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It's Episode 100 of the Dojo Conversations Podcast! Well, kind of... Anyway, to celebrate 100 continuous weeks of streaming directly into your ears, Andrew's agreed to suffer through all the topics he doesn't want to talk about, but that Jim's been saving up for an occasion just like this... tune in this week to learn more about the nuances of circular breathing, whether bagpipers can use vibrato, using 'non-traditional' notes, and how bagpipe music has evolved over time. Got a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here's what we cover this week: 00:00 Celebrating 100 Episodes 01:43 The Great Circular Breathing Debate 03:54 Breathing Techniques for Beginners 12:08 Exploring Vibrato on the Practice Chanter 19:38 Bagpipe Techniques: Finding the Balance 19:57 The Rise and Fall of C Natural and G Sharp 20:55 Challenges of Tuning and Control 22:29 Opera and Bagpipes: A Vibrato Comparison 23:50 The Obsession with Technique 25:35 Learning and Teaching Bagpipes 30:07 The Evolution of Bagpipe Music 32:13 Experimentation and Innovation in Bagpiping 33:46 Reflections on Technique and Creativity 37:41 Concluding Thoughts: The Role of Art and Risk
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Have you ever wanted to write a bagpipe tune? This week, Andrew and Jim show you how to do it by composing a brand new tune live on air! They discuss the process of composing music, exploring different techniques and ideas such as using a chord progression, incorporating motifs, and the importance of a good musical idea. They share insights on using notation software like MuseScore, the significance of rhythm and melody, and even touch on the importance of repetition and variation in music. If you’ve ever wanted to write tunes of your own, this is an episode not to miss! Got a topic you’d like us to cover on a future episode? Leave a comment or send us an email: [email protected]. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:33 Live Tune Composition 00:48 Choosing the Genre and Tools 01:09 Starting with a Musical Idea 02:39 Chord Progressions and Motifs 06:49 Creating the Groove 16:36 Building the Melody 22:00 Exploring Rhythmic Ideas 22:21 Crafting the Fourth Bar 23:31 Using Repetition and Variation 24:36 Adjusting Melodies and Chords 25:40 Finalizing the First Line 28:25 Composing Techniques and Tips 34:29 The Role of Chord Progressions 35:22 Improvisation and Creativity 38:38 Evolution of Musical Ideas 40:03 The Impact of Iconic Tunes 43:20 The Art of Movie Scoring 45:11 Inviting Audience Participation
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What if 11 small changes could make an enormous difference to your piping progress? This week, Andrew and Jim dive into the 11 commandments of mastery – Andrew’s blueprint of habits that lead to great bagpiping, but are applicable to all mastery-oriented pursuits. They look at the importance of mastering fundamentals to achieve creative freedom, common pitfalls that learners face, and why a growth mindset is essential to any form of progression. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 00:00 Setting Up the Scene 00:53 The 11 Commandments of Bagpiping 01:11 Universal Concepts in Mastery 02:05 Disagreements in the Bagpipe World 04:20 Finding Reliable Advice 05:29 First Principles and Growth Mindset 12:00 Parenting and Teaching Analogies 21:13 Empowering Through Fundamentals 24:14 Discovering the Power of Chords 24:41 Applying Chord Theory to Bagpipes 26:01 The Trap of Linear Learning in Bagpiping 27:36 The Role of Fun in Learning 28:22 Photography and Bagpiping: A Creative Parallel 31:32 The Golden Rule of Creative Freedom 34:28 Specialization vs. Generalism in Bagpiping 40:30 The Danger of Goal-Oriented Mindsets 42:47 Overcoming Common Pitfalls in Bagpiping 48:18 Introducing the 11 Commandments of Mastery
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Is Scottish snare drumming really that different from other kinds of drumming... or from piping? This week, prolific drummer, judge and tutor Ed Best once again drops in to chat all things snare drumming with Andrew and Jim, covering whether rhythm is different between piping and drumming, how tempo affects drummers, why pipers and drummers should both learn each others’ parts, and how to get a better ensemble in your pipe band. Got a question or topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Welcome to the Ed Best and Jim Show! 00:39 Bagpipes and Snare Drums: A Unique Musical Relationship 01:18 Transferring Skills Between Musical Styles 03:15 The Tool Belt Analogy for Musical Techniques 04:22 Communication Challenges in Pipe Bands 08:15 Understanding DCI and Its Influence 09:45 The Rhythm Problem in Bagpiping 16:21 The Importance of Communication in Ensemble Playing 22:10 Communication Between Pipers and Drummers 23:12 Tempo and Its Impact on Performance 24:28 Challenges in Maintaining Rhythmic Control 26:30 The Importance of Consistency in Tempo 27:41 Understanding Drum Scores and Their Role 33:15 The Role of Communication in Band Rehearsals 39:53 The Importance of Ensemble Judging 42:17 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections
