Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

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?

Thinking about moving to a new pipe band? How do you figure out which band is the right fit? And can an eight-year-old drone reed really affect the airtightness and playability of your pipes?  Tune in for this week's Friday Strike-In with Carl, as he tackles questions about choosing a new band, ageing drone reeds, reed efficiency, pitch differences, and even the best tunes to play during a thunderstorm. 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 – Moving to a new band: how to find the right fit 5:26 – Can old drone reeds affect airtightness and playability? 13:14 – How long do drone reeds really last? 18:09 – How many spare reeds should you take to Scotland? 20:44 – Bag/reed efficiency and the Scotland the Brave test 25:31 – Why does your chanter pitch change between Canada and Scotland? 31:18 – The best pipe tunes for a thunderstorm 33:10 – Carbon fibre vs. other drone reed materials 35:57 – Does the wood used in your drones make a difference?