Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Episodes

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  533 - What are the best-kept secrets of Grade 1 pipers? | Friday Strike-In Q&A 09.11.2026 33m

  What really makes a great piper? How do you choose the right equipment, improve your technique, and keep your pipe band organized? And does a Blackwood chanter really make a difference when it comes to moisture? Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In as Andrew and Carl answer listener questions about piping fundamentals, practice habits, equipment choices and band management. They discuss why hard work, immersion and enjoying the process matter more than chasing competition prizes, along with practical advice on custom pipe bag fit, communication apps, blowpipe valves and getting more precision into your cut notes. Plus, choosing the right competition tempo for “The 51st Highland Division at Wadi Akarit” and a listener’s pronunciation lesson! 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 – The secrets of Grade 1 pipers: what really makes the difference?3:00 – Competition results: focusing on what you can control4:19 – Practice, hard work and enjoying the process7:33 – Custom pipe bags: getting the right hole placement and fit9:26 – Choosing the right bag size10:03 – Organizing your pipe band: communication apps and file sharing13:53 – Keeping band scores and recordings up to date16:29 – Blowpipe valves: troubleshooting restricted airflow, cleaning and replacement18:46 – Blackwood vs. plastic chanters: does either handle moisture better?22:16 – Making cut notes shorter and more precise with finger control and metronome practice24:30 – Rhythmic control: how to stop jumping ahead of the beat26:31 – Playing “The 51st Highland Division at Wadi Akarit” for Grade 427:27 – Choosing a competition tempo and making the most of judges’ feedback29:12 – The real takeaway: play, enjoy, improve, repeat30:43 – A listener explains how to pronounce Wadi Akarit31:48 – “King George V’s Army” and a few classic tune-title mix-ups
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  532 - Gary West on How Pipers Can Become Better Storytellers (Dojo Conversations Episode 171) 02.11.2026 41m

  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 piping06:34 – The "carrying stream": how musical traditions evolve09:15 – Tradition, revivalism and building pipe band medleys11:14 – Step dance piping and rethinking strathspey style13:14 – WWI veteran oral histories and the story behind Jock's Jocks18:26 – Remembering Martyn Bennett19:48 – Connecting with audiences and handling bagpipe misconceptions24:31 – Preparing to perform: why your spoken introductions matter26:40 – Gordon Duncan and the legendary "Farting Badger"28:38 – Different approaches to musical communication31:42 – Piobaireachd: how context changes the listening experience35:17 – Building a performance: the script exercise and performance graph38:31 – A Prairie Home Companion nostalgia trip40:52 – Gary's special sign-off
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  531 - Can You Skip Tuning When You Practise? (Dojo Conversations Episode 170) 26.10.2026 37m

  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 experience04:00 – What AI might miss about human communication07:35 – The miracle of digital audio: how bagpipe sound travels 2,000 miles14:13 – Can you practise without tuning your drones if you only have 30 minutes?16:33 – The out-of-tune guitar: why tuning matters20:00 – Bagpipe persona: are you playing for the music or the aesthetic?29:06 – Practical tuning solutions33:10 – Stamina problems: why air efficiency matters more than lung capacity34:30 – Finding more practice time 36:25 – Can a tuner app get you close enough? Yes — but trust your ears, too
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  530 - How do you know how long your starting E should be? | Friday Strike-In Q&A 19.10.2026 34m

  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
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  529 - The Two Biggest Seasoning Mistakes You Can Make (Dojo Conversations Episode 169) 12.10.2026 27m

      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
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  528 - Practice Planning, Piobaireachd, Chanter Care & Finding Your Groove | Friday Strike-In Q&A 05.10.2026 30m

  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?
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  527 - Bagpipe Tuning, Hide Bags, Reeds & Gigging Tips | Friday Strike-In Q&A 28.09.2026 32m

  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 playing4:11 – Does low G tape affect other notes? Understanding cross-note effects6:01 – Installing stocks in a zipperless hide bag: tips, tricks and common methods13:36 – Finding bagpipe gigs: weddings, funerals, networking and online listings17:33 – 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 size27:20 – Keeping younger players engaged: giving new pipers meaningful roles and responsibilities
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  526 - The Secrets to Better Strike-Ins & Stable Tuning (Dojo U Q&A Session) 21.09.2026 43m

  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 cowhide3:10 – Hide bags with zippers: grommets, tie-ins and the easiest setup11:26 – Stocks in a zipperless bag: what you need to know11:47 – Drone reed calibration vs. strike-in: getting your drones to start together23:10 – Spinning stocks: what they reveal about leaks and loose tie-ins30:55 – Cold tuning before a gig: keeping your pipes stable between warm-up and performance40:11 – French snare harnesses: the counterbalance design used by top bands41:42 – Where should you look when competing? Staying focused under pressure
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  525 - High A vs. Low A: How Should You Tune Your Pipes? Plus Practice, Reeds & More (Dojo Q&A Session) 14.09.2026 45m

