474 - Bagpipe Expression Made Simple (Dojo Conversations Episode 144)

Expression. It’s one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in music – but what does it really mean when you’re playing the bagpipes?

This week, Andrew and Jim roll up their sleeves and dig into the art (and the challenge) of making this notoriously rigid instrument… well, expressive.

From timing and rhythm to embellishments and groove, they unpack what’s actually in your control as a piper, and how those choices can shape your sound. Along the way, they swap stories, highlight tools you might not be using enough (hello, metronome!), and share how modern teaching approaches are changing the way pipers think about artistry.

Whether you’re chasing more musicality in your playing or just curious about how expression works on the pipes, this episode will give you plenty to chew on.

Got a topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here's what we cover this week:

• 00:00 – Intro & Banter
• 01:30 – The unique challenges of bagpipe expression
• 04:00 – How the pipes compare to other instruments
• 08:00 – What is “expression”? Universal vs. bagpipe-specific
• 12:00 – Tools you actually have control over
• 16:00 – Why fundamentals are the foundation of expression
• 19:00 – Accidents, creativity, and artistic choices
• 23:00 – Timing, rhythm, and the ALAP/ASAP model
• 28:00 – Prescribed vs. personal expression
• 32:00 – Finding the groove and rhythmic feel
• 36:00 – Metronomes, drummers, and developing timing
• 41:00 – Embellishments, vibrato, and other expressive tools
• 45:00 – Evolving approaches to expression
• 49:00 – Wrap-up & invitation for listener comments