390 - Do You Play in the "Tone Zone"? (Dojo Conversations Ep 60)
"Just blow tone!" Sound familiar? Most of us know we should be blowing a certain way to sound better, but many pipers don't know how to really get into the "tone zone".
This week, Andrew and Jim delve into the importance of identifying and playing within the instrument's sweet spot for optimal sound quality, eliminating the risk of choking or squeaking. The duo talks about the impact of drone tuning, and how setting drones slightly sharper than perfectly in tune can subconsciously encourage fuller blowing. They underscore how items like hitting the sweet spot should become second nature for good tone production and that this skill extends beyond simply being able to do it - it should ideally become a habit.
Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email [email protected]!
On this episode:
00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
00:15 The Archery Analogy: Understanding the Target
01:09 The Tone Zone: What is it and How to Find it
03:52 The Sweet Spot: Maximizing the Quality of Sound
05:20 The Importance of Pressure in Achieving the Sweet Spot
14:54 The Role of the Manometer in Identifying the Sweet Spot
19:54 The Impact of Drone Tuning on Achieving the Sweet Spot
21:51 Conclusion: Transforming the Skill into a Habit
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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.
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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.
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