Irish Whistle - Susan Lindsay

by **Madra Rua** Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:13 pm

Irish Whistle Classes
Susan Lindsay

Calling all Irish music lovers! Learn the Irish whistle at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 9, Plymouth, MA. Susan Lindsay leads ongoing whistle classes, from beginner to intermediate, at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall, across from Celtic Fire and Sam Diego’s, in downtown Plymouth. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings. Call 508-830-0651 for more information.

Beginner sessions are for students with little to no experience playing, minimal musical background. We’ll learn familiar tunes and popular Irish song melodies, with an emphasis on developing basic familiarity with the instrument. Introduction to basic ornamentation, learning techniques to make the music sound “Irish.”

Continuing whistle classes are for students who know a few tunes, but who are still working on getting good sounds and want to learn more. We learn the melodies to popular Irish songs, and also begin to explore Irish dance tunes and ornamentation, which include jigs, reels, and polkas. Emphasis is on playing with other musicians, beginning to memorize tunes, and on learning the “three-tune set” approach to playing Irish traditional tunes.

Intermediate level courses are taught for fast learners and students who are confident on the whistle but want to expand their repertoire and technique. Emphasis on developing facility in Irish ornamentation, rhythm, and repertoire. Focus is on learning tunes played in area sessions.

Lessons are $15/1hr. class, and are taught in five-week blocks with advance payment. Drop-in price is $15 per class. Future sessions TBA.