Hello,
I am new to the board, and to playing tin whistle or flute, and have signed up for Bill Ochs absolute beginner tin whistle class and will be going to his tin whistle day on Sunday at the Irish Arts Center in NYC. I was wondering if anyone else was going to either the class or the one day event? I’m not sure how many people on the board are in the NYC area so I figured I’d toss this one out there and see.
Also, any comments from anyone who has taken the class would be appreciated as well.
Thanks
-Jim
I had a workshop with Bill Ochs in Toronto. It was excellent. You won’t regret going to this. I think he really prepares for teaching and is committed to it.
Steve
I haven’t been to the Irish Arts Center for the whistle day lesson but have had a private lesson with Bill. Their is no finer whistle teacher around. He’s published and recorded. I’d suggest you bring a tape/MD recorder to get the real flow for practice later. I live on Long Island but will not be attending. Have fun!
BillG
I studied with Bill for several years in classes and did attend one such work shop. Do bring a recorder. It’s well worth the time. Enjoy.
PhilO
PhilO,
You do mean a tape recorder, don’t you?
MCM Transatlantic Whistle Detective Agency - no case too small.
Branches in London and Salt Lake City
[ This Message was edited by: Cees on 2002-09-18 11:52 ]
I’ve been studying with Bill for 3 years now, and I can recommend him unreservedly. Bill is as dedicated to teaching as he is to the music. He’s also a hell of a nice guy.
Cees - forgive me! Of course, a TAPE recorder.
PhilO
Just teasing 
On 2002-09-18 11:52, Cees wrote:
PhilO,
You do mean a tape recorder, don’t you?
No. No. I think MD recorders are used for recording mountain dulcimers.
Amen to Jim Mc’s and Phil O’s observations. Having Bill for a teacher is among the best things that have happened for me in a long time. If you are a beginner, it is well worth it to do the whole series he teaches at the Irish Arts Center. And, by all means, do the Whistle Day.
Are any of you LI folks near Middle Island / Islip? My grandmother lives there - the next time I visit (dunno when) we will have to get together.
Argh! I can’t believe I started playing the whistle a year after moving away from the NYC area. I just looked at the Irish Arts Center calendar. That’s quite a group of teachers they have there!
Tery
On 2002-09-19 00:56, Tom Dowling wrote:
If you are a beginner, it is well worth it to do the whole series he teaches at the Irish Arts Center. And, by all means, do the Whistle Day.
I am definately thinking about the whole series. I have joined the arts center so I get a discount now making it even more worth it.
Thanks
-Jim
On 2002-09-19 01:15, tkelly wrote:
Argh! I can’t believe I started playing the whistle a year after moving away from the NYC area. I just looked at the Irish Arts Center calendar. That’s quite a group of teachers they have there!Tery
I don’t know what your schedule is like but Newark, Delaware is only about 2 and a half hours away or so. You could probably do a tin whistle day or one of the other one day events on the weekend. (Newark’s only about 15 or 20 minutes over the Delaware bridge right?) Just a thought.
-Jim
On 2002-09-18 14:20, PhilO wrote:
Of course, a TAPE recorder.
hmm, may have to pick one up. I don’t have a tape recorder right now. Thanks for the tip guys.
-Jim
Hi Jim,
It’s a little longer (2 1/2 gets you to Jersey City – a commute I did for 3 years the other way), but it’s definitely doable. I didn’t see whole tin whistle days listed on the Arts Center calendar. How do I find out more about them?
TIA,
Tery
On 2002-09-19 10:31, tkelly wrote:
I didn’t see whole tin whistle days listed on the Arts Center calendar. How do I find out more about them?
I found out about them on Bill’s site http://www.pennywhistle.com or you could just email him. He got back to me within an hour of emailing him.
Take care
Jim
Thanks!
Hey, Jim B1! I know everyone is recommending a tape recorder for the class, and I do concur, but there’s no need to blow the kids college fund on something fancy. You aren’t taping for commercial purposes or anything, it’s more like just a way of taking notes in class so you can refer back later on. I make do on these things with a $20 Radio Shack special with a built in condenser mike. It does just fine for this.