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!
At the moment I'm living in the beautiful SW World Heritage Wilderness of Tasmania on the shores of Lake Pedder. It's early days yet but I'm hoping to start a series of "Lake Pedder Sessions".
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.
One of the greatest influences 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.
As well as having an interest in all things musical I love nature and the wonderful space of outdoors and, in the Summer months, I am also a TCA Umpire.
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!
Brianx
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: Mellow string suggestions | May 13th 2008 |
| Discussions | Re: Frankie Kennedy | May 13th 2008 |
| Discussions | Re: Time to put a string around the Strad? | May 13th 2008 |
| Discussions | Re: Duck | May 12th 2008 |
| Discussions | Re: Duck | May 12th 2008 |