Piper's Dojo Audio Experience: Recent Episodes
Andrew Douglas and the Piper's Dojo Team
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.
Real bagpipers play with all the embellishments in. And they sure as heck never use metronomes, that's just ridiculous.
Ok... but what about real MUSICIANS?
In case you weren't aware, I've been putting together some free workshops for anyone who'd like to attend over the long, cold winter here in New York.
I ran the first of these in November last year and had huge interest – around 400 pipers from across the US and Canada (plus a few from the UK as well!) tuned in to learn more about the "11 Reasons Pipers Fail."
Given how much great feedback we had about the content, I wanted to make it more accessible to pipers in other parts of the world. To that end, I've scheduled a second session, still entirely free, that I'll be hosting at:
USA: Saturday, January 29 @ 7PM (New York / EST) New Zealand: Sunday, January 30 @ 1pm Australia: Sunday, January 30 @ 11am (Syd / Melb),10am (Bris), 8am (Perth)
In the workshop, I'll take you through a number of core concepts that illustrate how most pipers are already on a collision course with bagpiping disappointment and failure.
But, it's not all doom and gloom – understanding the 11 deadly pitfalls in attempting to master any skill will give you a clear road map to making the rest of 2022 the best piping year you've ever had.
We'll set up key next actions for you to take to inject some rocket-fuel into your piping aspirations!
To read more about the workshop and to sign up visit https://DojoUniversity.com/workshop
01:20 - Why is a tube-style manometer better than a gauge? 24:25 - Will I ever "get" rhythm "down"? 33:53 - Is Piobaireachd required to become a "real" piper? --> What IS a real piper?
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Amongst other Q&A today, we discuss the problem of memorization. Is it possible for a 71-year-old to memorize more than a few tunes?
Is the bagpipe freedom process for beginners? How to transcribe the rhythm of a tune you heard on YouTube. Embellishment discussion.
If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today!
Register now at https://dojouniversity.com/workshop
___ As you may have heard, I am putting together some free workshops this winter for anyone who'd like to attend. The first one will be this November 14th, at 1pm New York Time, called "11 Reasons Pipers Fail."
So, what's this workshop all about? Frankly, it's been a tough one to put into words.
Have you ever achieved a goal, but still felt empty? Have you powered through to the finish line, just to realize (usually immediately) that you were wrong about where the real finish line actually was?
Cramming for a big test in high school comes to mind. Usually, a good solid all-nighter would suffice to get me that "A" I needed to "keep my grades up." But it was an empty victory. Next week there was going to be another test, and because I "crammed" for the previous test, I never actually learned the material! So, from there I was stuck in a perpetual cramming cycle. Did I get my "A"? Yep. Was I happy during or after the process? Hell no.
And by the way, I remember nothing from any of those classes looking back as an adult. I took nothing away from those experiences.
I see the piping world (yes, basically the whole piping world!) stuck in a similar pattern. We set goals. Assuming we meet these goals (and, let's face it, most of us don't), we realize we aren't any happier (or musically satisfied) than we were beforehand... and what do we decide to do to fill the void? Set another goal!
11 Reasons Pipers Fail is going to explore why happiness doesn't live on the other side of success and where we might actually look to find "happiness" (or fulfillment, or whatever it is you're looking for).
Fascinatingly, NONE of the 11 Reasons Pipers Fail have anything to do with technique, talent, a great ear, a great teacher, etc. etc. It all has to do with mindset and it all has to do with behavior.
During the workshop, we're going to evaluate our mindset and behavior and I guarantee you'll walk away with several huge insights into what's been missing so far in your musical journey, and you'll have a great sense of what you can do starting NOW to begin rocketing yourself forward towards bagpiping success... whatever that means for you.
To read more about the workshop and to sign up, click here now.
I hope to see you there!
Andrew Douglas from the Piper's Dojo
Is the bagpipe freedom process for beginners? How to transcribe the rhythm of a tune you heard on YouTube. Embellishment discussion.
If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today!
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It's been a while since we behaved ourselves long enough to release a Friday Strike-in as a podcast! Enjoy some piping chatter.
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The book is now OUT of pre-order and ready for regular purchase. Order at http://BagpipeFreedom.com
The book is focused on fully exploring what you might recognize is the "Dojo U method," detailing our approach from the ground up. But, it's not a text book or an exercise book. It's a "big picture" exploration about how to learn, and how to apply these basic learning concepts to one of the world's most difficult instruments.
I wanted to ensure that the book wasn't just educational, but that it also flowed well, and was entertaining. This is a book you should be able to sit down with after a long day of work and actually enjoy reading. At least, we think so.
The book INCLUDES an audio version for those who prefer that. Other exciting extras also await in your "book extras" portal.
I would be honored if you purchased a copy of the book. Head to http://BagpipeFreedom.com today to pre-order your copy.
All the best!
Matthew Welch studied traditional Highland Bagpipe music with Gold Medalist masters such as James McIntosh M.B.E., Colin MacLellan, Mike Cusack, Jack Lee, Pipe Major Angus MacLellan, Andrew Wright and celebrated, repeat World-Champion Pipe Majors Terry Lee and Iain McLellan B.E.M. Mr. Welch was a member of one of the most internationally acclaimed bagpipe bands of the last two decades: the six-time World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, and played with the band for their World Pipe Band Championship wins of 1999 and 2001 in Glasgow. As Musical Director for the New York Metro Pipe Band, his unique way of teaching pipe music, musical ensemble cohesion and cultivating a bright, rich pipe corps sound helped steer NY Metro to their 2011 and 2012, 2014 wins at the World Pipe Band Championships, the North American Pipe Band Championships and the American Pipe Band Championships respectively. He is also in demand as a private bagpipe instructor.
Beyond the traditional repertoire, Welch has pioneered new techniques and materials in his own works that include the bagpipe and has premiered a number of new compositions written for bagpipes by living composers such as Julia Wolfe, Anthony Braxton, Alvin Lucier, Paula Matthusen, Zeena Parkins, David Watson, Michael O’Neill and Lainie Fefferman. As a classically trained composer, he holds degrees in Music Composition from Simon Fraser University (BFA), Wesleyan University (MA), and Yale University (DMA), writing his dissertation in the form of a treatise on the structures of musical composition for the Highland Bagpipe. He has been giving world class recitals of traditional, contemporary and original works for over 20 years.
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Robert won the worlds 5 times as Pipe Major of the Shotts and Dykehead Pipe Band.
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Ross hails from Linlithgow, West Lothian where he is the official Town Piper. He studied Bagpipes, Scots Song and Whistles at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In July 2017 he graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Traditional Music - Piping. Ross was a finalist in the 2019 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition.
A World Champion piper, Ross began piping aged 7 and was the Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. He competed with the world famous Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band for many years. He is now a member the Grade 1 Inveraray and District Pipe Band. Also a successful solo piper, he competes regularly around the Highland Games in Scotland and further afield.
Ross has performed in many countries such as: New Zealand, Australia, USA, Ghana, Russia and all over central Europe as well as appearing on BBC Hogmanay Live and performing solo on the roof of Murrayfield Stadium.
A Grade 8 Trombonist, Ross has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at the Usher Hall. A keen theatre performer he has appeared in many amateur musical productions throughout Scotland. Ross was the recipient of the Young Scot of the Year award for heritage at the age of 12 (in 2007).
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Greig Canning is a piper with the two-time grade 1 World Champions, Inveraray and District Pipe Band.
He is a regular prize winner and ‘A grade’ competitor on the highland games circuit, regularly competing at the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting.
