Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

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