This week, Andrew and Jim tackle more bagpipe questions – but the pressure is on to keep their answers within 3 minutes.

They discuss the timing for forming a circle during competitions, milestones for learning embellishments, options for band uniforms on hot days, how to know when a bag needs seasoning, and strategies for handling personal items when a sporran isn’t big enough.

Tune in for some practical, straightforward advice!

Got a topic you'd like to discuss on a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here's what we cover this week:
00:00 Introduction to the Three Minute Drill
01:13 Forming a Circle in Competitions
05:15 Learning Milestones for Bagpipers
09:40 Band Polos and Short-Sleeved Shirts
14:01 Bagpipe Seasoning: When and How
14:57 Avoiding Over-Seasoning Mishaps
16:39 Packing Tips for Parades
17:18 The Minimalist Approach to Carrying Essentials
20:18 Highland Gear: Functionality and Style
22:28 Final Thoughts and Recap

Ever hold back in a practice session because you're worried you'll mess it up?

Or stay quiet in band because you're afraid your idea might be wrong? In this episode, we’re diving into a powerful idea from philosophy called fallibilism—the belief that no matter how much you know, you could still be wrong.

And honestly? That’s a gift. Especially in a pursuit like piping, where tradition runs deep and gatekeeping can shut down growth.

We’re talking about why embracing mistakes, questioning ‘the rules,’ and letting go of the fear of being wrong might be exactly what you need to become a better, bolder, more creative piper.

Let’s rethink what it means to play it “the right way.”

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode?

Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here’s what we cover this week:
00:00 Introduction to Amateur Philosophy Hour
00:16 Discussing David Deutsch's The Beginning of Infinity
00:46 Empiricism and Fallibilism Explained
01:24 The Enlightenment and Its Impact
02:36 The Role of Observation in Knowledge
03:22 Fallibilism in Everyday Life
06:09 Fallibilism in Bagpiping
06:41 The Myth of Infallibility in Bagpiping
14:12 Teaching and Learning in Bagpiping
20:57 The Journey of Improvement in Bagpiping
23:58 Mad Genius and the Reality of Creativity
25:03 The Concept of Fallibilism
25:49 Balancing and Adaptation
27:30 Growth Mindset in Piping
32:25 Criticism and Learning
36:22 The Role of Tradition
39:21 Fallibilism in Governance
41:45 Embracing Imperfection in Piping

It's easy to assume that mentorship is most crucial during childhood. But what about those who discover piping later in life?

Whether you're a beginner at 40 or picking it up again after years, having a mentor can make all the difference.

This week, Andrew and Jim are diving into the importance of strong mentors in your piping journey, throwing back to Andrew’s early piping journey including his first contests, experience with piping at a boarding school, and the influential great pipers who were strong mentor figures in his life.

Got a topic you’d like covered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here’s what we cover this week:
00:00 Breaking In New Boots
01:05 Silent Practice Chanter Launch
01:47 Young Andrew Douglas' Bagpipe Journey
02:54 The Yips and Focal Dystonia
07:06 Mohawk Valley Frasers and Pipe Band History
14:53 Boarding School and Piping Education
18:26 Recording Project in 12th Grade
19:25 Jack Lee's Influence and Critique
19:58 Boarding School and Competitions
21:36 Immersion and Obsession in Piping
27:20 The Role of Luck and Identity
30:01 The Importance of Enjoying Piping
33:29 Final Thoughts on Piping and Life

Ever picked up your pipes on a rainy day and wondered why they sounded... different? Or maybe you’ve struggled to keep them in tune during a frosty morning performance?

Humidity and bagpipes have a complicated relationship – sometimes best friends, sometimes worst enemies.

This week, Andrew and Jim explore the crucial role of humidity for pipers – and how much is too much. They discuss using hygrometers, the effects of temperature and humidity on tuning, and why playing in the right conditions can make all the difference. Plus, catch some top tips for keeping your pipes in top condition whether you're playing in hot, humid summers or freezing winters.

Got a topic you’d like covered in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here’s what we cover this week:
00:00 Casual Catch-Up and Travel Plans
00:58 Parenting Challenges and Winter Woes
02:35 Florida Adventures and Gator Anxiety
04:45 Sunburns and Bagpipe Competitions
06:50 The Science of Hygrometers
15:09 Practical Applications of Hygrometers
18:26 Temperature and Humidity Effects on Bagpipes
24:29 The Glasgow Lands Effect
26:14 Understanding the Impact of Humidity on Bagpipes
26:49 Condensation and Its Effects on Bagpipes
27:35 Ideal Conditions for Playing Bagpipes
28:19 Worst Conditions for Playing Bagpipes
30:03 Personal Anecdotes and Experiences
36:51 Storing Bagpipes: Tips and Tricks
39:44 The Role of Hygrometers in Bagpipe Maintenance
44:35 Challenges of Playing Bagpipes in Different Environments
47:53 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Ever thought about starting your own pipe band? Where would you even begin?

This week, Andrew and Jim dive into the nitty-gritty of building a band from the ground up. Picking a name, sorting out uniforms, finding a practice space—it’s all on the table. Andrew shares some real-world advice on organizing rehearsals, setting up a beginner program, and making sure band dues actually cover costs. And let’s not forget the heart of any good band: community.

