As in any pursuit, the best thing you can do is approach everything in piping with an open mind. Failure is a teacher. And we can always learn new and better ways to do things if we don't assume we know something absolutely...

In this episode, Jim and Andrew dive into the final chapter of Finding Bagpipe Freedom, to reflect on how your mindset and approach to practice, piping, and improvement is the most powerful tool in your pipe case. They also offer some advice on maintaining steady progress, overcoming common setbacks, and the importance of creative personal expression in learning the bagpipe.

In this episode, we cover:
00:00 Morning Banter and Book Discussion
01:38 Terry Pratchett's Wisdom
03:10 The D Throw Debate
05:44 Golf and Bagpipe Analogies
14:39 The Importance of Short Practice
21:22 Leverage in Bagpipe Practice
30:52 Understanding Failure in Learning
33:21 The Role of a Good Teacher
34:15 Embracing Failure for Improvement
38:56 The Importance of Simplification
46:02 The Value of Consistent Practice
51:28 Creativity and Personal Growth in Bagpiping
54:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This week, Andrew and Jim reflect on how the Dojo evolved from an idea about teaching a piping school in semesters online at the dawn of online classroom software, into what is now the world's largest and longest running online piping and drumming school.

Andrew reflects on how he the journey from thinking of the idea on his honeymoon, the original in-person classes, initial skepticism, and the ultimate formation and evolution of the Piper's Dojo.

This week, we cover:
00:00 Imagining Alternate Careers for Andrew
01:33 The Birth of Dojo University
02:29 Recreating the Piping School Experience Online
04:29 The Evolution of Dojo University
05:42 Subscription Models and Innovations
10:55 Technological Challenges and Solutions
14:09 Iterating Ideas and Overcoming Failures
18:11 Andrew's Journey and Dojo Methodology
20:20 Making Sense of Bagpiping
21:00 Diverse Perspectives in Piping
22:19 Challenges of Private Instruction
25:59 The Birth of Dojo University
26:51 The Anatomy of Bagpipe Learning
32:29 From In-Person to Online
36:49 The Dojo's Evolution and Future
37:11 The Dojo's Mission and Impact
40:31 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Insights

Would you rather perform at a wedding, or compete solo in front of a judge? 

This week, Andrew and Jim look at the world of solo bagpipe competing, focusing on both the fun and the potential challenges involved. They also touch upon practical tips for enhancing one's solo performance experience, like the benefits of having expert help in tuning on competition day, and how competing can improve your skills, personal repertoire, and offer satisfaction in other ways you may not have considered…

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com!

Here’s what we cover this week:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes

01:17 Discussing Solo Competing

03:25 The Appeal of Solo Competing

05:39 Challenges and Dangers of Solo Competing

08:36 Maintaining Motivation and Enjoyment

14:15 Judges and Competitors Dynamics

24:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ken is one of the most prolific pipers in North American history. Be sure to visit thecaptainscorner.com to learn all about his career, his teaching, and his works. _____ If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Most bagpipe world has trapped itself in a destructive negative feedback loop that essentially guarantees its decline (and failure for the vast majority of enthusiasts...). Can you summon the strength to break free from the gravitational pull of the mainstream bagpiping world to "succeed" with your own piping? If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

A student shared this: Here's a very interesting article/podcast about why learning difficult tunes or passages by starting slowly and gradually increasing practice speed has some inherent limitations, and offers a research-based rationale for different strategy. There's also a fascinating bit about why you should use a metronome that can randomly skip beats. https://bulletproofmusician.com/jason-sulliman-on-why-fast-practice-can-be-more-efficient-and-effective-than-slow-practice/ Is there anything to this? If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

This week we have a lot of great questions and some good banter. Question of the week is: Why should you NOT be playing a hard reed? The answer may open your eyes... If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

In this class we have a great end-of-week Q&A for our Premium Members, beginning with a great review of the BEST way to transition from the practice chanter to the full bagpipes. If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Supercharge Your Leadership! A 2-Day Intensive Workshop for Pipe Corps Leaders - September 12-13, 2020 - Featuring World Champions Stuart Liddell, Robert Mathieson, and Alan Bevan Unparalleled knowledge and worldwide support specifically curated for pipe corps leaders to drastically improve your pipe band, guaranteed. Go to https://dojouniversity.com/lead today to learn more.

