The Piper's Dojo

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The Piper's Dojo

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We make world-class music instruction accessible to any piper or drummer, anywhere in the world.

The leading online bagpiping school for more than a decade, Dojo University is your home base for becoming a better musician.

10/29/2026

Do you skip tuning when you’ve only got 30 minutes to practise?

This week, Andrew and Jim tackle a practical question about making the most of limited practice time. Check out the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts!

10/27/2026

🎵 COMING SOON AT DOJO U: THE GARY WEST SESSIONS

Four weeks. Fresh perspectives on the music you play. One very special opportunity to learn with legendary piper, broadcaster and writer Gary West!

👉 Join now: https://pipersdojo.com/gary-west

Starting November 8, Gary joins us for an exclusive four-week live series exploring the stories behind our tunes, how to build captivating sets, the musical possibilities of Highland pipes and smallpipes, and how to connect with an audience through your playing.

🎵 4 live classes with Gary West
📅 Sundays, 12pm EST / 5pm UK, November 8–29
🎶 Explore tune stories, set-building, repertoire and performance
🎓 All playing levels welcome
🎥 Recordings available if you can't attend live
🌟 Bonus class November 30: Exploring Gary's book, "Brave New Music – The Martyn Bennett Story"
🔓 30-day FREE Premium Membership trial for new members

Gary presented BBC Radio Scotland's Pipeline for 20 years, was Professor of Scottish Ethnology at the University of Edinburgh, and now hosts the Enjoy Your Piping! podcast. He's bringing a wealth of knowledge about Scottish music and tradition to the Dojo, and we're looking forward to exploring these ideas with him.

You don't need a particular instrument or to be preparing for a performance to take part. Come along to discover new ways to think about your repertoire and bring more character, context and connection to the music you play.

👉 Join Dojo U Premium and start your free 30-day trial: https://pipersdojo.com/gary-west

The first class is November 8 – we'll look forward to seeing you in the Sessions! 🎵

10/26/2026

Can You Skip Tuning When You Practise? (Dojo Conversations Episode 170)

Can you get away with skipping drone tuning when you've only got 30 minutes to practise?

This week, Andrew and Jim tackle a practical question about making the most of limited practice time. They discuss why tuning matters, how to break it into manageable steps, and why most stamina issues come down to air efficiency rather than lung capacity. Plus, they ask whether some pipers are more interested in the bagpipe persona than the music itself.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
00:00 – Perception, reality and whether we can ever truly know what others experience
04:00 – What AI might miss about human communication
07:35 – The miracle of digital audio: how bagpipe sound travels 2,000 miles
14:13 – Can you practise without tuning your drones if you only have 30 minutes?
16:33 – The out-of-tune guitar: why tuning matters
20:00 – Bagpipe persona: are you playing for the music or the aesthetic?
29:06 – Practical tuning solutions
33:10 – Stamina problems: why air efficiency matters more than lung capacity
34:30 – Finding more practice time
36:25 – Can a tuner app get you close enough? Yes — but trust your ears, too

10/21/2026

Are you making these two common seasoning mistakes? Listen to the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or whenever you listen to podcasts!

10/19/2026

How do you know how long your starting E should be? | Friday Strike-In Q&A

How do you work out the right intro E for a tune? How can you prepare for competition nerves and distractions? And how can your band get the most out of a membership with Dojo U?

Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In as Andrew and Carl answer listener questions on calculating pickup notes and intro Es, preparing to perform under pressure, building mock competition days into your practice, and getting your band on board with Dojo U. Plus, practical advice for pipe majors on improving musical literacy and building a stronger culture of preparation.

Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store

Here’s what we cover this week:
0:00 – Calculating pickup notes: how to tell whether a tune has one- or two-beat pickups
9:08 – Exceptions to the rule: three-beat Es, skipping pickups and simplifying tunes
10:55 – Competition nerves: how to handle distractions and the judge watching you
24:01 – Getting your band engaged with Dojo U: where to start with a Band Corps subscription
25:21 – Making online learning part of band practice with short weekly lessons
31:09 – Motivating your band: why applause alone won’t encourage people to practise

10/16/2026

🥁 NEW AT DOJO U: LEARNING TO WIN – THE RAVARA DRUM CORPS WAY

Six weeks. Practical exercises. Fresh musical ideas. One fantastic opportunity to learn directly from Matthew Shaw, Leading Drummer of the Ravara Drum Corps!

👉 Join now: https://pipersdojo.com/ravara

Starting October 25, we're excited to welcome Matthew for an exclusive six-week class series exploring the methods, music and musical influences behind Ravara's approach to drumming.

You'll work on your rudiments, explore new scores, tackle weekly exercises and get plenty of opportunities to ask Matthew questions.