Got a question or topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here's what we cover this week:
00:00 – Morning greetings & intro
00:24 – What’s in a name?
00:55 – The first steps to starting a band
03:49 – Why education matters
08:38 – Finding a practice space
12:46 – Naming your band (yes, again—it's important!)
16:37 – Uniforms & kilts: what to consider
19:22 – The logistics struggle is real
20:35 – Drummers & their gear
23:16 – Band dues, gigs & keeping the lights on
25:40 – Beginner programs = future success
33:28 – Using Dojo U to level up
39:35 – Final thoughts

Ever been told to ‘blow tone’? What if that familiar advice is actually leading you astray? 

Of course, steadiness matters—but before you can maintain steady blowing, you need to know what you're aiming for. For pipers, that target is the sweet spot—the pressure that produces the best tonal quality. Without it, steadiness won’t help you sound better.

In this episode, Andrew and Jim break down why tonal quality comes first, how to find your sweet spot, and why steady blowing naturally follows when you get it right.

Got a question or topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here’s what we discuss this week:

00:00 Introduction 

02:49 Chatting Weather

03:04 The Trifecta Concept

03:37 Mastering the Steady Blowing Trifecta

05:28 Archery and Bagpipes: Drawing Parallels

07:21 Finding the Sweet Spot

14:01 Physical Steady Blowing Techniques

16:44 Mental Blowing Anomalies

23:30 Practical Tips and Conclusion

Is there a cheat code to becoming truly great at bagpipes?

In this episode, Jim and Andrew conclude their Commandments series with insights on how to learn in the right order and the importance of balancing focused practice with fun ('dessert'). They discuss common mistakes in bagpipe learning, the significance of proper practice techniques, and the role of obsession in mastering skills. The conversation also touches on the pitfalls of overindulgence in enjoyable activities and emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to practicing. Finally, they reiterate the importance of recording oneself for continuous improvement.

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here’s what we cover this week:
00:00 Introduction and Episode Context
01:00 Wrapping Up the Commandments Series
01:44 Commandment 9: Learn in the Right Order
02:07 Examples of Putting the Cart Before the Horse
03:45 Bagpiping Specifics: The Dethrow
10:38 The Importance of Rhythmic Accuracy
18:37 Commandment 10: Have Dessert, But Not Too Much
23:19 Heavy D Throw: A Mixed Bag
23:49 Dessert Dilemma: Balancing Treats and Health
25:25 Piping and Practice: The Right Balance
30:35 The Cheat Code: Obsession
35:50 Turning Passion into Profession
39:21 Final Thoughts: Balancing Fun and Fundamentals

Pipers start their journey on a practice chanter – but can you do more with a practice chanter than just… well, practice? 

This week, Jim and Andrew discuss practice chanters – should be seen as standalone instruments or just tools for learning the bagpipes? The conversation touches on competitive piping cultures in Scotland and North America, the introduction of practice chanter contests in CLASP, and debates the benefits and potential downsides of fancy chanters, friends' experiences, and the influence of stereotypes on the piping image. Join the debate on whether practice chanters deserve more respect!

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here’s what we cover this week:

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

01:04 Discussing Practice Chanters

01:49 The ES Session Chanter Debate

06:27 Practice Chanter Competitions

15:00 Cultural Differences in Bagpiping

19:57 Personal Bagpiping Stories

23:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Do you rely solely on your digital tuner to get your pipes in tune? Digital bagpipe tuners have become as commonplace in the piping world as the smartphones they often operate on. But are they a necessity, or just a shiny distraction?

This week, Andrew and Jim look at the pros and cons of digital bagpipe tuners, ignited by a listener's question about digital and analog tuners.

Got a topic you’d like us to cover in future? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected].

Here’s what we cover on this episode:
00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions
01:53 Diving into the Topic: Bagpipe Tuners
04:02 Historical Anecdotes and Tuning Practices
06:18 The Role of Digital Tuners in Modern Piping
08:53 Developing a Good Ear for Tuning
16:54 Analogies and Deeper Insights into Tuning
31:05 The Perpetual State of Tuning
33:11 Struggling with Bagpipe Tuning
34:31 The Training Wheels Analogy
35:45 The Role of Digital Tuners
37:24 Learning to Tune by Ear
37:41 Top Bands and Tuning Practices
40:17 The Importance of Developing Your Ear
58:48 Practical Tips for Tuning
01:03:44 Final Thoughts on Tuning and Tuners

Ever tried something new and thought, "Easy! I could do that"—only to fail spectacularly? That’s the hierarchy of competence in action. It’s the universal journey from complete ignorance to effortless mastery. And guess what? You’ve been through it more times than you can count.

This week, Andrew and Jim break down the hierarchy of competence, explaining the four stages: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence. They stress the importance of moving beyond conscious competence to perform skills effortlessly, applying this concept to various aspects of bagpiping, such as learning new tunes and tuning drones. 

Got a topic you’d like addressed in a future episode? Leave a comment or email us: [email protected]

Here’s what we cover this week: 

00:00 Old Injury Recap

00:45 The Intensity Equation Explained

02:13 Peer Pressure in Gym and Pipe Band

03:21 Understanding the Intensity Equation in Bagpiping

07:35 Commandment 8: Strive for Unconscious Competence

09:56 The Hierarchy of Competence

12:44 Learning New Skills and Overcoming Challenges

18:32 Bagpiping and Musical Mastery

26:55 Pursuing Personal Interests

27:25 From Conscious to Unconscious Competence

28:31 Angus McCall's Electronic Chanter

29:52 The Hierarchy of Competence

30:52 Learning New Tunes

34:06 Avoiding Demoralization

37:30 Memorization Techniques

48:30 Unconscious Competence in Action

53:51 Commandment 9 Preview