Are You in Bagpipe Captivity?

One of the terms you'll hear around the Dojo is "Bagpipe Captivity." Think of this as the opposite of bagpipe freedom.

When we're in bagpipe captivity, bagpiping seems like a chore instead of a pleasure - and that's if you're lucky. Some of us invested so much in our piping, and for it to still be so frustrating and yielding so little enjoyment that we're actually in hell. Bagpipe Hell.

Over the years, we've spoken to countless bagpipers, and they want to escape bagpipe captivity. But, don't take our word for it! Here are some of their actual words. (We collect these quotes - it motivates us here at the Dojo - it's what we're fighting against).

"Will I ever be able to get comfortable with my bagpipes?"

“I do not know why piping is so important to me, but it has become a part of who I am.  I listen to the greats and pale in comparison, often times wanting to burn my pipes, yet I struggle on.  I continue to practice daily, take classes and individual lessons.  I would love to compete, but playing in front of others turns me into a mess.  During bagpipe classes, I never volunteer to play for that very reason.  I could use a big shot of confidence.  It would help if my pipes sounded better.  They always seem just a little off esp. the chanter and chanter reed.”

“Because confidence is key to solid learning, if I don’t have confidence that I’m learning the exercise correctly then I am afraid to continue learning and am more prone to giving up learning the instrument completely. “

"Piping is a chore instead of a pleasure! I spend so much effort on trying (and failing) to get them sounding reasonable that I hate playing so just do the bare minimum then back in the box."

"The pipe major told me, 'piping has got to be in you' inferring it wasn’t in me…"

"Just give up?"

"I left a really bad band experience. Like, gave-me-nightmares bad. And since then, I haven't wanted to play at all. It feels like a chore. It felt like that before I left, which should have been an indicator. Piping used to be such a joy. Now, it's just a thing I used to do. When I listen to other pipers play, it just sounds like any other music. It's not stirring my soul anymore.

I lost my drive, my fire, and I don't know how to get it back."

"I have done this for almost 20 years now and I still can't get a good seal around the blowpipe stick"

"Do I have any potential? Is any of this worth it?"

"Maybe my piping days are over?"

Before the Dojo existed, I could see (sense?) that many pipers loved the bagpipes, wanted to express themselves via the bagpipes, but because there was no plan for those who were struggling, they just... well... you know what happened. They quit. Or worse - they gave up their own search for excellence and settled for mediocrity.

Well , does any of this resonate with you?

Are YOU in bagpipe captivity?

If you want to learn more about Bagpipe Freedom and how to achieve it, we will build a custom "Bagpipe Captivity Escape Plan" for you for free. Start the process now.