Online Lessons
Hello, my name is Bev Whelan! I am based in the UK, but I can teach you to play wherever you are in the world on Zoom!
I teach:
tin whistle
low whistle
wooden flute
metal flute
My background
I’ve been teaching people to play whistle and flute for many years, including classes and workshops for organisations such as Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE), Folkus, Folkworks, Cumbria Music Service and The Irish Studies Workshop. I have delivered workshops and slow sessons at Ireby Folk Festival, Settle Folk Gathering and the Lake District Folk Weekend, and also for various school and community projects.
I’ve been teaching music online since 2016, and have built up resources and knowledge that make the online environment work smoothly for all my students.
I was born in the UK, in Blackpool, Lancashire, to a musical half-Irish family. My grandfather played concertina and tin whistle, and I’m proud to follow in his footsteps by playing both of those instruments myself. I’ve won medals for my flute and whistle playing at regional, national and international Fleadhanna Ceol, including achieving a silver medal in the Senior All-Ireland for my flute playing.
While living in Ireland during the 1990s/early 2000s, I had the privilege to play with and learn from many fantastic musicians. I eventually returned to the UK and currently live in Lancaster, where I work as a self-employed music teacher, musician and ceilidh dance caller. I currently perform with 2nd Leg and The Balkanics.
My approach
I am a patient and supportive teacher, and can teach absolute beginners right through to advanced players. I use a variety of teaching methods, and to support your learning I will supply various resources as required, including audio files, videos, written music and ABC notation.
Above all, I strongly believe that the process of learning should be fun in its own right, and this influences the approach I take.
I specialise in Irish traditional music, but I can teach other types of tune too – whatever you want to learn, I’ll tailor your lessons especially for you!
Cost
£40.00 for one hour on Zoom.
Payment is in UK pounds and can be made by bank transfer (UK currency) or Paypal (all currencies).
Availability
Lessons last one hour. The last lesson of the day is at 8.00 pm.
- Monday
- 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Thursday
- 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Other times may be available on request.
I am based in Lancaster, UK, where my timezone is the same as London: currently GMT (UTC). Convert my business hours to your own timezone using Worldclock.com:
Technical requirements
- A PC/laptop/tablet/phone with a functioning webcam/camera
- Speakers (internal or external) or headphones.
- Microphone (internal or external)
- A reasonably stable internet connection.
- Install Zoom onto your device from Zoom.US
You will also need a whistle or flute! Standard whistles are usually in the key of D (contact me if you need any advice about what to buy), but I am happy to teach low whistle in keys such as F or A if that is what you prefer. And if you have a boehm (metal) flute instead of a wooden six-hole Irish flute, I can teach you jigs and reels on that too.
Bonus activities for students
Regular students will be invited to participate in bonus activities, including a private Facebook group with additional free learning resources, workshops and group events on Zoom, all designed to foster connections and provide extra support for your musical journey.
Tuition videos
Try this sample online flute lesson! In this full lesson video, complete with step-by-step instruction, you will learn to play the ‘Ballydesmond No. 2’ Polka, while learning to integrate breaths and simple ornaments. Suitable for beginners who can already blow some notes on the flute. The video can also be used by tin whistle players.
My tuition videos on YouTube range from simple tune learning videos (tunes played slow, with no instruction), to full one-hour lessons. Here’s an example of one of the short videos: The Boys of Blue Hill (hornpipe) played on tin whistle.
Learn to play ‘St Patrick’s Day’
Follow the link below to learn to play the Irish set dance ‘St Patrick’s Day’.
You will find a video where I play the tune slowly, then faster. You can watch exactly what my fingers are doing to help you work out the notes and ornamentation.
You can also download a PDF of the music to help you learn the tune.
Happy playing!
“I can highly recommend Bev Whelan as an excellent flute teacher. I had been trying to find a teacher for traditional Irish flute near my home for sometime with no success, when an online tutor was suggested. I found Bev. She is encouraging, organised, very able over the internet to give guidance. She explains techniques in clear achievable steps. My playing is improving and I look forward to our regular lessons.”
Jan, online flute student
Bev Whelan Music 