Transition from classical flute

Irish Flute
1

Hi all,

I started learning flute 3 weeks ago, but had to settle for lessons on a silver classical flute I hired from the music school. My teacher is also classically trained and isn’t much into trad music.

Am I wasting my time learning the classical flute which has totally different fingering to the traditional flute? Will the transition be hard?

I do try to play my tin whistle as well, so at least I’m developing an ear for traditional tunes…

Thanks for any advice,

Marion

2

I had a look in my database, and can’t find any possible teacher within any reasonable distance. I suppose moving to Dingle or Castleisland is out of the question?

I think that in your instance, spending time on the whistle is your best bet. The use of a silver Boehm-style flute will get your lip in condition, and perhaps help with stance, but I’m not sure that just self-teaching on an Irish flute wouldn’t be better. Embouchure is somewhat different on Irish flute, as well as articulation (no or certainly infrequent tonguing vs. classical). The position of the F#, and holding down of the thumb and Eb key on the Boehm for proper venting is a complication you probably don’t need. The whistle would get you proper use of ornaments, although whistle are often tongued. Is there a whistle teacher around?

I know you at least have appropriate repertoire to listen to.

Kevin Krell

3

Hi Kevin,

thanks for your quick answer (what time is it over there?!?) - you are right, I just bought the Flute Obsession No. 1 so should be able to learn loads from that!

I’d love to move to Dingle, but I’ve got a golf-crazy hubby with life-membership at Ballybunnion and there is NO WAY he’ll move :slight_smile: Oh well, there are some great sessions in Listowel (John B. Keane’s on a Sunday) so if any of you every come to North Kerry, give me a shout and I’d love to join you!

Regards, Marion

4

Hi Marion,
I’m sure if you have a good look around Listowel area, you’ll find someone who plays trad. flute and might well be willing to help. You don’t need to go to a professional music school or anything like that unless you want to.
Go into local music shop and/or local sessions, pick up your courage and ask in nicest possible way! You mightn’t find a teacher as such but anyone who plays at a reasonable standard could help you along from time to time if you approach them in the right manner. After that’s exactly how this music has been passed down through the generations.
But do expect it to take quite a long time to become both proficient on flute and have a good repetoire of tunes. That’s where the wee whistle comes in handy - it’s more manageable on the whole and thus easier to join in playing with others.

5

You might also be able to split the difference, so to speak. Get a keyless Irish flute, but stay with the classical teacher to learn the basics of breathing, posture, and embouchure. As was pointed out, the traditional approach and the classical approach differ, but at the early stages of learning a flute’s a flute.

6

Also the fingering for the key of D really isn’t all that different… the only notes that are different are Cnat, C#, and F#. Different grip too but that transitions well enough.