Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

How should you prepare for your first solo competition? What should you do the night before? On the day? And what can you expect when you arrive, during, and after you compete in both band and solo contests? This week, Andrew and Jim do a blow-by-blow walk through of a typical day at a highland games, including how and when to start preparing, and what to expect when you get there. They cover the detailed preparation routines for both solo competitors and band members, including travel plans, warm-up strategies, final tuning, competition etiquette, checking in with stewards, tactics for managing nerves, and the logistics of navigating through multiple events in a day. This is the ultimate comprehensive guide for anyone curious about what goes on during an average day at a highland games. Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: support@pipersdojo.com. Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 Training Montage: Preparing for Competition Day 02:21 A Day at the Highland Games: Solos and Band

Do you struggle to learn new tunes? Get stressed trying to get all those band sets ready for the circle? The solution could lie in… making it fun! This week, Andrew and Jim look at how to find fun in the process of learning new tunes - how to make the learning process enjoyable, push away stress, and improve your overall musical ability. The also look at the impact of pressure and competition on learning, and the benefits of playing in a band versus solo. Got a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com. On this episode, we're talking about... 00:00 The Importance of Fun in Learning Tunes 03:26 Using Technology to Enhance Practice 05:35 Overcoming Challenges in Music Practice 07:27 The Role of Enjoyment in Memorization 10:56 Balancing Band and Solo Practice 14:43 The Collaborative Process in Band Medleys 21:05 Maintaining Enjoyment in Piping 31:22 Reflecting on Life and Music

Do your embellishments enhance your playing, or detract from it? This week, in Part 2 of their deep dive into Chapter 9 of Andrew's book Finding Bagpipe Freedom, Andrew and Jim explore the contrast between technical proficiency and audience appreciation in bagpipe embellishments. They look at the importance of playing with intention, the balance between tradition and creativity, and the importance of purposeful practice. Got a topic you’d like to see covered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: support@pipersdojo.com! Here’s what we covered this week: 00:00 Introduction: The Bagpipe Experience 01:09 Understanding the General Public's Perception 02:01 The Complexity of Bagpipe Embellishments 05:09 Intentionality in Bagpipe Playing 07:34 The Value of Traditional Techniques 12:32 Practical Exercises for Improvement 16:46 The Joy of Progress and Overcoming Challenges 27:25 Conclusion: Embracing Creativity and Fun

Why do pipers at all levels obsess over embellishments and deep-and-meaningful expression, when they can’t play to the beat, or without crossing noises? This week, Andrew and Jim jump back into Andrew’s book, Finding Bagpipe Freedom, to discuss Chapter 9, which is all about the importance of mastering the basics before delving into embellishments. Because as Leo Burnett says, it’s better to do the obvious, simple thing, but to do it uncommonly well. Got a question you’d like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to us via support@pipersdojo.com. This week we cover: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Keeping It Simple 01:26 Simple Pleasures 02:24 Story Time: Ghosts of Piping Past 02:49 Andrew Wright and Frank Sinatra 03:52 The Art of Simplifying Music 08:12 Scoffing and Musical Authenticity 09:22 Creativity and Understanding Basics 15:42 Analogies in Art and Music 29:31 Final Thoughts on Basics and Embellishments

What would your life look like if bagpipes had never been a part of them? Pipers (and drummers) are a passionate bunch – so have you ever considered how different your life would be if you'd never picked up the pipes? This week, Andrew and Jim explore a fun "what-if" scenario, reflecting on the personal impact of bagpipes on their social interactions, artistic expression, career paths – but even more shockingly, they consider how the absence of bagpipes could have altered history and popular music. So tell us – how would your life be different if there were NO bagpipes? Leave a comment or send us an email: support@pipersdojo.com This week, we cover 00:00 Thinking through the unthinkable 00:41 Discovering Bagpipes in Family History 03:02 The Ripple Effect of Bagpipes on Personal Life 04:42 Exploring Alternative Careers Without Bagpipes 07:18 The Impact of Bagpipes on Social Connections 08:23 Speculating on a World Without Bagpipes 10:23 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Creativity 17:46 Concluding Thoughts and

