Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

As in any pursuit, the best thing you can do is approach everything in piping with an open mind. Failure is a teacher. And we can always learn new and better ways to do things if we don't assume we know something absolutely... In this episode, Jim and Andrew dive into the final chapter of Finding Bagpipe Freedom, to reflect on how your mindset and approach to practice, piping, and improvement is the most powerful tool in your pipe case. They also offer some advice on maintaining steady progress, overcoming common setbacks, and the importance of creative personal expression in learning the bagpipe. In this episode, we cover: 00:00 Morning Banter and Book Discussion 01:38 Terry Pratchett's Wisdom 03:10 The D Throw Debate 05:44 Golf and Bagpipe Analogies 14:39 The Importance of Short Practice 21:22 Leverage in Bagpipe Practice 30:52 Understanding Failure in Learning 33:21 The Role of a Good Teacher 34:15 Embracing Failure for Improvement 38:56 The Importance of Simplification 46:02 The Value of Consistent Practi

This week, Andrew and Jim reflect on how the Dojo evolved from an idea about teaching a piping school in semesters online at the dawn of online classroom software, into what is now the world's largest and longest running online piping and drumming school. Andrew reflects on how he the journey from thinking of the idea on his honeymoon, the original in-person classes, initial skepticism, and the ultimate formation and evolution of the Piper's Dojo. This week, we cover: 00:00 Imagining Alternate Careers for Andrew 01:33 The Birth of Dojo University 02:29 Recreating the Piping School Experience Online 04:29 The Evolution of Dojo University 05:42 Subscription Models and Innovations 10:55 Technological Challenges and Solutions 14:09 Iterating Ideas and Overcoming Failures 18:11 Andrew's Journey and Dojo Methodology 20:20 Making Sense of Bagpiping 21:00 Diverse Perspectives in Piping 22:19 Challenges of Private Instruction 25:59 The Birth of Dojo University 26:51 The Anatomy of Bagpipe Learning 32:29 From In-Person

“Forget prizes. You’re out to be the best you can be, and that’s what you should aim for. Take care of that, and all your performances will improve.” ― Stuart Liddell, Pipe Major, Inveraray and District Pipe Band This week, Andrew and Jim are diving into Finding Bagpipe Freedom once again, this time focused on how to 'free' your pipe band using the bagpipe freedom process. They talk through how to simplify practice routines and focus on individual improvement to enhance band performance, using techniques like earning the right to play embellishments, setting freedom phase standards, and individualized training sessions. They also explore common resistances and misconceptions within pipe bands, highlighting real-world applications and success stories from both youth and adult bands, how to prioritize musical quality over competition, and practical tips for applying these principles to pipe bands of all levels. This week, we cover: 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:48 Sweating Bullets and Bagpipes 02:07 Finding

Ever had a workout where you pushed it way too far? You may be surprised to learn you can do something similar when you’re playing your bagpipes… This week, Jim and Andrew discuss the consequences of overdoing physical activities and how it relates to playing bagpipes. Jim shares his recent experience with shoulder pain from felling trees and lifting weights, while Andrew introduces the concept of the 'intensity equation.' The conversation explores how to balance intensity without sacrificing form in various aspects of life, including workouts, bagpipe practice, and overall well-being. They also chat through the importance of proper warm-ups, calibrating pressure and strength in reed playing, and maintaining a healthy balance between intense practice and enjoyment. This week, we cover: 00:00 Workout Woes 00:34 The Overhead Press Incident 00:52 Strength Training Mishaps 05:10 The Intensity Equation Explained 07:26 Applying the Intensity Equation to Bagpiping 17:13 Balancing Practice and Life 24:42 Final Though

It’s another Q&A mailbag episode! But this time, we’re answering the many questions of the Reddit r/bagpipes community, who seem to be on to us checking them out… This week, Andrew and Jim answer questions ranging from technical difficulties with transitioning from practice chanters to full bagpipes to managing bagpipe posture problems for women (though they’d rather have someone with more personal experience to dive into that further!), as well as maintaining hide bags and the historical quirks of bagpipe accessories like the Glengarry pom. Topics we cover this week: 00:00 Reddit Mailbag: Frustrations with Bagpipes 02:23 Solutions and Advice for Bagpipe Challenges 09:33 Discussion on Bag Covers and Maintenance 14:10 Fun and Lighthearted Bagpipe Queries 15:46 Addressing Unique Challenges for Female Pipers 18:07 Conclusion and Sign-Off

