Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Andrew Douglas and the Piper's Dojo Team
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The Dojo engages thousands of bagpipers around the globe, by harnessing the power of the internet to help connect those in the world who share a specific passion; enriching one's life through bagpipes.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    479 - Can Playing in a Band Sabotage Your Solo Piping?

    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 sound like sad recorders, whether synthetic reeds will ever be a thing, and the art of mic’ing drones without breaking your neck. There’s also a few strong opinions about hard vs. easy reeds, and the eternal mystery of how long you should really hold that E before a pickup. 🎵 Tune in and join the conversation at pipersdojo.com! Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Can Being in a Band Sabotage Your Playing? 08:00 – Developing Control and Mastery 13:00 – Practice Chanters: Why Aren’t They Standardized? 22:00 – Jack Lee Steps Down as Pipe Sergeant of SFU 31:00 – Will Synthetic Chanter Reeds Ever Become a Thing? 36:00 – How Long Should You Hold E Before a Pickup Note? 41:00 – Micing Bagpipe Drones: Gear Recommendations 46:00 – Does a Hard Reed Equal Better Tone? 51:00 – Closing Thoughts and Q&A

    38 min

  2. 20 OCT

    478 - Bagpipes, Breakdowns, and Life Lessons (Dojo Conversations Episode 146)

    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 just won’t behave. It’s a lighthearted look at frustration, persistence, and knowing when to hold on… and when to finally let go. 🚗🎶 Whether you’re tuning pipes or turning wrenches, this episode is a reminder that mastery isn’t about perfection — it’s about patience, curiosity, and a good sense of humor. Like, subscribe, and share your best (or worst) mechanical mishap in the comments! Here’s what we cover this week:
 00:00 – Morning routines & setting the tone
 03:20 – Car ownership philosophies: new, old, or leased?
 08:10 – Jim’s decades-long car saga
 13:45 – The pickup truck dream (and nightmare)
 22:00 – DIY repairs and mechanical mayhem
 28:30 – The great gasoline leak incident
 33:00 – What cars teach us about bagpipes
 37:00 – The sunk cost fallacy and moving on
 41:00 – Toyota Camry wisdom: choosing reliability
 45:00 – Diagnosing problems: first principles & learning by doing
 50:00 – Mechanics, community, and quirky gas stations
 54:00 – Wrap-up & what’s next

    35 min

  3. 13 OCT

    477 - Could Singing Be the Secret to Great Piping? (Dojo U Q&A Session)

    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 practical advice for learners, uncover handy resources and archives, and show how singing can transform your understanding of a tune’s structure and emotion. The conversation also branches into interactive tune demos (including “Thunderstruck” and “Steam Train”), band medley creativity, and even a few hot takes on hemp, wax, and bagpipe maintenance. You’ll hear how the Dojo team approaches rhythm, simplicity, and musical fundamentals – all wrapped up in the usual mix of humor, deep insight, and Friday banter. 🎶 Join the conversation and explore interactive resources at pipersdojo.com! Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Intro & Piobaireachd Singing Class? 01:05 – The Role of Singing in Piobaireachd 02:30 – Nether Lorn Canntaireachd: History & Use 04:15 – Is Learning Canntaireachd Necessary? 06:00 – Practical Tips for Learning Tunes 08:00 – Resources for Canntaireachd Study 10:00 – Using Archives & Practice Advice 12:00 – Interactive Tunes & Community Requests 14:00 – Thunderstruck & Steam Train Interactive Demo 17:00 – Black vs. Yellow Waxed Hemp: Is There a Difference? 19:00 – Cobbler’s Wax & Bagpipe Maintenance 21:00 – Rhythm Class Update & Why It Matters 23:00 – Behind the Scenes: The Dream Valley Medley 26:00 – What Makes a Great Band Medley? 29:00 – Balancing Judges, Audience & Band Enjoyment 32:00 – COVID-Era Band Videos & Tech Challenges 34:00 – Pentatonic Tunes & Musical Fundamentals 36:00 – The Power of Simplicity in Music 38:00 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Coming Next

    36 min

  4. 6 OCT

    476 - This Virtual Piping Coach Revolutionizes Practice (Dojo Conversations Episode 145)

    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, looping tricky spots, slowing things down, adding a metronome, and building up speed for tough passages to help pipers learn smarter, faster, and more musically. Along the way, they chat about the dream of on-demand teaching, share a demo of “Banjo Breakdown,” and talk about what’s coming next as the library grows (hint: more tunes, more instruments, more inspiration). If you’ve ever wished your practice sessions could be more focused and more fun – this episode will show you how. 🎶 Try the Interactive Player today with a Dojo U membership: pipersdojo.com/store Got questions or want to share your favorite feature? Drop a comment below or email us at support@pipersdojo.com. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Intro & Banter
 02:20 – Building a new “he shed” studio
 04:40 – Outlander and epic bagpipe soundtracks
 07:15 – The dream of an on-demand teacher
 09:00 – Introducing the Interactive Player
 11:00 – Demo: “Banjo Breakdown” lesson
 14:00 – Customizing your learning experience
 18:00 – Isolating tricky passages
 22:00 – Speed training and memorization
 25:00 – Tools for band leaders and group practice
 28:00 – Expanding the library and future features
 32:00 – Tips, tricks, and best practices
 35:00 – Mobile experience and final thoughts
 37:00 – Outro & membership info

