10 Clues Your Pipe Major Sucks (Dojo Conversations Episode 72)

Pipe band can be a source of joy, fun, and fulfilment. But the person in charge matters… and it can be really demotivating when weaknesses in their leadership start to affect your enjoyment of this hobby we all know and love…
This week, we’re revisiting an article Andrew wrote in 2020 called, you guessed it, “10 Clues Your Pipe Major Sucks”. Despite the clickbait title, the point is really about leadership - in a pipe band setting, or any other. Andrew and Jim dive into their own experiences playing under various pipe majors, good and bad, and the importance of leadership quality, fostering talent, and creating a positive band culture. But it can be easier said than done - and a good leader also needs good followers…
Want to sign up for Dojo U Insider - your daily dose of bagpiping education, delivered right to your pocket? Check it out: pipersdojo.com...
Got a question for a future episode? Leave a comment or email us at [e-mail]!
This week, we cover:
01:15 The Allure of Hip New Pipe Majors and Band Dynamics
03:58 Addressing the Challenges of Suboptimal Pipe Majors
05:46 Exploring the 'Ten Clues Your Pipe Major Sucks' Article
06:25 Big Fish Syndrome and Leadership Flaws
14:10 The Problem with a Suffocating Repertoire
16:16 Disrespecting Band Members' Time
17:39 Cutting Down Emerging Talent
18:02 Navigating Talent and Leadership in Bands
18:35 The Challenges of Being Musically Gifted in School
19:25 The Power Dynamics in Teaching and Leadership
19:51 Fostering Talent vs. Resentment in Leadership
20:16 Personal Reflections on Supporting New Talent
20:55 The Joy and Frustration of Repetitive Practice
21:36 Recognizing and Avoiding Leadership Pitfalls
23:29 The Importance of Delegation and Trust in Leadership
26:41 Understanding the Bigger Picture in Leadership
29:53 Setting Realistic Expectations and Fostering Growth
33:22 Reflections on Leadership and Followership
____
Dojo University is the longest-running and most successful online bagpiping and drumming school in the world.
We teach thousands of students around the world how to play good music - mastering the art of learning and playing the bagpipes and drums in the process - in a highly accessible way that is completely unlike anything else you'll find online or in person, anywhere in the world.
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.
And whether you're a complete beginner, a parade or experienced player, a pipe major or drum sergeant, or a pro-level competitor... you can free yourself from musical frustration at Dojo U.
At Dojo U, we do things a little differently to how you may have approached learning to play the bagpipes before. One of the key reasons for our ongoing success is that we're always evolving, improving, and growing. We'd love to welcome you back and show you around!
Find Andrew and the Piper's Dojo Team here:
Dojo University Online Bagpipe School: pipersdojo.com
Facebook: / pipersdojo
Twitter: / pipersdojo
Instagram: / pipersdojo
SnapChat: pipersdojo