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can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Hi all.
I am new to the forum, and new to the wonderful journey of irish trad flute music. Can anyone recommend a good tutor book? I have searched amazon, to no avail. I dont have access to a teacher, so am completely dependant (as many are) on books/CDs and so forth. If you can help, thanks so much.
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
EB, does it come with a CD?...have found it on amazon, seems to be really good on the technique. I think I am looking for a basic book that combines technique with basic jigs/reels etc
Thanks.
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I don't think anything can replace at least a few lessons with a good teacher. But once you are up and running with the basics, I have found June McCormack's book "Fluite: Irish Flute Tutorial" to be very helpful. It starts with basic information about cuts, taps, rolls, etc., and comes with a CD with examples. Most of the book is tunes (in dot form) with some suggested ornamentation written in. On the CD, she plays the tunes once through slowly and then once again a bit more up to speed. I think it is well worth the money.
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I have nothing to add to this thread, but I couldn't resist butting in...
June McCormack's book is good, but you won't be able to start from scratch with it. You'll need to learn how to hold and blow the flute yourself before that.
Grey Larsen's book is quite good, but he is rather cerebral in his approach and not everyone wants to wade through all the detail he provides just to get a few tips about tunes. In some ways, his book is too packed for a simple tutor book. Later on, it can be very useful.
On the other hand, working through the detailed transcriptions of a few tunes in either of these two books can be a real eye-opener in terms of how the ornaments can be used in real tunes.
I don't have Fintan Vallely's book so I won't comment on it.
The wooden flute obsession CDs should be owned by any aspiring flute player.
And somewhere, somewhen somebody showed me a video CD of a tutorial by someone which was not bad, but I've forgotten who (not much help, I know...).
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
There is a CD which goes with the Fintan Valelly book, but I think it may only be available from the man himself. I don't know - have a look. But, with or without CD, whatever other books you get, that one is a must.
As for Grey Larsen, you will find lots of people who like his approach, and lots who don't. I don't know the other books.
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Another vote for McCormack and Vallely. The Larsen book is so packed with info, that I think it would be overwhelming to a beginner. On the other hand, it does include a chapter on holding the flute.
When you say "no access to a teacher," are you talking Irish flute, or flute in general? If it's an option, it could be helpful to have a few lessons with a classical/Boehm flute teacher, just to get you on the right track with holding the flute and getting a sound.
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I found June McCormack's book and cd very helpful. I had plenty of flute technique from years back, but no idea of specific ITM articulation on the flute. There's no teacher for miles around here.
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Grey's book depends on your style. Some love it, some hate it. I found some helpful bits in there but never did read the whole thing. I liked Larry McCullough's "The Complete Irish Tin Whistle Tutor" although it's whistle and not flute. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Irish-Tin-Whistle-Tutor/dp/0825603404
June McCormack's book is not terribly detailed, but there is a lot of useful stuff to find in her recordings and transcriptions.
As far as teachers, Harry Bradley was trying out internet lessons. I don't know what came of it.
can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Hi all.
I am new to the forum, and new to the wonderful journey of irish trad flute music. Can anyone recommend a good tutor book? I have searched amazon, to no avail. I dont have access to a teacher, so am completely dependant (as many are) on books/CDs and so forth. If you can help, thanks so much.
# Posted on September 29th 2010 by ted 2IC
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Yep. Timber. You gotta get it. Keep going back to it - there's more in it than might at first appear.
# Posted on September 29th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
It's by Fintan Valelly. But if you Google " timber flute" as I just did, you'll find loads of hits for it.
# Posted on September 29th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
EB, does it come with a CD?...have found it on amazon, seems to be really good on the technique. I think I am looking for a basic book that combines technique with basic jigs/reels etc
Thanks.
# Posted on September 29th 2010 by ted 2IC
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I have found this book useful
The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle by Grey Larsen
It comes a CD
good luck
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by See You Wins
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
If you haven't gotten these yet, you should seriously consider it -
http://www.worldtrad.org/
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by Toppish
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Grey Larson's book, definitely. The Wooden Flute Obsession series is great, but it can be daunting.