  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 strategy13:40 – Why low A is your tuning reference point17:21 – Do beginners really need to balance the chanter? Plus the Scotland the Brave test19:14 – Getting back into piping after time away: where should you start?23:07 – The piper development pyramid: immersion and small daily actions30:13 – 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 devices42:34 – New reeds arriving completely dry: how to hydrate and test them
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  524 - Chanter Reeds, Bag Sizes & Band Changes: Your Questions Answered (Dojo Q&A Session) 07.09.2026 42m

  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 explained7:04 – Small vs. extended small bags: what actually changes?22:06 – Why does your blowstick pop out? Tie-ins, ball joints and DIY fixes26:33 – When should you throw out a chanter reed? The backup reed rule30:02 – Understanding Grade One medleys: bridges, transitions and reprises34:50 – Worlds tickets for next year: what to expect35:35 – High A squealing: is it the reed, the player or the sweet spot?41:44 – Band jumping season: is anyone thinking about switching bands?
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  523 - Are Your Drone Reeds Too Old? Plus Band Changes, Pitch & More (Dojo Q&A Session) 31.08.2026 38m

  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?
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  522 - Can You Guess the Decade? Pipe Bands Through the Years (Dojo Conversations Episode 168) 24.08.2026 43m

  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 returns05:06 – The rules of "Guess the Decade"07:16 – Sample #112:45 – Sample #215:11 – Sample #316:50 – Sample #422:53 – Sample #527:02 – Sample #628:54 – Sample #733:39 – Sample #836:09 – Sample #939:00 – How generational listening shapes what sounds "old" or "new"42:28 – Final score and the bonus recording
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  521 - How to Get a New Tune Up to Tempo (Dojo Class Preview w/ Carl) 18.08.2026 43m

  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 speed00:57 – Warm-up technique: building the tune in small chunks01:15 – What tends to break down at speed: crossing noises, grace notes and rhythm08:47 – How bouncing between tempos changes your perception of speed09:15 – Why rhythm training can take time to adjust to19:35 – Adding foot-tapping in single time vs. double time23:19 – How fast should a reel actually be played? Band vs. solo tempos30:14 – How your perception of "slow" and "fast" resets after a pause32:04 – Deliberately going very fast to reset your perception of tempo40:16 – Finding "the groove" instead of simply hitting the metronome click42:51 – Wrap-up: prioritising groove over mechanical execution
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  520 - Where Does All Your Air Go? (Dojo Conversations Episode 167) 10.08.2026 1h 6m

  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 up04:40 – The question: how do we get more out of our bagpipes?06:13 – What "power" actually means: volume, punch, response, and cracking notes09:26 – Efficiency: minimum input for maximum output12:17 – Choosing a reed for the kind of power you actually need15:15 – Become an air molecule: join us on Andrew's Magic School Bus19:24 – Following the air from the mouthpiece through the blowpipe joint24:42 – Finding leaks with hemp, Teflon tape, rubber corks, and a little persistence27:43 – Into the bag: stocks, tie-ins, zippers, seams, and sneaky leaks29:57 – Andrew's extreme leak test – and why you probably shouldn't kneel on your pipes33:55 – Eliminating air leaks systematically41:51 – Reed seats: why a loose reed is a deal breaker43:52 – Drone reed nose cones, two-part bodies, and other places air can escape45:51 – Moisture and reeds50:24 – Calibrating drone reeds for minimum air consumption53:38 – Why equal air across all three drones matters55:25 – Using condensation to diagnose reed calibration problems57:32 – The second-order factors: tuning, rhythmic accuracy, and mastery58:55 – What computer chips, electricity grids, and bagpipes have in common1:02:02 – Why power is really a byproduct of mastery1:05:03 – Wrap-up
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  519 - Should You Warm Up Before Tuning? Plus Reed Myths, Lesson Tips & Summer Pipe Care (Dojo Q&A w/ Andrew & Carl) 03.08.2026 33m

   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
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  518 - The Biggest Piping Myths We Keep Believing (Dojo Conversations Episode 166) 27.07.2026 56m

  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
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  517 – What Music Theory Do Bagpipers Actually Need? (Dojo Q&A Session w/ Andrew & Carl) 20.07.2026 43m

  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 pitch16:03 – The circle of fifths: useful or unnecessary?17:30 – How to tune your chanter to your drones29:17 – The best bagpipe music notation apps34:21 – Community Q&A: drumming, summer schools, Dojo history & tune player fixes39:58 – 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
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  516 - What If We've Been Playing Piobaireachd Wrong? (Dojo Conversations Episode 165) 13.07.2026 54m

  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
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  515 - Why "Perfect" Bagpipe Tuning Sounds Worse (Dojo Q&A Session) 06.07.2026 48m

  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
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  514 - No Scotland, No Party: Boston’s World Cup Piper, Matt McArthur (Dojo Conversations Ep 164) 29.06.2026 34m

  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