Category Archives: News

Flute and whistle classes in Edinburgh this Autumn

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This Autumn, the regular traditional flute and whistle classes in Portobello, Edinburgh resume with a new name. Fun Flute is becoming FluteFling to clarify the more folky and traditional part of the classes. (The ‘fun’ part is a given!)

Flute Fling was originally the name of the Spring workshop in Portobello, and I have every intention of running further ones under this name. However, it made most sense to me to bring these two strands of my traditional music teaching together under the one name.

I will continue to run whistle classes with the Scots Music Group and will also be teaching whistle to children at the busy Portobello Music School.

Photo: An Poitin Still (19) by youn-ar-gall under a Creative Commons license. Some rights reserved.

Border Gaitherin 2012 flute and whistle workshops

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This weekend sees the 10th anniversary of the Border Gaitherin at Coldstream and I’ll be running two flute and whistle workshops as part of the festival. One of these is for Absolute Beginners, the other for those developing their music on the instruments. I’ll also be taking part in the Tutor’s Concert on Sunday evening.

The festival runs 1st-3rd June. The workshops take place on Sunday 3rd of June. It’s a small, friendly festival on the Scottish Border with England just a stone’s throw away across the Tweed. Lots to do and see, with workshops and activities for musicians and non-musicians alike.

The Workshops

Beginners
For people new to the whistle or flute, this will provide an opportunity to learn the basics, from how to hold and sound the instrument to first notes, understanding notation and moving on to first tunes.

Developers
For those who have the basics already covered and are moving onto improving their technique and expanding their repertoire, this workshop will cover some different tune types from Scotland and Ireland and look at how phrasing and technique can be used to bring out the best of the tunes, regardless of experience.

I have been going to the Gaitherin at Coldstream for many years, for concerts, sessions and workshops as well as performances and more recently teaching. It’s one of my favourite places to go and I hope to see you there too!

Flute Fling thanks and watch out for more

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Thanks to everyone who came to the Flute Fling workshop — it was good to see you and I hope you got plenty from it. Thanks to Catriona Patience for her help and support and to Nick for coming all the way from the Isle of Arran for the afternoon and evening music session.

The music for the workshop (with corrections) can be found here (PDF) on the workshops page of The Flow.

This was the first such Flute Fling event and it won’t be the last. My next big workshop will be on Sunday 3rd June at The Border Gaitherin in Coldstream.

Ceilidh Culture has only just begun, so be sure to check out other events. This week I’ll be at the Scots Music Group fund-raising gig on Friday 30th and then with Fun Fluters at Portobello Community Centre with Fun Fiddle and Linten Adie choir on Saturday 31st. I’ll be relaxing later on playing in The Captain’s Bar with Cauldstane Slap.

Cauldstane Slap in session at Sandy Bell’s

 

 

Flute Fling post-workshop events

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After the Flute Fling workshop on Saturday, there are a couple of open traditional music sessions taking place in the Portobello area that people are welcome to join.

Firstly, you might like to head along the seafront to The Dalraida Bar to catch the end of Sean Paul Newman’s afternoon session, which runs until 6pm. Then there is enough time to get something to eat before returning for a session at 9pm for a St Patrick’s Day session organised by local artist/ flute player/ whistler and singer Mike Kinnane.

As if that wasn’t enough, I will be playing with the band for Absolutely Legless, who will be performing spectacular Irish dancing on Sunday afternoon.

All of these events will be free.

Photo of Cauldstane Slap in session at the Dalriada (c) Gordon Turnbull

A week to go to Flute Fling

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Flute Fling is just one week away and space is limited, so make sure you don’t miss out.

This is a chance to learn some new tunes, perfect techniques and have fun playing with other flutes and whistles. There will be some Scottish tunes and as it is St Patrick’s Day, Irish ones too.

We’ll looking at:

  • breathing
  • timing
  • decoration
  • embouchure
  • posture
  • a variety of Irish and Scottish tunes — jigs, reels and more
  • ways of playing together

I’m a great believer in enabling people to participate and share in the music making, so as long as you have the rudiments and can find your way around your instrument, there will be something for you, from improvers aiming consolidate their playing to more experienced musicians looking to step things up.