PODCAST · education
Piper's Dojo Audio Experience
by 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.
Episodes
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529 - 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…
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528 - 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...
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527 - 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,...
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526 - The Secrets to Better Strike-Ins & Stable Tuning (Dojo U Q&A Session)
What’s the easiest hide bag to maintain? Why is your bass drone striking in before the tenors? And what does a spinning stock tell you about your bag? Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In with Carl as he tackles listener questions on hide bags, drone reed calibration, strike-ins, loose…
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525 - High A vs. Low A: How Should You Tune Your Pipes? Plus Practice, Reeds & More (Dojo Q&A Session)
Should you tune your drones to high A or low A? What’s the best way to get back into piping after time away? And how should you look after new cane reeds when they arrive dry from shipping? Tune in for this week's Friday Strike-In as Andrew and Carl break down a beginner-friendly approach to...
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524 - Chanter Reeds, Bag Sizes & Band Changes: Your Questions Answered (Dojo Q&A Session)
Why are you holding on to those old chanter reeds? What actually changes when you move to an extended small bag? And why does your blowstick keep popping out of your mouth? Tune in for this week's Friday Strike-In with Carl as he tackles listener questions on drone and chanter reeds, bag sizes,...
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523 - Are Your Drone Reeds Too Old? Plus Band Changes, Pitch & More (Dojo Q&A Session)
Thinking about moving to a new pipe band? How do you figure out which band is the right fit? And can an eight-year-old drone reed really affect the airtightness and playability of your pipes? Tune in for this week's Friday Strike-In with Carl, as he tackles questions about choosing a new band,...
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522 - Can You Guess the Decade? Pipe Bands Through the Years (Dojo Conversations Episode 168)
How well do you know the sound of pipe bands through the decades? This week, Jim brings back Jim's Dumb Games with a deceptively difficult challenge: "Guess the Decade." Andrew listens to nine mystery recordings spanning almost 100 years of pipe band history and tries to identify the decade, the...
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521 - How to Get a New Tune Up to Tempo (Dojo Class Preview w/ Carl)
How do you take a brand-new tune from slow and careful up to a confident performance tempo – without sacrificing your technique, rhythm or groove? In this Dojo U class preview, Carl works through a reel step by step, using small chunks, tempo jumps, metronome drills and single- and double-time...
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520 - Where Does All Your Air Go? (Dojo Conversations Episode 167)
What if you could shrink yourself down to the size of an air molecule and take a ride through your bagpipe? This week, Andrew and Jim climb aboard the Magic School Bus to follow every molecule from your lungs to the chanter reed, looking for the places where precious air – and power – gets lost...
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519 - Should You Warm Up Before Tuning? Plus Reed Myths, Lesson Tips & Summer Pipe Care (Dojo Q&A w/ Andrew & Carl)
Should you tune your pipes as soon as band practice starts, or wait until they've settled in? How long does a reed really take to "break in"? And what's the best way to show a new instructor where your playing is at in a single lesson? Tune in for this week's Dojo Q&A "Strike-In" session, as…
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518 - The Biggest Piping Myths We Keep Believing (Dojo Conversations Episode 166)
What makes someone ready to move up a grade? Should competitive Highland pipers explore other bagpipe traditions? Why do drones seem to have a mind of their own? And do tone enhancers actually work? It's a mailbag episode! This week, Andrew and Jim tackle another round of listener questions,...
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517 – What Music Theory Do Bagpipers Actually Need? (Dojo Q&A Session w/ Andrew & Carl)
How much music theory does a bagpiper really need? In this week's Friday Strike-In, Andrew and Carl dig into what "music theory" actually means for pipers, and why you may already know more than you think. Along the way they cover practical tuning advice, playing with other instruments, bagpipe...
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516 - What If We've Been Playing Piobaireachd Wrong? (Dojo Conversations Episode 165)
Piobaireachd has a reputation for being ancient, mysterious, and governed by strict traditions. But how much of what we think we know about this music is actually history... and how much is simply the result of chance? In Part 2 of their Introduction to Piobaireachd series, Andrew and Jim explore...
