A Beginners' Tin Whistle Workshop with GREY LARSEN

Saturday , March 17, 2007
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($35.00)

Praise abounds for Grey Larsen's books, performances, recordings, and instructional abilities, revealing him to be not only a fine instrumentalist but also a conscientious and talented teacher. Grey is the author of two popular and successful Mel Bay instructional books: The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (with accompanying CDs) and The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox, the former being the most comprehensive book yet written on Irish flute and tin whistle.

One of Irish music's most articulate teachers, Grey has taught at festivals, workshops, colleges and music camps in the US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and The Netherlands. He is also widely recognized for his work as a record producer, mastering engineer, and as the Music Editor of Sing Out! Magazine. He is most well-known as one of the world's foremost players and exponents of the Irish flute. To many musicians and music lovers, his recordings are classics.

Designed for beginning tin whistle players, Grey's Elderly workshop will help students form good habits and avoid pitfalls that would need to be undone later. Bring a whistle in the key of D. You should be able to get a basic sound from the whistle, and it will help if you know the fingerings and names of the notes, although this is not required. Nor is an ability to read music essential, although handouts will be made available.

The class will explore the rudiments of playing traditional Irish music, including breathing, phrasing, and ornamentation, with an emphasis on technique rather than repertoire. Listening to traditional Irish music before the workshop will be very helpful. Total novices are welcome to attend the workshop but it is not intended to cover the absolute basics of playing the whistle such as how to get sound from the whistle.

"...[an] exhaustive, gorgeous dissertation into the ancient musics of Ireland. Perfect for beginner and expert alike, the book [The Essential Guide ] reads like a chronological history of these wind instruments, perfectly complemented by the two CDs to help you whistle (along) while you work." - Global Rhythm, April 2004

"It's rare that a teaching package comes out, of which it can be truly said that it represents a 'turning point'. But that can be claimed for Grey Larsen's Grey has produded something remarkable here, at every level, and has done it with sureness, honesty, humility, insight and passion." - Scotland's The Living Tradition Magazine

"The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle is not just a comprehensive how-to book, it is also a fascinating reference work and a really great read!" - RootsWorldBulletin #255, February 2004.

Also see Grey Larsen in concert with Cindy Kallet at The Ten Pound Fiddle on Friday, March 16, at 8 pm.

Check out recordings we carry featuring Grey Larsen