It's becoming clearer and clearer that the bagpipe world may take a long time to return to anything that even remotely looks like normal. Are you prepared to adapt? If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

When you learn a new tune, you should be breaking it into bite-sized segments. Each bite size segment should be on auto-pilot before you move on to the next one. This is also referred to as reaching "unconscious competence" stage of the hierarchy of competence. Let's dive in. If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

In this hands-on class, Andrew dives deep down the rabbit-hole of tune learning. Why does it seem so hard for me, when others seem to do it easily? The answer might be so simple it surprises you! If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

How far back should you push the pipe bag under your arm? Should the drones be all the way against your shoulder or should you be squeezing more toward the back of the bag? Andrew and Carl explain proper pipe bag placement for efficient playing and the best sound projection. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

How should you prepare for your first solo competition? What should you do the night before? On the day? And what can you expect when you arrive, during, and after you compete in both band and solo contests?

This week, Andrew and Jim do a blow-by-blow walk through of a typical day at a highland games, including how and when to start preparing, and what to expect when you get there. They cover the detailed preparation routines for both solo competitors and band members, including travel plans, warm-up strategies, final tuning, competition etiquette, checking in with stewards, tactics for managing nerves, and the logistics of navigating through multiple events in a day. This is the ultimate comprehensive guide for anyone curious about what goes on during an average day at a highland games.

Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: support@pipersdojo.com.

Here's what we cover this week:
00:00 Training Montage: Preparing for Competition Day
02:21 A Day at the Highland Games: Solos and Bands 03:00 Morning Routine: Getting Ready for the Games
03:33 Arriving at the Games: Timing and Check-In
06:57 Warm-Up Strategies: Preparing Your Pipes
11:23 Competition Etiquette: Checking In and Tuning
15:40 On Deck: Final Preparations Before Performance
30:07 Judging and Competitor Etiquette
30:30 Tuning and Warm-Up Techniques
31:36 Choosing the Right Warm-Up Tunes
35:51 Post-Performance Etiquette
37:45 Managing Multiple Events
42:15 Band Competitions and Mass Bands
50:20 Final Tuning and Entering the Circle
57:45 Exiting the Circle and Post-Competition
01:00:09 End of the Day: Mass Bands and Results

Carl shows us how the Dojo Fundamentals aren't just talking points. They show us how to solve literally any problem we are having! If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do you play an extended small hybrid bag, but thinking about moving to a hide bag? What size should you get? Are the sizes standard and equivalent? Carl and Andrew give some suggestions on how to choose the correct size hide bag for you. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

What happens when you go to tie in a bag and the neck it much larger than the chanter stock? How do you ensure that you tie it in so it is airtight? Carl, Dojo U’s resident bag tying expert, explains how to handle this issue and get you playing soon! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

What does a productive practice feel like? How can you have that awesome moment more often? Andrew and Carl highlight what makes a successful practice and how you can replicate that yourself. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

You know that recording yourself playing bagpipes is incredibly beneficial for self evaluation and working with an instructor, but your bagpipes are too loud for your computer recorder. What is the best recorder to buy? Is there a program you can use to easily record and upload your weekly recording to Dojo U? Andrew simplifies this issue and helps you find the best solution to get a great recording. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do your drones tune very high on the tuning pins? Have you adjusted the drone reed pins and still not been able to fix the issue? Carl and Andrew make some practical suggestions to address this problem. Listen in to hear a couple ideas you may not have heard before. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Does your bass drone work best when you tune it lower on the tuning pin? You adjust the bridle while calibrating, but the tuning pin location makes a big difference. Why is this? Andrew and Carl discuss the many issues involved with the bass drone and some of the ways you can adjust it to make it play better. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

In this class, we entertain a variety of great bagpiping questions, and then dig deep regarding how to balance the chanter, and resolve common chanter tuning issues. If you enjoyed this, you should try a Dojo University Premium Membership. Our premium membership features over 50 courses, 17+ live classes each week, social interaction channels, feedback on your playing, weekly challenges, and more! Try one month for just $1 by visiting https://DojoUniversity.com/testdrive today! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Will a pinch fix a super flat or collapsing F? What causes this? Is the reed salvageable? Carl and Andrew give you a simple solution to this issue. Don’t waste any more time with this problem and start playing! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

How slowly can you play your grade 3 march in solo competition before the judge penalizes you for it? Andrew and Carl discuss this difficult but common question with a practical point of view. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do you struggle to learn new tunes? Get stressed trying to get all those band sets ready for the circle? The solution could lie in… making it fun!