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515 - Why "Perfect" Bagpipe Tuning Sounds Worse (Dojo Q&A Session)
Ever wondered why bagpipes are tuned "wrong" on purpose? This week, Andrew and Carl answer your piping questions on everything from why high A isn't actually tuned perfectly, to bagad bands, high-altitude piping, reversed-handed playing, fixing sharp high Gs, and the mystery of an unexpected E...
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514 - No Scotland, No Party: Boston’s World Cup Piper, Matt McArthur (Dojo Conversations Ep 164)
Sometimes the best piping stories start with a simple question: “Can you bring your pipes?” Not all of them end up playing on a rooftop with NFL legends, becoming a viral sensation playing alongside Grimace, or partying with the 60,000-strong Tartan Army though… This week, Andrew and Jim are…
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513 - How to Avoid Piping Burnout (Dojo U Q&A Session)
Ever feel like your pipes have gone from a passion to a chore? On this week's Q&A session, Andrew and Carl tackle your questions about keeping the passion alive, avoiding piping burnout, setting up your practice space, getting the most from your reeds, recording yourself, and more. Here's what we...
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512 - How to Convert Bagpipe Tuning to Concert Pitch (Dojo Conversations Episode 163)
Most pipers know that bagpipes don’t always play nicely with other instruments. But why is that? And is there actually a simple way to fix it? This week, Andrew and Jim revisit how to tune bagpipes to other instruments, diving back into 'just' vs 'equal' temperament to explain why the Great...
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511 - Why Your Pipes May Feel Harder Than They Should (Dojo U Q&A Session)
Real Feedback Month has officially kicked off at Dojo U! On this week's Q&A session, we explain how to get the most out of this special monthly theme, then dive into our regularly scheduled burning piping questions, covering a range of topics including competition etiquette, chanter reeds, tone...
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510 - Hustle, Talent, and Other Myths (Dojo Conversations Episode 162)
Most advice about becoming a better musician sounds simple enough. But is any of it actually useful? This week, Andrew and Jim work through an article by a veteran bass player and music journalist who offers five tips for becoming a better musician. Exploring everything from self-promotion and...
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509 - Real Feedback Month is coming! Plus chanter tuning, synthetic reeds and more (Dojo U Q&A session)
This week on Dojo U’s "Strike-In" Q&A, Andrew and Carl launch our special "Real Feedback Month" – you can join Dojo U before June 5th for a free 30-day trial and get direct feedback on your real summer repertoire through live critiques, recording reviews, and 15+ weekly classes designed to get…
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508 - Why should you care about piobaireachd? (Dojo Conversations Episode 161)
Pìobaireachd can feel intimidating for so many pipers… so why do the people who fall in love with it become completely obsessed? In this first episode of a new multi-part series, Andrew and Jim explore the historic, musical and sometimes mysterious world of pìobaireachd (piob mhòr, the big music,...
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507 - Threaded drone reeds, competition grades and tempos, and using a hygrometer (Dojo U Q&A Session)
This week on Dojo U’s "Strike-In" Q&A, Andrew and Carl tackle students' top-voted questions covering everything from competition tempos and reed setup to drone threading, posture, and grading standards. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Welcome & intro 00:07 – Threading drone reed seats…
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506 - Why Don't My Bagpipes Sound Good With Other Instruments? (Dojo Conversations Episode 160)
What if the reason your pipes sound incredible on their own… is the exact reason they clash with everything else? This week, Andrew and Jim dig into one of the most fascinating (and frustrating) realities of bagpiping: why the instrument’s beautiful, locked-in sound can feel completely at odds…
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505 - Crushed Reeds, Confusing Feedback & Hard Truths About Tuning (Dojo U "Strike In" Q&A Session)
This week on Dojo U’s "Strike-In" Q&A, Andrew and Carl dig into everything from reed disasters and confusing judges’ comments to tuning, piobaireachd mindset, and band dynamics. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Exhibit D: introducing the new segment breaking down piping-related social…
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504 - The Myth of Relaxed Playing (Dojo Conversations Episode 159)
What if trying to be relaxed when you play is actually a kind of denial – one that could affect your overall development as a piper? This week, Andrew and Jim explore what real control and calm actually look like in practice, why rushing and cramping show up when they do, and how many players end...