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Anyone for some hot cakes?! Jim’s been diving into the bagpipe forums on Reddit again, so this week, he and Andrew offer advice to solve a bunch of bugbears bothering bagpipers from across the web, including: • How to get bandmates to show up to practice • Better ways to improve at sight-reading • How to be more welcoming to new band members • Improving stamina and recovering after a hiatus from piping • What’s been going on in the piping world for the last 15 years or so, in a nutshell! • Nicole Kidman, for some reason… Got a question you want answered on a future pod? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here’s what we covered this week: 00:00 Cool T-Shirt Designs 01:51 Hot Takes for Hot Cakes 02:25 Solving Attendance Issues in Bands 08:18 Learning to Read Sheet Music for Bagpipes 19:10 Joining a New Pipe Band 20:14 Navigating Band Dynamics 20:33 Jumping In Without Making Waves 21:25 Earning Trust in Top Bands 22:16 Joining New Groups: A Universal Challenge 24:26 Tips for Maintaining Stamina Without Pipes 26:14 Returning to Highland Piping After 15 Years 26:51 The Evolution of Bagpipe Music 28:38 Challenges in the Modern Music Landscape 32:24 The Bandcamp Dilemma 37:38 The Allure of Fictional Drama 40:03 Conclusion and Sign-Off
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After a piping hiatus, it can be exhausting to play for even a short time until your stamina builds again. So what's the best way to get your piping fitness back? This week, Andrew and Jim answer a reader question about how to build stamina after a break, focusing on the importance of finding joy and fun in playing – because enjoyable practice will naturally lead to improved stamina and skill. They also highlight the dangers of taking piping too seriously – because for many pipers, that might be why they took a hiatus in the first place... Here's what we cover in this episode: 00:00 Embarrassing Vocal Warm-Ups 01:07 Forming Season Two's Strategy 01:57 Stamina Advice for Returning Pipers 05:37 The Fun Factor in Bagpiping 09:34 Setting Up Your Bagpipes for Success 16:15 The Hard Reed Debate 21:40 Developing Stamina for Soccer and Bagpipes 22:04 The Importance of Enjoying Your Practice 23:11 Maintaining Motivation and Avoiding Burnout 27:29 Practical Tips for Improving Stamina 30:26 The Role of Fun in Mastery 33:47 Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Bagpiping 39:57 The Importance of Fun and Community in Piping 44:05 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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What does it really take to build a successful band? This week, Andrew and Jim discuss how much the skill of individual players contribute to pipe band success, exploring how focusing on individual improvement can elevate a band’s overall performance, the importance of balancing bandcraft and individual player development, alongside real challenges like tuning, practice routines, and overcoming performance anxieties. Here's what we discuss this week: 00:00 Season Two Kickoff 01:33 Exciting New Projects 02:14 Small Piping at the Dojo 03:09 Introducing Zeffen 04:02 Mark's Hypothesis 06:25 Band Improvement Strategies 10:30 The Role of Individual Skill 13:30 Challenges in Pipe Bands 24:10 Facing Uncontrollable Factors 24:40 The Algebraic Equation of Band Success 26:20 The Importance of Individual Skill 27:52 Bandcraft vs. Individual Excellence 28:34 The Evolution of Band Competitions 35:17 The Role of Adrenaline in Performance 39:39 The Key to Band Improvement 41:34 Expanding Your Band's Potential
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It's another Reddit deep dive! This week, Andrew and Jim discuss questions pipers have posted to Reddit – about whether you should play standard settings in solo competitions, and how judges should treat you as a competitor if you don't; Andrew's personal recommendations for the best piping albums of all time; and when it's appropriate to share recordings of Grade 1 band sets on social media. Finally, they tackle the topic of maintaining lip strength without pipes, debunking some myths and suggesting practical approaches to practice. 00:00 Introduction and Today's Agenda 01:02 Judging Etiquette and Feedback 03:12 Playing Non-Standard Settings in Competitions 07:54 Cultural Nuances in Solo Competitions 08:59 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned 14:02 Recommended Bagpipe Albums 20:47 Social Media Etiquette for Top Bands 26:19 Maintaining Lip Stamina Without Pipes 30:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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This week, Andrew and Jim reunite after a six-week break to answer a listener’s question about dealing with bagpipe instructors who may be overly focused on perfection or do not make learning fun – along the way, they discuss self-reflection, teaching strategies, the importance of immersion, and whether or not you should "learn around" and see other teachers...
