Anybody have experience with this? Any advice? Thanks.
I have the flute tutorial and several others in the Mad for Trad series. Their value depends on your experience, needs and expectations. They aren’t strictly for a rote beginner. The initial exposition on how to play a flute is minimal. However, there may be nuggets that individuals had not uncovered before. Few secrets are given up if you are already familiar with ITM flute technique but again your experience and opinion may vary from mine. The format that is followed is similar to that of many workshops. Tunes are presented part by part played slowly at first and then at a more normal pace all the way through. The tunes selection is ok and many tunes are also found on the other Mad for Trad tutorials. Seamus gives up few secrets although his does describe the “finger bounce” or tipping nicely - doing it is another matter. If you enjoy Seamus’ playing it’s worth having (as are the Solas DVD’s). If you live in the middle of nowhere and can’t find a session or get out to a workshop now and then, well it may be just what you want. Hope that helps.
Feadoggie
Thanks Feadoggie, that info did help.
My problem is not learning or ornamentation, but it is the timing and speed and keys. I now understand Edorian and Eminor, but there are so many that I have to learn. I kind of understand the difference between jigs and reels and such, but I want to fully grasp the concept of them. Same with practicing on the right speed. I think that I am having more trouble trying to learn the background stuff more than the flute itself.
Tipping, huh? We used to do a fair amount of tipping back in Doolin, but I wouldn’t be too quick to post any videos, now.
Rob
My problem is not learning or ornamentation, but it is the timing and speed and keys.
I don’t think you’d get much from the Mad for Trad tutorial then. There isn’t any exposition on keys or modes that I can recall. I know a few experienced players that don’t give a hang for what key or what mode a tune may be in. They just know the tune and play it.
I kind of understand the difference between jigs and reels and such, but I want to fully grasp the concept of them.
Honestly, I think that the only way to understand these is to get out and play with others (that know the music). Other than that, spend as much time as you can listening to the music. It seeps into your soul soon enough. As for speed, it’s dance music, it’s got to move you. We are at a distinct disadvantage here in many parts of the US, too few dances, too many concerts (ok, too few of those as well). Keep hitting the sessions.
Others may have better suggestions.
Feadoggie
Tipping - around here that generally involves the bovine community.
As for tipping on the flute, I would love to grasp that skill well at some point but I fear my old fingers and nervous system are not up to it. We do what we can do.
Feadoggie
The key to getting that right is being able to feel/use the weight of your fingers. It’s not a rapid muscle movement, like a trill; it’s a ricochet effect, a bounce. You have to adjust the mechanics of your fingers to achieve it. Cheers,
Rob
I’ve been accused of tippling too. In fact, my whole family has.
Thanks, Rob. I appreciate your insight. I do understand tipping as you describe it. And it has been demonstrated to me several times. I just can’t do it. I blame a little nuerological episode I had years ago for my inability to just let the fingers bounce on the holes. Tipping does produce a lovely sound. I’ll give it another go tonight. Who knows!
You’re a funny man, Doug.
Feadoggie
I think the common mistake that beginners to this decoration make is that they leave their finger on the flute too long. Finger bounce is a good description of what’s going on. The technique that I always teach in workshops is to imagine that the surface of the flute is hot and that you are trying with your finger just to see how hot it is, so you are trying to touch it for as short a time as possible. You should not be able to hear a pitch for the cut or tip, just a distinct interruption of the note so decorated.
All the Best
Hammy
I actually find tipping one of the easiest ornamentations. Even when I first started, the tipping was natural to me. It was one of the first ornamentation I started to use.
me, too… it’s sthe cut that gave and still gives me grief on a regular basis…
be well,
jim
The technique that I always teach in workshops is to imagine that the surface of the flute is hot and that you are trying with your finger just to see how hot it is, so you are trying to touch it for as short a time as possible.
Hammy, thanks for the advice. I’ll try it.
Feadoggie
Just to be clear … Am I right that what you guys are describing is a bounce onto a note when approaching it from above, and not simply a double-tap below the ornamented note?
The “hot flute” analogy is good. But it implies that the finger ends up off the hole. The way that I bounce, it’s a kind of flutter when coming down onto the hole, and the finger ends up down.
Thanks …
Right! Unless I am also misunderstanding Hammy. After you affirm that the flute is “not too hot”, the finger settles on the hole. My problem is that many of my finger tips lack the feedback nowadays to determine the temperature of the flute. 
Alas, I cannot bounce. Love the sound though.
Feadoggie