Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

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 piping
06:34 – The "carrying stream": how musical traditions evolve
09:15 – Tradition, revivalism and building pipe band medleys
11:14 – Step dance piping and rethinking strathspey style
13:14 – WWI veteran oral histories and the story behind Jock's Jocks
18:26 – Remembering Martyn Bennett
19:48 – Connecting with audiences and handling bagpipe misconceptions
24:31 – Preparing to perform: why your spoken introductions matter
26:40 – Gordon Duncan and the legendary "Farting Badger"
28:38 – Different approaches to musical communication
31:42 – Piobaireachd: how context changes the listening experience
35:17 – Building a performance: the script exercise and performance graph
38:31 – A Prairie Home Companion nostalgia trip
40:52 – 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 experience
04:00 – What AI might miss about human communication
07:35 – The miracle of digital audio: how bagpipe sound travels 2,000 miles
14:13 – Can you practise without tuning your drones if you only have 30 minutes?
16:33 – The out-of-tune guitar: why tuning matters
20:00 – Bagpipe persona: are you playing for the music or the aesthetic?
29:06 – Practical tuning solutions
33:10 – Stamina problems: why air efficiency matters more than lung capacity
34:30 – 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 playing
4:11 – Does low G tape affect other notes? Understanding cross-note effects
6:01 – Installing stocks in a zipperless hide bag: tips, tricks and common methods
13:36 – Finding bagpipe gigs: weddings, funerals, networking and online listings
17:33 – 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 size
27:20 – 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 cowhide
3:10 – Hide bags with zippers: grommets, tie-ins and the easiest setup
11:26 – Stocks in a zipperless bag: what you need to know
11:47 – Drone reed calibration vs. strike-in: getting your drones to start together
23:10 – Spinning stocks: what they reveal about leaks and loose tie-ins
30:55 – Cold tuning before a gig: keeping your pipes stable between warm-up and performance
40:11 – French snare harnesses: the counterbalance design used by top bands
41:42 – 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 strategy
13:40 – Why low A is your tuning reference point
17:21 – Do beginners really need to balance the chanter? Plus the Scotland the Brave test
19:14 – Getting back into piping after time away: where should you start?
23:07 – The piper development pyramid: immersion and small daily actions
30:13 – 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 devices
42:34 – 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 explained
7:04 – Small vs. extended small bags: what actually changes?
22:06 – Why does your blowstick pop out? Tie-ins, ball joints and DIY fixes
26:33 – When should you throw out a chanter reed? The backup reed rule
30:02 – Understanding Grade One medleys: bridges, transitions and reprises
34:50 – Worlds tickets for next year: what to expect
35:35 – 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?

How well do you know the sound of pipe bands through the decades?

This week, Jim brings back Jim's Dumb Games with a deceptively difficult challenge: "Guess the Decade." Andrew listens to nine mystery recordings spanning almost 100 years of pipe band history and tries to identify the decade, the exact year, and the band behind each one.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

02:39 – Jim's Dumb Games returns
05:06 – The rules of "Guess the Decade"
07:16 – Sample #1
12:45 – Sample #2
15:11 – Sample #3
16:50 – Sample #4
22:53 – Sample #5
27:02 – Sample #6
28:54 – Sample #7
33:39 – Sample #8
36:09 – Sample #9
39:00 – How generational listening shapes what sounds "old" or "new"
42:28 – Final score and the bonus recording

How do you take a brand-new tune from slow and careful up to a confident performance tempo – without sacrificing your technique, rhythm or groove?

In this Dojo U class preview, Carl works through a reel step by step, using small chunks, tempo jumps, metronome drills and single- and double-time counting to build finger speed while exposing the things that break down under pressure.

Along the way, he explores why jumping between tempos can reset your perception of speed, how to stay relaxed when the tempo rises, and why finding the groove matters more than simply chasing the metronome.

