397 - Has Bagpipe Pitch Gone Too High? (Dojo Conversations Ep 67)

04/01/24 • 30 min

Do bagpipes seem sharper in pitch than they used to be? That's because they are...

This week, Andrew and Jim answer a listener question about why bagpipes have become sharper over time. We look at the history of pitch, how it affects tuning to mix and match old chanters and new reeds, and also at before a left turn into the implications of rising pitch for competitions (for better or worse). Plus, will we ever figure out the magic pitch that will help us make first contact with aliens? Listen in to find out!

This week, we cover:
00:00 Opening Thoughts on Competition and Aliens
00:21 A Morning Chat: From Sickness to Bagpipes
01:09 Listener's Query: The Sharpness of Bagpipes
02:31 Exploring Bagpipe History and Pitch Evolution
07:50 The Science and History of Musical Pitch
16:17 The Bagpipe Pitch Debate: Tradition vs. Modernity
20:51 Judging Bagpipe Competitions: Pitch Preferences
28:54 Concluding Thoughts on Bagpipe Pitch and Future Directions

Do bagpipes seem sharper in pitch than they used to be? That's because they are...

Previous Episode

396 - Finding Your Perfect Drone Reed Setup (Dojo Conversations Ep 66)

Should you use cane or synthetic drone reeds? Is it good or bad to mix and match them? Does ‘perfect bagpipe tone’ exist? Can you achieve it if your band plays different reed setups? And does a bit of imperfection in your sound actually make your tone better?

This week, we’re talking all things drone reeds! Drone reeds are an integral part of our instrument’s sound, stability, and tone, and yet knowing how and when to use the different makes and materials is something most pipers don’t understand. Cane or synthetic? Inverted or standard? Uniformity or mix and match? Join us as we delve into the details on drone reeds...

Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]!

Here’s a summary of what we cover this episode:
00:00 Pumpkin’s Fancy Shirt
00:40 The Journey from Synthetic to Mixed Material Drone Reeds
01:30 Exploring the Nuances of Drone Reeds
04:12 The Quest for the Perfect Drone Reed Combination
09:32 The Superiority of Cane Drone Reeds Explored
16:48 Rethinking Band Uniformity: Drone Reeds and Chanters
24:29 The Philosophy of Bagpipe Sound: Complexity and Preference

Next Episode

398 - The Ultimate Secret To Being a Better Bagpiper (Or Drummer) (Episode 68)

You're stuck on a desert island. Would you rather have your practice chanter, or an endless playlist of great pipe band tunes? If you didn't say the latter, you're missing the number one secret ingredient to being a better musician – immersion!

This week, we're discussing why certain families and geographies seem to foster world class players. Is it just boundless talent passed along in their bloodlines... or is it the world-class piping and drumming they've been absorbing since before they could talk? Immersion in the best of your craft is the single greatest correlate to ongoing success in anything. So how can you replicate that if you're not living in a hive of pipe band activity, or surrounded by top class pipers everyday? We have some ideas for you...

Got a question you want us to discuss on a future episode? Leave a comment or send it to [email protected].

Highlights of this week's episode:
00:00 Have you heard of a little podcast called 'Droning On'?
01:29 Diving into the World of Bagpiping Podcasts and Media
02:08 The Essence and Importance of Immersion in Bagpiping
09:13 Exploring Various Avenues for Bagpipe Immersion
20:49 The Power of Immersion in Learning and Creativity
25:23 Wrapping Up with Reflections and a Desert Island Dilemma