What's the hardest tune ever written? What's the best pipe band performance ever? How should you travel with pipes? How do you choose tunes for your MSR? And what's the best way to fix a funky-sounding high G? What do all these questions have in common? They're burning questions Reddit users wanted answered! This week, Jim poses some of the most commonly requested questions from the r/bagpipes forum on Reddit to Andrew. They discuss chanter reeds' inconsistencies, the preference for modern vs. older bagpipes, and methods for learning and playing tunes by ear. Got a question of your own? Leave a comment or send it to us at support@pipersdojo.com to see it answered in a future episode! Here's what we cover this week:  00:00 Introduction to Dojo U Insider: The Ultimate Bagpipe Education02:38 Exploring Reddit's Bagpipe Community03:34 Deep Dive into MSR Competitions and Bagpipe Music Nuances09:49 The Debate: Old vs. New Bagpipes14:55 Navigating Sheet Music and Learning by Ear21:13 Addressing a Piping Con

Chanter reeds are often sent from the manufacturer labelled as "easy", "hard", or anything in between – but how do you know which one is going to be right for you? This week, Andrew and Jim are putting chanter reeds under pressure, first focusing on understanding reed strength through the measurement of 'inches of water', a method used by reed makers to indicate required blowing pressure. They discuss the variability of reeds, finding the right reed strength for individual players, the importance of steady blowing and different types if manometers.  Got a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or send it to support@pipersdojo.com.  This week, we cover: 01:58 Music's Emotional Influence 04:40 Understanding Bagpipe Reeds 08:06 The Variability of Reed Strength 11:10 Personalizing Reed Selection 13:39 Exploring Manometer Use in Bagpipe Practice 17:43 Advantages of Tube Style Manometers 26:07 Concluding Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-up

Pipe band can be a source of joy, fun, and fulfilment. But the person in charge matters… and it can be really demotivating when weaknesses in their leadership start to affect your enjoyment of this hobby we all know and love… This week, we’re revisiting an article Andrew wrote in 2020 called, you guessed it, “10 Clues Your Pipe Major Sucks”. Despite the clickbait title, the point is really about leadership – in a pipe band setting, or any other. Andrew and Jim dive into their own experiences playing under various pipe majors, good and bad, and the importance of leadership quality, fostering talent, and creating a positive band culture. But it can be easier said than done – and a good leader also needs good followers… Want to sign up for Dojo U Insider - your daily dose of bagpiping education, delivered right to your pocket? Check it out: https://pipersdojo.com/insider Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at support@pipersdojo.com! This week, we cover: 01:15 The Allure of Hip New Pi

Pipers around the world find bagpipe tuning one of the hardest skills to master. Why? This week, we're using the physics of sound to explain why, as we look in-depth at how the harmonics of bagpipe chanter and drone reeds relate to each other. Brace yourself, dear listener – this is the sound nerd deep dive to rule them all! If you're listening to the audio version of this podcast, you may want to check out the version on YouTube or Facebook for some of the visual references, too – we promise they'll blow your mind too... Want to dive even deeper on the physics and practical tips for bagpipe tuning? You can check out our full Bagpipe Tuning Algorithm Course with Premium Dojo U Membership – visit pipersdojo.com to check it out today! Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to us at support@pipersdojo.com. Here's what we're covering this week: 00:00 Unlocking the Mysteries of Bass Tuning 00:26 Morning Banter: Compliments and Podcast Dynamics 02:06 Exploring the Evolution of the Bagpipe

Learning tunes can be hard, especially if you struggle with sight-reading. But there's a step that makes it much easier – and helps speed up a bunch of other skills too, including your ability to play the right rhythm and melody. This week, we're discussing the concept of 'playing it like you sing it'. While some people can feel a bit silly or uncomfortable singing a tune out loud, there's a profound connection between singing and playing an instrument. And when you combine multiple senses and physical movements – like foot tapping, head nodding, and visually following the music – it can actually help you memorize and internalize the music much faster and more powerfully. Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at support@pipersdojo.com. Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 Unlocking the Secret Sauce of Musical Expression 00:26 The Power of Singing in Music Memorization 05:51 Exploring the Mind-Music Connection 09:53 The Evolution of Musical Ideas 18:30 Singing vs. Playing: The Inte

