Would anyone recommend this to a complete beginner (me )? Has anyone here new to flute found it helpful and does it insist I learn to read music? Tanks Heaps for any insight & advice.
Well I wasn’t a complete beginner but this CD helped me reach another level. It’s full of decent tunes , separated into jigs & reels, played both with and without ornamentation.
The main benefit is that it can be played over & over again so you can learn the tunes by ear. If you can read the dots as well they are there too.
It’s probably not as good as the Scoiltrad lessons but I probably shouldn’t compare them as this CD is a “one off” course, where Scoiltrad is a series of lessons. I’d try and get a teacher for a couple of lessons first to get your embouchure right first as I don’t think that’s particlarly well covered.
All in all I think it’s value for money.
Cheers
Willie
Thank you for your advice.I was dissapointed to read on the whistle board Scoiltrad is no longer in business. I bought a whistle lesson in the past and it was very helpful. I’m sure you’re right about getting a teacher as developing an embrochure and breathing , breath control is a real challenge.I think finding a teacher in the York, Pa. area may be difficult as well.
I enjoy reading the helpful info posted on this board and appreciate the the encouragement and help offered here.
Are there any other tutorials that have been helpful and offer good info on the basics?Seems there are a hundred whistle tutorials but not much for flute.Thanks again and I’ll start looking for a teacher in my area.
Grey Larsen has written a huge tome on playing the flute (it also includes a whistle discussion). THe 2 compact discs that come with are helpful demonstrations of ornamentation, tunes, etc. (I don’t have my book handy, so I can’t recall the exact title of the book. Do a search here for “Grey Larsen” and you’ll find it.)
Jeanie
Here’s a link to Grey site where the book is available.
He also has a tune bank where you can download a song, transcription and Grey’s comments for a couple of bucks each. THese are a good value and fun.
Fwiw, I have the MadforTrad Cd and thought it was a good place to start as well. The most significant advantage being that you can actually see someone playing an Irish flute.
Doc
Thanks for the help.I’ve decided to get the Grey Larson book and CD’s and the mad for trad cd as actually seeing the flute played I agree would be a big help for me.There goes my allowance!
I also received very helpful PM’s and may have a lead for a teacher! Thanks again all and I appreciate hearing more advice and personal views as well.
I have both the M4T CD and the Grey Larsen book. The M4T CD does not cover embouchure or how to get started. It tells you to find a teacher. The Grey Larsen book talks a lot to try and give you a grounding of the concepts behind what you are trying to achieve, but isn’t capable of telling you when you are getting it right or wrong. An instructor to get you started is still the best way to begin.
djm
Thanks djm. I’ve reconsidered investing in the tutorials and cds and will try first to locate a teacher. In the meantime I’ll continue to check in here on the flute forum and continue to practice.
I seem to be fairly easily influenced. Or am I ? 
If you don’t see two dolphins in the photo you are blowing too hard. 
djm
I must be blowing too hard , I’m lightheaded and all I see is a cat hacking up a hairball.
I have both the Madfortrad CD and the Grey Larsen book. The book is pretty much a complete encyclopedia of flute and whistle playing, but you can only learn learn so much from a book. I have found the video files on the CD more helpful than anything (besides a real teacher). Being able to see him play it as well as hear it, and having him explain it with the text beforehand reallly helps a lot.
Max