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by steve98070
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
"Traditional Irish Tin Whistle Tutor" ~ Geraldine Cotter
http://www.mally.com/details.asp?id=612
"Timber. The Flute Tutor" Fintan Vallely
http://books.google.com/books?id=oW6kw1lbCNAC&printsec=frontcover&dq
"Guide to Irish Flute & Tine Whistle {excerpts}" ~ Grey Larsen
http://www.greylarsen.com/store/excerpts_essguide.php
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by Ben Steen
***
This is supposedly a good CD. I still have not purchased a copy.
"Tunes for Practice" - Seamus Creagh
http://www.tunesforpractice.com/
Shannon Heaton's "Tune of the Month"
http://www.mattandshannonheaton.com/totm.html
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by Ben Steen
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I don't think anything can replace at least a few lessons with a good teacher. But once you are up and running with the basics, I have found June McCormack's book "Fluite: Irish Flute Tutorial" to be very helpful. It starts with basic information about cuts, taps, rolls, etc., and comes with a CD with examples. Most of the book is tunes (in dot form) with some suggested ornamentation written in. On the CD, she plays the tunes once through slowly and then once again a bit more up to speed. I think it is well worth the money.
http://www.draiochtmusic.com/fliuit/
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by crickett
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I have nothing to add to this thread, but I couldn't resist butting in...
June McCormack's book is good, but you won't be able to start from scratch with it. You'll need to learn how to hold and blow the flute yourself before that.
Grey Larsen's book is quite good, but he is rather cerebral in his approach and not everyone wants to wade through all the detail he provides just to get a few tips about tunes. In some ways, his book is too packed for a simple tutor book. Later on, it can be very useful.
On the other hand, working through the detailed transcriptions of a few tunes in either of these two books can be a real eye-opener in terms of how the ornaments can be used in real tunes.
I don't have Fintan Vallely's book so I won't comment on it.
The wooden flute obsession CDs should be owned by any aspiring flute player.
And somewhere, somewhen somebody showed me a video CD of a tutorial by someone which was not bad, but I've forgotten who (not much help, I know...).
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by Crackpot
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
There is a CD which goes with the Fintan Valelly book, but I think it may only be available from the man himself. I don't know - have a look. But, with or without CD, whatever other books you get, that one is a must.
As for Grey Larsen, you will find lots of people who like his approach, and lots who don't. I don't know the other books.
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I'd go with Fintan Vallely and June Ni Chormaic's book. With those two and The Amazing Slow Downer you should be fine.
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by David Levine
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
"The Irish Flute Player's Handbook" from Hammy Hamilton.
http://hamiltonflutes.com/The_Irish_Flute_Players_Handbook.html
Comes with CD
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by Alex Wilding
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Another vote for McCormack and Vallely. The Larsen book is so packed with info, that I think it would be overwhelming to a beginner. On the other hand, it does include a chapter on holding the flute.
When you say "no access to a teacher," are you talking Irish flute, or flute in general? If it's an option, it could be helpful to have a few lessons with a classical/Boehm flute teacher, just to get you on the right track with holding the flute and getting a sound.
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by mcswiss
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Oh, and this is great--whistle, not flute, but most of it is transferable: http://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by mcswiss
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
I found June McCormack's book and cd very helpful. I had plenty of flute technique from years back, but no idea of specific ITM articulation on the flute. There's no teacher for miles around here.
# Posted on September 30th 2010 by Bredna
Re: can anyone recommend a good beginners irish traditional music flute tutor book
Grey's book depends on your style. Some love it, some hate it. I found some helpful bits in there but never did read the whole thing. I liked Larry McCullough's "The Complete Irish Tin Whistle Tutor" although it's whistle and not flute.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Irish-Tin-Whistle-Tutor/dp/0825603404
June McCormack's book is not terribly detailed, but there is a lot of useful stuff to find in her recordings and transcriptions.
As far as teachers, Harry Bradley was trying out internet lessons. I don't know what came of it.
Blayne Chastain has an online lesson program. I haven't seen any of it, but you may want to have a look. I liked his playing well enough when he stopped by a session in town.
http://www.whistleanddrum.com/online-irish-flute-tin-whistle-lessons
# Posted on October 2nd 2010 by ElaineT