Here's what we cover this week:
00:00 Reunion and Catching Up
00:47 Haircuts and Clones
01:50 In-Person Episode Ideas
02:22 Highland Games in Utah
03:04 Mailbag: Anonymous Question
03:31 Balancing Fun and Perfection in Teaching
04:29 Parenting and Teaching Parallels
05:31 The Role of Fun in Learning
08:23 Adapting Teaching Methods
20:27 Immersion and Effective Teaching
30:15 Exploring Different Instructors
30:22 Conclusion: Finding the Balance
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One of the mainstay in-person events for us at Dojo University is our semi-annual bagpiping cruise – and in 2024 we joined forces with Jack Lee and Piping Hot Summer Drummer to launch our first co-hosted cruise in Alaska! This week, Andrew and Jim recap the realities, the itineraries and the logistics of running a bagpiping cruise, and paint a picture of what a piping school on the high seas looks like. Want to join in on the action? We'll be back in the Caribbean next April for our next cruise - visit pipersdojo.com/cruise for more info! This week, we cover: 00:00 Warm-Up Shenanigans 00:45 Crush Confessions 01:26 Segway to Segues 02:16 Recording Breaks and Travel Plans 03:17 Cruise Recap: Piping in Alaska 04:55 Cruise Logistics and Experiences 06:34 Piping Classes and Activities 10:35 Playing Pipes on Land 14:49 Beginner Pipers on the Cruise 17:51 Piping School Styles 20:22 Group Activities and Instruction Methods 21:03 Exploring Alaska's Natural Wonders 21:21 Cruise Memories and Whale Watching 22:19 Port Excursions and Car Rentals 24:15 Social Dynamics and Friendships on Cruises 28:23 Upcoming Cruise Announcement 28:32 Details of the 2025 Caribbean Cruise 31:24 Piping Enthusiasm and Community Building 38:06 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks
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Do you feel like you're always struggling to learn tunes, with no time left over to actually improve your piping? Tune in for free on Monday the 16th at 8:00AM New York time to end this challenge for good!
--> Click Here to Register for Free
🇺🇸 New York Time (Eastern Time): Monday, September 16th, 2024, 8:00 AM
🇺🇸 Pacific Time (PDT): Monday, September 16th, 2024, 5:00 AM
🇬🇧 UK Time (BST): Monday, September 16th, 2024, 1:00 PM
🇦🇺 Eastern Australia Time (AEST): Monday, September 16th, 2024, 10:00 PM
🇦🇺 Western Australia Time (AWST): Monday, September 16th, 2024, 8:00 PMhttps://pipersdojo.com/openhouse
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As in any pursuit, the best thing you can do is approach everything in piping with an open mind. Failure is a teacher. And we can always learn new and better ways to do things if we don't assume we know something absolutely... In this episode, Jim and Andrew dive into the final chapter of Finding Bagpipe Freedom, to reflect on how your mindset and approach to practice, piping, and improvement is the most powerful tool in your pipe case. They also offer some advice on maintaining steady progress, overcoming common setbacks, and the importance of creative personal expression in learning the bagpipe. In this episode, we cover: 00:00 Morning Banter and Book Discussion 01:38 Terry Pratchett's Wisdom 03:10 The D Throw Debate 05:44 Golf and Bagpipe Analogies 14:39 The Importance of Short Practice 21:22 Leverage in Bagpipe Practice 30:52 Understanding Failure in Learning 33:21 The Role of a Good Teacher 34:15 Embracing Failure for Improvement 38:56 The Importance of Simplification 46:02 The Value of Consistent Practice 51:28 Creativity and Personal Growth in Bagpiping 54:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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This week, Andrew and Jim reflect on how the Dojo evolved from an idea about teaching a piping school in semesters online at the dawn of online classroom software, into what is now the world's largest and longest running online piping and drumming school. Andrew reflects on how he the journey from thinking of the idea on his honeymoon, the original in-person classes, initial skepticism, and the ultimate formation and evolution of the Piper's Dojo. This week, we cover: 00:00 Imagining Alternate Careers for Andrew 01:33 The Birth of Dojo University 02:29 Recreating the Piping School Experience Online 04:29 The Evolution of Dojo University 05:42 Subscription Models and Innovations 10:55 Technological Challenges and Solutions 14:09 Iterating Ideas and Overcoming Failures 18:11 Andrew's Journey and Dojo Methodology 20:20 Making Sense of Bagpiping 21:00 Diverse Perspectives in Piping 22:19 Challenges of Private Instruction 25:59 The Birth of Dojo University 26:51 The Anatomy of Bagpipe Learning 32:29 From In-Person to Online 36:49 The Dojo's Evolution and Future 37:11 The Dojo's Mission and Impact 40:31 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Insights
