The Piper's Dojo

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The Piper's Dojo

We make world-class music instruction accessible to any piper or drummer, anywhere in the world.

The leading online bagpiping school for more than a decade, Dojo University is your home base for becoming a better musician.

11/05/2026

How can we inspire people’s enthusiasm for piping culture without perpetuating (wrong) stereotypes?

This week, Andrew and Jim are joined by piper, writer, broadcaster and music storyteller Gary West for a wide-ranging conversation about piping, Scottish music and the stories that shape the tradition.

Check out the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Want to learn how to play like you have something to say? Gary will be teaching a special class series at Dojo U in November – learn more and sign up now: pipersdojo.com/gary-west or link in bio

11/04/2026

Do you prepare for what you’ll say, as well as what you’ll play?

This week, Andrew and Jim are joined by piper, writer, broadcaster and music storyteller Gary West for a wide-ranging conversation about piping, Scottish music and the stories that shape the tradition.

Check out the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Want to learn how to play like you have something to say? Gary will be teaching a special class series at Dojo U in November – learn more and sign up now: pipersdojo.com/gary-west or link in bio

11/03/2026

“If a tradition stops changing, it becomes a convention, and then it dies.”

This week, Andrew and Jim are joined by piper, writer, broadcaster and music storyteller Gary West for a wide-ranging conversation about piping, Scottish music and the stories that shape the tradition.

Check out the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Want to learn how to play like you have something to say? Gary will be teaching a special class series at Dojo U in November – learn more and sign up now: pipersdojo.com/gary-west or link in bio

11/02/2026

Gary West on How Pipers Can Become Better Storytellers (Dojo Conversations Episode 171)

How can pipers become better performers and communicators?

This week, Andrew and Jim are joined by piper, writer, broadcaster and music storyteller Gary West for a wide-ranging conversation about piping, Scottish music and the stories that shape the tradition.

Gary explores the idea of tradition as a "carrying stream", shares insights from his research into WWI veteran oral histories and the life of Martyn Bennett, and offers practical advice on connecting with an audience. Plus, there's a Gordon Duncan classic, a trip down memory lane with A Prairie Home Companion, and a special sign-off from Gary himself.

Want to learn how to play like you have something to say? Gary will be teaching a special class series at Dojo U in November – learn more and sign up now: pipersdojo.com/gary-west

Here's what we cover in this episode:
00:00 – A welcome to Gary and exploring the social side of piping
06:34 – The "carrying stream": how musical traditions evolve
09:15 – Tradition, revivalism and building pipe band medleys
11:14 – Step dance piping and rethinking strathspey style
13:14 – WWI veteran oral histories and the story behind Jock's Jocks
18:26 – Remembering Martyn Bennett
19:48 – Connecting with audiences and handling bagpipe misconceptions
24:31 – Preparing to perform: why your spoken introductions matter
26:40 – Gordon Duncan and the legendary "Farting Badger"
28:38 – Different approaches to musical communication
31:42 – Piobaireachd: how context changes the listening experience
35:17 – Building a performance: the script exercise and performance graph
38:31 – A Prairie Home Companion nostalgia trip
40:52 – Gary's special sign-off

10/29/2026

Do you skip tuning when you’ve only got 30 minutes to practise?

This week, Andrew and Jim tackle a practical question about making the most of limited practice time. Check out the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts!

10/27/2026

🎵 COMING SOON AT DOJO U: THE GARY WEST SESSIONS

Four weeks. Fresh perspectives on the music you play. One very special opportunity to learn with legendary piper, broadcaster and writer Gary West!

👉 Join now: https://pipersdojo.com/gary-west

Starting November 8, Gary joins us for an exclusive four-week live series exploring the stories behind our tunes, how to build captivating sets, the musical possibilities of Highland pipes and smallpipes, and how to connect with an audience through your playing.

🎵 4 live classes with Gary West
📅 Sundays, 12pm EST / 5pm UK, November 8–29
🎶 Explore tune stories, set-building, repertoire and performance
🎓 All playing levels welcome
🎥 Recordings available if you can't attend live
🌟 Bonus class November 30: Exploring Gary's book, "Brave New Music – The Martyn Bennett Story"
🔓 30-day FREE Premium Membership trial for new members

Gary presented BBC Radio Scotland's Pipeline for 20 years, was Professor of Scottish Ethnology at the University of Edinburgh, and now hosts the Enjoy Your Piping! podcast. He's bringing a wealth of knowledge about Scottish music and tradition to the Dojo, and we're looking forward to exploring these ideas with him.