    42 min

  5. 29 SEPT

    475 - How To Publish Tunes with Special Guest Micah Babinski (plus Q&As)

    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 life’s work with the piping world. Then, the crew opens the floor for a live Q&A – covering everything from band-supplied gear and endurance tips to simplifying tunes and moving up the solo competition ranks. Plus, don’t miss Micah’s live performance of Afternoon at the Green Monster! Got a question for a future episode? Drop it in the comments or email us: support@pipersdojo.com. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Intro & Guest Introduction
 01:25 – Micah’s piping background and journey
 03:24 – Introducing The Green Monster Collection — 56 tunes for pipes, whistle, and mandolin
 05:17 – Friends, contributors, and 20+ years of composing
 07:17 – The story behind Afternoon at the Green Monster
 11:00 – Competition stories and the tune’s growing popularity
 14:48 – How to order the book (Piper’s Hut, Tartan Town, Google Form)
 16:40 – Pricing, shipping, and payment details
 18:00 – Motivation for publishing & breaking the “one-hit wonder” label
 20:00 – Silver Medal stories and reconnecting with friends
 Live Q&A Topics:
 24:00 – What equipment should bands provide?
 29:00 – Managing endurance and lip fatigue
 36:00 – Simplifying idioms in solo tunes
 43:00 – Tunes the composer is proud of
 45:00 – Why third parts are often the hardest
 48:00 – Live performance: Afternoon at the Green Monster
 50:00 – Using projectors and TVs in band practice
 53:00 – Moving from Grade 4 to Grade 3 in solos 56:00 – Wrap-up & book order link 🪗 Order The Green Monster Collection: https://forms.gle/sepc2peJY63PtbAg8

    50 min

  6. 22 SEPT

    474 - Bagpipe Expression Made Simple (Dojo Conversations Episode 144)

    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, and how those choices can shape your sound. Along the way, they swap stories, highlight tools you might not be using enough (hello, metronome!), and share how modern teaching approaches are changing the way pipers think about artistry. Whether you’re chasing more musicality in your playing or just curious about how expression works on the pipes, this episode will give you plenty to chew on. Got a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: support@pipersdojo.com Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 – Intro & Banter 01:30 – The unique challenges of bagpipe expression 04:00 – How the pipes compare to other instruments 08:00 – What is “expression”? Universal vs. bagpipe-specific 12:00 – Tools you actually have control over 16:00 – Why fundamentals are the foundation of expression 19:00 – Accidents, creativity, and artistic choices 23:00 – Timing, rhythm, and the ALAP/ASAP model 28:00 – Prescribed vs. personal expression 32:00 – Finding the groove and rhythmic feel 36:00 – Metronomes, drummers, and developing timing 41:00 – Embellishments, vibrato, and other expressive tools 45:00 – Evolving approaches to expression 49:00 – Wrap-up & invitation for listener comments

    44 min

  7. 15 SEPT

    473 - Does Bad Band Culture Drive Players Away For Good? (Dojo Conversations Episode 143)

    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 music a joy again, and create a healthier piping community for everyone. Got a question or topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: pipersdojo@gmail.com! Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 – Andrew: the “Man, Myth, Legend” 01:00 – A virtual Scotland tour guide 05:40 – Listener mail: The uphill battle of learning bagpipes 08:00 – The impact of negative instructors and band culture 12:00 – Why finding a good teacher is often luck 15:00 – Ego, exclusivity, and the “only one way” mindset 18:00 – Band stress, tradition vs. progress, and hazing 22:00 – Is this unique to bagpipes? 25:00 – Advice for learners: Diversify your influences 27:00 – Advice for instructors: Foster excitement and joy 30:00 – Advice for band members: Welcoming new players & preserving tradition 33:00 – Final thoughts: Keeping the spark alive Episode Highlights • The problem with negative instructors and gatekeeping band culture • Why luck often determines whether you find a good teacher • The myth of “only one right way” to learn bagpipes • Practical advice for learners: diversify your influences and keep it fun • Tips for instructors: focus on excitement, joy, and growth

    40 min

  8. 8 SEPT

    472 - The Secret to Clean Fingerwork (Dojo Conversations Episode 142)

    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 new “target practice” concept, the guys dig into what it takes to build precision, adaptability, and consistency. Got a piping question or a topic you’d like us to tackle on a future episode? Drop it in the comments or email us: support@pipersdojo.com Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Intro & studio catch-up 01:00 – The earwig in the chanter (and the coffee!) 02:30 – Bagpipe fingerwork fundamentals 04:00 – Drills, scales, and why embellishments matter 07:00 – The hardest note changes (and how to tackle them) 09:00 – Crossing noises & clean technique explained 11:00 – Grace notes: the infinitely small moment 15:00 – The three fundamentals of piping 18:00 – Why embellishments are just combinations 21:00 – Diagnosing sloppy playing 24:00 – The problem with rushing to embellishments 27:00 – The “trinary code” of bagpipe technique 30:00 – Target practice: beat, note change, grace note alignment 33:00 – Guitar Hero, archery, and metronome practice 36:00 – Constant adjustment & musical adaptability 39:00 – Simplifying tunes for better practice 42:00 – Why the process never ends 44:00 – Outro and laughs

    50 min
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About

The Dojo engages thousands of bagpipers around the globe, by harnessing the power of the internet to help connect those in the world who share a specific passion; enriching one's life through bagpipes.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Douglas and the Piper's Dojo Team
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    467
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

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