Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

Should 'auld' episodes be forgot and never brought to mind? Not a chance!

As 2024 dawns, we're taking a moment to pause and reflect – it's been just over a year since the podcast went live, so this week Andrew and Jim revisit some of the highs, the lows, and the bits we can't remember as we look back on the Dojo Conversations journey so far... and where we're headed in 2024 and beyond!

If you have a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode, leave us a comment or send it to [email protected].

To register for the first ever EPIC Cruise Journey North, visit DojoUniversity.com/Cruise

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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.

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

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Dojo, we've enlisted AI for some festive mojo!

This week, Andrew and Jim detour for a special Christmas episode, enlisting the writing and artistic talents of very special guest to pull together the most bagpipey version of A Christmas Carol and The Grinch ever conceived (by AI)... Wishing all our followers and listeners a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

____

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

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Dojo, we've enlisted AI for some festive mojo!

This week, Andrew and Jim detour for a special Christmas episode, enlisting the writing and artistic talents of very special guest to pull together the most bagpipey version of A Christmas Carol and The Grinch ever conceived (by AI)... Wishing all our followers and listeners a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

____

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, Andrew and Jim welcome special guest and piping legend Jack Lee to talk all things piping, drumming and… cruising?!

The upcoming Piper’s Dojo and Piping Hot Summer Drummer collaboration 'Cruise Journey North' departs from Seattle to Alaska on May 4th, 2024, with regular classes, private sessions, tune workshops, tune composition sessions, and opportunities to interact with local pipe bands in Alaska, all mixed in with a luxury cruise holiday in the idyllic American north.

Learn more about how this all came about, as well as a preview of a fun new tune composed just for this new adventure on the high seas! 

Learn more about Cruise Journey North or register: pipersdojo.com/cruise     Episode highlights:

00:00 Introduction

00:20 Planning the Cruise

00:49 The Story Behind the Cruise Idea

01:17 Collaboration and Challenges

02:11 The Role of the Travel Agent

03:23 The Evolution of Andrew's Nickname

04:24 Details about the Cruise

05:21 Meeting Local Pipers in Alaska

08:03 The Creation of the Cruise Tune

12:27 The Cruise Schedule and Activities

15:15 The Impact of Piping on the Cruise

20:26 The Importance of Fun in Piping

26:05 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

____

 

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, Andrew and Jim welcome special guest and piping legend Jack Lee to talk all things piping, drumming and… cruising?!

The upcoming Piper’s Dojo and Piping Hot Summer Drummer collaboration 'Cruise Journey North' departs from Seattle to Alaska on May 4th, 2024, with regular classes, private sessions, tune workshops, tune composition sessions, and opportunities to interact with local pipe bands in Alaska, all mixed in with a luxury cruise holiday in the idyllic American north.

Learn more about how this all came about, as well as a preview of a fun new tune composed just for this new adventure on the high seas! 

Learn more about Cruise Journey North or register: pipersdojo.com/cruise     Episode highlights:

00:00 Introduction

00:20 Planning the Cruise

00:49 The Story Behind the Cruise Idea

01:17 Collaboration and Challenges

02:11 The Role of the Travel Agent

03:23 The Evolution of Andrew's Nickname

04:24 Details about the Cruise

05:21 Meeting Local Pipers in Alaska

08:03 The Creation of the Cruise Tune

12:27 The Cruise Schedule and Activities

15:15 The Impact of Piping on the Cruise

20:26 The Importance of Fun in Piping

26:05 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

____

 

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

Do your pipes ever feel hard to play? If you’re not asking these 4 questions every time you pick them up out of the box, you’re setting yourself up to fail before you play a single note…

This week, Andrew and Jim discuss the 4 questions of bagpipe maintenance that are a ‘pre-flight’ checklist to make sure you’re set up for success every time you play. By making a system of these and building it into your piping routine, you’ll avoid future problems and have the best chance at a great practice or performance, every time. 

Check out our free PDF that outlines these essential questions: pipersdojo.com/4questions

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or send it to [email protected]!