Greig is a full-time bagpipe instructor for West Lothian Council, and the pipe major and instructor of the West Lothian Schools Pipe Band.
_____ If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today!
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Ken is one of the most prolific pipers in North American history. Be sure to visit thecaptainscorner.com to learn all about his career, his teaching, and his works.
_____ If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today!
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Most bagpipe world has trapped itself in a destructive negative feedback loop that essentially guarantees its decline (and failure for the vast majority of enthusiasts...).
Can you summon the strength to break free from the gravitational pull of the mainstream bagpiping world to "succeed" with your own piping?
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A student shared this:
Here's a very interesting article/podcast about why learning difficult tunes or passages by starting slowly and gradually increasing practice speed has some inherent limitations, and offers a research-based rationale for different strategy. There's also a fascinating bit about why you should use a metronome that can randomly skip beats.
https://bulletproofmusician.com/jason-sulliman-on-why-fast-practice-can-be-more-efficient-and-effective-than-slow-practice/
Is there anything to this?
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This week we have a lot of great questions and some good banter. Question of the week is: Why should you NOT be playing a hard reed? The answer may open your eyes...
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In this class we have a great end-of-week Q&A for our Premium Members, beginning with a great review of the BEST way to transition from the practice chanter to the full bagpipes.
If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today!
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Supercharge Your Leadership!
A 2-Day Intensive Workshop for Pipe Corps Leaders - September 12-13, 2020 - Featuring World Champions Stuart Liddell, Robert Mathieson, and Alan Bevan
Unparalleled knowledge and worldwide support specifically curated for pipe corps leaders to drastically improve your pipe band, guaranteed.
Go to https://dojouniversity.com/lead today to learn more.
It's becoming clearer and clearer that the bagpipe world may take a long time to return to anything that even remotely looks like normal. Are you prepared to adapt?
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When you learn a new tune, you should be breaking it into bite-sized segments. Each bite size segment should be on auto-pilot before you move on to the next one. This is also referred to as reaching "unconscious competence" stage of the hierarchy of competence. Let's dive in.
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In this hands-on class, Andrew dives deep down the rabbit-hole of tune learning. Why does it seem so hard for me, when others seem to do it easily? The answer might be so simple it surprises you!
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How far back should you push the pipe bag under your arm? Should the drones be all the way against your shoulder or should you be squeezing more toward the back of the bag?
Andrew and Carl explain proper pipe bag placement for efficient playing and the best sound projection.
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Carl shows us how the Dojo Fundamentals aren't just talking points. They show us how to solve literally any problem we are having!
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Do you play an extended small hybrid bag, but thinking about moving to a hide bag? What size should you get? Are the sizes standard and equivalent?
Carl and Andrew give some suggestions on how to choose the correct size hide bag for you.
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What happens when you go to tie in a bag and the neck it much larger than the chanter stock? How do you ensure that you tie it in so it is airtight?
Carl, Dojo U’s resident bag tying expert, explains how to handle this issue and get you playing soon!
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What does a productive practice feel like? How can you have that awesome moment more often?
Andrew and Carl highlight what makes a successful practice and how you can replicate that yourself.
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You know that recording yourself playing bagpipes is incredibly beneficial for self evaluation and working with an instructor, but your bagpipes are too loud for your computer recorder. What is the best recorder to buy? Is there a program you can use to easily record and upload your weekly recording to Dojo U?
Andrew simplifies this issue and helps you find the best solution to get a great recording.
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Do your drones tune very high on the tuning pins? Have you adjusted the drone reed pins and still not been able to fix the issue?
Carl and Andrew make some practical suggestions to address this problem. Listen in to hear a couple ideas you may not have heard before.
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Does your bass drone work best when you tune it lower on the tuning pin? You adjust the bridle while calibrating, but the tuning pin location makes a big difference. Why is this?
Andrew and Carl discuss the many issues involved with the bass drone and some of the ways you can adjust it to make it play better.
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In this class, we entertain a variety of great bagpiping questions, and then dig deep regarding how to balance the chanter, and resolve common chanter tuning issues.
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Will a pinch fix a super flat or collapsing F? What causes this? Is the reed salvageable?
Carl and Andrew give you a simple solution to this issue. Don’t waste any more time with this problem and start playing!
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How slowly can you play your grade 3 march in solo competition before the judge penalizes you for it?
Andrew and Carl discuss this difficult but common question with a practical point of view.
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Do you have a huge list of tunes you would like to learn? How do you decide which to work on in depth?
Andrew helps you dial in your focus using the 6 Months to the Next Level plan. Success is not always playing a large amount of tunes!
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Do you have hole coverage issues on the bottom hand? Is your thumb position affecting the clarity of your bottom hand notes? Do you have these issues only on the full pipes, but not your chanter?
Andrew explains how this is an overall posture issue not just hand position. Don’t let these basics prevent you from having successful Fingerwork technique.
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Does your chanter rotate to one side while you're playing? Could this be causing your notes to sound messy? Can you fix it?
Andrew and Carl clarifies how this is a posture issue and why you should avoid this.
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In today's Q&A show, we cover a wide range of topics. Highlights include: How to deal with "screamin sharp" High G's, and Tone Protector fundamentals.
Enjoy!
Do you struggle with where to put that useless little finger on the left hand? Do you stick it out as if you’re having tea? Do you tuck it in so it doesn’t interfere with your D gracenotes? What placement is best?
Carl and Andrew describe the best finger position solution that allows you to play your best. Believe it or not, there is a correct answer here!
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How old is your chanter? Do you struggle with balancing the tuning? Would an upgraded chanter improve your sound?
Carl and Andrew explain how the age of your chanter may have a great impact on your sound. Watch to see if you are getting the best sound out of your chanter.
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You’re putting on a new pipe bag and see the grooves in the stocks. Where exactly do those go? Should grommets be above or in the groove?
Carl and Andrew explain what the groove is for and how to get the best placement when installing your new bag.
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You’ve just purchased a sheepskin bag, and you’re excited to tie it in and get playing. You’ve gotten suggestions for different types of seasonings including glycerine based solutions. Should you try it?
Andrew and Carl will clear the confusion. Check in to hear what they have learning from experience and success.
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How do you know what reed to chose when you are a brand new piper? Your instructor said the reed was easy, but is it right for you? What do you do if the reed squeals, gurgles, or doesn’t make a sound at all?
Andrew explains a foolproof way to choose your very first reed and every one after that. Stop struggling and start playing your new pipes!
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Does it take you a long time to chose a reed? Do you often end up with a reed that is too difficult or too easy for you? What if there was a way to check easily and quickly?
Andrew explains why the chanter reed litmus test works so well. Use this technique to ensure you choose the right strength every time.
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Have you found that your Gannaway bag does not stay completely airtight? Should there be some flexibility with hide bags? What are the major fail points for pipe bags?
Andrew and Carl explain how airtight a bag should be and how to check for it. Hint: It’s a non-negotiable for pipers!
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Are you planning to compete as a soloist for the first time this year? What tune should you play? What are the good standard tunes that work best for beginning soloists?
Andrew makes this decision simple. Stop stressing about your tune choice and start preparing for that competition!
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Have you changed drone reeds and found one set takes more air? Is it the drone reed or are there other factors? How can we test our drone reeds?
Andrew demonstrates the suction test that he uses to check his drone reeds when they are acting poorly.
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Does your bag slip down as you are playing? Do you struggle keeping it in place under your arm? Is it the bag cover or is it you?
Andrew and Carl address the key techniques you must know to keep your bag in place while you play. Warning: a non-slip patch may not cut it.
