503 - Stop Blaming the Reed: Fix Your Setup Instead (Dojo U Q&A Session)

This week on Dojo U’s Friday Strike-In Q&A, Andrew and Carl tackle a wide range of piping questions – from chanter choices and reed behaviour to rhythm fundamentals, travel tips, and getting the most out of your Dojo membership. Here’s what we cover this week:

• 00:00 – Poly vs. blackwood chanters: are plastic chanters becoming the new standard?
• 04:12 – Retuning on the fly: what to listen for when your drones drift mid-performance
• 06:38 – Tapping your foot while playing: why it’s harder than it sounds (and how to build it)
• 12:32 – Why reeds change day to day: consistency, moisture, and the real culprit
• 21:30 – Teaching beginners: should you learn all 11 Commandments of Mastery?
• 24:17 – Flying with your pipes: what you actually need (and what you don’t)
• 37:28 – Submitting recordings for feedback: how to get the most from Dojo coaching
• 39:41 – Basic vs. Premium: what solo pipers unlock with a premium membership