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 shiny distraction? This week, Andrew and Jim look at the pros and cons of digital bagpipe tuners, ignited by a listener's question about digital and analog tuners. Got a topic you’d like us to cover in future? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]. Here’s what we cover on this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions 01:53 Diving into the Topic: Bagpipe Tuners 04:02 Historical Anecdotes and Tuning Practices 06:18 The Role of Digital Tuners in Modern Piping 08:53 Developing a Good Ear for Tuning 16:54 Analogies and Deeper Insights into Tuning 31:05 The Perpetual State of Tuning 33:11 Struggling with Bagpipe Tuning 34:31 The Training Wheels Analogy 35:45 The Role of Digital Tuners 37:24 Learning to Tune by Ear 37:41 Top Bands and Tuning Practices 40:17 The Importance of Developing Your Ear 58:48 Practical Tips for Tuning 01:03:44 Final Thoughts on Tuning and Tuners