Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

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...

Last week we looked at how maintenance, set up, and your bag can all massively help or massively hinder your strike ins.   This week, Jim and Andrew break down how to actually execute a perfect strike-in, and how to get it right every time. They share the top mistakes pipers make, introduce a three-pronged method for success, and explain why air pressure and rhythm are everything. You'll also...

Are your strike ins leaving you deflated?  This week, Andrew and Jim break down the real reasons your pipes might not be cooperating – from leaky bags and floppy setups to calibration quirks and climate curveballs. Plus, a little banter about band camp and Misty Mountain mugs to kick things off. Part one of a two-part deep dive into striking in. Got a topic you'd like us to cover in a future...

What if better playing was as simple as turning the right knob?   In this episode, Andrew and Jim turn up the dial on a piping metaphor you didn’t know you needed. They explore how every element of your piping – and life – is adjustable. Need more lift in your tune? Twist the tempo knob. Feeling too flashy? Ease off the complexity knob. Wondering why your pipes sound dull? Could be your moist...

Ever find yourself stopping cold after making a mistake while you're playing? In this episode, Andrew and Jim dig into what it really takes to master bagpipe tunes – especially when things don’t go perfectly. They chat about why stopping every time you make a mistake can actually hold you back, and how finishing what you start (even if it's messy) leads to better progress in the long run. Along th...

How do you avoid burnout as a new pipe major? Find gigs as a soloist? Introduce new tunes to your band? Join Andrew and Jim for another mixed bag Q&A episode as they crawl through Reddit, discussing questions and common challenges from finding gigs and balancing practice routines to leading new bands and keeping members motivated. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this epi...

Are the RSPBA’s prescribed tunes just tough? Or are they trying to tell us something? This week, Jim and Andrew dive into a juicy listener-submitted topic: the sometimes frustrating, always challenging world of the RSPBA prescribed tunes list. Are some of these tunes meant to weed bands out? We explore the theories, the difficulties, and the real reasons these tunes exist. From choosing the right...

Is this the man behind the curtain at the Dojo? This week, Andrew and Jim welcome Carl Donley, who’s been a mainstay co-running Dojo University with Andrew from nearly the beginning! We’ll chat about how Piper’s Dojo went from a scrappy side project to the giant online piping school it is today. From humble beginnings and evolving roles to the game-changing tech that helped them bring their vision...

Can you guess where these sometimes weird and often wonderful pipes come from?   Join Andrew and Jim this week for a wild ride through the world of bagpipes! They’re putting their knowledge to the test in a hilarious guessing game – play along to see if you can tell a Swedish Sackpipa from a Bulgarian Gaida just by a picture! Along the way, learn some quirky history, unique features, and cool...

Ever wondered why we play grace notes in a certain order? Or how we started playing with drones or a bag in the first place? All the traditions, “rules” and musical techniques that we take for granted today evolved over many hundreds of years of innovation to create the sound and distinctive style of pipe music that we all know and love today. In this episode, Andrew and Jim dive deep into the evo...

What if you could practice tuning... WITHOUT your bagpipes? This week, Andrew and Jim are test-driving Andrew's new tuning game – and launching a special 30-day tuning challenge where participants can WIN a set of McCallum SL4 MacRae bagpipes! To join the Tuning Game Challenge for your chance to win, visit  https://pipersdojo.com/tuningchallenge Tuning pipes is complex – you're chasing a movi...