enough to release a Friday Strike-in as a podcast! Enjoy some piping chatter. If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

The book is now OUT of pre-order and ready for regular purchase. Order at http://BagpipeFreedom.com The book is focused on fully exploring what you might recognize is the "Dojo U method," detailing our approach from the ground up. But, it's not a text book or an exercise book. It's a "big picture" exploration about how to learn, and how to apply these basic learning concepts to one of the world's most difficult instruments. I wanted to ensure that the book wasn't just educational, but that it also flowed well, and was entertaining. This is a book you should be able to sit down with after a long day of work and actually enjoy reading. At least, we think so. The book INCLUDES an audio version for those who prefer that. Other exciting extras also await in your "book extras" portal. I would be honored if you purchased a copy of the book. Head to http://BagpipeFreedom.com today to pre-order your copy. All the best!

Matthew Welch studied traditional Highland Bagpipe music with Gold Medalist masters such as James McIntosh M.B.E., Colin MacLellan, Mike Cusack, Jack Lee, Pipe Major Angus MacLellan, Andrew Wright and celebrated, repeat World-Champion Pipe Majors Terry Lee and Iain McLellan B.E.M. Mr. Welch was a member of one of the most internationally acclaimed bagpipe bands of the last two decades: the six-time World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, and played with the band for their World Pipe Band Championship wins of 1999 and 2001 in Glasgow. As Musical Director for the New York Metro Pipe Band, his unique way of teaching pipe music, musical ensemble cohesion and cultivating a bright, rich pipe corps sound helped steer NY Metro to their 2011 and 2012, 2014 wins at the World Pipe Band Championships, the North American Pipe Band Championships and the American Pipe Band Championships respectively. He is also in demand as a private bagpipe instructor. Beyond the traditional repertoire, Welch has pioneered new t

Robert won the worlds 5 times as Pipe Major of the Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band. If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Ross hails from Linlithgow, West Lothian where he is the official Town Piper. He studied Bagpipes, Scots Song and Whistles at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In July 2017 he graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Traditional Music - Piping. Ross was a finalist in the 2019 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition. A World Champion piper, Ross began piping aged 7 and was the Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. He competed with the world famous Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band for many years. He is now a member the Grade 1 Inveraray and District Pipe Band. Also a successful solo piper, he competes regularly around the Highland Games in Scotland and further afield. Ross has performed in many countries such as: New Zealand, Australia, USA, Ghana, Russia and all over central Europe as well as appearing on BBC Hogmanay Live and performing solo on the roof of Murrayfield Stadium. A Grade 8 Trombonist, Ross has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe F

Greig Canning is a piper with the two-time grade 1 World Champions, Inveraray and District Pipe Band. He is a regular prize winner and ‘A grade’ competitor on the highland games circuit, regularly competing at the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting. Greig is a full-time bagpipe instructor for West Lothian Council, and the pipe major and instructor of the West Lothian Schools Pipe Band. _____ If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Ken is one of the most prolific pipers in North American history. Be sure to visit thecaptainscorner.com to learn all about his career, his teaching, and his works. _____ If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Most bagpipe world has trapped itself in a destructive negative feedback loop that essentially guarantees its decline (and failure for the vast majority of enthusiasts...). Can you summon the strength to break free from the gravitational pull of the mainstream bagpiping world to "succeed" with your own piping? If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!