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“Forget prizes. You’re out to be the best you can be, and that’s what you should aim for. Take care of that, and all your performances will improve.” ― Stuart Liddell, Pipe Major, Inveraray and District Pipe Band This week, Andrew and Jim are diving into Finding Bagpipe Freedom once again, this time focused on how to 'free' your pipe band using the bagpipe freedom process. They talk through how to simplify practice routines and focus on individual improvement to enhance band performance, using techniques like earning the right to play embellishments, setting freedom phase standards, and individualized training sessions. They also explore common resistances and misconceptions within pipe bands, highlighting real-world applications and success stories from both youth and adult bands, how to prioritize musical quality over competition, and practical tips for applying these principles to pipe bands of all levels. This week, we cover: 00:00 Introduction and Banter 00:48 Sweating Bullets and Bagpipes 02:07 Finding Bagpipe Freedom: Chapter 11 03:53 The Stuart Little Quote 04:49 The Importance of Self-Expression in Music 05:17 A Horrifying Story Involving Stuart Little 09:02 The Role of Competitions and Personal Bests 13:33 Teaching Young Bagpipers: A Case Study 22:18 Simplifying the Game for All Learners 25:46 Integrating Simplified Practice Techniques 26:56 Balancing Practice and Enjoyment 29:41 The Importance of Individual Practice 32:07 Challenges and Solutions in Band Practice 34:43 The Role of Individual Improvement in Band Success 36:05 Innovative Practice Techniques 41:55 Setting Standards and Expectations 52:47 Final Thoughts on Band and Individual Practice
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Ever had a workout where you pushed it way too far? You may be surprised to learn you can do something similar when you’re playing your bagpipes… This week, Jim and Andrew discuss the consequences of overdoing physical activities and how it relates to playing bagpipes. Jim shares his recent experience with shoulder pain from felling trees and lifting weights, while Andrew introduces the concept of the 'intensity equation.' The conversation explores how to balance intensity without sacrificing form in various aspects of life, including workouts, bagpipe practice, and overall well-being. They also chat through the importance of proper warm-ups, calibrating pressure and strength in reed playing, and maintaining a healthy balance between intense practice and enjoyment. This week, we cover: 00:00 Workout Woes 00:34 The Overhead Press Incident 00:52 Strength Training Mishaps 05:10 The Intensity Equation Explained 07:26 Applying the Intensity Equation to Bagpiping 17:13 Balancing Practice and Life 24:42 Final Thoughts
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It’s another Q&A mailbag episode! But this time, we’re answering the many questions of the Reddit r/bagpipes community, who seem to be on to us checking them out… This week, Andrew and Jim answer questions ranging from technical difficulties with transitioning from practice chanters to full bagpipes to managing bagpipe posture problems for women (though they’d rather have someone with more personal experience to dive into that further!), as well as maintaining hide bags and the historical quirks of bagpipe accessories like the Glengarry pom. Topics we cover this week: 00:00 Reddit Mailbag: Frustrations with Bagpipes 02:23 Solutions and Advice for Bagpipe Challenges 09:33 Discussion on Bag Covers and Maintenance 14:10 Fun and Lighthearted Bagpipe Queries 15:46 Addressing Unique Challenges for Female Pipers 18:07 Conclusion and Sign-Off
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Is it worth the cost and effort for North American pipers and drummers to visit Scotland? Do general Scottish people care about the World Pipe Band Championships? Will you be a social pariah if you play your bagpipes in public Scotland? This week, Jim and Andrew chat through some practical advice for North American bagpipers traveling to Scotland, including packing tips, overcoming jet lag, and must-visit destinations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Highlands. Additionally, they discuss cultural differences, customs regarding bagpiping, the local busking scene, and the etiquette of bringing musical instruments like bagpipes. The conversation also touches on local Scotch whisky, Scottish candy, and what souvenirs you might want to bring home. By the end of this one, you’ll be ready to jetset off on your own Scottish adventure. 00:00: Introduction and Bagpipe Freedom Day 01:46: Parade Story 04:21: Discussing Scotland and Bagpipes 07:16: Travel Tips for North Americans Visiting Scotland 10:01: Experiences and Expectations in Scotland 12:46: Busking and Playing Bagpipes in Scotland 15:26: Packing Tips and Travel Advice 18:31: The Struggles of Sleeping on Planes 20:51: Gaming on Flights: A Fun but Exhausting Experience 22:31: Tips for Adjusting to a New Time Zone 25:01: Essential Travel Gadgets and Power Converters 27:46: Unique Travel Items and Gifts 30:31: Navigating Scotland: Must-Visit Places 34:11: Bringing Home Memories and Souvenirs 37:01: Final Thoughts on Traveling to Scotland
