Hello People,
I am long overdue for supplying a proper introduction to the group, and for that I apologize.
Well, I’m Byron. I live in north central Ky (Owensboro area for those that are familiar with the Commonwealth). I have a lovely wife and a nuisance dog.
Although I’ve not participated in the daily discussions, I have been asking questions of the archives and receiving great instruction/advice from all you fine folks.
I hope I have come far enough along that I now have useful experiences to share and help others as I have been helped.
Well that’s all for now (and it didn’t hurt a bit )
Thanks for the welcomes.
My flute is a Dixon 3-pc conical. I’ve been working with it for over a year now and I’m really just beginning to get the control I want. Patience is virtue.
As for musical style, I listen mostly to classical (generic term). Actually, that’s part of the reason I’m still with the Dixon…I’m torn between acquiring a session flute or a baroque.
I’m working my way through Skelton’s “A few tunes” building a repertoire of sorts. Mostly, I’m just having fun.
Snap!
I too have a Dixon 3 piece,this was my first 'Irish 'flute.I have since acquired ‘Baroque’ type one key flutes,though they are really 19th century instruments.
I think that I’m really a Baroque/small hole R.&R. type fluter, rather than a Pratten fan.
Luc Verhoeven has one on his sight that I’m considering contacting him about (#10 with the ‘corps de rechange’ ). I’m really looking to at least explore that direction.
But, don’t let all this talk of classical styles fool ya, there is a disk of “Geeezers” in pretty much permenently lodged in my truck cd player and I’m trying to fiqure out a way I can “pre-order” the Obsessions 2 cd.
Welcome, Byron! It’s good to see another Kentuckian on the forum! Though I’m in Louisville, I’m pretty much isolated re: Irish music and just working on my own through listening to a lot of recordings, working (slowly!) through the Grey Larsen book, the Skelton tunes books you mention, and tunes I’ve acquired off the internet.
Let me join my friends in welcoming you Bryon and wish you luck with Luc. I am lucky enough to be playing #13 as we speak. I am still breaking it in but I can tell you this, it is a supburb flute. When he sent it to me he mentioned he had no other flutes left and was busy making himself one in A=415. He is also going to mess around with some pearwood. I am all but begging him for a A=415 maybe Stansby ish. We shell see. Anyway his work is first class as is his person. Try and hang on to the Dixon if you can. From what I hear they are good flutes. I have one of his 3 piece in rosewood and it is my best friend and official keyless Irish flute. The small embouchure on the baroque flute takes a little getting used to but oh what a fine sound. Very resposive as well. Not to mention down right sweet to look at and to hold. Boxwood feels so good. OK enough of this, as most people know around here, I dont think Ive ever met a flute I didnt like. You wouldnt believe the conglomeration I have. Well take care and have fun;
Oh well, sometimes searching for something is as much fun as having it. Also, I certainly agree that we (ardent flute lovers) shouldn’t flood the poor man and turn his passion into a chore(referring back to a thread on his amateur standing from a couple mos. ago).
Byron, Hoovorff … WOW. This is so great! I feel like I just discovered a whole Kentucky clan. Where the heck have y’all been hidin’? Let me know if there’s anything you need. ATB, cat.
I sent you a PM. I think it’s great that there is a growing Kentucky contingent here at C&F. I’ve been trying to learn this on my own but I would love the opportunity to meet with some more experienced players!
Oh, Jeanie, I’m so sorry! What a buckethead I am; I dimly remember a note from you but completely spaced on the Louisville part.
Anyway, I think a gathering is a fine idea. We’re going to try to get a new session going in the fall in Louisville; failing that, let me know if y’all want to hook up somewhere in between Lville and Oboro? My fella’s a fiddler, so I could bring that to the party … and Jeanie, if you ever want to get together and play a few, let me know. I work downtown Monday thru Wednesday. Also, we go up to Bloomington every six weeks or so for a round or two up there; let me know if y’all ever want to come along. Again, my apologies … and happiness at not one, but two Kentucky flute-playing cousins!
I may contact you sometime about getting together to play a few tunes. That would be fun! It would be great if we could get a Kentucky session going somewhere! Of course, I might have to listen for a while before trying to join in.
I have family in Louiville so it would be easy for me to attend weekend events with no worries about having to travel late. Fall is a good idea–summer is sometimes hard to schedule.
Could we put together a tune list? Maybe from John’s book? We’d then have all summer to work them up. Keep me informed.
I knew saying hello was going to be a good idea.
Later
Byron
Brilliant idea! Maybe we should shoot for Irish Fest in the fall; I think it’s right around the last weekend in September (in Louisville). Even if we haven’t got a regular session going again by then, there’ll probably be a few around the Fest … in fact, I’m hoping to get them to do a couple of instrumental workshops around it and get John S. to teach a whistle class or some such since he lives all of an hour and a half away …
Anyway, whatever works for you is fine with me. Meanwhile, I’ve got both books – so pick whatever tunes you’d like, let me know, and I’ll add them to the ever-burgeoning “Learn This” list.
A tune list is a great idea! I’m a teacher, so I’ll have the summer to work on tunes!
Cathy, do you have any suggestions for any particular tunes. I’ve been reading about sessions on the woodenflute.com list, as well as here. They all talk about different regions having slightly different tunes that are played. Are their any favorites for this area? (Kentucky/Indiana/Ohio, etc.)
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