All Episodes
Episodes
472 - The Secret to Clean Fingerwork (Dojo Conversations Episode 142)
This week, Andrew and Jim strip things right back to the foundations of great piping.
What really matters when it comes to clean technique? How do you avoid crossing noises, nail those tricky note changes, and keep...
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471 - Is There A Better Way To Grade Band Contests? (Dojo Conversations Episode 141)
Is there a better way to score pipe band competitions? Â
This week, Andrew and Jim look at an unlikely comparison for inspiration: gymnastics. From artistic vs. objective elements, to the challenge of ranking large...
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470 - Rethinking Solo Rankings: EUSPBA's Greatest Hits Program (Dojo Conversations Episode 140)
Ever wondered how you can really tell who the top solo pipers are across a massive region like the Eastern United States? Â
This week, Andrew introduces Jim to the new EUSPBA Greatest Hits program – a ranking system...
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469 - Tuning's Surprising Secret Enemy (Dojo Conversations Episode 139)
Are ceiling fans secretly ruining your tuning? And what’s actually essential to keep in your pipe case?
In this fun and practical episode, Andrew and Jim crack open the listener mailbag to tackle three big questions...
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468 - The Tunes That Changed Everything (Dojo Conversations Episode 138)
Ever wondered where some of the most loved tunes today came from?
In this episode, Andrew and Jim dive into the life of John McLellan of Dunoon – one of the most iconic figures in Scottish piping. As of 8 August 2025,...
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467 - The Nitty Gritty of Playing With Sheepskin (Dojo Conversations Episode 137)
Ever wondered what makes a sheepskin bag so special – or so tricky?  Â
Last week we covered the broad pros and cons of sheepskin – this week, join Andrew and Jim as they do a deep dive on the mysteries, mishaps, and...
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466 - Should you switch to a sheepskin bag? (Dojo Conversations Episode 136)
Why do some pipers prefer a sheepskin bag? Â
In this episode, Jim and Andrew dive deep into the world of hide bagpipe bags – especially the legendary sheepskin. They draw some surprising parallels between Linux and...
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465 - How To Strike In Like A Pro (Dojo Conversations Episode 135)
Last week we looked at how maintenance, set up, and your bag can all massively help or massively hinder your strike ins. Â
This week, Jim and Andrew break down how to actually execute a perfect strike-in, and how to...
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464 - How To Fix Your Floppy Strike-Ins (Dojo Conversations Episode 134)
Are your strike ins leaving you deflated?Â
This week, Andrew and Jim break down the real reasons your pipes might not be cooperating – from leaky bags and floppy setups to calibration quirks and climate curveballs....
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463 - Are You Dialling In The Right Knobs? (Dojo Conversations Episode 133)
What if better playing was as simple as turning the right knob?
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In this episode, Andrew and Jim turn up the dial on a piping metaphor you didn’t know you needed. They explore how every element of your...
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462 - Train Your Brain to Practice Better (Dojo Conversations Episode 132)
Ever find yourself stopping cold after making a mistake while you're playing?
In this episode, Andrew and Jim dig into what it really takes to master bagpipe tunes – especially when things don’t go perfectly. They...
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461 - Top Tips for New Pipe Majors (and other Q&As) (Dojo Conversations Episode 131)
How do you avoid burnout as a new pipe major? Find gigs as a soloist? Introduce new tunes to your band?
Join Andrew and Jim for another mixed bag Q&A episode as they crawl through Reddit, discussing questions and...
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