Check out the new Transitioning to the Bagpipes Course: https://pipersdojo.lpages.co/transitioning-to-the-bagpipes-v2-course-flash/
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Do you have a set of poly pipes? What is the best set up if they are your primary set or your backups?
Listen in as Andrew and Carl discuss their recommendations for poly piping peeps!
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Are you a new piper just starting bagpipes? Do you feel like you are going to pass out every time you play? Should transitioning to the bagpipes be so hard?
Andrew and Carl assuage your fears with a simple process to make your transition a success. Spend less time frustrated and more time playing pipes.
Check out the new Transitioning to the Bagpipes Course: https://pipersdojo.lpages.co/transitioning-to-the-bagpipes-v2-course-flash/
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Do you have issues with basic rhythm, scale navigation, or gracenote quality? Do you play embellishments because everyone else does? Could playing the simplified version of a tune help you get better as a piper?
Andrew explains why playing a simplified version of a tune is a very good idea. Using the reel, Ca’ the Ewes, he demonstrates the process all pipers should use to learn and play tunes starting with a simplified version.
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If you are serious about playing pipes, how much should you consider spending on piping? Chanters, reeds, pipe bags, and private instruction all add up. Is the cost reasonable?
Andrew shares how he thinks about his bagpipe expenditures. He explains what is worth the money and when it’s not. Frugal pipers (aren’t we all) need to hear this!
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Do you need to buy a new chanter to play with a band? Can your old chanter match the new poly band chanters? Can a band sound amazing with all different chanters?
Andrew has a surprising answer to this question.
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Have you tried circular breathing? Do you need to know how to circular breathe to become a better piper?
Carl and Andrew discuss the advantages of circular breathing and whether it is important for pipers.
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Why do you play bagpipes? Is it because they draw a crowd? Is it for the mental challenge?
What do two professional pipers think about this? Andrew and Carl discuss what draws them to play bagpipes.
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Have you been off your pipes for a while? Are your pipes now hard to play? How do you know whether the struggle is because of your pipes or because of you?
Andrew explains the chanter reed litmus test to be sure your reed is the correct strength. Carl addresses how best to check your bag for airtightness. These guys will help you get back on your pipes no matter how long it has been.
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Overwhelmed with many piping projects? Are you trying to balance solo tunes, band sets, Dojo tunes, and life? How do you prioritize what’s most important?
Carl and Andrew address this common issue with suggestions that can help all pipers get focused to work on what is most important.
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Are you hitting the beat accurately? Are you like most pipers who struggle with this piping fundamental? Can you easily identify what exactly should be on the beat?
Andrew uses a jig to demonstrate how to identify what should be on the beat and how that should sound. Learn the two simple steps to playing with great rhythmic accuracy.
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The metronome lies, right? Or are we frustrated with our inability to accurately play on the beat? How should that sound? How does this affect our ability to play great dotted rhythms?
Andrew clearly diagrams how we should be playing to the metronome beat and how this can be applied to dotted rhythms using ALAP/ASAP. Stop rushing, rounding, and getting frustrated. Start finding the value in your steady friend, the metronome.
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Do you struggle with dot and cut notes? Did you play another instrument and think you understood how to play dotted rhythms until you played bagpipes? What is ALAP/ASAP anyway?
Andrew decodes dotted rhythms using the ALAP/ASAP terminology and makes sense of bagpipe math.
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Have you struggled to understand comments from judges? Does improvement seem overwhelming when described in subjective terms? What does the judge really mean?
Andrew describes how most judges comments can be translated into objective fundamentals you can practice and improve. Stop being confused by the fluff and start targeting the fundamentals that can make a difference in your piping.
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Do you play your tunes so fast you can’t hear your mistakes? Or maybe you always keep the metronome at the same easy tempo for every practice session? How do you know what tempo to choose to improve your playing?
Andrew walks you through why choosing the correct tempo for practice is a major factor in your ability to improve. While the perfect practice tempo is not the same for everyone, finding the right tempo for you is a simple process everyone can use.
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Are you considering a Blair Digital Chanter? Want to know more about how it works?
Andrew shares the inside scoop from Murray Blair about the Blair Digital Chanter. This includes some more of the technical details on how it works and how it can be adjusted for many different types of pipers. Hint: it’s not all just magic!
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Do you have a Digital Chanter on your wish list this year? Not sure if the Blair Digital Chanter is the right one? What makes it different from the other electronic chanters out there? Is it worth it?
Andrew not only explains how the Blair Digital Chanter works, but also shares his experience adjusting the sensitivity to make it even more useful.
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Scheduled to play a parade in November? In Canada? Preparing for that graveside memorial and the temperature takes a nosedive? How do you play in cold temperatures and stay in tune? Most pipers have been given the wrong advice!
Andrew discusses how best to prepare and play your pipes for events in the cold temperatures. Be warned! The answer may not be what you think!
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Struggling with a section of a tune or a particular note progression? Do you spend a lot of time browsing through exercise books to find the right exercise and it still doesn’t help? How do you break down and target an issue in a way that is fun and effective?
Carl uses arpeggios to demonstrate how to create our own exercises to target and practice those trouble areas in our music and fingerwork.
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You are playing the right notes, you’ve worked on eliminating crossing noises, you play with a metronome, and you accurately play all rhythms, but your tune still doesn’t sound crisp and clean. And you can’t bring your tunes up to band tempo. What’s wrong?
Andrew articulates the one fundamental that could be holding you back from reaching that next level of playing. It may surprise you that this tiny issue has been around almost since you started learning pipes. Take a few minutes to allow Andrew to show you how to make mushy music a thing of the past.
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Have you been told to blow tone or blow steady? Does your chanter reed cut out or squeal? Is it hard for you to tune your drones to your chanter? Does this whole concept of great tone seem ambiguous?
In this recording, Andrew defines tonal quality and explains how to get it in simple, easy to follow steps. Imagine not just blowing tone but actually producing great tonal quality on your bagpipes!
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Did you enjoy your last bagpipe performance? Was it meaningful to you as well as the audience? Did you have complete control over the delivery of that tune and your instrument?
Andrew describes how having control over the basic fingerwork fundamentals will lead to a gratifying performance. He will also explain how using a metronome can take you there.
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Don’t you just love the sound of a beautifully tuned bagpipe? The full harmonic sound of the drones blended perfectly with the chanter notes. Are you amazed how professional pipers seem to tune easily and get that steady full sound? What if I told you that it’s not just about good tuning?
Andrew walks us through the 13 steps of achieving great bagpipe sound. Tuning is only one part of this process. Without the foundational steps outlined here, your bagpipe tuning will haphazard at best.
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Ever been told you are playing too "round"? Do your doublings turn to mush when after cut notes? Does your grip fall apart when it comes from a sixteenth note? Why do two sequential cut notes cause pipers so many issues?
Andrew breaks down this common issue into two fundamentals that we can easily see. He explains why it is so difficult, and what you can do to stop playing mush and start playing music.
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How long does it take you to learn a tune? Do you work on it for weeks without much progress? Does it take you months to memorize a new tune and still have parts that cause your fingers to stumble?
Join us as Andrew walks you through a simple process to learn a tune. Practicing is not enough. You need to know how to practice to make your time worthwhile.
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Today Glenn Brown is in town hanging out, and we get a podcast in. Enjoy this long form chat!
Do you work really hard on your crossing noises but they still seem to creep in at the worst moments? Do you have trouble with sloppy gracenotes and embellishments, and nothing you do seems to fix them? How about rushing key phrases in your tunes? Struggling to stay “tight” with the rest of the pipers in your band?