This week, Andrew and Jim look at how to find fun in the process of learning new tunes - how to make the learning process enjoyable, push away stress, and improve your overall musical ability. The also look at the impact of pressure and competition on learning, and the benefits of playing in a band versus solo.

Got a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email support@pipersdojo.com.

On this episode, we're talking about...

00:00 The Importance of Fun in Learning Tunes
03:26 Using Technology to Enhance Practice
05:35 Overcoming Challenges in Music Practice
07:27 The Role of Enjoyment in Memorization
10:56 Balancing Band and Solo Practice
14:43 The Collaborative Process in Band Medleys
21:05 Maintaining Enjoyment in Piping
31:22 Reflecting on Life and Music

Do you have a huge list of tunes you would like to learn? How do you decide which to work on in depth? Andrew helps you dial in your focus using the 6 Months to the Next Level plan. Success is not always playing a large amount of tunes! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! 
 Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do you have hole coverage issues on the bottom hand? Is your thumb position affecting the clarity of your bottom hand notes? Do you have these issues only on the full pipes, but not your chanter? Andrew explains how this is an overall posture issue not just hand position. Don’t let these basics prevent you from having successful Fingerwork technique. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Does your chanter rotate to one side while you're playing? Could this be causing your notes to sound messy? Can you fix it? Andrew and Carl clarifies how this is a posture issue and why you should avoid this. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

In today's Q&A show, we cover a wide range of topics. Highlights include: How to deal with "screamin sharp" High G's, and Tone Protector fundamentals. Enjoy!

Do you struggle with where to put that useless little finger on the left hand? Do you stick it out as if you’re having tea? Do you tuck it in so it doesn’t interfere with your D gracenotes? What placement is best? Carl and Andrew describe the best finger position solution that allows you to play your best. Believe it or not, there is a correct answer here! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

How old is your chanter? Do you struggle with balancing the tuning? Would an upgraded chanter improve your sound? Carl and Andrew explain how the age of your chanter may have a great impact on your sound. Watch to see if you are getting the best sound out of your chanter. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

You’re putting on a new pipe bag and see the grooves in the stocks. Where exactly do those go? Should grommets be above or in the groove? Carl and Andrew explain what the groove is for and how to get the best placement when installing your new bag. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

You’ve just purchased a sheepskin bag, and you’re excited to tie it in and get playing. You’ve gotten suggestions for different types of seasonings including glycerine based solutions. Should you try it? Andrew and Carl will clear the confusion. Check in to hear what they have learning from experience and success. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

How do you know what reed to chose when you are a brand new piper? Your instructor said the reed was easy, but is it right for you? What do you do if the reed squeals, gurgles, or doesn’t make a sound at all? Andrew explains a foolproof way to choose your very first reed and every one after that. Stop struggling and start playing your new pipes! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Does it take you a long time to chose a reed? Do you often end up with a reed that is too difficult or too easy for you? What if there was a way to check easily and quickly? Andrew explains why the chanter reed litmus test works so well. Use this technique to ensure you choose the right strength every time. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do your embellishments enhance your playing, or detract from it?

This week, in Part 2 of their deep dive into Chapter 9 of Andrew's book Finding Bagpipe Freedom, Andrew and Jim explore the contrast between technical proficiency and audience appreciation in bagpipe embellishments. They look at the importance of playing with intention, the balance between tradition and creativity, and the importance of purposeful practice.

Got a topic you’d like to see covered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: support@pipersdojo.com!

