Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

What really makes a great piper? How do you choose the right equipment, improve your technique, and keep your pipe band organized? And does a Blackwood chanter really make a difference when it comes to moisture? Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In as Andrew and Carl answer listener questions about piping fundamentals, practice habits, equipment choices and band management. They discuss why hard work, immersion and enjoying the process matter more than chasing competition prizes, along with practical advice on custom pipe bag fit, communication apps, blowpipe valves and getting more precision into your cut notes. Plus, choosing the right competition tempo for “The 51st Highland Division at Wadi Akarit” and a listener’s pronunciation lesson! Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store  Here’s what we cover this week: 0:00 – The secrets of Grade 1 pipers: what really makes the difference?3:00 – Competition results: focusing on what you can control4:19 – Practice, hard work and enjoying the process7:33 – Custom pipe bags: getting the right hole placement and fit9:26 – Choosing the right bag size10:03 – Organizing your pipe band: communication apps and file sharing13:53 – Keeping band scores and recordings up to date16:29 – Blowpipe valves: troubleshooting restricted airflow, cleaning and replacement18:46 – Blackwood vs. plastic chanters: does either handle moisture better?22:16 – Making cut notes shorter and more precise with finger control and metronome practice24:30 – Rhythmic control: how to stop jumping ahead of the beat26:31 – Playing “The 51st Highland Division at Wadi Akarit” for Grade 427:27 – Choosing a competition tempo and making the most of judges’ feedback29:12 – The real takeaway: play, enjoy, improve, repeat30:43 – A listener explains how to pronounce Wadi Akarit31:48 – “King George V’s Army” and a few classic tune-title mix-ups

How can pipers become better performers and communicators? This week, Andrew and Jim are joined by piper, writer, broadcaster and music storyteller Gary West for a wide-ranging conversation about piping, Scottish music and the stories that shape the tradition. Gary explores the idea of tradition as a "carrying stream", shares insights from his research into WWI veteran oral histories and the life of Martyn Bennett, and offers practical advice on connecting with an audience. Plus, there's a Gordon Duncan classic, a trip down memory lane with A Prairie Home Companion, and a special sign-off from Gary himself. Want to learn how to play like you have something to say? Gary will be teaching a special class series at Dojo U in November – learn more and sign up now: pipersdojo.com/gary-west Here's what we cover in this episode:00:00 – A welcome to Gary and exploring the social side of piping06:34 – The "carrying stream": how musical traditions evolve09:15 – Tradition, revivalism and building pipe band medleys11:14 – Step dance piping and rethinking strathspey style13:14 – WWI veteran oral histories and the story behind Jock's Jocks18:26 – Remembering Martyn Bennett19:48 – Connecting with audiences and handling bagpipe misconceptions24:31 – Preparing to perform: why your spoken introductions matter26:40 – Gordon Duncan and the legendary "Farting Badger"28:38 – Different approaches to musical communication31:42 – Piobaireachd: how context changes the listening experience35:17 – Building a performance: the script exercise and performance graph38:31 – A Prairie Home Companion nostalgia trip40:52 – Gary's special sign-off

Can you get away with skipping drone tuning when you've only got 30 minutes to practise? This week, Andrew and Jim tackle a practical question about making the most of limited practice time. They discuss why tuning matters, how to break it into manageable steps, and why most stamina issues come down to air efficiency rather than lung capacity. Plus, they ask whether some pipers are more interested in the bagpipe persona than the music itself. Here's what we cover in this episode: 00:00 – Perception, reality and whether we can ever truly know what others experience04:00 – What AI might miss about human communication07:35 – The miracle of digital audio: how bagpipe sound travels 2,000 miles14:13 – Can you practise without tuning your drones if you only have 30 minutes?16:33 – The out-of-tune guitar: why tuning matters20:00 – Bagpipe persona: are you playing for the music or the aesthetic?29:06 – Practical tuning solutions33:10 – Stamina problems: why air efficiency matters more than lung capacity34:30 – Finding more practice time 36:25 – Can a tuner app get you close enough? Yes — but trust your ears, too

How do you work out the right intro E for a tune? How can you prepare for competition nerves and distractions? And how can your band get the most out of a membership with Dojo U?   Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In as Andrew and Carl answer listener questions on calculating pickup notes and intro Es, preparing to perform under pressure, building mock competition days into your practice, and getting your band on board with Dojo U. Plus, practical advice for pipe majors on improving musical literacy and building a stronger culture of preparation.   Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store   Here’s what we cover this week:  0:00 – Calculating pickup notes: how to tell whether a tune has one- or two-beat pickups  9:08 – Exceptions to the rule: three-beat Es, skipping pickups and simplifying tunes  10:55 – Competition nerves: how to handle distractions and the judge watching you  24:01 – Getting your band engaged with Dojo U: where to start with a Band Corps subscription  25:21 – Making online learning part of band practice with short weekly lessons  31:09 – Motivating your band: why applause alone won’t encourage people to practise