Well, this lesson could be eye-opening for you. Andrew shows us ONE key aspect of finger work fundamentals we all may have overlooked that could produce significant improvement and consistency across all of these common sore-spots for pipers. Check it out!
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A great discussion was had in a recent class in regards to reducing condensation in your instrument. Do you think you're a "wet blower?" (Hint: You're not!)
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What is the common denominator of bagpipe success? Well, let's think about this for a few moments together.
Join us for student critiques of Lachlan MacPhail. AND The Live Drawing!!!
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: Rory MacLeod!
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Sometimes known as the co-host of the Chanter Rant podcast, Andy is also a great teacher and member of the Dojo U community. Join us as we have a wide-reaching conversation about... well... bagpipe stuff.
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: Lucy Cassidy (Parts 3 and 4)!
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: Lucy Cassidy (Parts 1 and 2)!
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Jim is a fellow judge and current president of the EUSPBA. We sat down for a long-form chat before the New Hampshire indoor this past weekend.
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning!
This week's challenging tune: All the Blue Bonnets are Over the Border (Parts 3 and 4)!
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: Alick C MacGreggor (Parts 3 and 4)!
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: Alick C MacGregor (Parts 1 and 2)!
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Donald is arguably the most influential American bagpiper. At least, I think he is! He also has been my teacher over the past 25 years so it's always great to get together and talk piping.
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Gordie Peters is a famous pipe major, adjudicator, and teacher from the Northeast of the USA. Enjoy this long-form conversation recording in late February.
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: The MacKenzie Highlanders!
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: Banjo Breakdown (Parts 3 and 4).
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Pat Sweet is a long-time well-known pipe major from the Albany, NY area. Enjoy this long-form chat that we had together!
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Dojo U is live with Critiques and an Open Q&A this morning! This week's challenging tune: Banjo Breakdown (Parts 1 and 2).
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Glenn is a great friend of mine beginning all the way back to our amateur piping days where we were big rivals! Enjoy this conversation that we had together in Kansas City (2019).
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Today we are critiquing student performances of Donald MacLeod (Parts 3 and 4). Tune in to check it out!
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Today Andrew sits down with Andrew Donlon, Pipe Major of the MacMillan Pipe Band and ultra-successful American soloist. We talk about the ins and outs of pipe band life and generally have a great time.
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Today we're critiquing the first two parts of the famous hornpipe "Donald MacLeod" - tune in to the support the Dojo U students in their performances!
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Today Andrew sits down with Joe Brady of Wake and District Pipe Band (USA) to discuss the ins and outs of pipe band life. What is the relationship of competing bands with service bands?
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Today we're critiquing Dojo U Students' performances of Blackberry Bush and Sweet Maid of Mull! Tune in!
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Today I sat down with Blair Brown for an experimental "long form" chat. Just having fun chatting with the microphones turned on.
Blair is one of the world's most prolific Snare Drummers. He played for years with the great Jim Kilpatrick, and has placed in the top three at the World Solo Drumming Championships many times. His brothers (Glenn and Graham) are also famous in the piping scene. In addition to being a great player, he is an ultra-experienced drumming teacher as well.
Together we discuss:
- Jack Lee's sleep craft.
- Awesome TV shows.
- Will the great Titans of piping regret not doing more to "legitimize" our competition systems?
- Should there be a bagpipe band Olympics? If so, who would be the leaders of the various countries?
Join us as we critique student performances of the week! This week's tune: Dorrator Bridge (parts 3 and 4)
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Join Carl and Andrew as they review student performances from the week at Dojo University! This week's challenging tune - Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering (Parts 3 and 4).
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Today we review student performances from the week! This week's tune is Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering.
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Today students have prepared Cork Hill, Parts 1 and 2, for critique. Let's celebrate their achievements together!
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Join us today as we review highlights of the student performances of the week! This week's challenge was the 3rd and 4th parts of Callum Beag.
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We're on today with a slight variant of our past shows. Come listen to highlights of the past week at Dojo U, as we discuss the first two parts of the Hornpipe Calum Beag, with a special focus on embellishment quality and tuning.
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Today we critique students on the latter half of this challenging reel.
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Today we critique students on the first half of this challenging reel.
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Today we critique students on the latter half of this challenging strathspey.
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Today we dig deep and evaluate 10 student performances of the 25th KOSBs Farewell to Meerut.
Today we dig deep and evaluate 10 student performances of the 25th KOSBs Farewell to Meerut.
Students submit recordings of this challenging strathspey for critique by Andrew and Carl. Tune in!
Today the Dojo U students prepare recordings of Robin Adair for critique! Tune in and enjoy the process of evaluating our performances for individual improvement.
We go live today in the new "Dojo U Live!" format, and do some critiques of some of our students performing Wings on the full pipes! Should we do this again next week?
Andrew connects with Big Rab for an interview mainly focused on the art of teaching beginners how to play the bagpipes! Enjoy!
First run through on the pipes since returning from the worlds. What are you thoughts???
Run-through, hail to my country. Still added in some bl**dy extra g-gracenotes in cadences of taor & crun. Blech! Otherwise, a fun run!
A mock competition, where I pursposefully threw some curveballs at myself - it's my least confident tune, and I had less time than usual to warm up. How'd it come out?
A run-through of Donald MacLeod's "Lament for the Iolaire." This was a tune written to lament a ship returning from from WWI whose sinking on January 1st, 1919 in the Minch was one of the worst maritime disasters in United Kingdom history. At least 205 men perished of the 280 aboard.
A "Mock Competition" is where I set a specific time (in this case 1045AM) to perform, and allow myself 4 minutes to tune up prior to the tune - just as if I were actually competing. Today's tune: Lord Berisdale's Salute.
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A "Mock Competition" is where I set a specific time (in this case 1045AM) to perform, and allow myself 4 minutes to tune up prior to the tune - just as if I were actually competing. Today's tune: Hail to My Country.
Be sure to follow @pipersdojo ... wherever social media is found :)
A second chunk of the Tuning Clinic we ran in April! In this session, we talked in extreme detail on how to produce a great bagpipe tone, and all of the components that come together to make it happen. A great listen for a rainy (or not so rainy) day.
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What's the best way to practice? In the span of our session, we want to focus on something small, and really "go deep" on that topic, so that we actually improve. A few minutes from my morning class here where I elaborate on this idea.
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Today's piobaireachd session, in preparation for the Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness. These are new tunes, likely to have mistakes and definitely areas where the musical phrasing could improve! First half - excerpts from Lament for the Iolaire (D MacLeod); Second Half - Lament for John Morrison of Assynt House (D MacLeod)
A student of mine sent in several recordings to critique, and I recorded the session. Tune in if you'd like to hear some good playing, and my critique of the playing.
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Something new today; I recorded my practice session, and then I recorded some educational commentary over top. The best episode yet? I think it might be. Tunes played: Lament for John Morrison of Assynt House, Lament for the Iolaire.
Had the great experience of sitting down with Andy Fusco and the Las Vegas Pipe Band's super-production-squad, and cranking out this interview. The vibe was great and the result was a great survey of my position in the wide world of piping. Enjoy!
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We hosted our first ever Dojo U Tuning clinic this past weekend, and exhaustively hammered into the concepts of bagpipe tuning with 8 enthusiastic bagpipe students! In Part 1 of this extended series, experience the raw, un-cut audio of the first hour of the clinic where we cover 4 of the 13 steps to building a great bagpipe sound!
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Derek plays: John MacDonald's Welcome to South Uist, The Clan MacColl, MacBeth's Strathspey, Inveraray Castle, Broadford Bay, Cockerel in the Creel.
