Do you have an Ipod or other mp3 player? CD player, computer? Can you use it as a practice tool.

I believe yes.. but how.

Many of the top level pipers not only had the benefit of beginning lessons at an early age, but were being "trained" possibly from birth. The had the benefit of hearing high quality piping from that time, which 'trained' their ears to what a well tuned and well played stand of pipes -should- sound like.

We can do the same thing even if we live in the piping and drumming neverland.  Simply obtain recordings of top solo pipers, light music and yes, even piob.  and listen to them as often as possible. 

Then, when you hear something that doesn't match these, at least in tuning or tempo.. you'll notice it and it will register as "odd" or "wrong", then we can start the process of finding out what exactly it is thats "wrong" and fix it.

If the best piping you ever hear, is those of us, who haven't even played well enough to be upgraded in competition to the next grade.. your perception of what "good" piping should sound like.. isn't accurate.

Listen to bands too, but for the clear tone of -A- stand of pipes, you can only get that with solo recordings.