Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

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 practical advice for improving your competition performances. The guys also talk about the difference between live band workshops and online learning, and weigh in on everything from smallpipe design to jig interpretation and drum setups. 

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 practical strategies for handling feedback with curiosity, humility, and a little bit of humor. Whether you’re tackling musical critique, professional feedback, or that one opinionated bandmate… this episode gives you a playbook for navigating it all.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: [email protected]. 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, contr

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: [email protected] Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 – Intro & Banter 01:30 – The unique challenges of bagpipe expression 04:00 – H

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: [email protected]! 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? 25:0

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: [email protected] 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

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 bands stick to ordinal rankings? Would point-based scoring bring more consistency? And how do we balance tradition with the need for innovation?   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 – Andrew’s secret gymnastics passion revealed 01:32 – Jim’s school days and flexibility struggles 03:00 – Comparing movement and body types 04:50 – The basics of gymnastics events and routines 06:00 – Artistic vs. objective elements in gymnastics 07:15 – How gymnastics is scored: D and E panels explained 10:00 – The chal

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 a huge geographic area, the problems with the old points system, and how the new approach brings a more fair way to rank players that could bring back some excitement and participation across the region.    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:
  00:23 - What is the EUSPBA Greatest Hits Program?
  02:31 - The Challenge of Acronyms & Association Names
  04:44 - Andrew’s Role on the Executive Committee
  06:36 - Why the EUSPBA is Unique (Size & Scope)
  08:

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 surprising ways ceiling fans can throw off your tuning – yes, really! – and wrap up with a great list of must-have items every beginner should carry in their pipe case (hint: corks, wax, and maybe a lucky chess piece?). Got a burning question of your own that 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 – Intro & Banter
 01:15 – Practice Space Tips
 12:10 – Ceiling Fans & Tuning
 22:40 – Pipe Case Essentials
 27:10 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

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 the cultural and historical backdrop that influenced his tunes, unpack how his personal experiences shaped his writing, and take a look at how his legacy still echoes in the piping world today. 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 – ChatGPT as a tour guide01:50 – The Scottish Enlightenment, John Knox, and the rise of literacy04:40 – The impact of universal education on Scottish society07:00 – Scotland’s literary and musical giants: Hume, Smith, Burns, Scott09:15 – John McLellan’s background and the 150th annive

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 with practical tips and stories.   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:  0:00 – Welcome, episode intro, and why sheepskin matters 1:00 – Who should care about sheepskin? (Hint: not just the pros) 2:00 – Sheepskin vs. synthetic: sound, cost, and effort 3:00 – Airtightness: myth-busting and real-world experience 4:00 – The pain of tying in a sheepskin bag (and why it’s worth it) 5:00 – Jim’s embarrassing tie-in story 7:00 – How to avoid bag-destroying mistakes&nb

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 makes them tricky, and whether they’re worth the investment.    (P.S. Make sure to tune in next week for some nitty gritty about hide bags in part 2…)   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:   0:00 – Browser privacy, Chrome vs. Brave, and why Jim prefers Linux  2:41 – Introducing the sheepskin bag: “the Linux of bagpipe bags”  4:39 – Does the bag really affect the sound? The science and the skepticism  7:13 – Andrew’s journey: from hide to synthetic to sheepskin (and ba

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 hear tips for syncing with your drum corps, tuning on the fly, and building confidence through solo practice.   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 Introduction and Recap 01:02 Calibration and Strike Ins 01:17 Common Mistakes in Striking In 03:40 The Three-Pronged Attack 05:50 Advanced Techniques and Tips 14:17 Air Pressure and Final Tuning 16:30 Perfecting the E Note 16:59 The Role of Drummers in Synchronization 17:35 Mastering the Pipe Band Rhythm 18:12 Step-by-Step Guide to Pipe Band Attack 2

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 episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] Here's what we cover this week:   00:00 – Band camp flashbacks 01:05 – A light Middle-earth geography squabble 02:46 – Bagpipes and golf: where obsession meets art 03:34 – Calibration 101: getting your drones to play nice 05:46 – Strike-in theory vs. what actually happens 11:30 – Making calibration part of your daily routine 14:55 – Cane reeds: fragile, finicky, but oh-so sweet 16:10 – Climate chaos and the Scotland setup struggle 16:30 – What “efficiency” means in real life and piping 17:34 – The mechanics of a clean strike-in 19

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 moisture knob is overworked. So, whether your piping feels a bit... off, or you just love a good metaphor taken too far, this episode is your chance to grab hold of your own personal knobs and start turning with purpose.   Got a topic you’d like us to talk about in future? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]   Here’s what we cover this week: 
 00:00 – Shower Thoughts: Discovering the knobs of life
 01:17 – Soviet lasers, childhood, and precision tweaking
 02:21 – Composing with context: the musical control panel
 05:04 – Balancing nostal

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 the way, they share stories from their own musical journeys – including a few childhood recital flashbacks – and reflect on lessons learned from some of the top pipers in the world. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a loop of restarts or frustrated by your own mistakes, this episode is for you. It’s a reminder to persevere, stay out of the ruts, and trust the process – even when it’s not perfect. 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 Internet Woes and Dojo U01:05 Teaching Technology to Seniors01:46 Podcastin