Dan plays: PM John Stwart, Major Manson's Farewell to Clachantrushal, Lady Loudon, Mrs. Donald MacPherson, The Brown Haired Maid, Ca' the Ewes.
Andrew plays: Abercairny Highlanders, John MacDonald of Glencoe, John Roy Stewart, Atholl Comers, Little Cascade, Alick C. MacGreggor.
Andrew Plays: David Ross, Inveran, Delvinside, Islay Ball, Man from Glengarry, Pretty Marion.
Ben plays: John MacFadyen of Melfort, Bonnie Ann, Tulloch Gorm, Blair Drummong, Stornoway Castle, McAllister's Dirk.
Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there! --- Today we listen to two beginner recordings, and then a recording of a very good Grade 3 band. What sort of things should we be listening for? Where can these performances improve?
A great Q&A here! Topics covered: How to tune drones to the chanter; grade 3 pipe band tempos; loosening up fingers in embellishments; piobaireachd high g's; struggling with strength; making mistakes when nervous; seasoning technique; pipe bag hygene; plastic vs. blackwood pipe chanters; cane drone reed techniques; playing ahead of the beat; when to transition to the pipes; Andrew's super seasoning technique!!! --- Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
We're going to address a common bagpiping question today - how do I get my pipes to sound great at high altitude? The answer? You'll need to tune in! --- Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
(Manchester 5th Place, Scotia-Glenville 4th Place, Worcester 3rd Place, NY Metro 2nd Place, MacMillan 1st Place) - Today we listen through the Grade 2 Challenge Medley Contest from the Glasgowlands Games (July 16th, 2016). Well done to all the bands! --- Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Today we have a live Q and A - Making Bagpipes Quieter, Goat Skin Bags, Moisture Control Systems, Inveraray Prep. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Let's talk about gracenotes - what are these things exactly, and exactly how do we think about and execute these musical devices? Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Today we sit down with P/S Robbie Beaton (78 Frasers, Ontario) and recap their winning Grade 1 performance from the Kincardine games this past weekend. Then, we field some great questions from our live viewers. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In this episode, we answer what seems like an easy question - BUT! It opens up a great discussion about the two dimensions of steady blowing! Don't miss out. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Today, we work meet a Dojo Student John McCain and work through a submission of him playing "The Seagull" jig - Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In this episode, we tour the all new Dojo U 3.0, live! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In this episode, we reveal 3 semi-secret techniques to protect against the dreaded early chanter in the bagpipe attack! Link to materials from the video: http://bit.ly/1N06GEL - Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In this episode, Andrew elaborates on the 5 key setup points to cover when it comes to mastering bagpipe strike-ins. Link to materials from video: http://bit.ly/1RF1OJk - Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In this episode - the final installment of our 3-part "Baffling Bagpipes" Q and A. We discuss how to tell if your pipes are too hard, putting in new chanter reeds, and how to properly tape your chanter. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In this episode, we continue our "baffling bagpipes" Q & A and discuss steady blowing in depth, chanter reed types and considerations, and tips on becoming a better drone tuner. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
This episode was the result of a Facebook Live session where we asked: What baffles you the most about bagpipes? (Part 1) --- Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Today we look at 5 essential Piobaireachd embellishments you'll need to get started down this transcendent musical pathway. Taorluaths, Edres, Crunluaths, Cadences, and "Hiharins." Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Part 2 of our Facebook Live Q&A session from March 9th 2016. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Part 1 of our epic Facebook Live Q&A session. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Everything that can go wrong with embellishments will eventually go wrong. The question is - can we diagnose the issues and not get "stuck" with bad embellishments? Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Muscle memory is a GOOD thing right? Well... sort of. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Today we'll break down embellishments into their component parts, and instantly see what a huge tool this will be for improvement. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Are your gracenotes so big that they are "eclipsing" the substance of your grips and taorluaths? Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
If you ever have had issues with grips, there's a very high likelihood it was caused by this problem. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In today's show, we cover the ultimate gig-playing discovery: the tune-as-you-go process. Never struggle to find a place to tune at a gig ever again! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
On the day of the gig, it's important to time things out perfectly to guarantee the best possible sound, performance, and professionalism. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Whenever you play a gig, it's all fun and games until you forget something major that can ruin the event for your (paying) client. Here's a pre-gig checklist to ensure nothing ever goes catastrophically wrong at your bagpipe gigs. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you at a bagpipe gig? Andrew shares his worst memory with you today. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Here's exactly what to say, how to say it, and why. When it comes to booking gigs over the phone - this is your guide! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
In this episode, we talk about how to develop your playing (and perhaps more importantly: how to start to get over your NERVES) by recording yourself habitually. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
If you're ready for a great technique to "soop up" your expression, be sure to tune into today's episode outlining the "late on purpose" expression technique. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
95% of bagpipers struggle with rushing the beat. If you think you're in the rare 5% - you NEED to listen carefully to this one! Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
If you're serious about striving for the next grade level, you need to reverse engineer your success. To start with, let's draw out the perfect practice calendar to help us reach our goal. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Have you ever wondered why you're struggling to get to the next grade level? Sit in with Andrew today as we formulate a SPECIFIC PLAN for reaching your bagpiping goals. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat - always username 'pipersdojo' - we'll see you there!
Athletes, Businesses, Schools, and all sorts of other activities carefully track DATA (yep, number’s n stuff) in order to measure improved or lacking performance. Have you ever considered doing the same for your own improvement? July 15th, 2015.
In the attempt to actually do something useful, we’re going to talk about what Vin, Carl and I do each and every time we prepare for a band practice to make sure that we’re in tip top shape (and we avoid the pipe major’s wrath!) July 8th, 2015.
Well, it’s time to throw down our predictions for 2015. Then, we’ll listen a bit to the lastest championship overseas. July 1st, 2015.
This week, we’ll listen to several great new medleys that Grade 1 Bands are playing this year over in the UK. What do you think about the arrangements, and the performances themselves? June 24th, 2015.
Vin has dug up some amazing recordings from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Let’s have a glimpse at just how far we’ve come!
This past weekend, the first major event for grade 1 bands in the RSPBA occurred. You be the judge! Who wins? June 3rd, 2015.
This past weekend, the first major event for grade 1 bands in the North Eastern sector of North America to get out and play. You be the judge! Who wins? May 27th, 2015.
It’s been a while since we talked about the status of the piping world. How do we set up the perfect environment for our music to thrive? May 20th, 2015.
A fun class this week, using old Confucius quotes and relating them to bagpipes! March 6th, 2015.
We’ve got some leftover great questions from last week, so we’ll start back in on them this week! April 3rd, 2015.
This week, we’ll pick up with some more of the essential music theory for bagpipers. We’ll go into more depth about harmonies, and the simplicity of the bagpipe scale.
This week, let’s look at some basics of music theory, from bagpipers’ perspective. What sorts of things are going on in the world of bagpipe music that, once understood, can help us compose, harmonize, and even play with other instruments? March 11th, 2015.
In this week’s show, we’re going to decode the mystical nature of bagpipe expression. At the end of the day, it’s all basic fundamentals skills, and NOT magic. Do we need to learn the skills associated with expression? Yes. But we don’t need “talent” or “enlightenment” to do so! March 4th, 2015.
Last weekend, the world’s best hit the boards in New Jersey. Our very own Vince Janoski was there, and thus we’ll have a full review of the goings on! February 25th, 2015.
During this week’s Dojo Universe, we’re going to talk Piobaireachd! This ancient form of bagpipe music, once understood, stirs the soul like nothing else! February 18th, 2015.
Last week, a listener suggested we talk about what exactly it is that judges want. Sounds simple! Let’s do it. February 11th, 2015.
