I was given the name Brian the Flute because I er...play the flute!
I used to be a civil servant but gave all that up in 1982, and have been alright ever since!
I was born in Liverpool, of an Irish family, with my roots in Rostrevor, Co. Down, and Forkhill, Co.Armagh. I didn't start playing until I was in my 20s, though we'd always had music around us. I've made up for lost time since!
Besides having played lots, I have taught Traditional Irish Music in many ways; personal tuition, master classes, workshops at Folk Festivals and Gatherings, even as a subject in schools and Community Education!
Together with my great friend Donal Lynch, a Kerryman, I co-founded The Hibernia Centre at Avonmouth, Bristol in 1999. It gives people from all backgrounds the chance to explore Irish Culture, offering classes in music, dance and language.
You can visit the site at
http://www.hiberniacentre.co.uk/
In October 2005 another close friend, Chris 'wurzel' Caton, who now teaches there, contacted me through The Session and asked if he might post a lesson I gave him back in 2001 on to the web.
I don't claim it to be anything special, but here it is
http://kaled.org.uk/flutelesson
I have moved around quite a bit and eventually I came out to Tasmania after sharing the Island of Lundy with puffins and grey seals!
For a while I lived in the beautiful SW World Heritage Wilderness of Tasmania on the shores of Lake Pedder, but now I based in Kettering, about 45kms south of Hobart.
I have met, and played with, many Traditional Irish Musicians over the years, and have gathered most of my music by sitting and playing with musicians, as opposed to learning from books, tapes, CDs etc. There's nothing wrong with learning or playing from music; it's just not my way. As much as I enjoy performing gigs and concerts, I find the intimacy of a session in a class of its own.
When I started playing I was blessed to play in the sessons with the wonderful players of the Liverpool Ceili Band.
Another great influence on my music was playing with Jimmy McHugh who was from Omagh, Co. Tyrone but lived in Glasgow. Many people loved Jimmy and there is a memorial concert for him every January in Glasgow. More information can be obtained from visiting
I'm having a go at fiddle and have a lovely Hammig which I got from a junk shop in Taunton, Somerset, in England.
Similar to The Hibernia Centre in Bristol I have managed to run a series of classes at The New Sydney Hotel, Hobart. These are held on 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month between 7pm - 9pm. The classes are free.
For those who can read music I provide the notation, but in the traditional style there is the teaching by ear and at the end of the class the class has two new tunes.
Also starting in July 2009 I will be running classes in Irish Calligraphy and teaching pupils how to design their own Greetings Cards with Irish salutations.
As well as having an interest in all things musical I love nature and the wonderful space of outdoors.
If ever you are in the area now that I'm living in Tasmania, do get in touch! There'll be a great welcome for you!
Brian x
Tunes in briantheflute's tunebook: 230
| Irish Murphy's | January 7th 2004 |
| Sad News from Tasmania : Mairtín Mac Mathúna R.I.P. | June 15th 2007 |
| Cheap travel to Ireland! | June 7th 2006 |
| Nova Scotia 10th May | May 8th 2006 |
| Health warning | May 1st 2006 |
| Today is ... | November 30th 2005 |
| Discussions | Re: Joe Cooleys accordion. | November 21st 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: Pat finn ............. Moved on | June 22nd 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: Peerie Willie, Danny Thompson and John Etheridge | June 18th 2009 |
| Discussions | Re: Mellow string suggestions | May 13th 2008 |
| Discussions | Re: Frankie Kennedy | May 13th 2008 |