Ever wondered why those pesky crossing noises always show up when you’re playing in front of a judge?

This week, Andrew and Carl tackle one of piping’s most frustrating mysteries: how nerves mess with your finger control... and what you can actually do about it. From understanding what judges really mean by “crossing noises” to using recordings to hear what they hear, this episode is packed with practical advice for improving your competition performances.

The guys also talk about the difference between live band workshops and online learning, and weigh in on everything from smallpipe design to jig interpretation and drum setups. 

🎵 Tune in and join the conversation at pipersdojo.com!

Here’s what we cover this week:
00:00 – How to Fix Crossing Noises Under Pressure
03:45 – Why You Might Not Hear Your Own Mistakes
07:30 – The Power of Recording Yourself
11:00 – Finger Control, Nerves, and Bandwidth
16:00 – Should the Dojo Build a Troubleshooting Course?
21:00 – Band Workshops vs. Dojo Membership: What’s Best?
27:00 – Will Inveraray at Chicago Games Attract More Grade One Bands?
30:30 – Why Practice Chanters Have Cylindrical Bores
33:00 – Jigs: Pointed or Straight Eighth Notes?
37:00 – Which Drum Brands Are Worth It?
39:00 – Does Manometer Tubing Size Matter?
41:00 – Software for Playing Along with Your Tunes
44:30 – Why Bands Use Two Tenors and One Bass
48:00 – Baritone Drones and Their Role in Pipe Tuning

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