Tag Archives: beginner

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!