Sinopse
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.
Episódios
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444 - Why Learning Bagpipes Feels Harder Before It Gets Easier (Dojo Conversations Episode 114)
24/02/2025 Duração: 55minEver tried something new and thought, "Easy! I could do that"—only to fail spectacularly? That’s the hierarchy of competence in action. It’s the universal journey from complete ignorance to effortless mastery. And guess what? You’ve been through it more times than you can count. This week, Andrew and Jim break down the hierarchy of competence, explaining the four stages: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence. They stress the importance of moving beyond conscious competence to perform skills effortlessly, applying this concept to various aspects of bagpiping, such as learning new tunes and tuning drones. Got a topic you’d like addressed in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Old Injury Recap 00:45 The Intensity Equation Explained 02:13 Peer Pressure in Gym and Pipe Band 03:21 Understanding the Intensity Equation in Bagpiping 07:35 Commandment 8: Strive for Unco
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443 - Our Top Hacks For Grade 5 Pipe Bands (Dojo Conversations Episode 113)
17/02/2025 Duração: 32minAre lower-grade pipe bands missing out on easy wins by focusing on the wrong things? This week, Andrew and Jim chat through how lower grade pipe bands (Grade 4 and 5) can improve their sound with minimal effort. They start by dissecting a Reddit user’s advice, then dive into Andrew’s top observations as a competition judge and instructor for lower grade bands, breaking down the low-hanging fruit for bands to drastically improve their sound and performances – by reducing mistakes, tuning drones properly, and playing clean embellishments. Got a question you’d like covered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Confession Time: Turning to Reddit for Inspiration 00:13 Reddit's Band Improvement Tips: An Overview 01:16 The Importance of Basics: Basketball Analogy 04:05 Breaking Down the Basics: Clean Starts and Stops 06:24 Andrew's Take: The Real Essentials for Band Improvement 12:24 Tuning the Drones: A Crucial Step 15:47 Identifying Ind
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442 - Why Subjective Feedback Is Confusing (And How to Decode It) (Dojo Conversations Episode 112)
10/02/2025 Duração: 38minEver been frustrated by vague, subjective feedback from a judge or teacher? Only things that can be measured can be improved. So how do you measure your progress? We need to find ways to get an objective, pass-or-fail result. This week, we’re diving into the sixth commandment in Andrew’s 11 Commandments of Mastery: You Shalt Practice Objectively (And Reject Subjectivity). We explore the difference between objective and subjective goals and why aspiring pipers should focus on measurable, objective criteria to improve their skills. We look at the pitfalls of practicing with vague, subjective goals and discuss the need for clear, pass-fail criteria if you want to improve. Got a topic you’d like covered on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] Here’s what we cover this episode: 00:00 A Shattered Dinner Incident 00:45 The Nature of Objectivity 01:38 Philosophical Musings on Reality 02:09 Quantum Computing and Parallel Universes 03:37 Objectivity in Practice 0
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441 - How To Learn a Stack o’ Tunes (Dojo Conversations Episode 111)
03/02/2025 Duração: 58minHave you ever had to learn a bunch of new tunes all at once? This week, Andrew and Jim talk through the best ways to tackle learning a huge stack of bagpipe tunes quickly – while still having fun. A sneak preview – some tips include playing all tunes as daily as possible in order of importance, trying NOT to memorize, and recording yourself to make sure you get it right rather than practicing it wrong. Rethinking traditional approaches to practice can lead to better performance and more fun and satisfaction along the way… Got a topic you’d like us to cover on a future episode? Leave a comment or send us an email: [email protected] Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Introduction and New Year's Resolutions 00:25 The Challenge of Learning New Tunes 01:37 Strategies for Efficient Practice 02:53 Personal Experiences and Insights 04:54 Five Principles for Learning Tunes 06:19 Tip 1: Play Through All Tunes Daily 17:18 Tip 2: Never Play By Yourself 29:19 The Power of Subconscious Learning 29:55 The Miraculous
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440 - How Often Should You Learn a New Tune? (Dojo Conversations Ep 110)
27/01/2025 Duração: 48minWhen was the last time you learned a new tune? This week, Andrew and Jim are diving into “constant variance” - that is, constantly and consistently trying new things, whether that’s trying to play new music regularly, changing practice routines, environments, and other approaches to become a better musician. It has so many benefits, including making you a better, more well-rounded musician, not just a “competent” bagpiper or drummer. Got a topic you’d like us to discuss on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Morning Greetings 00:23 The Importance of Variance in Practice 01:24 CrossFit and Fitness Analogies 02:40 Musical Flexibility and Mastery 08:14 The Value of Learning New Tunes 18:10 Specialization vs. Generalization in Bagpiping 25:38 Exploring Beyond the Familiar 26:42 The Importance of Diverse Learning 26:58 Historical Perspectives on Literacy 28:41 Learning Through Variance 34:38 Practical Tips for Bagpipe Practice 45:14 The Value