How do we motivate our fellow bandsmen (and women) to ante up to the task of working hard (and wanting to work hard) to make your band better? It can be tricky, but we have some great experience in the house to offer up some great advice. January 28th, 2015.
This is a challenging time of year for most pipe bands, but it can also be the most important in the development of your group. Here, you can plant the seeds that will skyrocket your efforts forward this year. January 21st, 2015.
In this week’s episode, we’ll talk about everything a piper needs to know to have a great Christmas! Gift Ideas, great music, and more! December 3rd, 2014.
In some respects, you could say the Dojo method of learning pipes is all about systems. Let’s dive into what that means in today’s session. November 12th, 2014.
If you can tune a radio, you can tune your pipes, and we’ll prove it! November 5th, 2014.
How do you tune your drones? Well, there are a lot of different techniques out there. What’s the best? Well, we’ll certainly share our opinion. It’s just a simple repeating process that we run a bunch of times. Super simple. Tune in today to learn about it! October 29th, 2014
This week, after talking a bit about strike ins last week, let’s review the basics of getting great sounding bagpipe. How do we “blow tone” like the greats? October 8th, 2014.
This topic turned out surprisingly awesome the last 2 weeks, and we still have stuff left to discuss! Tune in for more great discussion. October 1st, 2014.
This topic turned out surprisingly awesome last week, and we still have stuff left to discuss! Tune in for more great discussion. September 24th, 2014.
In this week’s episode, we’ll offer a bit of a variety-show of essential things pipers should know. September 17th, 2014.
In this week’s episode, we’re going to go into all of the key elements of planning for the upcoming piping season. Let’s pick some repertoire, set some goals, and put ourselves on a track to really skyrocket forward! September 10th, 2014.
We’re back! There’s lots to talk about from Scotland, and we will do so! Join us for our usual Wednesday spot, which will be getting back to normal again starting this week!
In about a week, many of the Dojo U staff will be headed over to participate in the World Pipe Band Championships, Piping Live!, the Piobaireachd Medals and more in Scotland! We’ll hop on, talk about the scene, and preview some of the awesome stuff that will be going on! July 20th, 2014
This week, as we often do, we’ll open up the floor to any and all questions from the audience. What’s on your mind as the summer months roll by? How have your piping schools been? July 23rd, 2014.
This week, we’re going to listen to one of Andrew’s most involved compositions, and look into the written score for analysis! This should be super fun this week.
We’ve been talking at the office lately of all the different ways bagpiping has enriched our lives! We think it’s time for a feel-good show about bagpipes! How have bagpipes made your life better? Let us count the ways! July 9th, 2014.
After doing some “you be the judge” over the past couple of weeks, folks have been asking – what exacly am I listening for here? And, that’s a great question! Now that we’ve wet our beaks a bit, let’s talk about the way we listen to pipe bands! July 2nd, 2014.
It’s that time of year again! Let’s do a blind listening test of the past weeks’ championships, and see if we get the same result as the judges did! June 25th, 2014.
It’s that time of year again! Let’s do a blind listening test of the past weeks’ championships, and see if we get the same result as the judges did! June 18th, 2014.
After last week’s show with Terry Lee, there’s a lot to soak in. What did you think? June 11th, 2014.
It’s our 100th show here at Dojo Universe, and the winningest Pipe Major of North American history (and one of the winningest of all time) will join us! We’ll interview him a bit, and just generally hang out. Bring your questions! June 4th, 2014.
Well, we don’t mean actual death of course, but there’s a lot of stuff that you should NOT do at the Games if you want to survive our crazy world. We’ll have some fun and go into it today! May 28th, 2014.
Now that Vin is back in the mix, let’s catch up on what he’s been up to over at PipeHacker.com – it’s a great blog for pipers, and we’ll get an inside look today. May 21st, 2014.
This week, let’s talk about how to get yourself set up to play gigs, and start to make a little bit of income! We’ll go through what tunes to play, how to pull off a great performance, and even how to get some promotional tools happening in your favor! May 7th, 2014.
Every few weeks, we like to open the floor to anything and everything about bagpipes! Sign in, type in a question, and we’ll rock and roll from there! April 30th, 2014.
At the Dojo, we have a “dead reed bin” where we send all of our reeds when they die. It seems a bit morbid we know, but, it’s a great way to develop a collection of reeds to practice our manipulation skills! April 23rd, 2014.
Just like in “real life,” bagpiping does have several key guiding principles that will help you develop into a good player. Discipline, problem solving, and even a sort of musical morality will guide us to become better players. Expecting instant gratification, however, will not help us achieve much at all…. April 16th, 2014
In this week’s show, we’re going to start by showing where all the games are this summer! Are there any that are worth travelling a bit to? Then, we’ll discuss how you might structure your practice/development rountine to realy make the most of your schedule! April 9th, 2014.
We didn’t get around to talking about top secret magician stuff for pipe bands! To get a pipe band in tune, you really just need one thing: MAGIC. We’re just kidding actually – this show will cover a lot of the basics of getting a pipe band to sound great. April 2nd, 2014.
We’re going to talk about some key tricks that pros use to master certain elements of their playng. From tuning, to practicing, to pipe bands, we’ll have lots of good stuff for you! March 26th, 2014.
We’ve been around the game a long time, and for us, the “rules” of piping are 2nd nature! But, that might not be the same for everyone, and so we’ll have a session this week to talk about it! March 19th, 2014.
As a follow up to last week, we wanted to take some more time to address viewer questions about learning the pipes. Tune in today to ask anything you want! March 12th, 2014.
Do you ever get stuck with a bagpipe problem that you don’t know how to solve… to the point where you lose sleep over it? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. We can help. March 5th, 2014.
Andrew, Vin, and Carl will go through their favorite must-have piping music. From albums, to DVDs, to YouTubes, to music books, we’ll cover it all! February 26th, 2014.
St. Patrick’s month is almost upon us, and there’s no sign that our weather will be accommodating this year! How do pipers survive – nay, THRIVE! – this St. Patrick’s month? Carl, Andrew and Vin will explore all the ways in which pipers need to prepare for this super-charged month. February 19th, 2014.
Last week we had a lot of snow up here in NY, so today we’ll re-discuss practice tips that really work! We’ll look into the short term, the long term, and some little tips too that will help you avoid certain key pit falls. February 12th, 2014.
We’ll get together this week with Vin to discuss one of our favorite topics: Manometers! January 29th, 2014.
Today, let’s talk about how to get the good bagpipe loot from your wife this Christmas season! Also, we want to know what’s on your list this year, and show you some cool things you never knew you wanted for Christmas. November 20th, 2013.
Today, we’ll open the floor to any and all questions out there. What sort of things are you dying to know, but never had the chance to ask? November 13th, 2013.
Whether we’re pipers or drumms (actually…ESPECIALLY if we’re drummers) there comes a time when we wish we had what it takes to compose something. Well, you do! Later tonight, Bruce starts his composing class, but we’re going to get the crowd fired up here with tips, tricks, and materals to get started composing. November 6th, 2013.
Halloween is tomorrow, so let’s talk about those nasty (and scary) moments in music when everything goes wrong! What’s your worst horror story? How do you deal with a crisis when it happens? October 30th, 2013.
This week, we’re going to try something different. We’re going to poll our presenters and audience members and figure out the following – what are the top 50 tunes every piper and drummer should know? Sure, maybe we don’t have all the tunes playable yet, but should at least be able to whistle them! October 16th, 2013.
This week, with the help of our drumming counterparts, we’re going to talk a little bit about composing, arranging, and drum scores for pipe bands. What are the things we need to consider? What do we need to be careful NOT to do? Also, where do we get our inspiration? October 9th, 2013.