Why don't they just make bagpipe chanters that don't need tape? This week, we delve into why – the physics behind why all chanters inevitably require tape, misconceptions about tape usage, and detailed instructions for applying tape correctly. Plus, we look at how recent an innovation tape really is, and why it's such an important part of getting your pipes singing. Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at support@pipersdojo.com. This week, we cover: 00:00 The Great Tape Debate: Unraveling the Sticky Questions 00:40 A Sticky Situation: The Tale of a Funeral Performance 04:28 The Science of Tape: Why All Bagpipers Need It 13:28 Tape Techniques and Tales from the Field 22:29 Choosing the Right Tape: A Pipers' Guide 23:31 Cleaning Up: Tips for Maintaining Your Chanter Tape 28:16 The Evolution of Chanter Tuning: From Wax to Tape

You're stuck on a desert island. Would you rather have your practice chanter, or an endless playlist of great pipe band tunes? If you didn't say the latter, you're missing the number one secret ingredient to being a better musician – immersion! This week, we're discussing why certain families and geographies seem to foster world class players. Is it just boundless talent passed along in their bloodlines... or is it the world-class piping and drumming they've been absorbing since before they could talk? Immersion in the best of your craft is the single greatest correlate to ongoing success in anything. So how can you replicate that if you're not living in a hive of pipe band activity, or surrounded by top class pipers everyday? We have some ideas for you... Got a question you want us to discuss on a future episode? Leave a comment or send it to support@pipersdojo.com. Highlights of this week's episode: 00:00 Have you heard of a little podcast called 'Droning On'? 01:29 Diving into the World of Bagpiping Podcas

Do bagpipes seem sharper in pitch than they used to be? That's because they are... This week, Andrew and Jim answer a listener question about why bagpipes have become sharper over time. We look at the history of pitch, how it affects tuning to mix and match old chanters and new reeds, and also at before a left turn into the implications of rising pitch for competitions (for better or worse). Plus, will we ever figure out the magic pitch that will help us make first contact with aliens? Listen in to find out! This week, we cover: 00:00 Opening Thoughts on Competition and Aliens 00:21 A Morning Chat: From Sickness to Bagpipes 01:09 Listener's Query: The Sharpness of Bagpipes 02:31 Exploring Bagpipe History and Pitch Evolution 07:50 The Science and History of Musical Pitch 16:17 The Bagpipe Pitch Debate: Tradition vs. Modernity 20:51 Judging Bagpipe Competitions: Pitch Preferences 28:54 Concluding Thoughts on Bagpipe Pitch and Future Directions

Should you use cane or synthetic drone reeds? Is it good or bad to mix and match them? Does ‘perfect bagpipe tone’ exist? Can you achieve it if your band plays different reed setups? And does a bit of imperfection in your sound actually make your tone better? This week, we’re talking all things drone reeds! Drone reeds are an integral part of our instrument’s sound, stability, and tone, and yet knowing how and when to use the different makes and materials is something most pipers don’t understand. Cane or synthetic? Inverted or standard? Uniformity or mix and match? Join us as we delve into the details on drone reeds… Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at support@pipersdojo.com! Here’s a summary of what we cover this episode: 00:00 Pumpkin’s Fancy Shirt 00:40 The Journey from Synthetic to Mixed Material Drone Reeds 01:30 Exploring the Nuances of Drone Reeds 04:12 The Quest for the Perfect Drone Reed Combination 09:32 The Superiority of Cane Drone Reeds Explored 16:48 Rethinking B