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439 - How To Beat The Danger of Distractions (Dojo Conversations Episode 109)
20/01/2025 Duração: 01h14sEver tried to multitask? Putting aside the fact that multitasking is a myth (more on that in the episode...) did you end up doing any of those many things *well*? Multitasking doesn’t work, especially if you’re trying to master a musical instrument. As soon as you allow a single distraction into a practice session, you've cheated yourself out of precious time it will take you to return to a singular focus – and on the flip side, if you can zero in with no distractions, you'll be stunned at how much faster you progress... This week, Andrew and Jim tackle the myth of multitasking, and the importance of creating dedicated practice spaces, minimizing distractions, and adopting short, highly-focused practice sessions. Got a topic you'd like us to cover on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]. Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 Welcome to 2025: A Lighthearted Start 01:08 The En
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438 - The Game-Changing Power of Recording Your Practice (Dojo Conversations Ep 108)
13/01/2025 Duração: 39minDo you avoid recording yourself? Get nervous at the idea of people listening to you play? Although it can be nerve wracking, recording yourself for analysis is a must if you want to improve your playing. This week, Andrew and Jim and talking about all things recording – why to do it, our up to date recommendations on how to do it and what equipment to use, and how to analyze recordings for musical improvement. 00:00 A Pleasant Encounter 00:46 The Charm of Chivalry 01:16 Recording Challenges for Musicians 07:06 The Importance of Self-Recording 11:48 Advanced Recording Techniques 13:53 The Superiority of Single-Source Recording 19:27 The Importance of Stereo Microphones 21:25 Golden Rules of Recording 24:09 Ideal Recording Locations 27:30 DIY Recording Tips and Tools 30:05 Recording for Self-Improvement 36:36 The One Take Rule
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437 - Why Simple Tools Build Better Pipers (Dojo Conversations Ep 107)
06/01/2025 Duração: 01h07minWould you want to learn to drive in a Formula 1 race-car, or learn to fly an airplane in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner? Even if it sounds really cool, in reality, high-end sophisticated tools are designed for masters of their craft, and not at all suited for beginners or intermediates. Yet, more often than not, a piping beginner has a bagpipe setup that is radically too complex, which creates many more problems for them than it solves. This week, Andrew and Jim talk through why simple tools are so important when you’re learning to play the bagpipes. Starting with a basic setup helps you become familiar with essential challenges, avoiding unnecessary gadgetry that can complicate the learning process. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various bagpipe gadgets such as tone enhancers, moisture control systems, and water traps, highlighting the benefits of a minimalist approach for beginners. Here’s what we cover this time: 00:00 Introduction and Technical Glit
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436 - Another Year In The Bag (Dojo Conversations Ep 106)
30/12/2024 Duração: 46minHappy New Year – almost! This week Andrew and Jim revisit some of the highs, the lows, and everything in between – including Jim's hair, which is basically a third host at this point – as we reflect on the pod's progress so far... and some of the exciting plans (and guests) we're cooking up for 2025! Here's what we cover in (a LOT) of detail this week: 00:00 Happy New Year Reflections 00:20 Reviewing Past Episodes 02:24 Episode 55: Can Rest Be Productive? 03:34 Episode 56: How to Simplify Tunes 05:39 Episode 57: What's the Real Cost of Bagpiping? 07:38 Episode 58: Freeing Up Your Piping Bandwidth 10:11 Episode 59: Do You Own or Rent Your Piping Skills? 12:31 Episode 60: The Tone Zone 15:21 Episode 61: Getting the Most Out of Band Practice 15:47 Episode 62: The Four Layers of Drone Reed Sound 18:09 Episode 63: Constructing a Winning Medley 20:06 Episode 64: Listener Q&A Mailbag 20:19 Episode 65: Set It and Forget It Method 20
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435 - St Blow's Blessings for the Season(ing) (Dojo Conversations Ep 105)
23/12/2024 Duração: 21minIn this festive episode, Jim and Andrew present another AI-penned Christmas poem: 'A Piper's Night Before Christmas,' featuring Jolly St Blow, the mythical Highland Loon, and an oddly defensive AI author... Enjoy, happy piping and Merry Christmas from all of us here at the Piper's Dojo! Here's what to expect in today's episode: 00:00 Holiday Greetings and Reflections 02:02 AI-Generated Christmas Special 03:19 Piper's Night Before Christmas 09:11 Analyzing the Poem 11:55 Saint Blow and the Highland Loon 18:26 Toonie Tradition and School Memories 19:49 Concluding Thoughts and Thanks