    What makes a tune special? How do you keep a sheepskin bag in good shape? And why would a pigeon stand its ground while an entire pipe band bears down on it? This week... they're back! Andrew joins Jim from his new Canadian base to dissect three piping questions. They explore how to find tunes that really speak to you, what it takes to season a sheepskin bag properly, and what science can tell us about the famously unfazed pigeon at this year's World Pipe Band Championships. Along the way, Andrew shares his approach to discovering great tunes, explains two common seasoning mistakes, and takes a surprisingly deep dive into pigeon hearing. Join us for a mix of practical piping advice, musical discoveries, and some gloriously niche bird science. Here's what we cover in this episode: 00:00 – Andrew's Canadian exile, calendars, haircuts, and the mail situation 03:12 – Getting back into bagpipe mode after a long break 04:02 – Finding cool tunes with something special 12:52 – How your taste in tunes changes as you develop as a piper 16:36 – Sheepskin bag maintenance: why your bag neck keeps drying out 17:16 – Seasoning mistake #1: not getting it hot enough 18:30 – Seasoning mistake #2: not applying enough pressure 20:20 – Why Andrew swears by sheepskin bags, despite the extra work 20:48 – The brave pigeon of Glasgow Green at the Worlds 25:20 – Pigeon superpowers: infrasound, 0.5 Hz, and the science of bird hearing 26:14 – Finding the music right in front of you

How should you organise your practice time? Does a Blackwood chanter actually need oiling? And do Piobaireachd time signatures really matter? Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In with Carl as he answers questions on practice planning, the Blair chanter, band rehearsal expectations, Blackwood chanter care, Piobaireachd time signatures, finding great light music, and what’s happening with Worlds coverage. Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store Here’s what we cover this week: 0:00 – Organising your practice: journals, spreadsheets, recordings and AI-generated practice plans 2:57 – The Blair chanter: why a less-forgiving chanter can improve your playing 5:37 – Practice chanter vs. pipes: when to use each for learning and practice 6:13 – Practice, learning and rehearsal: what’s the difference? 7:47 – Coming prepared for band rehearsal: why learning tunes at home matters 11:34 – Blackwood chanter care: playing regularly, oiling and avoiding cracks 14:40 – Piobaireachd time signatures: do 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 actually matter? 20:40 – Finding your light music groove: podcasts, Celtic bands, Worlds medleys and more 23:07 – BBC dropping Worlds coverage: what could replace it? 24:37 – Drone bore tool marks and wood grain: what’s normal, and does bore smoothness affect tone?

Should you add tape before breaking in a new reed? Is a zipper really necessary on a hide bag? And what’s the best way to find more gigs as a bagpiper? Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In with Carl as he answers questions on chanter tape, hide bag setup, stock installation, reed maintenance, gigging, and how bands can keep young players excited and involved. Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store Here’s what we cover this week: 0:00 – Chanter tape and new reeds: how much tape to add before you start playing4:11 – Does low G tape affect other notes? Understanding cross-note effects6:01 – Installing stocks in a zipperless hide bag: tips, tricks and common methods13:36 – Finding bagpipe gigs: weddings, funerals, networking and online listings17:33 – Reed pokers and mandrels: can they extend the life of a dying reed?24:41 – Hide bags: zipper or no zipper, and choosing the right bag size27:20 – Keeping younger players engaged: giving new pipers meaningful roles and responsibilities

What’s the easiest hide bag to maintain? Why is your bass drone striking in before the tenors? And what does a spinning stock tell you about your bag? Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In with Carl as he tackles listener questions on hide bags, drone reed calibration, strike-ins, loose stocks, cold tuning before a gig, snare harnesses, and where to look when you’re competing. Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store Here’s what we cover this week: 0:00 – Hide bags: maintenance, seasoning and cowhide3:10 – Hide bags with zippers: grommets, tie-ins and the easiest setup11:26 – Stocks in a zipperless bag: what you need to know11:47 – Drone reed calibration vs. strike-in: getting your drones to start together23:10 – Spinning stocks: what they reveal about leaks and loose tie-ins30:55 – Cold tuning before a gig: keeping your pipes stable between warm-up and performance40:11 – French snare harnesses: the counterbalance design used by top bands41:42 – Where should you look when competing? Staying focused under pressure

Should you tune your drones to high A or low A? What’s the best way to get back into piping after time away? And how should you look after new cane reeds when they arrive dry from shipping? Tune in for this week's Friday Strike-In as Andrew and Carl break down a beginner-friendly approach to tuning, share practical advice for getting back into regular practice, and tackle questions about band changes, bass drone reeds, mixed drone setups, and reed storage. Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store Here's what we cover this week: 0:30 – High A vs. low A: which note should you use to tune your drones?6:48 – A beginner-friendly tuning strategy13:40 – Why low A is your tuning reference point17:21 – Do beginners really need to balance the chanter? Plus the Scotland the Brave test19:14 – Getting back into piping after time away: where should you start?23:07 – The piper development pyramid: immersion and small daily actions30:13 – Band-jumping season: when should you consider switching bands?33:52 – Inverted bass drone reeds: the pros and cons 38:06 – Drones with a different-bore middle tenor: what happens to your tuning?39:25 – How should you store new cane reeds? Humidity, drawers and storage devices42:34 – New reeds arriving completely dry: how to hydrate and test them

Why are you holding on to those old chanter reeds? What actually changes when you move to an extended small bag? And why does your blowstick keep popping out of your mouth? Tune in for this week's Friday Strike-In with Carl as he tackles listener questions on drone and chanter reeds, bag sizes, blowstick problems, Grade One medleys, tuning high A, and the ever-present question of band changes. Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store Here's what we cover this week: 0:00 – How old is too old for your drone reeds? Storage, bridles and O-rings explained7:04 – Small vs. extended small bags: what actually changes?22:06 – Why does your blowstick pop out? Tie-ins, ball joints and DIY fixes26:33 – When should you throw out a chanter reed? The backup reed rule30:02 – Understanding Grade One medleys: bridges, transitions and reprises34:50 – Worlds tickets for next year: what to expect35:35 – High A squealing: is it the reed, the player or the sweet spot?41:44 – Band jumping season: is anyone thinking about switching bands?