This week, we’re going to talk about several things you can do right now to make this year the best year your band has ever had. Tips, Tricks, and Strategy – don’t miss out! September 25th, 2013.
It’s all about Pipe Bands this week. How do we operate a successful band? How do we practice better? How do we increase our membership? September 18th, 2013.
Today, we’ll reflect a little bit, and then move on to some tips and tricks regarding good practicing. Don’t miss out, if you want to make the most out of the upcoming year of piping. September 11th, 2013.
Well, for most of the piping world, we’ve reached the bagpipers’ New Year! That means, all of the major competitions are done (maybe there are one or two left….) and it’s time to start planning for the upcoming year. This show is all about strategic planning to make the most out of the upcoming season. September 4th, 2013.
This week, we’re simply going to open up the floor and talk about anything and everything! Come join us to kick back, relax, and talk shop! August 28th, 2013.
This week, we’ll check in on the Scotland scene and see what’s happening over there – how are the bands sounding? Who’s going to win? What cool stuff has been happening at Piping Live! ? August 14th, 2013.
This week, we’ll take a break from the you-be-the-judge season and look into some fun DIY bagpipe projects, some new techno toys we’ve discovered, and we’ll talk about how to avoid piper-stagnation during the summer season. August 7th, 2013.
This week, a you-be-the-judge special, highlighting bands hoping to be World Champions in Grade 2 in less than a month! July 31st, 2013.
This week, a you-be-the-judge special, highlighting bands hoping to be World Champions in less than a month! July 24th, 2013.
This week, Andrew, Carl, and several other Oran Mor members will be in the house. Let’s just have an open session to see what things are out there to talk about! July 17th, 2013.
This week, we’re going to discuss how we built Oran Mor from the ground up, and how we currently operate. July 10th, 2013
This week, we’re going to look at some awesome technologies you can use to help your piping. The Dojo uses a lot of technology, and we’ll share some of our tricks with you. July 3rd, 2013.
This week, we’re going to talk about the process of beginning the bagpipes. What to do and what not to do, both from the student perspective and the teacher’s perspective. June 26th, 2013.
This week we have some top secret recordings, and it’s your job to tell us who’s the best. Trust me – this’ll be a lot of fun! Only on Dojo Universe. June 12th, 2013.
At the same time the British Championships were going on (we judged them last week), the first big grade one contest in Ontario was happening. We’ll have some more fun judging in this week’s Dojo Universe. June 5th, 2013.
The season is off and running in the RSPBA – let’s see if our results match that of the judges! We’ll use live polls and then match things up with the real results! May 29th, 2013.
Andrew’s away today, so Carl and Vin will play! Let’s talk about Weddings and Funerals. What’s the best way to plan for them? How do you tune up? And so on, and so forth. May 22nd, 2013.
Shh. We have some top secret maintenance tricks we’re going to share with you. But don’t tell anyone, because they are secret. Also, Adam Quinn co-stars with some awesome insight on composing (and a few funny anecdotes, too!). May 15th, 2013
Believe it or not, bagpipe music is quite similar to actual music! One of the things that a lot of pipers dont’ realize is – we follow chord progressions just like guitarists or orchestras. However, because we only ever play one line of music, we often loose site of what’s going on. Let’s dive in a little bit this week to check it out. May 8th, 2013.
Last week, the show reached pure CONTROVERSY over the validity of drumming in general. Vin started it, and then many in the crowd piled on. Guest “Andrew” held his own valiantly, but he was outrageously outnumbered. This week, the Eagle has landed. Michael Eagle, drumming extraordinaire, will demonstrate to us (and “school” Vin, as it were) just what drumming is all about. We’re long overdue for a show about this anyways. Don’t miss the Mayhem. May 1st, 2013.
No drummers were harmed in the production of this podcast. Repertoire expansion! How many bagpipe tunes are there in the universe? Well, you couldn’t possibly learn them all but, trying can certainly make one a more interesting musician. April 24th, 2013.
There are tons of books out there about creating music, several of which have really inspired us here at the Dojo. We’ll talk about the brave new world of music literature! April 17th, 2013
Scottish piping versus the rest of the world! What is it that makes piping out of Scotland so good? We’ll talk about this with special guest Derek Midgley, a local eastern U.S. piper who’s been burning up the solo boards in Scotland over the last few years. April 10th, 2013.
Dojo University hits its first anniversary! It’s seems like we’ve always been here, but yes, Dojo U has been delivering the finest bagpipe instruction online for only 12 months. Over that time, we’ve amassed quite a bit of quality bagpiping content. April 3rd, 2013
The bagpipe is one of the few instruments where players do NOT watch their music scores while performing. We’ll talk about the challenges of memorizing long tunes and long lists of tunes as well as share tips for making the whole thing easier. Also, how do we conquer the initial challenge of learning a tune – sight reading? March 27th, 2013.
Transitioning to the Bagpipe. What are some of the tips and tricks to starting off on this “beast” of an instrument? We’ll talk about all the things that will get you up and running on the big pipe. March 20th, 2013.
Spring Training! It’s time to get into form for the coming performance season. Whether you’re an active competing soloist or do the gig circuit, the warmer months always bring a flurry of activity for the piper. March 13th, 2013.
The “bag” in bagpipes. The seasons are changing and it is a good time to start fresh with a new pipe bag. But where do you start?
The famous Metro Cup was this past weekend, and Vin was there first hand. How did it go? Vin and hopefully you (you know, the guests) will have some thoughts about the weekend!
When it comes to bagpipe sound – you’ve gotta start somewhere. And actually, it’s impossible to produce good tone or tuning without a foundation of maintenance. So, we’ll cover the basics at this week’s Dojo Universe show. February 13th, 2013.
Allan MacKenzie has compiled an excellent new collection of Cape Breton music for pipers called “Co-chruinneachadh MhicChoinnich,” which contains gems from many composers. He’ll be on the show, and we’ll play through some of the tunes in the book. February 6th, 2013.
As pipers, we’re in a bit of a bind in that we only have one “volume” we can play, and that volume is best described as… well… loud. However, pipers across the centuries have been creating (or perhaps “simulating”) dynamics in extremely innovative ways. January 30th, 2013.
Matt Griffin is joining us today, and we’re going to talk a lot about sound and how it works. He will be teaching an all-new class at Dojo U called “MusicWorks: The Physics and Psychoacoustics of Sound,” where we’ll talk about this stuff in depth. Come check it out if you’ve ever wondered what “harmonics” are, or if you’ve ever wondered how tuning really works scientifically!
Different instruments articulate notes and rhythms in different ways. We use gracenotes, and gracenote combinations called doublings. This week, we’ll talk about the art of producing great articulations on the pipes. January 16th, 2013.
We’re going to talk crossing noises this week. Believe it or not – you still have crossing noises in your playing. Yep. Even you. We do too! Crossing noises, in some form or another, are always present. Our job is to minimize the effects so well that they don’t interfere with the music. January 2nd, 2013.
It’s hard to get your band together over the holidays, and, let’s face it, even the pipe major is a bit lax in regards to playing regularly when it’s sub-zero outside. Can you make the most out of this? (Hint: Yes!) Also, we’ll have a look at an ancient version of Grain in Hides, Corn in Sacks. December 12th, 2012.
Christmas is coming, and it’s time to get your Bagpiping Christmas list together! We’ll go through a lot of the great products we have that are perfect Christmas gifts. Viewers will help by offering up what they’ve got on their list this year!
We look at a bunch of Christmas Carols that can be played on the pipes and we talk about how to survive playing bagpipes in the cold!