Is it worth the cost and effort for North American pipers and drummers to visit Scotland? Do general Scottish people care about the World Pipe Band Championships? Will you be a social pariah if you play your bagpipes in public Scotland? This week, Jim and Andrew chat through some practical advice for North American bagpipers traveling to Scotland, including packing tips, overcoming jet lag, and must-visit destinations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Highlands. Additionally, they discuss cultural differences, customs regarding bagpiping, the local busking scene, and the etiquette of bringing musical instruments like bagpipes. The conversation also touches on local Scotch whisky, Scottish candy, and what souvenirs you might want to bring home. By the end of this one, you’ll be ready to jetset off on your own Scottish adventure. 00:00: Introduction and Bagpipe Freedom Day 01:46: Parade Story 04:21: Discussing Scotland and Bagpipes 07:16: Travel Tips for North Americans Visiting Scotland 10:01: Experiences an

Do you have any tunes in your repertoire that you don’t play well anymore? Perhaps you learned them when you weren’t as experienced and practiced in bad technique. Perhaps you’ve been playing them for so long that your embellishments and rhythm have become less than ideal. Or perhaps you’ve been working on the same sets for so long that you just aren’t getting any better as a player! This week, Andrew and Jim answer a listener question: How do you stop your tunes from becoming stagnant? They explore how to expand your musical horizons rather than solely focusing on polishing individual tunes, because developing a broader skill set and playing a variety of tunes can lead to more significant improvement in the long run. We also take a quick detour into Jim’s borderline troubling candy sorting process, and then back to importance of balancing fun with delayed gratification in practice routines. Got a question you’d like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here’s wha

What if you could play your bagpipes without ever worrying about tuning or technique again? How much faster could you improve if you didn't have to think about every little step in your bagpipe practice? Couldn’t you then focus on being creative in your expression, rather than getting hung up on technicalities? This week, Jim and Andrew look at the importance of systematic practice, focusing on mastering fundamental skills like rhythmic accuracy, grace notes, and melody patterns. Andrew introduces the idea of 'defensive bagpiping,' drawing parallels to defensive driving, and the necessity of automating basic skills to free up mental bandwidth for creativity and expression. The conversation also touches on the value of short, uncomfortable practice sessions contrasted with enjoyable 'jam' sessions, and how incremental gains in fundamental skills can lead to exponential improvements in bagpipe playing over time. Got a question you’d like answered on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: support@pipersd

Like death and taxes, parades are an inevitable part of life for a piper. They can be long, hot, and exhausting. But they can also be a lot of fun if you approach them the right way! So how do you set yourself up for the best possible parade gigs? This week, Andrew and Jim cover crucial tips for a successful parade, including proper bagpipe maintenance, organized tuning routines, and short, manageable sets. They also discuss practical logistics like meet-up points, dealing with detours or delays, hydration, strategic placement within the parade, dealing with parade frustrations. Got a question you’d like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] This week, we’re discussing… 00:00 Halloween Greetings and Colorblindness 01:56 Parade Season Begins 03:10 The Importance of Parade Preparation 08:14 Bagpipe Maintenance for Parades 12:29 Tuning Techniques for Parades 19:14 Tuning and Parade Preparation 19:55 Parade Position Preferences 20:36 Marching and Deportment Tips 22:44 B

Could AI ever replace bagpipers? This week, Andrew and Jim dive into the potential impact of AI on the bagpiping community and creativity in general, and AI's capabilities and limitations in generating music, writing, and other tasks. Is there a possible future where AI could assist or even fully automate a musician's workflow? Can AI compose, mix and master music, create visual art, or write your band's social media strategy? Would that be a good or a bad thing? Got a topic you'd like covered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] This week's highlights: 00:00 AI-Generated Backgrounds and Podcast Hosts 00:47 Exploring AI's Role in Bagpipe Music 02:12 AI Composing Bagpipe Tunes: Successes and Failures 03:08 AI's Potential in Music and Beyond 05:35 The Future of AI in Creative Fields 09:23 AI's Impact on Creative Industries 12:21 Existential Questions: Are We Real?

Would you rather perform at a wedding, or compete solo in front of a judge?  This week, Andrew and Jim look at the world of solo bagpipe competing, focusing on both the fun and the potential challenges involved. They also touch upon practical tips for enhancing one's solo performance experience, like the benefits of having expert help in tuning on competition day, and how competing can improve your skills, personal repertoire, and offer satisfaction in other ways you may not have considered… Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email [email protected]! Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes 01:17 Discussing Solo Competing 03:25 The Appeal of Solo Competing 05:39 Challenges and Dangers of Solo Competing 08:36 Maintaining Motivation and Enjoyment 14:15 Judges and Competitors Dynamics 24:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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: [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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: [email protected]! 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 [email protected]. 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: [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].  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 [email protected]! 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 [email protected]. 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