You don't need a particular instrument or to be preparing for a performance to take part. Come along to discover new ways to think about your repertoire and bring more character, context and connection to the music you play.

👉 Join Dojo U Premium and start your free 30-day trial: https://pipersdojo.com/gary-west

The first class is November 8 – we'll look forward to seeing you in the Sessions! 🎵

10/26/2026

Can You Skip Tuning When You Practise? (Dojo Conversations Episode 170)

Can you get away with skipping drone tuning when you've only got 30 minutes to practise?

This week, Andrew and Jim tackle a practical question about making the most of limited practice time. They discuss why tuning matters, how to break it into manageable steps, and why most stamina issues come down to air efficiency rather than lung capacity. Plus, they ask whether some pipers are more interested in the bagpipe persona than the music itself.

Here's what we cover in this episode:
00:00 – Perception, reality and whether we can ever truly know what others experience
04:00 – What AI might miss about human communication
07:35 – The miracle of digital audio: how bagpipe sound travels 2,000 miles
14:13 – Can you practise without tuning your drones if you only have 30 minutes?
16:33 – The out-of-tune guitar: why tuning matters
20:00 – Bagpipe persona: are you playing for the music or the aesthetic?
29:06 – Practical tuning solutions
33:10 – Stamina problems: why air efficiency matters more than lung capacity
34:30 – Finding more practice time
36:25 – Can a tuner app get you close enough? Yes — but trust your ears, too

10/21/2026

Are you making these two common seasoning mistakes? Listen to the full episode on Facebook, YouTube or whenever you listen to podcasts!

10/19/2026

How do you know how long your starting E should be? | Friday Strike-In Q&A

How do you work out the right intro E for a tune? How can you prepare for competition nerves and distractions? And how can your band get the most out of a membership with Dojo U?

Tune in for this week’s Friday Strike-In as Andrew and Carl answer listener questions on calculating pickup notes and intro Es, preparing to perform under pressure, building mock competition days into your practice, and getting your band on board with Dojo U. Plus, practical advice for pipe majors on improving musical literacy and building a stronger culture of preparation.

Want to join these live Q&A sessions, ask your own questions, and learn from world-class instructors every week? Join us at Dojo University today: https://pipersdojo.com/store

Here’s what we cover this week:
0:00 – Calculating pickup notes: how to tell whether a tune has one- or two-beat pickups
9:08 – Exceptions to the rule: three-beat Es, skipping pickups and simplifying tunes
10:55 – Competition nerves: how to handle distractions and the judge watching you
24:01 – Getting your band engaged with Dojo U: where to start with a Band Corps subscription
25:21 – Making online learning part of band practice with short weekly lessons
31:09 – Motivating your band: why applause alone won’t encourage people to practise

10/16/2026

🥁 NEW AT DOJO U: LEARNING TO WIN – THE RAVARA DRUM CORPS WAY

Six weeks. Practical exercises. Fresh musical ideas. One fantastic opportunity to learn directly from Matthew Shaw, Leading Drummer of the Ravara Drum Corps!

👉 Join now: https://pipersdojo.com/ravara

Starting October 25, we're excited to welcome Matthew for an exclusive six-week class series exploring the methods, music and musical influences behind Ravara's approach to drumming.

You'll work on your rudiments, explore new scores, tackle weekly exercises and get plenty of opportunities to ask Matthew questions.

🥁 6 live classes with Matthew Shaw
📅 Sundays, 4pm Eastern, October 25–November 29
🎼 Practical rudiment exercises, new scores and musical ideas
📝 Small weekly homework tasks to put into practice between classes
💬 Plenty of time to ask Matthew questions directly
🎥 Recordings available if you can't attend live
🎓 All grades and levels of experience welcome – snare, tenor and bass
🔓 Included in Dojo U drumming membership – 30-day FREE trial for new members, then $30/month unless cancelled

Matthew has helped lead Ravara's drum corps from its Grade 2 world drumming title in 2019 to top-six finishes at two major Grade 1 championships in 2026. Now you can learn from his experience, explore the musical ideas behind the corps, and take practical skills back to your own playing.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your rudiments, make better use of your practice time or bring fresh ideas to your band, this is a great opportunity to learn from one of the leading names in the game. 🥁

👉 Join now: https://pipersdojo.com/ravara

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Troy, NY

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http://pipersdojo.com/

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