509 - Real Feedback Month is coming! Plus chanter tuning, synthetic reeds and more (Dojo U Q&A session)
This week on Dojo U’s "Strike-In" Q&A, Andrew and Carl launch our special "Real Feedback Month" – you can join Dojo U before June 5th for a free 30-day trial and get direct feedback on your real summer repertoire through live critiques, recording reviews, and 15+ weekly classes designed to get your piping performance-ready for the season ahead.
They also tackle listener questions on chanter tuning, synthetic reeds, blowing efficiency, recording gear, pitch standards, and more. Here’s what we cover this week:00:00 – June’s Real Feedback Month: how it will work and how to get involved
04:43 – Fixing a chronically sharp high G: warmups, carving myths, reed positioning, moisture control systems, and alternative chanter modifications 14:03 – Synthetic chanter reeds: thoughts on the Highland Bagpipe SureFire reed, why synthetic drone reeds have succeeded more easily, and what’s still missing from synthetic chanter technology 19:20 – Reed gurgling on E: what causes it, why overblowing is usually the main issue, and how reed strength affects stability 25:27 – Puffing your cheeks while playing: why it happens, whether it’s a problem, and how it relates to blowing mechanics 28:40 – Recording gear and adapters: getting the Zoom IQ7 working with USB-C devices and why cable quality matters 30:14 – Current limitations of AI transcription for bagpipe content 32:00 – Acceptable low A pitch frequencies: why 480 Hz can be completely normal depending on weather and conditions34:40 – Wrap-up and sign-off
