Tag Archives: improver

FluteFling Autumn term 2013

Posted on by
2
Flutes and whistles: Bhreatnach, David Begg, Emily Donohoe and Bruce Curtis in Sandy Bell's, Edinburgh

Flutes and whistles: L-R: Saidhbhin Bhreatnach, David Begg, Emily Donohoe and Bruce Curtis in Sandy Bell’s, Edinburgh

The Summer term has only just finished but already I am looking ahead to the Autumn term. One of my many jobs this summer is making things easier for everyone to find so this site will become a one-stop shop for my flute and whistle teaching*.

So the first thing I have done is organise the dates for the Autumn term, which begins on Thursday 12th September with the Slow and Steady class. The Improvers class begins the following week on Thursday 19th September. The term will be 6 classes long, with the classes alternating and there once again being a break in mid October. Full details on the About page and other dates into Summer 2014 can be found on the Diary page.

Slow and Steady? What’s happened to the Beginners class? Don’t worry, this is essentially the same class, beginners are still welcome, but we always take things steadily in this class, which some people find useful.

The Improvers class continues to cover a range of abilities, experiences and backgrounds.

*The Flow will still contain useful information relating to traditional flute playing and The Flow Music Workshops will still carry information related to my other music teaching activities.

 Photo: Flutes and whistles: L-R: Saidhbhin Bhreatnach, David Begg, Emily Donohoe and Bruce Curtis in Sandy Bell’s, Edinburgh by Gordon Turnbull

Spring FluteFling and SMG whistle classes information

Posted on by
Reply

Classes are continuing at the Scots Music Group whistle and FluteFling flute and whistle classes. I now have dates for the current term up on this site. Dare I say it, but plans are beginning to be made for the Summer term dates too.

Meanwhile, I am slowly making the transfer of FluteFling, Scots Music Group whistle class and now Portobello Music School traditional whistle class information over to this FluteFling site. You can find all of the tunes were have been learning on the new Resources page and other material will be sure to follow.

For the remainder of this term however, blog updates about the tunes can be found over at the sister site which covers all of my music teaching, The Flow Music.

Photo of a Sandy Bell’s session table by Gordon Turnbull

Flute and whistle classes in Edinburgh this Autumn

Posted on by
2

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

Posted on by
1

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!