Here’s what we covered this week:

00:00 Introduction: The Bagpipe Experience

01:09 Understanding the General Public's Perception

02:01 The Complexity of Bagpipe Embellishments

05:09 Intentionality in Bagpipe Playing

07:34 The Value of Traditional Techniques

12:32 Practical Exercises for Improvement

16:46 The Joy of Progress and Overcoming Challenges

27:25 Conclusion: Embracing Creativity and Fun

Have you found that your Gannaway bag does not stay completely airtight? Should there be some flexibility with hide bags? What are the major fail points for pipe bags? Andrew and Carl explain how airtight a bag should be and how to check for it. Hint: It’s a non-negotiable for pipers! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Are you planning to compete as a soloist for the first time this year? What tune should you play? What are the good standard tunes that work best for beginning soloists? Andrew makes this decision simple. Stop stressing about your tune choice and start preparing for that competition! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Have you changed drone reeds and found one set takes more air? Is it the drone reed or are there other factors? How can we test our drone reeds? Andrew demonstrates the suction test that he uses to check his drone reeds when they are acting poorly. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Does your bag slip down as you are playing? Do you struggle keeping it in place under your arm? Is it the bag cover or is it you? Andrew and Carl address the key techniques you must know to keep your bag in place while you play. Warning: a non-slip patch may not cut it. Check out the new Transitioning to the Bagpipes Course: https://pipersdojo.lpages.co/transitioning-to-the-bagpipes-v2-course-flash/ Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do you have a set of poly pipes? What is the best set up if they are your primary set or your backups? Listen in as Andrew and Carl discuss their recommendations for poly piping peeps! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Are you a new piper just starting bagpipes? Do you feel like you are going to pass out every time you play? Should transitioning to the bagpipes be so hard? Andrew and Carl assuage your fears with a simple process to make your transition a success. Spend less time frustrated and more time playing pipes. Check out the new Transitioning to the Bagpipes Course: https://pipersdojo.lpages.co/transitioning-to-the-bagpipes-v2-course-flash/ Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do you have issues with basic rhythm, scale navigation, or gracenote quality? Do you play embellishments because everyone else does? Could playing the simplified version of a tune help you get better as a piper? Andrew explains why playing a simplified version of a tune is a very good idea. Using the reel, Ca’ the Ewes, he demonstrates the process all pipers should use to learn and play tunes starting with a simplified version. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

If you are serious about playing pipes, how much should you consider spending on piping? Chanters, reeds, pipe bags, and private instruction all add up. Is the cost reasonable? Andrew shares how he thinks about his bagpipe expenditures. He explains what is worth the money and when it’s not. Frugal pipers (aren’t we all) need to hear this! Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Do you need to buy a new chanter to play with a band? Can your old chanter match the new poly band chanters? Can a band sound amazing with all different chanters? Andrew has a surprising answer to this question. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Have you tried circular breathing? Do you need to know how to circular breathe to become a better piper? Carl and Andrew discuss the advantages of circular breathing and whether it is important for pipers. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Why do pipers at all levels obsess over embellishments and deep-and-meaningful expression, when they can’t play to the beat, or without crossing noises?

This week, Andrew and Jim jump back into Andrew’s book, Finding Bagpipe Freedom, to discuss Chapter 9, which is all about the importance of mastering the basics before delving into embellishments. Because as Leo Burnett says, it’s better to do the obvious, simple thing, but to do it uncommonly well. Got a question you’d like answered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email it to us via support@pipersdojo.com.

This week we cover:
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Keeping It Simple
01:26 Simple Pleasures
02:24 Story Time: Ghosts of Piping Past
02:49 Andrew Wright and Frank Sinatra
03:52 The Art of Simplifying Music
08:12 Scoffing and Musical Authenticity
09:22 Creativity and Understanding Basics
15:42 Analogies in Art and Music
29:31 Final Thoughts on Basics and Embellishments

Why do you play bagpipes? Is it because they draw a crowd? Is it for the mental challenge? What do two professional pipers think about this? Andrew and Carl discuss what draws them to play bagpipes. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Have you been off your pipes for a while? Are your pipes now hard to play? How do you know whether the struggle is because of your pipes or because of you? Andrew explains the chanter reed litmus test to be sure your reed is the correct strength. Carl addresses how best to check your bag for airtightness. These guys will help you get back on your pipes no matter how long it has been. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!

Overwhelmed with many piping projects? Are you trying to balance solo tunes, band sets, Dojo tunes, and life? How do you prioritize what’s most important? Carl and Andrew address this common issue with suggestions that can help all pipers get focused to work on what is most important. Visit DojoUniversity.com today and become a member! Join us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter… wherever you do your social media!