Hi Everybody! I found Scoiltrad.cm mentioned on a thread in a very positive way the other day. I’m wondering how many out there have taken their lessons and how it turned out? I found their website and am sorely tempted..but I would love to get some feedback from fellow players before I just type in my CC#! Bear in mind that I am a beginner as you all probably know by now. Would their beginner lessons be suitable for someone who has been practicing seriously for a good month?? Its so intriguing!! Thanks!
Well, I have taken several lessons and I can’t say enough good things about them–but then again, it was probably one of my comments you saw in the other thread.
If in doubt, why not try the free demo whistle lesson? You can get it at
http://www.scoiltrad.com/demo/demo.html
It costs nothing, but doesn’t include a tune evaluation either. With a real lesson, you can make an MP3 of your playing, which Conal O’Grada will evaluate and make suggestions and give pointers on.
Best,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
I have 2 of their lessons, and they have been very helpful for me. The videos were extremely helpful to me. I practically learned to roll from their lesson on “Morisson’s Jig”.
Jacob
I have ordered 4 lessons from them (two for flute and two for whistle) and I think they are fantastic! They go into great detail. I think their lessons are far superior to in-person lessons, because you can repeat them until you learn a tune. With the assessment, you get the personal suggestions you need. By all means, take some scoiltrad lessons!
Jessie
I’m also very tempted, but for some reason I can’t get the free lesson to play, and it would aggravate me to buy something that I can’t use. My second hesitation is that I don’t know where I stand. Am I a beginner? Sure I read music, can play all the notes, theoretically know some ornamentation, but it doesn’t sound ‘right’ to me, and I’m nowhere up to speed on most of the tunes I know. Am I intermediate?
But $20 isn’t much; I’ve spent far far more on whistles I don’t really need and don’t particularly want. So. . .next question. Do I get a lesson on a tune I ‘know’ or one I don’t?
Aw, heck…why not write Scoiltrad and ask THEM? I think that’s what I’ll do. Thanks for listening.
Tyghress (off to write a letter)
Hey Everybody! Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I think I will download the demo lesson…IF I CAN..it takes awhile and the couple of times I tried it I keep getting kicked offline in the middle of it cuz some well meaning person in my family just has to ring me up on the phone!!! ARRGGGHHH
I am seriouly considering ordering one lesson to start. I agree with the question…should I order something I already know?? Well, heck…I don’t know ANY of the tunes they offer so I guess its not an option. BUT…The advice I got from Sandy Jasper (who we all know from another thread is a genius!) has advised me in the past that it is always easier to learn a song you already know the melody to…sooo..given that, IF anyone else knows the melody of a particuar lesson tune it most likely would make it even more user friendly. I am in agreement with Tyghress (hope I spelled your name right!)…it is a case of being a beginner and not knowing just how much of a beginner you are when it comes to their lessons. They don’t really define their idea of “beginner”. Hmmm…probably will take a shot anyhow…feeling daring…especailly after all the great feedback you guys who have taken lessons have given!!!
On 2002-09-16 18:45, tyghress wrote:
but for some reason I can’t get the free lesson to play.
Am I a beginner?
You need to have Quick Time on your pc for parts of the lesson to work.
I bought Morrisson’s jig and thought is was pretty ambitious for a beginner lesson. So my advice would be to get one of the harder beginner lessons, then decide for yourself.
Regards,
jb
Hello Lads,
I’ve just spotted the thread on Scoiltrad, particularly the query on “What’s a Beginner etc.”. If any one has any doubt on which lesson to go for, drop me an e-mail at info@scoiltrad.com and I will try and assist (include as much information on your playing as possible). If after getting this advice you still purchase a lesson that you feel is either too basic or too advanced for you we will gladly give you a more suitable one free of charge.
In the very near future we will be releasing a course of 10 classes aimed at the complete beginner that will take students from how to hold and blow the whistle right through to being able to play a selection of tunes with soild phrasing, breathing & tonguing plus some basic ornamentation techniques.
Last but not least, thanks to everyone who took the time to give positive feedback on Scoiltrad. This is a really new venture and we are working extremely hard to try and make it sucessful, both for ourselves and our students…this type of feedback is really encouraging.
Beir Bua
Conal
Hi everyone,
I saw this thread and wanted to say that I visited with these folks at Milwaukee Fest and saw their lessons and the interface with the computer and I was very very impressed. It is a really great system and the ability to send your recordings and get feedback is a brilliant idea.
I strongly recommend them to anyone that can’t get a personal teacher that is one on one. They seem like very nice people and the instruction is very high quality and very detailed. When I get some time, I intend to take some lessons myself.
All the best
Mike