Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Pipers around the world find bagpipe tuning one of the hardest skills to master. Why? This week, we're using the physics of sound to explain why, as we look in-depth at how the harmonics of bagpipe chanter and drone reeds relate to each other. Brace yourself, dear listener – this is the sound nerd deep dive to rule them all! If you're listening to the audio version of this podcast, you may want to check out the version on YouTube or Facebook for some of the visual references, too – we promise they'll blow your mind too... Want to dive even deeper on the physics and practical tips for bagpipe tuning? You can check out our full Bagpipe Tuning Algorithm Course with Premium Dojo U Membership – visit pipersdojo.com to check it out today! Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to us at [email protected]. Here's what we're covering this week: 00:00 Unlocking the Mysteries of Bass Tuning 00:26 Morning Banter: Compliments and Podcast Dynamics 02:06 Exploring the Evolution of the Bagpipe 06:09 The Great Highland Bagpipe: History and Evolution 12:32 The Challenge of Tuning the Bass Drone 24:13 Harmonics and the Richness of Bagpipes 28:13 Exploring the Harmonics of Bagpipes 29:17 The Physics of Reeded Instruments 31:45 Harmonic Differences Among Instruments 37:08 Advanced Harmonics and Instrument Tuning Insights 37:53 The Art of Tuning: Practical Tips and Tricks 42:45 The Beauty of Dissonance in Music 48:38 The Complexity of Harmonics in Pipe Bands 57:16 Concluding Thoughts on Harmonics and Tuning ____ 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

Learning tunes can be hard, especially if you struggle with sight-reading. But there's a step that makes it much easier – and helps speed up a bunch of other skills too, including your ability to play the right rhythm and melody.

This week, we're discussing the concept of 'playing it like you sing it'. While some people can feel a bit silly or uncomfortable singing a tune out loud, there's a profound connection between singing and playing an instrument. And when you combine multiple senses and physical movements – like foot tapping, head nodding, and visually following the music – it can actually help you memorize and internalize the music much faster and more powerfully.

Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at [email protected].

Here's what we cover this week:

00:00 Unlocking the Secret Sauce of Musical Expression
00:26 The Power of Singing in Music Memorization
05:51 Exploring the Mind-Music Connection
09:53 The Evolution of Musical Ideas
18:30 Singing vs. Playing: The Internal Melody
20:21 Exploring the Origins and Meaning of 'Chanter'
21:14 The Art of Singing and Playing: A Creative Convergence
21:51 Practical Musings on Musical Practice and Improvement
23:58 The Mental Model of Music: From Mind to Reality
27:26 Sharing Music: The Power and Limitations of Performance
28:46 AI and the Future of Music: A Philosophical Dive
34:47 The Evolution of Musical Ideas and Traditions
38:12 Balancing Creativity and Rules in Music Education

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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

Why don't they just make bagpipe chanters that don't need tape? This week, we delve into why – the physics behind why all chanters inevitably require tape, misconceptions about tape usage, and detailed instructions for applying tape correctly. Plus, we look at how recent an innovation tape really is, and why it's such an important part of getting your pipes singing. Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]. This week, we cover: 00:00 The Great Tape Debate: Unraveling the Sticky Questions 00:40 A Sticky Situation: The Tale of a Funeral Performance 04:28 The Science of Tape: Why All Bagpipers Need It 13:28 Tape Techniques and Tales from the Field 22:29 Choosing the Right Tape: A Pipers' Guide 23:31 Cleaning Up: Tips for Maintaining Your Chanter Tape 28:16 The Evolution of Chanter Tuning: From Wax to Tape

You're stuck on a desert island. Would you rather have your practice chanter, or an endless playlist of great pipe band tunes? If you didn't say the latter, you're missing the number one secret ingredient to being a better musician – immersion! This week, we're discussing why certain families and geographies seem to foster world class players. Is it just boundless talent passed along in their bloodlines... or is it the world-class piping and drumming they've been absorbing since before they could talk? Immersion in the best of your craft is the single greatest correlate to ongoing success in anything. So how can you replicate that if you're not living in a hive of pipe band activity, or surrounded by top class pipers everyday? We have some ideas for you... Got a question you want us to discuss on a future episode? Leave a comment or send it to [email protected]. Highlights of this week's episode: 00:00 Have you heard of a little podcast called 'Droning On'? 01:29 Diving into the World of Bagpiping Podcasts and Media 02:08 The Essence and Importance of Immersion in Bagpiping 09:13 Exploring Various Avenues for Bagpipe Immersion 20:49 The Power of Immersion in Learning and Creativity 25:23 Wrapping Up with Reflections and a Desert Island Dilemma

Do bagpipes seem sharper in pitch than they used to be? That's because they are... This week, Andrew and Jim answer a listener question about why bagpipes have become sharper over time. We look at the history of pitch, how it affects tuning to mix and match old chanters and new reeds, and also at before a left turn into the implications of rising pitch for competitions (for better or worse). Plus, will we ever figure out the magic pitch that will help us make first contact with aliens? Listen in to find out! This week, we cover: 00:00 Opening Thoughts on Competition and Aliens 00:21 A Morning Chat: From Sickness to Bagpipes 01:09 Listener's Query: The Sharpness of Bagpipes 02:31 Exploring Bagpipe History and Pitch Evolution 07:50 The Science and History of Musical Pitch 16:17 The Bagpipe Pitch Debate: Tradition vs. Modernity 20:51 Judging Bagpipe Competitions: Pitch Preferences 28:54 Concluding Thoughts on Bagpipe Pitch and Future Directions

