How To Fix Your Floppy Strike-Ins (Dojo Conversations Episode 134)

Are your strike ins leaving you deflated?

This week, Andrew and Jim break down the real reasons your pipes might not be cooperating – from leaky bags and floppy setups to calibration quirks and climate curveballs. Plus, a little banter about band camp and Misty Mountain mugs to kick things off. Make sure to check back next week for Part 2 of this practical chat about how to improve your strike in technique!

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 – Band camp flashbacks
01:05 – A light Middle-earth geography squabble
02:46 – Bagpipes and golf: where obsession meets art
03:34 – Calibration 101: getting your drones to play nice
05:46 – Strike-in theory vs. what actually happens
11:30 – Making calibration part of your daily routine
14:55 – Cane reeds: fragile, finicky, but oh-so sweet
16:10 – Climate chaos and the Scotland setup struggle
16:30 – What “efficiency” means in real life and piping
17:34 – The mechanics of a clean strike-in
19:27 – Why setup is everything
21:15 – Fine-tuning your reeds and drones
31:15 – Floppy bags and other setup saboteurs
33:48 – Wrapping up: what’s next in part 2...
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We created Dojo U because we noticed that too many pipers and drummers were struggling out there in the world. Bagpiping should be a joyful experience, each and every day you pick up your instrument. If it's not, we strive to fix that before it's too late.

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