What is the Tuning Game Challenge?

It’s a month-long challenge to help you improve your bagpipe tuning — one day at a time.

It begins June 1st.

All you have to do is play the Tuning Game (our free, interactive ear-training tool) and log your score each day in our online platform.

Whether you're just getting started or fine-tuning your edge, this challenge is your chance to build your ear, boost your confidence... and maybe even win a spectacular, shiny new set of McCallum SL4 MacRae Bagpipes.

What Is the Tuning Game — and Why Is It So Effective?

The Tuning Game is a hands-on, ear-training tool designed to help you build real tuning skills without needing to touch your pipes. It works by playing two tones—your goal is to adjust one of them until they match using simple trial and error. You’ll learn to listen critically, recognize when things improve or get worse, and gain confidence in making tuning decisions.

This game is incredibly useful for students because:

• 🎯 It isolates the skill of listening, so you’re not overwhelmed by blowing, squeezing, or tuning at the same time.
• 🧠 It trains your ear in a low-pressure environment, allowing you to improve quickly through repetition.
• 📈 It gives you instant feedback, helping you understand what "better" and "worse" actually sound like.
• 🔄 It builds tuning instincts, so when you do pick up your pipes, you already know what to listen for.

The best part? You can play it anywhere—on your phone, tablet, or computer—and use it as much as you want. It’s like a tuning gym for your brain.

Why Should You Join?

So why should you sign up? (It's free, by the way!)

You mean, aside from the fact that you'll go in the draw to win a beautiful, brand new, world-class instrument?

We created this challenge because tuning is the core skill that separates average players from great ones — and this challenge gives you the daily structure to actually improve it.

The Tuning Game is fast, addictive, and effective — and you can play it even if your pipes aren’t out.

All it takes is a few focused minutes a day.

This challenge is about consistency — not perfection.

Participation is totally free — and open to all levels of pipers, whether you're brand new or highly experienced. There’s no minimum score. No judgment. Just a fun way to improve your tuning day-by-day.

Here’s how it works:

• +1 entry for each day you log a Tuning Game score
• +10 bonus entries if you log at least 20 days
• Double your total entries if you log all 30 days

The more you play, the better your chances — plain and simple!

Screenshots are optional — we use the honor system.

READY TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE?

Click the button below to sign up.

The challenge runs June 1–30, and it’s completely free to participate.

You’ll get instant access to the Tuning Game and our online community so you’re ready to go on Day 1.

Dojo University Is Different

Yes, you can find bagpipe instruction elsewhere on the internet and in person, but Dojo University is unique because it's built and taught by real-world bagpipers who have actually built these resources based on real-world experience (read: successes).

In other words, we aren't people who couldn't do so we made a course instead. We've been in the trenches teaching AND performing - we detest untested theory and believe that the best way to learn something is to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little dirty. If that sounds appealing, then welcome! In Dojo U you've found your bagpipe home.