Musical Instrument Services
Music Lessons
When not performing, Sean enjoys teaching others how to play musical instruments. Availablity of lessons depends on geographical factors as well as his performance schedule. Currently Sean is teaching at Orinda Intermediate School, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Starting on March 23rd 2006, at Gonzalez School in the Salinas Valley of California, between performing at festivals, the next one is at the SIU Irish Music Festival, at Carbondale, Illinois, 28th and 29th of April, 2006.Lessons for Adults and Children
I recommend that children at the age of 7 years (and over) be given an inexpensive "Irish" tin whistle to start with an "easy" wind instrument, that is very easy to blow. My CAVEAT:
No child should be allowed to RUN with the Tin Whistle in their Mouth, or play it in a moving car, as the whistle can penetrate the soft palette at the back of the child's throat, causing Serious Injury or DEATH. Adult supervision and so-called "common sense", about the inherent dangers, should be the first order of business, and please get the child to aknowledge these simple facts:
The Tin Whistle is more than a mere "Toy".
The Tin Whistle cannot be made out of foam rubber. It is made out of rigid and strong metal tubing, with a rounded, but on hard and sudden impact, a sharp mouth piece
The Tin Whistle should be treated with the respect, that it deserves.
I happen to like "The Little Black Tin Whistle" with a black plastic mouth piece, and it costs $6 USD, as an imported musical instrument, which is a very inexpensive, but still a usable whistle.
"The Little Black Tin Whistle" is marketed by Walton's Music Store in Dublin, Eire. There are many stores in the USA, that carry these whistles, or ones like it. I am not an agent, or salesman for this company, and I receive no commission from Walton's.There are many different keys,or sizes that whistles can in come in. I recommend a fairly small size tin whistle, in the key of D, there are many different brands such as Generation, Clarke, etc. and many more "hand made" whistles, that sell in the $100 to $500 range. There are many instruction Books available for these whistles, with fingering charts and tunes printed out in music (staff) notation, so this is an excellent way for a child to learn how to "Read" music, as well.
A weekly course of one half hour to one hour for private lessons, is a good way to get results.
But like ALL other Instruments, the student schould PRACTICE between lessons as the instruction of one lesson can be forgotten very quickly, and the next lesson is a repeat of the one before it, thereby wasting the instructor's time and the parents money.
I tell my students to, "Take it out and look at it, even if you can't play it, that day!"
Even a consistant 15 minutes of Practice a Day, will insure progress, but it has to be done on a day in, day out, basis. If the Student's interest isn't there, or if there's no JOY attached to playing the whistle, it should br Dis-contiued, and perhaps another instrument can be substituted.
It is useless to FORCE anyone to learn an instrument. The student should be allowed to make her or his own decision about this very personal Art Form.
For Adults: I hate to sound insulting, and I don't mean to be patronizing either, but ALL of the above information also applies to Adults. I have found that BECAUSE the whistle is so CHEAP there is no commitment to it, as there would be if you spent $3,000 USD on a HARP, or $7,000 to $10,000 USD on an Irish Uilleann Bagpipe. At those prices, the motivation to do "something" with it, does create some "Action" on the part of the Buyer.
The Positive Facts are these: Playing a wind instrument "entices" you to expand your lungs and BREATHE, which will help your health, no matter what age or condition you might be in now.
The mental execise of learning a tune and getting enjoyment out of doing so, is of immense benefit and You Can personaly make other people who listen to you Happy !
Even if only for an instant of time, but extended periods of happiness Can Be the Result if you take the time TO TRY IT
and I myself do that kind of music making ALL THE TIME. SO GET A WHISTLE AND START IN.......... LEARNING IT ! Regards, Sean Folsom
Please contact Sean for availability of private or group lessons.