Dear friends,
I will lead “Ornamentation Boot Camp,” a master class for tin whistle and flute players on Sunday, February 10 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at The Irish Arts Center, 553 W. 51st St. (between 10th & 11th Ave.) in Manhattan.
The class is for musicians who are already comfortable playing Irish dance tunes at a moderate pace, but who are new to ornamentation or would like to review the techniques. The workshop will start with instruction in simple ornaments (cuts and strikes) and then move on to compound ornaments (rolls and crans). We will also cover techniques used in slow air playing – finger vibrato, slides, etc.
All the techniques will be presented in the context of actual tunes – jigs, reels, hornpipes and airs. I will also give you a series of exercises to help you master the techniques, as well as show you how to apply these ornaments to pieces in your own repertoire.
There will be a break at the mid-point of the class during which I will give a talk on different styles of traditional Irish tin whistle and flute playing, illustrated with recordings of master players.
The class fee is $45, with a $5 discount to IAC members, teachers and seniors. Space is limited, so register ASAP to ensure yourself a spot. To register, contact Sydney at The Irish Arts Center: 212-757-3318, ext. 204, 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday, or sydney@irishartscenter.org.
Participants should bring a tin whistle, low whistle or flute pitched in D and a notebook. A recording device such as a tape, flash or mini-disc recorder is also highly recommended. Players of Boehm system flutes are welcome to participate.
I hope to see you on Feb. 10th.
Sincerely,
Bill Ochs
Web: www.pennywhistle.com
Email: bill@pennywhistle.com
P.S. The next introductory Absolute Beginners tin whistle workshop at the Irish Arts Center will be on Sunday, March 16, time TBA. Please check the IAC website closer to the date for the time: www.irishartscenter.org.