Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Latest Episodes:

362 - Your Ultimate Bagpipe Shopping List (Dojo Conversations Episode 32) Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

Is there a better feeling in the world than buying new stuff for your piping obsession? So what should every piper be adding to that list? Should you stick to the maintenance essentials? Stock up on the latest gadgets and gimmicks? Or is there more to consider before you get out your wallet and rush to the closest supply store? This week on Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss in detail the joys and pitfalls of bagpipe retail therapy, including a list of must-haves for every piper – but you might be more surprised at what's NOT on the list... Got a question that you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave us a comment on this video, or email it to us at support@pipersdojo.com.

361 - Enjoy the CALM Before Winter Storm(Dojo Conversations Episode 31) Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

Enjoy the CALM Before Winter Storm ❄️ Dojo University is the largest and longest running online bagpiping and drumming school, but sometimes it's fun to meet up IRL (in real life) too... This week, Andrew and Jim chat about some upcoming Dojo in-person events, all timed to tie into some of the biggest events on the piping calendar around the world. The first is a three-day workshop running just before "Winter Storm", one of North America's most popular piping and drumming events. Tailored for beginner and intermediate pipers, CALM (Come And Learn Music) Before Winter Storm offers full-group workshops and lectures, small group breakout sessions, and dedicated practice time. Want to learn more or register? Places are strictly limited, so don't miss out – visit: pipersdojo.com/calm We're also running an International School in Edinburgh next August designed to put you in prime timing to maximize your piping with some of Scotland's best instructors, as well as seeing the Edinburgh Tattoo and World Pipe Band Championships. To register, and to learn more about all upcoming in-person events, visit: http://pipersdojo.com/events/

360 - Memorization, 11 Commandments, Foot Tapping, Reed Balancing - Friday Strike In - 06.30.2023 Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Catch up with Andrew and Carl during this week's "Friday Strike In."

359 - How Fast Should You Play A Strathspey? (Dojo Conversations Episode 30) Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Do you rush to play your strathspeys at breakneck speed, regardless of the grade you play in? You're not alone. Many pipers believe you 'lose the strathspey feel' if you play these tunes too slow... but does that mean that pipers in lower grades should still aim for the same speeds as the pros? This week on Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss a reader question about strathspey tempos, and what judges (and audiences) REALLY want to hear... and whether that's actually the best thing for the player, or for the continuing health of the piping community at large. Got a question of your own that you'd like answered? Leave a comment or email it to us at support@pipersdojo.com.

358 - What Do Bob Ross and Bagpipes Have In Common? (Dojo Conversations Ep 29) Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Bob Ross was a wholesome TV personality who taught viewers to paint beautiful landscapes along with him. But what does painting (even when coached by a vocal equivalent of a lava lamp) have to do with bagpiping? This week on Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss Bob's approach to painting – to start with the broad strokes, adding complexity and detail over time – and how the very same approach applies to every creative pursuit... including (and perhaps especially) bagpiping! Got a question you'd like us to cover in future episodes? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com! ____ Dojo University is the longest-running and most successful online bagpiping and drumming school in the world. We teach thousands of students around the world how to play good music – mastering the art of learning and playing the bagpipes and drums in the process – in a highly accessible way that is completely unlike anything else you'll find online or in person, anywhere in the world. We created Dojo U because we noticed that too many pipers and drummers were struggling out there in the world. Bagpiping should be a joyful experience, each and every day you pick up your instrument. If it's not, we strive to fix that before it's too late. And whether you're a complete beginner, a parade or experienced player, a pipe major or drum sergeant, or a pro-level competitor... you can free yourself from musical frustration at Dojo U. At Dojo U, we do things a little differently to how you may have approached learning to play the bagpipes before. One of the key reasons for our ongoing success is that we're always evolving, improving, and growing. We'd love to welcome you back and show you around! Find Andrew and the Piper's Dojo Team here: Dojo University Online Bagpipe School: http://pipersdojo.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/pipersdojo Twitter: http://twitter.com/pipersdojo Instagram: http://instagram.com/pipersdojo SnapChat: pipersdojo