🥁 6 live classes with Matthew Shaw
📅 Sundays, 4pm Eastern, October 25–November 29
🎼 Practical rudiment exercises, new scores and musical ideas
📝 Small weekly homework tasks to put into practice between classes
💬 Plenty of time to ask Matthew questions directly
🎥 Recordings available if you can't attend live
🎓 All grades and levels of experience welcome – snare, tenor and bass
🔓 Included in Dojo U drumming membership – 30-day FREE trial for new members, then $30/month unless cancelled

Matthew has helped lead Ravara's drum corps from its Grade 2 world drumming title in 2019 to top-six finishes at two major Grade 1 championships in 2026. Now you can learn from his experience, explore the musical ideas behind the corps, and take practical skills back to your own playing.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your rudiments, make better use of your practice time or bring fresh ideas to your band, this is a great opportunity to learn from one of the leading names in the game. 🥁

👉 Join now: https://pipersdojo.com/ravara

10/15/2026

What makes a tune special? For more tune recs and some extra Q&As, listen to the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or whenever you listen to podcasts!

10/12/2026

The Two Biggest Seasoning Mistakes You Can Make (Dojo Conversations Episode 169)

What makes a tune special? How do you keep a sheepskin bag in good shape? And why would a pigeon stand its ground while an entire pipe band bears down on it?

This week... they're back! Andrew joins Jim from his new Canadian base to dissect three piping questions. They explore how to find tunes that really speak to you, what it takes to season a sheepskin bag properly, and what science can tell us about the famously unfazed pigeon at this year's World Pipe Band Championships.

Along the way, Andrew shares his approach to discovering great tunes, explains two common seasoning mistakes, and takes a surprisingly deep dive into pigeon hearing. Join us for a mix of practical piping advice, musical discoveries, and some gloriously niche bird science.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

00:00 – Andrew's Canadian exile, calendars, haircuts, and the mail situation
03:12 – Getting back into bagpipe mode after a long break
04:02 – Finding cool tunes with something special
12:52 – How your taste in tunes changes as you develop as a piper
16:36 – Sheepskin bag maintenance: why your bag neck keeps drying out
17:16 – Seasoning mistake #1: not getting it hot enough
18:30 – Seasoning mistake #2: not applying enough pressure
20:20 – Why Andrew swears by sheepskin bags, despite the extra work
20:48 – The brave pigeon of Glasgow Green at the Worlds
25:20 – Pigeon superpowers: infrasound, 0.5 Hz, and the science of bird hearing
26:14 – Finding the music right in front of you

10/05/2026

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

How should you organise your practice time? Does a Blackwood chanter actually need oiling? And do Piobaireachd time signatures really matter?

Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In with Carl as he answers questions on practice planning, the Blair chanter, band rehearsal expectations, Blackwood chanter care, Piobaireachd time signatures, finding great light music, and what’s happening with Worlds coverage.

Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store

Here’s what we cover this week:

0:00 – Organising your practice: journals, spreadsheets, recordings and AI-generated practice plans
2:57 – The Blair chanter: why a less-forgiving chanter can improve your playing
5:37 – Practice chanter vs. pipes: when to use each for learning and practice
6:13 – Practice, learning and rehearsal: what’s the difference?
7:47 – Coming prepared for band rehearsal: why learning tunes at home matters
11:34 – Blackwood chanter care: playing regularly, oiling and avoiding cracks
14:40 – Piobaireachd time signatures: do 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 actually matter?
20:40 – Finding your light music groove: podcasts, Celtic bands, Worlds medleys and more
23:07 – BBC dropping Worlds coverage: what could replace it?
24:37 – Drone bore tool marks and wood grain: what’s normal, and does bore smoothness affect tone?

09/28/2026

Bagpipe Tuning, Hide Bags, Reeds & Gigging Tips | Friday Strike-In Q&A

Should you add tape before breaking in a new reed? Is a zipper really necessary on a hide bag? And what’s the best way to find more gigs as a bagpiper?

Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In with Carl as he answers questions on chanter tape, hide bag setup, stock installation, reed maintenance, gigging, and how bands can keep young players excited and involved.

Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store

Here’s what we cover this week:

0:00 – Chanter tape and new reeds: how much tape to add before you start playing
4:11 – Does low G tape affect other notes? Understanding cross-note effects
6:01 – Installing stocks in a zipperless hide bag: tips, tricks and common methods
13:36 – Finding bagpipe gigs: weddings, funerals, networking and online listings
17:33 – Reed pokers and mandrels: can they extend the life of a dying reed?
24:41 – Hide bags: zipper or no zipper, and choosing the right bag size
27:20 – Keeping younger players engaged: giving new pipers meaningful roles and responsibilities

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Troy, NY

Website

http://pipersdojo.com/

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