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Do you have any tunes in your repertoire that you don’t play well anymore? Perhaps you learned them when you weren’t as experienced and practiced in bad technique. Perhaps you’ve been playing them for so long that your embellishments and rhythm have become less than ideal. Or perhaps you’ve been working on the same sets for so long that you just aren’t getting any better as a player! This week, Andrew and Jim answer a listener question: How do you stop your tunes from becoming stagnant? They explore how to expand your musical horizons rather than solely focusing on polishing individual tunes, because developing a broader skill set and playing a variety of tunes can lead to more significant improvement in the long run. We also take a quick detour into Jim’s borderline troubling candy sorting process, and then back to importance of balancing fun with delayed gratification in practice routines. Got a question you’d like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 Introduction and Theme Setup 00:15 Morning Greetings and Formalities 00:35 Listener Mailbag: Simplifying Tunes 01:32 The Lord of the Rings Analogy 03:03 Expanding Horizons with New Tunes 03:58 The Importance of General Skills 08:37 Polishing Tunes vs. Learning New Ones 23:58 The Role of Light Music in Piobaireachd 26:18 Personal Anecdotes and Final Thoughts
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What if you could play your bagpipes without ever worrying about tuning or technique again? How much faster could you improve if you didn't have to think about every little step in your bagpipe practice? Couldn’t you then focus on being creative in your expression, rather than getting hung up on technicalities? This week, Jim and Andrew look at the importance of systematic practice, focusing on mastering fundamental skills like rhythmic accuracy, grace notes, and melody patterns. Andrew introduces the idea of 'defensive bagpiping,' drawing parallels to defensive driving, and the necessity of automating basic skills to free up mental bandwidth for creativity and expression. The conversation also touches on the value of short, uncomfortable practice sessions contrasted with enjoyable 'jam' sessions, and how incremental gains in fundamental skills can lead to exponential improvements in bagpipe playing over time. Got a question you’d like answered on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]! Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 The Journey of Bagpipe Freedom 01:55 Understanding the Bagpipe Freedom Process 03:23 Fundamental Skills and Automation 04:37 Hierarchy of Competence 06:39 Tuning and Strategy 12:11 Systematizing for Artistic Expression 21:08 Practice and Temporary Discomfort 23:35 Analogies and Real-Life Applications 30:14 Reflecting on 'The Matrix' and Code Fluency 31:25 Understanding Math and Secondary Benefits 32:54 Skill-Based Learning vs. Tune-Based Learning 34:42 The Importance of Rhythmic and Melodic Systems 37:31 Memorization and the Role of Immersion 46:01 Go Slow to Play Fast: Counterintuitive Practice 49:49 Resurrecting and Reinvigorating Tunes 53:34 Effective Practice: Short, Focused, and Uncomfortable
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Like death and taxes, parades are an inevitable part of life for a piper. They can be long, hot, and exhausting. But they can also be a lot of fun if you approach them the right way! So how do you set yourself up for the best possible parade gigs? This week, Andrew and Jim cover crucial tips for a successful parade, including proper bagpipe maintenance, organized tuning routines, and short, manageable sets. They also discuss practical logistics like meet-up points, dealing with detours or delays, hydration, strategic placement within the parade, dealing with parade frustrations. Got a question you’d like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected] This week, we’re discussing… 00:00 Halloween Greetings and Colorblindness 01:56 Parade Season Begins 03:10 The Importance of Parade Preparation 08:14 Bagpipe Maintenance for Parades 12:29 Tuning Techniques for Parades 19:14 Tuning and Parade Preparation 19:55 Parade Position Preferences 20:36 Marching and Deportment Tips 22:44 Band Formation and Flair 24:46 Handling Parade Stops 25:38 Portent Parade Principles 29:54 Making Parades Fun 33:13 Hydration and Final Thoughts
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