Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

What if you could level up your piping – within 6 months? This week, Andrew and Jim lay out a complete week by week training blueprint designed to take you into next season feeling calm, confident, and genuinely prepared. Whether you’re aiming to move up a grade, make the band, or simply play better than you did last year, this episode gives you a clear path forward. They break down exactly how to...

Cold weather and classic piping dilemmas take centre stage this week as Andrew and Carl dive into playing bagpipes in harsh conditions. From poly pipes and moisture control to the uncomfortable truth that cold weather is always tough, the conversation blends practical advice with lived experience. Things lighten up with a discussion on lactose-intolerant bagpipers at games before shifting to one o...

In this annual Year in Review, Andrew and Jim reflect on a big year of piping, podcasting, and life at the Dojo – revisiting standout moments, recurring lessons, and the ideas that shaped the year. Let us know in the comments: what was your standout moment from the year – or the episode that helped you most? Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Opening Banter & New Year’s Greetings 01:40 –...

Some Christmas episodes are carefully scripted… and some are joyfully handed over to the robots. This week, Andrew and Jim continue their annual holiday tradition by letting AI loose on a Christmas special — with festive chaos, a dash of existential dread, and plenty of laughs. With minimal prompting and maximum curiosity, they end up with “It’s a Wonderful Pipe”: a bagpipe-themed twist on a holid...

This week on Dojo's "Friday Strike In" Q&A Hour, Andrew works through a stack of real-world piping questions, starting with how to balance low A and low G and expanding into the practical realities of tuning, setup, and consistency. The discussion covers common chanter issues, when flat notes become a serious problem, and why simple troubleshooting often beats drastic fixes. They also shift fo...

Ever wondered why some pipers seem to bounce back from mistakes effortlessly – or why your pipes sometimes feel great one day and impossible the next? This week, Andrew and Carl dig into a whirlwind of community questions, from the end of the Insider podcast to the art of conscious practice, performance pressure, equipment choices, and knowing when you’re ready to buy your first full set of pipes....

Some episodes are carefully planned… and some are rescued straight out of the garbage can.     This week, Andrew and Jim wrap up the year by rifling through the legendary “maybe later” pile – a collection of rejected ideas, abandoned plans, and almost-episodes that never quite made the cut. What starts as reflection quickly turns into some surprisingly solid piping advice, mixed with the...

This week, we sit down with renowned piper and composer   John Dew   for a deep dive into his latest project,   John Dew's Pipe Suites . From the story behind the book to the evolution of harmony in bagpipe music, John walks us through his approach to writing suites, the influences that shaped his sound, and why understanding chord progressions is becoming essential for to...

Learning by ear can feel both magical and maddening… and it’s one of the most powerful skills a musician can build. This week, Andrew and Jim tackle how to learn tunes by ear, using the tune “Green Monster” as their test subject. They explore what really happens when you set the sheet music aside and trust your ears, your instincts, and a little bit of trial and error. 🎧💡 Ear learning isn’t just...

Ever wondered why those pesky crossing noises always show up when you’re playing in front of a judge? This week, Andrew and Carl tackle one of piping’s most frustrating mysteries: how nerves mess with your finger control... and what you can actually do about it. From understanding what judges really mean by “crossing noises” to using recordings to hear what they hear, this episode is packed with p...

Why does criticism feel so uncomfortable, and yet matter so much for growth? This week, Andrew and Jim unpack the messy, meaningful world of critique: how to receive it without spiraling, how to give it without crushing someone’s spirit, and why feedback is one of the most powerful tools musicians (and humans) have. From creative-writing workshops to piping circles, they share real stories and pra...

Ever wondered if playing in a band might actually sabotage your solo piping? This week, Andrew and Carl dive into the age-old struggle between band tempos, solo control, and the chaos that happens when adrenaline meets bagpipes, as they unpack how to stay in control when the bandroom gets loud — literally and figuratively. The chat then veers into classic Dojo territory: why most practice chanters...