 

Topics covered this week:

00:00 Introduction and Initial Discussion

00:01 The Importance of Pre-Flight Checklist in Bagpipe Playing

01:44 Understanding the Concept of Air Tightness and Efficiency

04:24 The Role of Bagpipe Maintenance in Performance

06:57 The Four Questions of Bagpipe Maintenance

08:36 The Importance of Airtight Bagpipes

11:35 Checking the Joints of the Bagpipes

14:51 Discussing the Use of Natural Materials

14:51 Technical Difficulties and Solutions

14:51 Back to the Topic: Hemp

15:04 Ensuring Airtight Joints

15:54 The Importance of Reed Seats

18:50 The 'Scotland the Brave' Test

21:31 Calibrating Drone Reeds

26:56 The Four Questions of Bagpipe Maintenance

27:44 The Importance of Routine Checks

31:03 Consequences of Poor Bagpipe Performance

31:40 Wrapping Up and Further Learning

Do your pipes ever feel hard to play? If you’re not asking these 4 questions every time you pick them up out of the box, you’re setting yourself up to fail before you play a single note…

This week, Andrew and Jim discuss the 4 questions of bagpipe maintenance that are a ‘pre-flight’ checklist to make sure you’re set up for success every time you play. By making a system of these and building it into your piping routine, you’ll avoid future problems and have the best chance at a great practice or performance, every time. 

Check out our free PDF that outlines these essential questions: pipersdojo.com/4questions

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or send it to [email protected]!

 

Topics covered this week:

00:00 Introduction and Initial Discussion

00:01 The Importance of Pre-Flight Checklist in Bagpipe Playing

01:44 Understanding the Concept of Air Tightness and Efficiency

04:24 The Role of Bagpipe Maintenance in Performance

06:57 The Four Questions of Bagpipe Maintenance

08:36 The Importance of Airtight Bagpipes

11:35 Checking the Joints of the Bagpipes

14:51 Discussing the Use of Natural Materials

14:51 Technical Difficulties and Solutions

14:51 Back to the Topic: Hemp

15:04 Ensuring Airtight Joints

15:54 The Importance of Reed Seats

18:50 The 'Scotland the Brave' Test

21:31 Calibrating Drone Reeds

26:56 The Four Questions of Bagpipe Maintenance

27:44 The Importance of Routine Checks

31:03 Consequences of Poor Bagpipe Performance

31:40 Wrapping Up and Further Learning

This week, we're welcoming special guest Ed Best – Dojo U's drumming instruction lead, rhythm guru and dad joke connoisseur – to chat about his approach to helping drummers find their own musical freedom. We dive into the ways piping and drumming can be similar (and how similar approaches between the two corps can benefit a band); how rhythm is the crucial foundation to all music; how drummers approach writing their scores compared to pipers; and how great players don't always make great teachers. Plus some incidental parenting hacks for good measure!

Interested to learn more about Dojo U's Drumming program? Check it out for free for the first week: pipersdojo.com/drumming

Got a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 

This week, we're welcoming special guest Ed Best – Dojo U's drumming instruction lead, rhythm guru and dad joke connoisseur – to chat about his approach to helping drummers find their own musical freedom. We dive into the ways piping and drumming can be similar (and how similar approaches between the two corps can benefit a band); how rhythm is the crucial foundation to all music; how drummers approach writing their scores compared to pipers; and how great players don't always make great teachers. Plus some incidental parenting hacks for good measure!

Interested to learn more about Dojo U's Drumming program? Check it out for free for the first week: pipersdojo.com/drumming

Got a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 

Do your bagpipes fit your body – or do you make your body fit to your bagpipes?   Continuing last week's conversation about posture, this time Andrew and Jim challenge the idea that bagpipes are hard to play – according to Andrew they should be easy to play, always, but we all know that's often easier said than done... especially for newer players. So they follow up with some great tips on how to work on your posture, whether you could 'wear your bagpipes to outer space', and how to improve your maintenance systems to make sure you never have to worry about playing a 'hard' instrument ever again.   Got a question or topic you'd like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to [email protected]!