13th June 2019

Booked my tickets for https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com/

Have a weeks classes with Harry Bradley, Tickets to see Lúnasa, Ulaid + Ríoghnach Connolly .. tickets to see the Skin, Wind and Reed session (Finlay McDonald, Mary Bergin, John McSherry, Gareth McLees, Harry Bradley, Kevin Crawford, Willie Drennan & John Joe Kelly)  and tickets to see Connla.

Should be a great week!

28th November 2016 - New Week New Tune

So I had a challenge last week and decided to keep on Fig For A Kiss for two weeks.  Hard decision but I felt it was the right one for quality over quantity.

This week moving on to Blackthorn Stick/Coach Trip To Sligo .. let's see ...

27th November 2016 - Car Flute

When I bring my Olwell anywhere I never leave it in the car.  I've put it in my backpack to shops and visiting friends.

Then again I don't like to take it out of the house unless I'm going somewhere I need it to practice.

So what to do when I don't take the Olwell?

I have a Car Flute.  It's a plastic Dixon D and it lives in the car.  You never know when you'll have 20 minutes waiting around when you're doing Dad-Taxi so not uncommon to find me sitting in the back seat playing Lazy Road.  Plastic isn't fantastic but better than nothing for a little practice anywhere.

26th November 2016 - Comhaltas Clane

Took a quick trip down to Clane GAA last night for their last Friday of the month session.

Unfortunately had to Dad-Taxi so couldn't stay long.  Next month I hope.

25th November 2016 - Olwell 1 Month Flutiversary

I bought the Olwell one month ago.  25th October.  Here's a letter to Aaron and Pat.


Dear Aaron and Pat,

I did my semi-Ireland tour to pick up one of your keyless flutes one month ago.

Like talking badly about an old friend it feels wrong to talk about my 25 year old flute but the moment I touched the Olwell I could feel the difference.
The heaviness, stolidity, darkness of the wood.  Even though this wasn't a new flute the finish was beautiful.

I only played a few notes - the exchange was done in the front of a car in a closed, dark East Clare garage forecourt - so I had to wait until I got home to really play.

There's a weight to the flute and it almost feels like it you can hear that weight in the lower octave.  There's a solid, dark tone to the lower notes that you can feel.  I was surprised how I could feel the notes in my fingers.  It was just a lovely tone and feeling.

I wish I could say I was as happy with my playing in the higher octave.  My old flute hadn't a great tone (a windy bottle top comes to mind) but it was forgiving.  The new flute wanted precision and wouldn't forgive anything else.  My g' squeaked and complained at my weak embouchure.  I realised I'd work to do.

In the past month there hasn't been a day when I picked up the flute and played that I didn't have a little 'that's mine!' moment when I opened the case.  Practice hasn't always been easy but it has always been rewarding and as the month has progressed the g' has been telling me off a little less each week.

It's a beautiful instrument.  Thank you for taking the time to learn and practice your craft.  Thanks for my flute.  I wasn't sure about buying it before getting the keyed on order but it was definitely the right decision for improving my tone - I don't think I'll have the work to do again on my embouchure for the keyed.  Also I have the pleasure of playing this until 2019.

Hope you're all keeping well in Virginia - happy playing, happy making.

Regards

Neil

24th November 2016 - Easy like Thursday evening

Apologies to Commodore fans for that really terrible play on their song title.

So practice tonight was really good.  I sat in a cozy seat - had a really relaxed vibe and wasn't trying to force anything.  I played really softly - or tried to.  To see if I could get the higher notes easily and without effort - with the right tone and sweetness - but without pushing too much air to force them.

It was a lovely session and gave me a glimpse of what might be ahead.
What I enjoyed was the ease.  Slowing it all down and getting a nicer result.  No rush.
Easy.

23th November 2016 - Humpday

The middle of my working week now coincides with the middle of my practice week.

I ask myself how well I'm doing .. usually worry that I'm behind.

I ask myself if I'm pushing ahead or going for quality?

Practice is good though.  Certainly enjoyable.