What do old cars and bagpipes have in common? More than you might think... This week, Andrew and Jim take a joyride through the surprisingly parallel worlds of mechanical tinkering and musical maintenance – from leaky fuel lines to temperamental reeds. Along the way, they swap stories about car ownership philosophies, creative DIY fixes, and the lessons learned from both engines and chanters that...

What if learning piobaireachd could feel as natural as singing it? This week, Andrew and Carl dive deep into one of the most expressive and mysterious corners of piping: piobaireachd singing – and the fascinating system behind it, Nether Lorn Canntaireachd. They explore where it came from, how it works, and whether you really need to learn it to play great music. Along the way, they share practica...

What if you could have a bagpipe teacher on demand – anytime, anywhere? This week, Andrew and Jim road test one of the most exciting innovations at the Dojo yet: the brand new Interactive Player. Designed to feel like having a teacher by your side 24/7, this powerful tool puts total control of your learning in your hands. They walk through how it works – toggling between video and sheet music, loo...

What if one tune you wrote became a crowd favorite – and sparked a whole collection decades in the making? This week, Andrew and Carl welcome Micah Babinski, composer of "Afternoon at the Green Monster" and author of the brand-new Green Monster Collection. Together, they dive into the story behind the tune, the 20+ years of composing that led to the book, and what it’s like to finally share your l...

Expression. It’s one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in music – but what does it really mean when you’re playing the bagpipes? This week, Andrew and Jim roll up their sleeves and dig into the art (and the challenge) of making this notoriously rigid instrument… well, expressive. From timing and rhythm to embellishments and groove, they unpack what’s actually in your control as a piper,...

Does a good – or bad – band experience just come down to luck? This week, Jim and Andrew dig into a listener’s story about tough instructors, how to keep having fun when you're burned out, and how band culture can either make or break whether players stick around in bands for the long-term. Tune in for some practical advice for both learners and instructors on how to keep the spark alive, make mus...

This week, Andrew and Jim strip things right back to the foundations of great piping. What really matters when it comes to clean technique? How do you avoid crossing noises, nail those tricky note changes, and keep grace notes crisp and tiny? And why do so many players get lost in embellishments before locking down the basics? From fingerwork fundamentals to the idea of “trinary code” and Andrew’s...

Is there a better way to score pipe band competitions?   This week, Andrew and Jim look at an unlikely comparison for inspiration: gymnastics. From artistic vs. objective elements, to the challenge of ranking large fields fairly, to the ever-present issue of bias, the guys explore what the world of sports can teach us about how pipe bands are judged. What makes a fair system? Should pipe band...

Ever wondered how you can really tell who the top solo pipers are across a massive region like the Eastern United States?     This week, Andrew introduces Jim to the new EUSPBA Greatest Hits program – a ranking system that takes a bunch of measures into account, rather than just aggregating total points.     They discuss why it matters, the challenges of ranking players across...

Are ceiling fans secretly ruining your tuning? And what’s actually essential to keep in your pipe case? In this fun and practical episode, Andrew and Jim crack open the listener mailbag to tackle three big questions from the community. First up, they dive into how to set up a practice space that actually makes you want to practice (spoiler: it doesn’t have to be fancy). Then they break down the su...

Ever wondered where some of the most loved tunes today came from? In this episode, Andrew and Jim dive into the life of John McLellan of Dunoon – one of the most iconic figures in Scottish piping. As of 8 August 2025, it's been 150 years since McLellan was born, and the guys take the opportunity to explore what made his music so powerful, memorable, and ahead of its time.   They chat through...

Ever wondered what makes a sheepskin bag so special – or so tricky?     Last week we covered the broad pros and cons of sheepskin – this week, join Andrew and Jim as they do a deep dive on the mysteries, mishaps, and maintenance secrets of sheepskin bags.     From airtightness to seasoning rituals, and the eternal debate between tradition and convenience, this episode is packed...

Why do some pipers prefer a sheepskin bag?     In this episode, Jim and Andrew dive deep into the world of hide bagpipe bags – especially the legendary sheepskin. They draw some surprising parallels between Linux and sheepskin bags.     Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned piper, or just bagpipe-curious, you’ll get the inside scoop on why sheepskin bags are so beloved, what ma...