Here's what we cover:

00:00 – Getting a new tune up to tempo and pushing finger speed
00:57 – Warm-up technique: building the tune in small chunks
01:15 – What tends to break down at speed: crossing noises, grace notes and rhythm
08:47 – How bouncing between tempos changes your perception of speed
09:15 – Why rhythm training can take time to adjust to
19:35 – Adding foot-tapping in single time vs. double time
23:19 – How fast should a reel actually be played? Band vs. solo tempos
30:14 – How your perception of "slow" and "fast" resets after a pause
32:04 – Deliberately going very fast to reset your perception of tempo
40:16 – Finding "the groove" instead of simply hitting the metronome click
42:51 – Wrap-up: prioritising groove over mechanical execution

What if you could shrink yourself down to the size of an air molecule and take a ride through your bagpipe?

This week, Andrew and Jim climb aboard the Magic School Bus to follow every molecule from your lungs to the chanter reed, looking for the places where precious air – and power – gets lost along the way.

They end up exploring one of the most useful concepts in piping: efficiency. Join us on this magical adventure through your bagpipe as we break down where power is gained, where it's lost, and how to make sure you're getting the most from every breath.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

00:00 – Allergies, medicine horror stories, and catching up
04:40 – The question: how do we get more out of our bagpipes?
06:13 – What "power" actually means: volume, punch, response, and cracking notes
09:26 – Efficiency: minimum input for maximum output
12:17 – Choosing a reed for the kind of power you actually need
15:15 – Become an air molecule: join us on Andrew's Magic School Bus
19:24 – Following the air from the mouthpiece through the blowpipe joint
24:42 – Finding leaks with hemp, Teflon tape, rubber corks, and a little persistence
27:43 – Into the bag: stocks, tie-ins, zippers, seams, and sneaky leaks
29:57 – Andrew's extreme leak test – and why you probably shouldn't kneel on your pipes
33:55 – Eliminating air leaks systematically
41:51 – Reed seats: why a loose reed is a deal breaker
43:52 – Drone reed nose cones, two-part bodies, and other places air can escape
45:51 – Moisture and reeds
50:24 – Calibrating drone reeds for minimum air consumption
53:38 – Why equal air across all three drones matters
55:25 – Using condensation to diagnose reed calibration problems
57:32 – The second-order factors: tuning, rhythmic accuracy, and mastery
58:55 – What computer chips, electricity grids, and bagpipes have in common
1:02:02 – Why power is really a byproduct of mastery
1:05:03 – Wrap-up

Should you tune your pipes as soon as band practice starts, or wait until they've settled in? How long does a reed really take to "break in"? And what's the best way to show a new instructor where your playing is at in a single lesson?

Tune in for this week's Dojo Q&A "Strike-In" session, as Andrew and Carl answer these questions and more.

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 – Should you tune immediately or let your pipes warm up first?
• 13:25 – How to get the most from a one-off lesson with a new instructor
• 17:33 – Do bagpipe reeds really need 10 hours to break in?
• 24:09 – Andrew and Carl's favourite piping and pipe band albums
• 28:52 – Keeping your pipes cool and in tune on hot, sunny days

What makes someone ready to move up a grade? Should competitive Highland pipers explore other bagpipe traditions? Why do drones seem to have a mind of their own? And do tone enhancers actually work?

It's a mailbag episode! This week, Andrew and Jim tackle another round of listener questions, covering everything from grade progression and competition mindset to drone troubleshooting and equipment myths. Along the way, they explain why focusing on what you can control is one of the fastest ways to improve, and why social media popularity isn't always a reliable measure of piping ability.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• 00:00 – Catching up before another mailbag session
• 00:37 – Listener questions: what's on pipers' minds this week?
• 02:28 – Moving up to Grade 4: choosing tunes and knowing when you're ready
• 04:25 – Are Grade 3 tunes actually more difficult than Grade 4?
• 06:50 – What solo competitions are really judging (and what they aren't)
• 13:34 – Why focusing on controllable factors leads to better performances
• 16:09 – Social media popularity versus genuine piping progress
• 20:42 – Should competitive Highland pipers branch into bagad or other bagpipe traditions?
• 33:43 – Why drones sometimes turn themselves back on after you've shut them off
• 58:32 – The unexpected Truman Show connection, final thoughts, and outro

How much music theory does a bagpiper really need?