Do you struggle to get your pipes into tune when you first start to play? You may be trying to tune too soon... This week, Andrew and Jim are diving into the 'set and forget' method of warming up your pipes. While most of us know that it's important to get some air, heat and moisture into the pipes when we first get started, letting your pipes adjust to their environment before getting down to the serious business of tuning and playing can make a huge difference to how easy it is to tune your pipes. And sometimes, NOT playing can be an important part of the warm-up process too... Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at support@pipersdojo.com! Here's what we cover this week: 00:44 The Quest for Memory Validation and the Pitfalls of Digital Permanence 01:28 Embracing the Art of Patience in Bagpipe Tuning 02:04 Learning from the Masters: Observations from the World's Best Pipe Bands 04:38 The Philosophy of Mastery: From Bagpipes to Birding 07:47 The Bagpipe's Environment: Understandin

This week, we're diving into the mailbag to answer your submitted questions! First up, we talk through how to help a young piper's transition to pipes, and how to adapt the instrument for small pipers.  Next - transitioning tunes from the practice chanter to the bagpipes, and the challenge of mastering 'Scotland the Brave'.  And finally - a letter from a New Zealand listener outlines their journey and challenges in learning bagpipes, expressing a desire for more tailored feedback and the obstacles posed by time zone differences for live classes.  Got a question for a future episode? Send it to us at support@pipersdojo.com or leave a comment wherever you're listening to this podcast! This week's highlights:00:00 Introduction and Appreciation for Listener Engagement00:49 Mailbag Segment Introduction01:44 First Mailbag Question: Helping Young Pipers04:49 Second Mailbag Question: Progressing a Tune05:52 Deep Dive into the Art of Bagpiping12:04 The Journey of Learning Bagpipes20:36 Discussing the Di

Pipe band medley sets are the perfect chance to showcase your band's musical range and creativity. But why do some medleys sound more musical than others? Should you use harmonies in every tune, or is less more? Plus, what do judges actually listen for... and is that more important that putting together a creative set that an audience enjoys and players love to play? This week, Andrew and Jim delve into what decisions and strategies you might want to consider when constructing a medley for your band, looking at how to balance the judge's expectation, the audience's enjoyment, and the performer's preference for tunes. They discuss the importance of tune selection, changes, harmonies, and how music theory ties in, and the practicalities of introducing and changing tunes mid-season... Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com! This week we cover: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Medley Construction 01:01 The Art of Building Medleys 02:11 The Role of Key Changes in Medleys 03:05

Rescue Your Bagpipe Sound May 31 - June 2, 2024 in Troy, New York at our Tuning Clinic! You don't have to be "that person" who loves bagpipes but can't figure out how to make them sound good. Make May 31st the last day you ever worry about tuning your pipes by joining us at the world's only tuning-centric bagpipe workshop.

Ever wondered why your drones seem to make a bunch of different sounds when you strike in (or if you don't cut them off quickly – an auditory experience affectionately know as "the dying cow")? This week, Andrew and Jim explain the four distinct layers identifiable within drone sounds generated by the bagpipe: a squeaky unpredictable sound triggered by low pressure (layer one), a gurgly or raucous sub-layer (layer two), the optimal stable tone (layer three), and no sound at all (layer four), resulting from excessive pressure. Andrew and Jim underline the importance of bagpipe calibration and maintenance in navigating these layers. They recommend users test and understand these layers, allowing for improved sound control during performances. Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com! On this episode: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 The Art of Making Seven Layer Dip 02:45 Transition to Bagpipe Discussion 05:31 Understanding the Four Layers of Drone R

Most of us show up for band practice like clockwork each week – maybe even a few times a week. But are you showing up in all the right ways to improve your own playing, and contribute to the improvement of your whole band?  This week, Andrew and Jim – who both have plenty of experience playing in and leading bands at all grade levels – chat through the importance of individual players coming to practice with their instrument and personal skills honed so the group can focus on ensemble-specific issues and strategies during practice-time, rather than working on their individual skills. Plus, they chat through why some bands succeed and build a great culture – here's a hint: it starts with well-structured practice sessions... Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com! ____ Dojo University is the longest-running and most successful online bagpiping and drumming school in the world. We teach thousands of students around the world how to play good music – mastering t