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434 - Do You Need A Second Instrument for Solo Contests? (Dojo Conversations Ep 104)
16/12/2024 Duração: 23minThe mailbag has arrived again! This week, Will asks: “…I want to build a set of pipes, specifically for solo competition… what should I look at for a purpose built solo bagpipe?” Andrew and Jim chat through whether you need multiple sets of pipes on the boil for band vs solo playing, whether bore sizes matter in bagpipes, and the importance of simplicity, consistent maintenance, and focusing on the quality of your playing (aka ‘slaying') over the intricacies of your setup. 00:00 Introduction to Opals and Bononos 00:44 Quasi Mailbag: Will's Question on Bagpipes 02:18 The Challenges of Maintaining Multiple Bagpipes 04:10 Advice on Setting Up a Solo Bagpipe 07:16 The Importance of Simplicity in Bagpipe Setup 08:54 Debating Bore Size and Its Impact 12:58 The SLAY Principle for Bagpipe Success 21:04 Concluding Thoughts on Bagpipe Setup
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433 - Daily Action Will Transform Your Piping (Dojo Conversations Episode 103)
09/12/2024 Duração: 45minIs it better to do a little bit every day… or a massive catch up session every once in a while? If you’ve ever tried to get fit, go on a diet, or even keep your teeth clean… it should probably go without saying that daily consistent action prevails over massive infrequent action, every single time. This week, Andrew and Jim explore the importance of maintaining consistent daily habits with your piping. They discuss their personal routines, the challenges faced by pipers, and how integrating a 'one tune a day' habit can lead to significant improvement without overwhelming your daily life. Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Morning Routine and Teeth Brushing Debate 01:13 The Importance of Daily Habits 04:25 Retainers and Orthodontic Stories 06:49 Daily Actions vs. Massive Actions 11:17 Maintaining Musical Skills 16:25 The 100 Day Challenge 21:33 Morning Ba
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432 - Top Secrets of Ensemble Judges (Dojo Conversations Episode 102)
02/12/2024 Duração: 01h05minDo pipers or drummers make better ensemble judges? This week, Ed Best is back, joining Andrew and Jim to reveal all the secrets about the role of ensemble judges in pipe band competitions. The cover the differences in perspectives between piping and drumming judges, why it’s important to understand both types of instruments, how judges are trained, and challenges they face. They also look at how tune choices impact a band’s overall sound and performance, why practicing and refining judging skills is vital, and how thoughtful musical decisions can contribute to a stronger ensemble performance. Got a question you’d like us to cover on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Introduction to Etymology 00:55 Defining Ensemble 01:32 Role of Ensemble Judges 02:30 Drummers vs Pipers: Judging Perspectives 05:53 Training and Preparation for Ensemble Judging 10:11 Challenges in Ensemble Judging 15:44 Judging Criteria and Considerations 29:21 The Import
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431 - The Power of Immersion (Dojo Conversations Episode 101)
25/11/2024 Duração: 34minWhat is the single greatest correlate to success in any pursuit? This week, Andrew and Jim are chatting all things immersion (including a detour into Adam Sandler movies) and how learning by doing and maintaining an authentic passion can significantly improve your skills. They also touch on the significance of foundational work like instrument maintenance and how it builds leverage for higher-level skills. Got a question or topic for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]. Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 Nostalgic Movie Memories 01:48 Dreams of a Jim Carrey Biopic 02:14 The Adam Sandler Effect 05:38 Memorizing Movies vs. Bagpipe Tunes 15:34 The Importance of Immersion 24:39 Balancing Practice and Enjoyment 30:27 Commandment One: Immersion is Key
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430 - Should You Circular Breathe As A Bagpiper? (Dojo Conversations Episode 100)
18/11/2024 Duração: 40minIt's Episode 100 of the Dojo Conversations Podcast! Well, kind of... Anyway, to celebrate 100 continuous weeks of streaming directly into your ears, Andrew's agreed to suffer through all the topics he doesn't want to talk about, but that Jim's been saving up for an occasion just like this... tune in this week to learn more about the nuances of circular breathing, whether bagpipers can use vibrato, using 'non-traditional' notes, and how bagpipe music has evolved over time. Got a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 Celebrating 100 Episodes 01:43 The Great Circular Breathing Debate 03:54 Breathing Techniques for Beginners 12:08 Exploring Vibrato on the Practice Chanter 19:38 Bagpipe Techniques: Finding the Balance 19:57 The Rise and Fall of C Natural and G Sharp 20:55 Challenges of Tuning and Control 22:29 Opera and Bagpipes: A Vibrat
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429 - How to Write a Bagpipe Tune (Dojo Conversations Episode 99)