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503 - Stop Blaming the Reed: Fix Your Setup Instead (Dojo U Q&A Session)
This week on Dojo U’s Friday Strike-In Q&A, Andrew and Carl tackle a wide range of piping questions – from chanter choices and reed behaviour to rhythm fundamentals, travel tips, and getting the most out of your Dojo membership. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Poly vs. blackwood chanters:...
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502 - The Hidden Cost of “Fixing” Your Reed (Dojo Conversations Episode 158)
Should you be messing with your chanter reeds? This week, Andrew and Jim discuss the pros and cons of reed manipulation — pinching, licking, shaving, bridling, and everything in between. Are these habits actually helping your playing, or just creating more problems? Reed tweaks can feel like…
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501 - Mastering the Variables: Reeds, The Environment...& You (Dojo U Q&A Session)
This week on Dojo U’s Friday Strike-In, Andrew flies solo to answer a wide range of student questions, from solo playing tips to tenor reed management, pitch standards, finding a practice space after moving, and more. Here’s what we cover this week: 00:00 – Solo playing insights 03:55 – Changing...
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500 - How To Turn Performance Nerves Into A Superpower (Dojo Conversations Episode 157)
Ever felt your heart race, your hands shake, or your mind go blank before playing? This episode will help you understand why... and what to actually do about it. Nerves can feel paralysing for pipers (or any performer). But they're a natural part of performance, and when understood properly they...
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499 - Cane Reeds, Ear Training & Synthetic Myths (Dojo University Q&A Session)
Getting better at piping isn’t about chasing every new piece of gear — it’s about understanding how your instruments, your ears, and your environment all work together. This week on Dojo U’s Friday Strike-In, Andrew and Carl tackle student questions on cane drone reeds, ear training, synthetic...
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498 - Why Most Pipers Struggle With Rhythm (And How to Fix It) - (Dojo Conversations Episode 156)
Rhythm isn’t just about keeping time. It’s about understanding how music moves – and learning to control that movement note by note, beat by beat. Welcome back to part 2 of our episodes about piping's most fundamental skill: rhythm. Andrew and Jim continue exploring the foundations of rhythmic...
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497 - Why Posture Is More Important Than Bag Size (Dojo U Q&A Session)
Getting your setup right isn’t about endlessly changing gear – it’s about understanding what actually affects your sound and comfort. This week on Dojo U's Friday Strike-In, Andrew and Carl answer students' burning piping questions, covering everything from bag choice and posture to competition...
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496 – Are Grade 5 Bands "The Primordial Soup"? (Dojo Conversations Episode 155)
What is grade 5 actually for? This week, Andrew and Jim answer a seemingly innocuous listener question about whether grade 5 bands should use hard reeds or easy reeds. As they discuss the pros and cons of blowing stability and reed strength, they launch into a deeper discussion of growth,...
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494 – The Most Important Skill For Pipers to Master (Dojo Conversations Episode 154)
Rhythm isn’t just something you add to music. It’s the thing that makes music possible in the first place. In this episode, Andrew and Jim step back from fingerwork and technique to tackle something far more fundamental: rhythm as the organising force of all music, and even of time itself. What...
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493 - Why Fundamentals Beat Shortcuts Every Time (Dojo U Strike In Q&A Session)
Improving your piping isn't about chasing quick fixes; it's about rebuilding your playing from the ground up. This week in our Q&A session, Andrew and Carl tackle some common (and misunderstood) questions in piping, from drone reed warm-up and finger speed to pibroch traditions and playing with...
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492 - Does Generalism Triumph in a Specialized World? (Dojo Conversations Episode 153)
Exploring another interest isn’t automatically a distraction. It might be the thing that keeps your main passion alive. This week, Andrew and Jim take a listener question about drumming vs. piping and turn it into a wide-ranging (and very relatable) conversation about generalism vs. specialism –...
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Winter Storm Concert - 2026
Enjoy this full recording of the Winter Storm Concert livestream, streamed live on Facebook as part of Winter Storm 2026 – The Pipes and Drums Event in Kansas City at 8pm on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, featuring World Champion Pipers and Drummers from Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland…
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491 - Do You REALLY Need Tone Enhancers? (Dojo U Friday Strike-in Q&A Session)
High altitude tuning, dry climate disasters, and the great tone enhancer debate take centre stage this week as Andrew and Carl tackle another round of real-world piping problems. From managing a stubborn high G at elevation to why soaking your reeds is a bad idea in dry environments, the...