Should you use cane or synthetic drone reeds? Is it good or bad to mix and match them? Does ‘perfect bagpipe tone’ exist? Can you achieve it if your band plays different reed setups? And does a bit of imperfection in your sound actually make your tone better? This week, we’re talking all things drone reeds! Drone reeds are an integral part of our instrument’s sound, stability, and tone, and yet knowing how and when to use the different makes and materials is something most pipers don’t understand. Cane or synthetic? Inverted or standard? Uniformity or mix and match? Join us as we delve into the details on drone reeds… Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]! Here’s a summary of what we cover this episode: 00:00 Pumpkin’s Fancy Shirt 00:40 The Journey from Synthetic to Mixed Material Drone Reeds 01:30 Exploring the Nuances of Drone Reeds 04:12 The Quest for the Perfect Drone Reed Combination 09:32 The Superiority of Cane Drone Reeds Explored 16:48 Rethinking Band Uniformity: Drone Reeds and Chanters 24:29 The Philosophy of Bagpipe Sound: Complexity and Preference

Do you struggle to get your pipes into tune when you first start to play? You may be trying to tune too soon... This week, Andrew and Jim are diving into the 'set and forget' method of warming up your pipes. While most of us know that it's important to get some air, heat and moisture into the pipes when we first get started, letting your pipes adjust to their environment before getting down to the serious business of tuning and playing can make a huge difference to how easy it is to tune your pipes. And sometimes, NOT playing can be an important part of the warm-up process too... Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]! Here's what we cover this week: 00:44 The Quest for Memory Validation and the Pitfalls of Digital Permanence 01:28 Embracing the Art of Patience in Bagpipe Tuning 02:04 Learning from the Masters: Observations from the World's Best Pipe Bands 04:38 The Philosophy of Mastery: From Bagpipes to Birding 07:47 The Bagpipe's Environment: Understanding Humidity and Temperature 11:55 The Practice of Acclimatization: A Strategy for Bagpipe Tuning 17:38 Exploring the Impact of Reed Materials on Bagpipe Performance ____ 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

This week, we're diving into the mailbag to answer your submitted questions!

First up, we talk through how to help a young piper's transition to pipes, and how to adapt the instrument for small pipers. 

Next - transitioning tunes from the practice chanter to the bagpipes, and the challenge of mastering 'Scotland the Brave'. 

And finally - a letter from a New Zealand listener outlines their journey and challenges in learning bagpipes, expressing a desire for more tailored feedback and the obstacles posed by time zone differences for live classes. 

Got a question for a future episode? Send it to us at [email protected] or leave a comment wherever you're listening to this podcast!

This week's highlights:
00:00 Introduction and Appreciation for Listener Engagement
00:49 Mailbag Segment Introduction
01:44 First Mailbag Question: Helping Young Pipers
04:49 Second Mailbag Question: Progressing a Tune
05:52 Deep Dive into the Art of Bagpiping
12:04 The Journey of Learning Bagpipes
20:36 Discussing the Difficulty of Common Tunes
21:05 Appreciation for Listener Questions
21:46 Reading Listener Mail
22:36 Analyzing Listener's Piping Journey
27:49 Addressing Listener's Desire for Critique
28:23 Challenges of Learning Piping in New Zealand
30:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Pipe band medley sets are the perfect chance to showcase your band's musical range and creativity. But why do some medleys sound more musical than others? Should you use harmonies in every tune, or is less more? Plus, what do judges actually listen for... and is that more important that putting together a creative set that an audience enjoys and players love to play? This week, Andrew and Jim delve into what decisions and strategies you might want to consider when constructing a medley for your band, looking at how to balance the judge's expectation, the audience's enjoyment, and the performer's preference for tunes. They discuss the importance of tune selection, changes, harmonies, and how music theory ties in, and the practicalities of introducing and changing tunes mid-season... Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email [email protected]! This week we cover: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Medley Construction 01:01 The Art of Building Medleys 02:11 The Role of Key Changes in Medleys 03:05 The Strategy of Starting a Medley 04:03 Balancing Judge, Audience, and Personal Preferences 11:49 The Role of Harmonies 14:06 The Impact of Tune Selection on Performance 17:20 The Secret Ingredient: Nostalgia 19:22 The Importance of Timing 19:43 The Challenge of Changing Tunes 20:10 The Value of Testing and Refining 20:49 The Influence of Popular Culture 21:02 The Art of Recycling Old Medleys 21:47 The Balance Between Creativity and Audience Expectations 22:12 Get Professional Help 22:34 The Importance of Mentorship 23:41 The Creative Process in Music 30:07 The Evolution of Harmonies 31:42 The Impact of Music Theory on Medleys 35:50 The Importance of Enjoyment 37:45 The Role of Tempo ____ 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

Rescue Your Bagpipe Sound May 31 - June 2, 2024 in Troy, New York at our Tuning Clinic! You don't have to be "that person" who loves bagpipes but can't figure out how to make them sound good. Make May 31st the last day you ever worry about tuning your pipes by joining us at the world's only tuning-centric bagpipe workshop.