434 - Do You Need A Second Instrument for Solo Contests? (Dojo Conversations Ep 104)

Piper's Dojo Audio Experience

The mailbag has arrived again! This week, Will asks: “…I want to build a set of pipes, specifically for solo competition… what should I look at for a purpose built solo bagpipe?”

Andrew and Jim chat through whether you need multiple sets of pipes on the boil for band vs solo playing, whether bore sizes matter in bagpipes, and the importance of simplicity, consistent maintenance, and focusing on the quality of your playing (aka ‘slaying') over the intricacies of your setup.

00:00 Introduction to Opals and Bononos

00:44 Quasi Mailbag: Will's Question on Bagpipes

02:18 The Challenges of Maintaining Multiple Bagpipes

04:10 Advice on Setting Up a Solo Bagpipe

07:16 The Importance of Simplicity in Bagpipe Setup

08:54 Debating Bore Size and Its Impact

12:58 The SLAY Principle for Bagpipe Success

21:04 Concluding Thoughts on Bagpipe Setup