In this week's Friday Strike-In, Andrew and Carl dig into what "music theory" actually means for pipers, and why you may already know more than you think. Along the way they cover practical tuning advice, playing with other instruments, bagpipe notation software, and finish with a lighthearted brainstorm of bagpipe-inspired baby names. .

Here's what we cover this week:
0:00 – What is music theory for bagpipers?
4:45 – Playing with other instruments and concert pitch
16:03 – The circle of fifths: useful or unnecessary?
17:30 – How to tune your chanter to your drones
29:17 – The best bagpipe music notation apps
34:21 – Community Q&A: drumming, summer schools, Dojo history & tune player fixes
39:58 – The best (and worst) bagpipe-inspired baby names

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

Piobaireachd has a reputation for being ancient, mysterious, and governed by strict traditions. But how much of what we think we know about this music is actually history... and how much is simply the result of chance?

In Part 2 of their Introduction to Piobaireachd series, Andrew and Jim explore the remarkable journey of piobaireachd through the collapse of the clan system, the aftermath of Culloden, and its unlikely revival during the Industrial Revolution. Along the way, they uncover how competitions, wealthy patrons, early music publishing, and even printing errors helped shape the tradition we know today. Rather than there being a single "correct" way to play piobaireachd, the music has always evolved through interpretation, adaptation, and the personalities of the great players who passed it on. If you've ever worried about getting piobaireachd "right," this episode might completely change your perspective.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• 00:00 – Toyota Corolla vs. Camry: an unexpected cold open
• 02:16 – Picking up where Part 1 left off
• 02:38 – Why feeling intimidated by piobaireachd is completely normal
• 03:18 – The origins of piobaireachd and the legend of the MacCrimmons
• 04:33 – Hereditary pipers and the role of piobaireachd in the clan system
• 05:23 – Culloden and the collapse of Highland society
• 06:23 – The banning of the pipes and Highland dress
• 07:02 – How the Industrial Revolution unexpectedly helped save piobaireachd
• 07:46 – Wealthy patrons, Highland societies, and the early revival movement
• 08:59 – The beginning of the modern piobaireachd revival
• 10:04 – When tartan became fashionable
• 10:49 – The first Falkirk piping competition
• 11:59 – How competitions shaped modern piping
• 14:14 – Canntaireachd: the earliest attempts to write piobaireachd down
• 14:33 – Angus Mackay and the birth of modern notation
• 16:49 – Why Mackay became the defining authority on piobaireachd
• 19:46 – Bringing piobaireachd to the printing press
• 23:44 – Why old piobaireachd scores look so compressed
• 25:32 – Crowdfunding music publishing in the 1800s
• 27:38 – Printing mistakes, human error, and accidental traditions
• 29:34 – Did clan politics influence which tunes survived?
• 32:19 – Why there will probably never be one definitive interpretation
• 33:26 – Piobaireachd as the original jazz
• 35:36 – Why the greatest players always leave room for interpretation
• 37:50 – Why Andrew teaches the variations before the ground
• 39:47 – Understanding giosh and siubhal variations
• 40:55 – Taorluath and crunluath explained
• 42:18 – Recognising phrase patterns and the Intro to Piobaireachd course
• 45:30 – Are we actually making musical progress?
• 47:39 – Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and the strange history of "air bathing"
• 49:53 – Authenticity versus connecting with modern audiences
• 53:30 – Final thoughts: preserving tradition without freezing it in time

Ever wondered why bagpipes are tuned "wrong" on purpose?