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490 - How To Level Up Your Piping In Just 6 Months (Dojo Conversations Episode 152)
What if you could level up your piping – within 6 months? This week, Andrew and Jim lay out a complete week by week training blueprint designed to take you into next season feeling calm, confident, and genuinely prepared. Whether you’re aiming to move up a grade, make the band, or simply play...
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489 - How To Play Pipes In Cold Weather (Friday Strike In Dojo U Q&A Session)
Cold weather and classic piping dilemmas take centre stage this week as Andrew and Carl dive into playing bagpipes in harsh conditions. From poly pipes and moisture control to the uncomfortable truth that cold weather is always tough, the conversation blends practical advice with lived…
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488 - Everything We Learned About Bagpipes This Year (Dojo Conversations Episode 151)
In this annual Year in Review, Andrew and Jim reflect on a big year of piping, podcasting, and life at the Dojo – revisiting standout moments, recurring lessons, and the ideas that shaped the year. Let us know in the comments: what was your standout moment from the year – or the episode that…
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487 - It's a Wonderful Pipe (Dojo Conversations Episode 150)
Some Christmas episodes are carefully scripted… and some are joyfully handed over to the robots. This week, Andrew and Jim continue their annual holiday tradition by letting AI loose on a Christmas special — with festive chaos, a dash of existential dread, and plenty of laughs. With minimal...
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486 - When Your Chanter Won’t Behave (And What to Do About It)
This week on Dojo's "Friday Strike In" Q&A Hour, Andrew works through a stack of real-world piping questions, starting with how to balance low A and low G and expanding into the practical realities of tuning, setup, and consistency. The discussion covers common chanter issues, when flat notes...
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485 - Does Failing Faster Make You A Better Piper?
Ever wondered why some pipers seem to bounce back from mistakes effortlessly – or why your pipes sometimes feel great one day and impossible the next? This week, Andrew and Carl dig into a whirlwind of community questions, from the end of the Insider podcast to the art of conscious practice,...
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484 - Rejected Ideas, Great Advice (Dojo Conversations Episode 149)
Some episodes are carefully planned… and some are rescued straight out of the garbage can. This week, Andrew and Jim wrap up the year by rifling through the legendary “maybe later” pile – a collection of rejected ideas, abandoned plans, and almost-episodes that never quite made the cut. What…
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483 - Composing the Future of Piping with John Dew
This week, we sit down with renowned piper and composer John Dew for a deep dive into his latest project, John Dew's Pipe Suites. From the story behind the book to the evolution of harmony in bagpipe music, John walks us through his approach to writing suites, the influences that shaped his…
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482 - How to Learn Tunes By Ear (Dojo Conversations Episode 148)
Learning by ear can feel both magical and maddening… and it’s one of the most powerful skills a musician can build. This week, Andrew and Jim tackle how to learn tunes by ear, using the tune “Green Monster” as their test subject. They explore what really happens when you set the sheet music aside...
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481 - Why You Can’t Hear Your Own Mistakes
Ever wondered why those pesky crossing noises always show up when you’re playing in front of a judge? This week, Andrew and Carl tackle one of piping’s most frustrating mysteries: how nerves mess with your finger control... and what you can actually do about it. From understanding what judges...
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480 - How To Take And Give Criticism (Dojo Conversations Episode 147)
Why does criticism feel so uncomfortable, and yet matter so much for growth? This week, Andrew and Jim unpack the messy, meaningful world of critique: how to receive it without spiraling, how to give it without crushing someone’s spirit, and why feedback is one of the most powerful tools…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Andrew Douglas and the Piper's Dojo Team
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Piper's Dojo Audio Experience have?
Piper's Dojo Audio Experience currently has 516 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Piper's Dojo Audio Experience about?
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.
How often does Piper's Dojo Audio Experience release new episodes?
Piper's Dojo Audio Experience releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 516 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Piper's Dojo Audio Experience?
You can listen to Piper's Dojo Audio Experience on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Piper's Dojo Audio Experience?
Piper's Dojo Audio Experience is created and hosted by Andrew Douglas and the Piper's Dojo Team.
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