357 - How To "Fail" Like A Champion (Dojo Conversations Ep 29) Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

If you compete and don't win, have you failed? Failure is something we all fear – but putting yourself out there really is the only way to learn and grow as a piper. And the cool thing about failure is that it moves the needle towards a future success. This week on Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss the idea of "failure" in bagpiping and pipe bands – and how different piping is as a "subjective" art form to some other more objective pursuits, like basketball and other sports. Let's rethink "failure" as what it really is – progress towards incremental improvement! Got a topic you'd like us to discuss on a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com! #bagpipes #bagpipers #pipeband #pipebandlife

356 - A Simple Equation For Joyful Bagpiping (Dojo Conversations Ep 28) Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

Though many pipers struggle, it doesn't have to be this way. Finding true joy in your bagpiping all really boils down to one simple equation... but you'll have to tune in to find out what it is! This week on Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss another chapter of Andrew's book Finding Bagpipe Freedom, this time looking at the simple equation that guarantees a way to finding joy in the process of learning to become a better bagpipers. Because if you can't enjoy the process... you're not gonna make it as a bagpiper! Got a topic you'd like us to discuss on a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to support@pipersdojo.com!

355 - How to be a world-class bagpiper... in 100 words (Dojo Conversations Ep 27) May 29, 2023

Show notes

Becoming a great player is clearly possible, as many pipers achieve it. But it's easy to feel like we're getting stagnant or plateauing in our progress. So could becoming a world-class piper really be simple enough to boil down into 100 words? Absolutely! Here they are: ~~~~~~~~~~ "Every day: listen to masterful bagpipe music, interact with bagpipers better than you, play at least one tune on full bagpipes. ‌ Most days: hone essential fundamentals, in this order of priority: 1. Rhythmic Accuracy 2. Scale Navigation 3. Gracenote Quality 4. Blowing Mechanics/Posture 5. Tuning drones together 6. Maintaining optimal blowing pressure. 7. Tuning drones to chanter 8. Avoiding “Mental Blowing Anomalies” 9. Embellishment 10. “Expression” Technique ‌ Practice as wide an array of tunes as humanly possible. Be wary of routine! Keep practice very short, singularly focused, and objective. Afterwards, play strictly for enjoyment. ‌ Regularly put yourself in new, challenging musical situations. Play for self-expression, never for accolades. ~~~~~~~~~~ This week on Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss Andrew's 100-word blueprint for improving at bagpipes. It's at the heart of his personal experience and piping philosophy, and forms the core of Dojo University's approach to teaching (the "Five Phases to Bagpipe Freedom"). So could you adopt this blueprint to become a world-class piper yourself? Tune in to find out...

354 - How To Get A Grade 1 Band Attitude (Dojo Conversations Ep 26) May 22, 2023

Show notes

Does your band care more about dressing up than the sound they produce? Would you rather be in a Grade 5 band focused on improvement, or a Grade 2 band obsessed more with status? How do you get a top grade attitude in a lower grade band – even if you don't compete? In this week's episode of Dojo Conversations, Andrew and Jim discuss a reader question about a band's attitude, and how it can make or break the success or failure of your organisation. As Lao Tzu once said, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” So how do you set your band up to have a great, "Grade 1" culture and attitude? Tune in to find out... Got a question you'd like Andrew and Jim to discuss on the show? Add your comment here or send it to support@pipersdojo.com.

353 - How To Get Great Bagpipe Technique on Autopilot (Dojo Conversations Ep 25) May 15, 2023

Show notes

Ever watched an expert make something look so easy you think you could do it? It's a phenomenon every learner experiences – because you don't know what you don't know. Then as you learn more and do more, even though you're getting better, you start to realize there's a gaping chasm between your current skill level and where you want to be. In this week's episode, Andrew and Jim dive into more of the ideas from Finding Bagpipe Freedom, including a cool way of conceptualizing learning called the hierarchy of competence...

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