11/11/2024 Duração: 46minHave you ever wanted to write a bagpipe tune? This week, Andrew and Jim show you how to do it by composing a brand new tune live on air! They discuss the process of composing music, exploring different techniques and ideas such as using a chord progression, incorporating motifs, and the importance of a good musical idea. They share insights on using notation software like MuseScore, the significance of rhythm and melody, and even touch on the importance of repetition and variation in music. If you’ve ever wanted to write tunes of your own, this is an episode not to miss! Got a topic you’d like us to cover on a future episode? Leave a comment or send us an email: [email protected]. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:33 Live Tune Composition 00:48 Choosing the Genre and Tools 01:09 Starting with a Musical Idea 02:39 Chord Progressions and Motifs 06:49 Creating the Groove 16:36 Building the Melody 22:00 Exploring Rhythmic Ideas 22:21 Crafting the Fourth Bar 23:31 Using Repetiti
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428 - 11 Simple Habits That Will Overhaul Your Piping (Dojo Conversations Episode 98)
04/11/2024 Duração: 51minWhat if 11 small changes could make an enormous difference to your piping progress? This week, Andrew and Jim dive into the 11 commandments of mastery – Andrew’s blueprint of habits that lead to great bagpiping, but are applicable to all mastery-oriented pursuits. They look at the importance of mastering fundamentals to achieve creative freedom, common pitfalls that learners face, and why a growth mindset is essential to any form of progression. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 00:00 Setting Up the Scene 00:53 The 11 Commandments of Bagpiping 01:11 Universal Concepts in Mastery 02:05 Disagreements in the Bagpipe World 04:20 Finding Reliable Advice 05:29 First Principles and Growth Mindset 12:00 Parenting and Teaching Analogies 21:13 Empowering Through Fundamentals 24:14 Discovering the Power of Chords 24:41 Applying Chord Theory to Bagpipes 26:01 The Trap of Linear Learning in Bagpiping 27:36 The Role of Fun in Learning&nbs
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427 - Are Drummers Just Different? With Ed Best (Dojo Conversations Episode 97)
28/10/2024 Duração: 43minIs Scottish snare drumming really that different from other kinds of drumming... or from piping? This week, prolific drummer, judge and tutor Ed Best once again drops in to chat all things snare drumming with Andrew and Jim, covering whether rhythm is different between piping and drumming, how tempo affects drummers, why pipers and drummers should both learn each others’ parts, and how to get a better ensemble in your pipe band. Got a question or topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Welcome to the Ed Best and Jim Show! 00:39 Bagpipes and Snare Drums: A Unique Musical Relationship 01:18 Transferring Skills Between Musical Styles 03:15 The Tool Belt Analogy for Musical Techniques 04:22 Communication Challenges in Pipe Bands 08:15 Understanding DCI and Its Influence 09:45 The Rhythm Problem in Bagpiping 16:21 The Importance of Communicat
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426 - Hot Cakes! (Hot Takes on Bagpipe Reddit Questions): (Dojo Conversations Episode 96)
21/10/2024 Duração: 40minAnyone for some hot cakes?! Jim’s been diving into the bagpipe forums on Reddit again, so this week, he and Andrew offer advice to solve a bunch of bugbears bothering bagpipers from across the web, including: • How to get bandmates to show up to practice • Better ways to improve at sight-reading • How to be more welcoming to new band members • Improving stamina and recovering after a hiatus from piping • What’s been going on in the piping world for the last 15 years or so, in a nutshell! • Nicole Kidman, for some reason… Got a question you want answered on a future pod? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here’s what we covered this week: 00:00 Cool T-Shirt Designs 01:51 Hot Takes for Hot Cakes 02:25 Solving Attendance Issues in Bands 08:18 Learning to Read Sheet Music for Bagpipes 19:10 Joining a New Pipe Band 20:14 Navigating Band Dynamics 20:33 Jumping In Without Making Waves 21:25 Earning
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425 - The Best Way To Build Stamina (Dojo Conversations Episode 95)
14/10/2024 Duração: 46minAfter a piping hiatus, it can be exhausting to play for even a short time until your stamina builds again. So what's the best way to get your piping fitness back? This week, Andrew and Jim answer a reader question about how to build stamina after a break, focusing on the importance of finding joy and fun in playing – because enjoyable practice will naturally lead to improved stamina and skill. They also highlight the dangers of taking piping too seriously – because for many pipers, that might be why they took a hiatus in the first place... Here's what we cover in this episode: 00:00 Embarrassing Vocal Warm-Ups 01:07 Forming Season Two's Strategy 01:57 Stamina Advice for Returning Pipers 05:37 The Fun Factor in Bagpiping 09:34 Setting Up Your Bagpipes for Success 16:15 The Hard Reed Debate 21:40 Developing Stamina for Soccer and Bagpipes 22:04 The Importance of Enjoying Your Practice 23:11 Maintaining Motivation and Avoiding Burnout 27:29 Prac