In this annual Year in Review, Andrew and Jim reflect on a big year of piping, podcasting, and life at the Dojo – revisiting standout moments, recurring lessons, and the ideas that shaped the year.

Let us know in the comments: what was your standout moment from the year – or the episode that helped you most?

Here’s what we cover this week:

Some Christmas episodes are carefully scripted… and some are joyfully handed over to the robots.

This week, Andrew and Jim continue their annual holiday tradition by letting AI loose on a Christmas special — with festive chaos, a dash of existential dread, and plenty of laughs. With minimal prompting and maximum curiosity, they end up with “It’s a Wonderful Pipe”: a bagpipe-themed twist on a holiday classic.

Andrew delivers a dramatic reading of the AI-generated story while Jim reacts in real time, before the conversation turns reflective. Is the story secretly profound or complete nonsense? What does it say about passion, inspiration, and creativity – and where does AI fit into all of this? It’s festive, slightly unhinged, and the perfect way to wrap up the year.

Let us know in the comments: should AI run the show next year – and what was your favourite moment?

Here’s what we cover this week:

This week on Dojo's "Friday Strike In" Q&A Hour, Andrew works through a stack of real-world piping questions, starting with how to balance low A and low G and expanding into the practical realities of tuning, setup, and consistency.

The discussion covers common chanter issues, when flat notes become a serious problem, and why simple troubleshooting often beats drastic fixes. They also shift focus from gear to players, tackling top-hand tension, posture, and why pipes feel so different from the practice chanter. Along the way, they dig into modern piping life – online lessons on full pipes, staying connected with bands from a distance, and how remote players can still show up prepared and be taken seriously.

We finish up with bigger-picture strategy around solo competition repertoire, a clear breakdown of tuning order from chanter to drones, and a look at what’s coming next.

Here’s what we cover this week:

Ever wondered why some pipers seem to bounce back from mistakes effortlessly – or why your pipes sometimes feel great one day and impossible the next?

This week, Andrew and Carl dig into a whirlwind of community questions, from the end of the Insider podcast to the art of conscious practice, performance pressure, equipment choices, and knowing when you’re ready to buy your first full set of pipes.

They talk openly about experimenting (and failing) in public, why switching between pipes can throw you off, how nerves sabotage tunes you’ve played perfectly a hundred times, and why focused practice always beats endless reps. You’ll also hear their take on when in-person lessons are essential, how constraints can actually boost your creativity, and what gear Dojo instructors trust in their own playing.

🎵 Tune in at pipersdojo.com!

Here’s what we cover this week:

Some episodes are carefully planned… and some are rescued straight out of the garbage can.  

This week, Andrew and Jim wrap up the year by rifling through the legendary “maybe later” pile – a collection of rejected ideas, abandoned plans, and almost-episodes that never quite made the cut.

What starts as reflection quickly turns into some surprisingly solid piping advice, mixed with the usual chaos.  

Along the way, they tackle big questions about marching style, presentation in solo competition, and whether looking polished actually affects results. Then it’s down the rabbit hole with pressure variance testing, tuning by intuition, and why “trial and error” might still beat science when it comes to getting your pipes locked in.  

It’s messy, honest, practical… and accidentally one of the most useful episodes of the year.  

They also dig into why tradition still matters – from kilts and uniforms to parade culture – and finish with quickfire advice on keeping piping fun for kids, playing without pain, and building real fluency in embellishments.  

Got a topic sitting in your “maybe later” pile? Drop it in the comments – we just might pull it out next episode.  

Here’s what we cover this week: 

This week, we sit down with renowned piper and composer John Dew for a deep dive into his latest project, John Dew's Pipe Suites.

From the story behind the book to the evolution of harmony in bagpipe music, John walks us through his approach to writing suites, the influences that shaped his sound, and why understanding chord progressions is becoming essential for today’s pipers.

We also explore his brand-new album, the tools he uses to compose, and what’s ahead for bands travelling to competitions.

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

Here’s what we cover this week:

00:00 – Meeting John Dew & Early Background
01:11 – Inside the Pipe Suite Book: The USB Format & Features
02:40 – How the Community Reacted: Sales & Feedback
03:40 – What’s Actually in the Book? (11 Suites Explained)
05:10 – John’s Compositional Approach & Influences
08:50 – Harmony, Chord Progressions & the Modern Piping Mindset
13:45 – Teaching, Arranging & Why Harmony Matters for Leadership
17:23 – Tools of the Trade: Sibelius & Other Software
17:55 – Live Demo: Navigating the Book & Listening to Tracks
21:19 – John’s New Album: Marches & Fresh Compositions
23:20 – The Value of Musical Variety
24:49 – Interactive Learning Tools at the Dojo
25:45 – Q&A: Lessons, Pipe Majors, Contest Logistics & More
36:03 – Do Pipers… Talk to Their Pipes?
40:18 – Chicago Games & Band Travel Plans
43:56 – Chanter & Reed Talk: Mark II Shepherd, Tuning & Comparisons
46:15 – Drone Tuning Tips for Performances
49:41 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Learning by ear can feel both magical and maddening… and it’s one of the most powerful skills a musician can build.

This week, Andrew and Jim tackle how to learn tunes by ear, using the tune “Green Monster” as their test subject. They explore what really happens when you set the sheet music aside and trust your ears, your instincts, and a little bit of trial and error.

🎧💡 Ear learning isn’t just possible—it’s a superpower waiting to be unlocked.

Got questions or want to share your own ear-learning tips? Drop a comment below!

And a special shoutout to Hannah Focken, whose performance we feature on this week’s episode: https://www.youtube.com/@hannahfocken

Here’s what we cover this week:

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

💬 Like, comment, and subscribe for more piping discussions!

Why does criticism feel so uncomfortable, and yet matter so much for growth?

This week, Andrew and Jim unpack the messy, meaningful world of critique: how to receive it without spiraling, how to give it without crushing someone’s spirit, and why feedback is one of the most powerful tools musicians (and humans) have.

From creative-writing workshops to piping circles, they share real stories and practical strategies for handling feedback with curiosity, humility, and a little bit of humor.

Whether you’re tackling musical critique, professional feedback, or that one opinionated bandmate… this episode gives you a playbook for navigating it all.

🎧💭 Criticism stings — but learning to embrace it might just be your super-power.

Like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments:
💬 What’s the best (or worst) critique you’ve ever gotten?
🎵 How do you approach giving feedback in your band or creative life?

Here’s what we cover this week:

Check out this article for a deeper dive on giving effective feedback: https://internationalwriterscollective.com/dos-and-donts-of-critiquing/

Ever wondered if playing in a band might actually sabotage your solo piping?

This week, Andrew and Carl dive into the age-old struggle between band tempos, solo control, and the chaos that happens when adrenaline meets bagpipes, as they unpack how to stay in control when the bandroom gets loud — literally and figuratively.

The chat then veers into classic Dojo territory: why most practice chanters sound like sad recorders, whether synthetic reeds will ever be a thing, and the art of mic’ing drones without breaking your neck.

There’s also a few strong opinions about hard vs. easy reeds, and the eternal mystery of how long you should really hold that E before a pickup.

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

Here’s what we cover this week: