I have the chance to take classes with him next Mon. and Tues and was wondering if anyone knew him?
Word has it he’s an excellent teacher and player.
thanks Loren
Don’t know about his teaching, although if he is at East Durham again next summer, I’ll be tempted to join his class. Heard him give a couple concerts. He’s a fantastic flutist (and whistler) - subdued and tasteful, very subtle in is inventiveness. Also very friendly, if that matters. His CD with Paddy League (bodhran) “The Green House” is one of my new favorites.
Bruce
Hi, I take lessons with Grey once every other month or so. I’m lucky enough to live in the same town… He’s a great teacher and musician! He was extremely helpful concerning ornamentation.
-Brett
I have taken workshops with Grey a couple of times. He is a great guy and a great player. He concentrates a lot on ornaments and variations, at least when teaching people beyond the beginner stage. He is very analytical and has tapes of people like Mary Bergin and Matt Molloy. He plays these at half speed and analyzes in detail what they’re doing. A lot of the stuff is hard to catch, even at slow speeds. He was in the process of producing a flute book for Mel Bay. That was a couple of years ago. I don’t know what has happened to it but if it ever comes out it should be a winner.
Steve
Quote:
“He was in the process of producing a flute
book for Mel Bay. That was a couple of years ago. I don’t know what has happened to it but if it ever comes out it should be a winner.”
He’s still working on it…I think it’s nearing completion, and is intended for flute AND whistle. It should be one of the best when it’s published.
[ This Message was edited by: Bretton on 2001-08-22 20:07 ]
I took a group class with Grey at
a celtic festival here in St. Louis.
I thought he was an excellent teacher.
He really helped my ornamentation.
Grey has a theory about ornamentation,
that it’s principally an attack on a
note, which drastically improved my playing. He’s thought
about whistle-playing in very practical ways. Nice fellow, too.
Darn, I thought you said “Gary Larson.” I’m a big fan of “the Far Side.” 'Twas a sad day when he retired.
Uh oh, I’m off topic again. Must be time to go to bed.
Tom
Thanks all, you have convinced me and I am signing up for the lessons as I type this
You’re welcome Ron. Don’t forget to tell us all about it when you get back! 
Get back? Thats the great thing about it, he and paddy league are going to be playing here in Denver Monday night and are giving the lessons Mon. and Tues. right here in Denver, about 15 minutes from where I work. In fact I go right past where they are giving the lessons on my way home from work.
The Fates are kind
Got my lesson with Grey scheduled for 2:00 today. He is very warm and personable on the phone and I can’t wait to meet him in person.
I reviewed Gray’s most recent CD a few months ago. It is fully awesome.
Dale
He is a great teacher. Warm and friendly and very patient not assuming you “should” know something yet not condescending. He had me play a bit and analyzed my playing in a very fair and non-judgemental manner. He explained what I was doing right and why it was right and what I was doing wrong and how to correct it. He gave me enough in the hour lesson to keep me practicing for a month or more.
Anyone who has a chance to take a lesson or 2 with him should take advantage of it. I only wish he was closer to Denver so I could take weekly lessons.
Okay, Ron, so why haven’t you come down to our sessions at Fado? Hmmm?
You’d be so welcomed!
Anyway, glad you took a lesson with Grey. He’s terrific. I got to play with him a bit in St. Louis a few years ago and truly enjoyed it. And he’s got a lovely Firth&Pond flute.
I’m sure you’ll want to sit in his class again.
So…about coming down to Fado for some tunes! Sunday nights are when I usually go ('bout 7pm). The Monday session there can get pretty lively, too, but I ache on Tuesdays after them and can’t get up for work!
Hope to see you there real soon!
Oh…and bring the whistle!
Hi David,
Thanks for the invite, I would love to come to the Sunday night sessions but I usually have a problem finding a sitter for my daughter on Sundays. I also don’t play anywhere near well enough to keep up in a session YET, but I am working on it.
By the way, I love your stuff in the post and always tune in when Pete Boyles has you on his show.
If I can find a sitter I will be down to listen and maybe try to fumble through a tune or 3.
Ron
Peter Boyles? Wow. I’m flattered.
Well, it has been a while since I’ve been on his radio show, probably because no one’s been fired over a story I’ve written. Guess I’m slowing down.
Definitely come to the session, even with the little one! If nothing else, to have dinner and an ale to introduce yourself and listen. We’re pretty easy going folks.
Little ones can be in the bar at night? Or is Fado’s considered a restaurant? Maybe I’ll come down with her this Sunday.