Online Lessons:
Tin Whistle and Flute
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 for Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE), adult music classes and workshops, and school and community projects. I’ve been teaching 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. We have singers, fiddlers, a harp player, a drummer/bodhrán player, and many other musical people in my 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 won the All-Britain championship years ago, and came second in the All-Ireland twice in senior flute slow airs, but I far prefer playing music for fun and not competition!
I lived in Ireland for nearly ten years, playing with many fantastic musicians, before returning to the UK. I now live in Lancaster where I am a self-employed music teacher, musician and ceilidh dance caller.
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
£35.00 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 start on the hour and last an 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 in Lancaster, UK, where my timezone is the same as London: 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.
Sample Irish flute lesson
Try this sample online flute lesson! In this video you will learn to play the Ballydesmond No. 2 Polka, and learn to integrate breaths and simple ornaments. Suitable for beginners who can already blow some notes on the flute, and also applicable to tin whistle players.
“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 