Learning the Tin Whistle

The tin whistle is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get started playing traditional folk music. It is lightweight, portable, easy to play and get hold of as well as being available in many different keys. Learning the whistle can be a stepping stone to other instruments such as the Flute or Uilleann pipes. Lessons with Becky will help get you off to the right start aiming to get you started on your first tune at the first lesson.

Lessons are offered at the following stages of whistle playing:

  • Complete Beginner
  • Intermediate/Improvers
  • Advanced

Beginners:
Beginners lessons focus on establishing the basics of good whistle technique:-

  • Essential techniques to get you started.
  • Basic fingering.
  • Venturing into the upper octave.
  • Breathing and tuning.
  • Posture and hand positioning.
  • Dealing with squeaks and leaks!
  • Your first tune.
  • Introduction to Ornamentation – the basics.
  • Irish traditional tune types and styles.

This will help you make quick progress and establish a solid basis when you move ahead to Intermediate/Improvers and Advanced levels:

  • Increasing Repertoire (more tunes!)
  • Tips and tricks.
  • More complex ornamentation types (‘rolls’, ‘crans’, triplets and more!)
  • Developing your style.
  • Playing with others and in sessions.
  • How to ‘practise’ and improve your playing.
  • Preparing for performance.
  • Moving on to other instruments

Contact becky@beckytaylor.info or here for further details and to arrange your lesson

Learning the Uilleann (Irish) Pipes

The Uilleann pipes are one of the most highly developed (complicated!) of all bagpipes, with a chanter sounding two full octaves, as well as drones and regulators. If you aspire to become an Uilleann (Irish) piper then lessons with Becky will help get you off to the right start aiming to get you playing your first tune within a month of getting going.

Lessons are offered at the following stages of piping:

Uilleann Irish pipe lessons
  • Complete Beginner
  • Intermediate/Improvers
  • Advanced

Beginners:
Beginners lessons focus on establishing the basics of good piping technique:-

  • Essential Bag and Bellows technique.
  • Basic fingering, ‘on’ and ‘off’ the knee scales.
  • Venturing into the upper octave.
  • Drones and tuning.
  • Posture and hand positioning.
  • Dealing with squeaks and leaks!
  • Your first tune.
  • Introduction to Ornamentation – the basics.
  • Irish traditional tune types and styles.

This will help you make quick progress and establish a solid basis when you move ahead to Intermediate/Improvers and Advanced levels:

  • Increasing Repertoire (more tunes!)
  • Tips and tricks.
  • More complex ornamentation types (‘rolls’, ‘crans’, triplets and more!)
  • Developing your style.
  • Introducing the regulators.
  • Pipe fettling! Basic pipe maintenance..
  • How to ‘practise’ and improve your playing.
  • Preparing for performance

Concert or Flat Pitch pipes catered for.

Contact becky@beckytaylor.info for further details and to arrange your lesson

artSBridge: putting Sowerby Bridge on the map right NOW!

artsbridge

 

ArtSBridge is a grassroots community organization,  dedicated to supporting artists and other creative people, and is based in Sowerby Bridge. Winners of the 2014 Halifax Courier Community Spirit award, they put on cultural events throughout the year, from book launches to film screenings, and a yearly week-long festival in December. The first Sowerby Bridge arts festival was in 2013.

awardThe festival works to showcase local talent and special guests, and works in co-operation with the local library service, schools, churches and community groups, to engage the local community and encourage the young and old to be part of creative arts.

We’re proud of Sowerby Bridge and the ever-developing Community Spirit, and we’re also proud of the creative talents that live and work in the area.

artSBridge welcomes creative minds to join our merry band! We seek artists and performers, those who have time to volunteer services and skills, and all who would like to contribute in administrative, promotional or other capacities.

N.B. This text was copied shamelessly from their fantastic website where you can find out a whole lot more about what’s going on at www.artsbridge.co.uk

 

GTG are pleased to be a part of this years festival – do come along and support us

GTG at arTSbridge Thursday 11th December 2014