This week, Andrew and Carl answer your piping questions on everything from why high A isn't actually tuned perfectly, to bagad bands, high-altitude piping, reversed-handed playing, fixing sharp high Gs, and the mystery of an unexpected E pickup in one of piping's classic tunes.

Here's what we cover this week:

0:00 – Why bagpipes are tuned to the drones, not equal temperament

2:38 – The science behind high A and why pipers flatten it

9:50 – Why top bands "cheat" notes like D, F and B

12:23 – Teaching young pipers the right tuning habits

15:12 – Playing with bagad bands and different chanter pitches

16:43 – The history of bagad bands and Breton piping

19:42 – What Scottish and Breton pipe bands have in common

21:25 – Should you learn to play with the opposite hand?

26:55 – How to use a manometer correctly

28:59 – Fixing a sharp high G: where to start

33:09 – What happens to your pipes at high altitude?

34:31 – Learning the Sardinian launeddas

35:55 – How to tell a hornpipe from a reel

41:33 – Indiana Jones, bagpipes, and pop culture

42:38 – The mysterious E pickup in The Maids of the Black Glen and why sheet music doesn't tell the whole story

Want to join our weekly Q&A sessions live, or get your piping questions answered? Check out our membership options: https://pipersdojo.com/store

Sometimes the best piping stories start with a simple question: “Can you bring your pipes?”

Not all of them end up playing on a rooftop with NFL legends, becoming a viral sensation playing alongside Grimace, or partying with the 60,000-strong Tartan Army though…

This week, Andrew and Jim are joined by Matt McArthur – a Quincy, Massachusetts-based piper, comedian, and longtime friend of Andrew’s from their days studying under legendary piper Donald Lindsay at Invermark Piping School in 1998.

Matt tells us how a throwaway joke at a comedy show escalated into national TV appearances, NFL legends, and becoming the unofficial mascot of the Tartan Army.

From piping on a penthouse rooftop alongside Gronk and Julian Edelman, appearing in a White Claw ad he didn’t know he was part of, and having a dance-off with Grimace, this is one World Cup adventure you won’t believe.

We also talk about the power of just getting the pipes out and playing for people – because sometimes the strangest gigs lead to the best stories (and opportunities!).

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• 00:00 – “So you met Grimace…”
• 01:41 – Introducing Matt: bagpiper, comedian, and accidental “sports ball legend”
• 02:50 – How Matt ended up at the centre of Boston’s World Cup celebrations
• 08:00 – The random bar gig that started it all
• 11:20 – The Tennent’s shortage and the White Claw twist
• 18:30 – BBC Scotland goes viral: “The Americans don’t even know the World Cup is here”
• 20:00 – Learning the songs the Tartan Army actually want to hear
• 21:00 – The casting call that led to a rooftop TV appearance
• 23:55 – Playing live on national TV, 100 feet up!
• 28:11 – “No Scotland, No Party”
• 30:00 – Meeting Grimace and accidentally becoming part of an ad campaign
• 31:37 – The big takeaway: just go play for people

Ever feel like your pipes have gone from a passion to a chore?

On this week's Q&A session, Andrew and Carl tackle your questions about keeping the passion alive, avoiding piping burnout, setting up your practice space, getting the most from your reeds, recording yourself, and more.

Here's what we cover this week:

0:00 – Dealing with bagpipe burnout
6:50 – Getting ahead of burnout before it starts
6:50 – Is your practice room too small?
11:32 – How much should you play your band reed?
17:18 – Making the most of the Tartan Army's viral moment
20:02 – Multi-track recording tips
24:08 – The moose valve disaster
27:10 – Will live audio judging catch on at more competitions?
31:33 – Why competition results can take time to appear

Want to join our weekly Q&A sessions live, or get your piping questions answered? Check out our membership options: https://pipersdojo.com/store