On the eve of our Thanksgiving day, we’re thankful for bagpipe music. We’ll listen to tons of music, and generally reflect on how awesome bagpipes are. 11.21.2012
We do a redo of the jig’s show, because Andrew had to miss last week. What makes jigs tick? Why are they so much fun to listen to, and even more fun to play? November 14th, 2012.
This week, special guest Rab Mathieson joins us from Scotland to hang out, and discuss some of the things that define who he is, and how he has been so successful. October 24th, 2012.
his week, we’ll listen to and discuss some highlights from the Nicol Brown Amateur Invitational, and we will also look at issues surrounding how you should get ready for next season. What tunes should you pick? What is the best strategy to be successful? October 17th, 2012
This week, we’re looking into Donald Lindsay’s great article in the recent issue of the Voice Magazine. In this article, Donald interviews some of the most successful pipers in the world, and asks them what it was about their piping environment that contributed to their success.
This week, we’ll discuss how our Fall Line-Up in unravelling, and revelations that have already been had! What is there to learn from these great teachers? October 3rd, 2012
This week, we’ll take several amazing Zen quotes and see if they apply to bagpiping. Also – an amazing bagpipe polishing trick! September 26th, 2012.
This week we talk about the new Lee and Sons Sheepskin (and goatskin!) bags with zippers – a giant leap for mankind. Also, short term goal setting. September 19th, 2012.
This week is about success in bagpiping, with lots of thoughts about how success is earned. September 12th, 2012.
This week Maureen Connor and Eric MacNeill join us to talk about the Scotia Glenville Pipe Band, and their recent win at the Worlds in the Juvenille grade. August 22nd, 2012.
We’re visited by John Fisher, Reid Maxwell, and Donald Lindsay live from Invermark. Also, Andrew plays a lot of his own music, and some “lost” bootleg tapes! Don’t miss out on some funky jams. July 25th, 2012.
Andrew and Vin and Carl discussed the NY Metro Pipe Band, the Body Beat, and Xavier Bodoureiu’s new album “A Unan”
Andrew and Vin listened to their favorite tracks from the new Dowco Triumph Street album, and discuss the band, and what makes them such a FORCE! July 11th, 2012.
We listen to several bands from around the scene, including City of Washington, Great Lakes Pipe Band, the SFU pipe band, and the Triumph Street Pipe Band. Also, Vin talks about how to record stuff! June 27th, 2012
We talk about some deep philosophical things that can help you as a player! We also listen to some great celtic fusion music. June 20th, 2012.
You be the judge, part 2. Last week, we had three very different bands. This week, we add a fourth band and give you something much closer to judge. What will the results be? You’ll have to listen in to find out.
You be the judge! We listened to 3 mystery bands, and let the audience judge the result. Did our audience agree with the real-world judges?
It’s early in the season – let’s see how things are looking across North American Grade 1 Bands! Peel Police, Toronto Police, Oran Mor, 78th Frasers, City of Chicago, and Dowco Triumph Street all get a listen today! May 30th, 2012
We listen to the Grade II contest from Fair Hill, Maryland, and analyze the two performances. We then get into what it takes to grow and develop a band. May 23rd, 2012.
We listen to some more SFU, and then talk about their show, their band, and how they can play at such a high level – why can’t we do that? Andrew and Vin then go into ideas behind cultivating a successful piping culture.
We listen to two tracks by the SFU pipe band, and discuss their upcoming concert in NYC. Then, we talk about the art (and phobia) of recording one’s own playing. Enjoy! May 2nd, 2012.
In today’s episode: We listen to two tracks the late great Donald MacPherson, and talk a bit about his career. Then, some guests discuss their experiences at the Pipes and Sticks on Route 66 concert(s). Finally, a great review by Carl of the Chanter Reed Pressure Gauge! April 25th, 2012.
In today’s episode: We listen to two tracks by Celtic Bands that are taking a new approach. Andrew and Vin talk about two PipeHacker articles. Carl goes over all the basics of drone swabbing. Andrew talks about what’s happening at Dojo U. Lastly, attention is paid to the awesome Pipes and Sticks on Route 66 project spearheaded by John MacDonald. April 18th, 2012.
In today’s episode: Carl and Andrew discuss how things are going at Dojo U. Vin introduces PipeHacker.com, and discusses upcoming projects. Andrew responds to Rab’s harsh words to him in the Voice. Donald Lindsay talks about the history behind the piobaireachd “I got a Kiss of the King’s Hand.” Andrew gives a quick tip on how to tie a slip-knot in your hemp. Lastly, Carl reviews “The Piper’s Third Hand.” April 11th, 2012
In this recorded episode, hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski play desktop judge and review the Grade 3 band performances from this past weekend's Colonial Highland Gathering at Fair Hill, Maryland. May 26th, 2011.
In this recorded episode, hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski talk about how to practice for success. Andrew unlocks the methods for creating an effective practice routine that will drive you toward personal improvement in your bagpiping. April 28th, 2011
Hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski talk about this weekend's Oran Mor Spring Training workshops and delve further into the problem and solution to possible bagpipe competition extinction. April 14th, 2011
Hosts Vince Janoski and Andrew Douglas chat with special guest Nate Wahlgren in a lively discussion on the current logic of the EUSPBA's Grade 4 full-tune piobaireachd rule—what it might do to competitors, how many contests have canceled the event entirely, and what is in store for the future in an alternate bagpiping universe. March 31st, 2011.
Hosts Vince Janoski and Andrew Douglas chat with special guest Jack Lee about the finer points of working with chanter reeds, why he began making his own, and the skinny on the "poke, lick, and shave!" March 24th, 2011.
In this pre-recorded session, hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski talk about recording yourself and building self-critiquing skills. March 17th, 2011
Hosts Vince Janoski and Andrew Douglas present a recorded session with special guest Adam Holdaway of the Stuart Highlanders. We talk some about where he's been, where the band is going and the benefits of sheepskin bags! March 10th, 2011
Hosts Vince Janoski and Andrew Douglas chat with special guest Adam Holdaway of the Stuart Highlanders, talk about the potential extinction of our bagpipe competition mode, ideas to revamp the bagpipe competition circuit, and review some bagpipe instrument maintenance. March 3rd, 2011
Vince Janoski brings choice highlights from The Metro Cup Highland Bagpipe Championship from Saturday February 19. The playlist brings the medley performances of Margaret Dunn, Alastair Dunn, and Stuart Liddell. Alex Gandy follows with his presentation of "The Menzie's Salute" followed by Stuart Liddell's winning performance of "Lament for the Children." Enjoy! February 24th, 2011
Hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski discuss the plans and tips for taking your pipe band to Scotland with guests Betsy Douglas of Oran Mor, Cliff Roberts of St. Ann's of Hampton, and Dave Hall of Ulster Scottish. February 15th, 2011
On this week's show hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski tackle the game of solo bagpipe competition and help listeners navigate the trickier parts of preparation, dealing with nerves, and making the experience as smooth as possible. February 3rd, 2011.
On this week's show hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski have an excellent discussion on the details of canntaireachd and piobaireachd with special guest Donald Lindsay. Further discussion in the second half of the hour delves into issues facing the future of EUSPBA judging. January 27th, 2011.
On this webcast hosts Andrew Douglas and Vince Janoski recap the 10th Winter Storm weekend in Kansas City, Missouri with event organizer Cliff Davis. In the second half of the hour we talk revamping the judges panel in our piping association and discuss the Pipehacker series "Hacking the Bagpiping Judge" with guest Matt MacArthur. January 20th, 2011.