All Episodes
Episodes
451 - Why Mentorship Matters (Dojo Conversations Episode 121)
It's easy to assume that mentorship is most crucial during childhood. But what about those who discover piping later in life? Whether you're a beginner at 40 or picking it up again after years, having a mentor can...
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450 - Is Moisture Good or Bad for Pipers? (Dojo Conversations Ep 120)
Ever picked up your pipes on a rainy day and wondered why they sounded... different? Or maybe youâve struggled to keep them in tune during a frosty morning performance? Humidity and bagpipes have a complicated...
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449 - How To Start a Pipe Band (Dojo Conversations Episode 119)
Ever thought about starting your own pipe band? Where would you even begin? This week, Andrew and Jim dive into the nitty-gritty of building a band from the ground up. Picking a name, sorting out uniforms, finding a...
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448 - The 3-Step Formula for Mastering Steady Blowing (Dojo Conversations Episode 118)
Ever been told to âblow toneâ? What if that familiar advice is actually leading you astray?Â
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Of course, steadiness mattersâbut before you can maintain steady blowing, you need to know what you're aiming for. For...
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447 - The Cheat Code to Becoming Great at Bagpipes (Dojo Conversations Episode 117)
Is there a cheat code to becoming truly great at bagpipes? In this episode, Jim and Andrew conclude their Commandments series with insights on how to learn in the right order and the importance of balancing focused...
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446 - Is the Practice Chanter a "Real" Instrument? (Dojo Conversations Episode 116)
Pipers start their journey on a practice chanter â but can you do more with a practice chanter than just⌠well, practice?Â
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This week, Jim and Andrew discuss practice chanters â should be seen as standalone...
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445 - Do You REALLY Need a Digital Tuner? (Dojo Conversations Episode 115)
Do you rely solely on your digital tuner to get your pipes in tune? Digital bagpipe tuners have become as commonplace in the piping world as the smartphones they often operate on. But are they a necessity, or just a...
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444 - Why Learning Bagpipes Feels Harder Before It Gets Easier (Dojo Conversations Episode 114)
Ever tried something new and thought, "Easy! I could do that"âonly to fail spectacularly? Thatâs the hierarchy of competence in action. Itâs the universal journey from complete ignorance to effortless mastery. And...
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443 - Our Top Hacks For Grade 5 Pipe Bands (Dojo Conversations Episode 113)
Are lower-grade pipe bands missing out on easy wins by focusing on the wrong things?
This week, Andrew and Jim chat through how lower grade pipe bands (Grade 4 and 5) can improve their sound with minimal effort. They...
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442 - Why Subjective Feedback Is Confusing (And How to Decode It) (Dojo Conversations Episode 112)
Ever been frustrated by vague, subjective feedback from a judge or teacher?Â
Only things that can be measured can be improved. So how do you measure your progress? We need to find ways to get an objective,...
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441 - How To Learn a Stack oâ Tunes (Dojo Conversations Episode 111)
Have you ever had to learn a bunch of new tunes all at once? This week, Andrew and Jim talk through the best ways to tackle learning a huge stack of bagpipe tunes quickly â while still having fun. A sneak preview â...
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440 - How Often Should You Learn a New Tune? (Dojo Conversations Ep 110)
When was the last time you learned a new tune? This week, Andrew and Jim are diving into âconstant varianceâ - that is, constantly and consistently trying new things, whether thatâs trying to play new music regularly,...
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