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Reviews for The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle
"Grey has, through his research, patience, and diligence, completed a work on Irish flute and tin whistle that I feel is essential reading for anybody interested in getting it right.”
- Matt Molloy, flute player with The Bothy Band and The Chieftains
"Holy sweet Moses, Grey. Absolutely unbelievable. Obviously, I haven't been able to do anything other than look through it. But, it is scholarly, beautifully written, loaded with fabulous pictures and and diagrams. Nothing, and I mean nothing, approaches it in any of the tutors. And the idea of combining the flute & whistle this way is a real innovation. This is a triumph. Grey Larsen, if this weren't already guaranteed, has just earned his place in Irish Trad history."
- Dale Wisely, Chiff and Fipple
"Got the book! Looks terrific, sounds good, too! Will take a while to wade through it all the way! Best of luck getting it out and about!
- LE McCullough, author of The Complete Tin Whistle Tutor
"Grey writes with great clarity, saying the most in the fewest words possible. This is the most important work on the traditional flute to appear in over 150 years ... 'required reading' for the Irish flute playing community, and as well for the Irish music community at large..."
- Casey Burns, Casey Burns Flutes
"The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle is a momentous body of work. It is a large book consisting of 480 pages and two companion CDs including 27 meticulous transcriptions of recordings from 1926 to 2001. The title is apt; a good teacher notwithstanding-, this book is clearly “essential” for anyone looking to learn or improve on his or her technique in playing Irish Music on the Flute or Whistle.
"I personally view this body of work as the first and only complete Irish Flute treatise. This treatise advances a clear and concise understanding of the styles of Flute and Whistle used in the playing of Irish traditional music. Irish Flute player, Grey Larsen, began to formulate the ideas and concepts set forth in this book over the course of many years. The kind of energy invested into a book of this size and scope does not come quickly, it requires many years of playing, teaching, and being steeped in the tradition. Grey Larsen is not only a wonderful musician, but a good teacher and communicator as well. For all of the students of the Irish Flute and Whistle, from beginner to advanced, the wait for a definitive text is over. I don’t believe we’ll ever see another book written with this amount of insight, deliberation, and attention to detail. This kind of diligent work will live on for many long years to come."
- Steve Cox, Tallgrass Winds
"Grey, your book arrived today - in record time!! What a tome!! Excellently presented, and having dipped into a few of the chapters at random I know I will be using it as a resource for years to come in the teaching of ornamentation and many other general aspects of Irish music. Congratulations."
- Garry Shannon, Ireland
"Grey - I just started Chapter Six and wanted to drop you a line.
So far, this appears to be the very best, most comprehensive, focused
and well-explained book I've seen in this area. Although the only real
new information I gleaned from the first five chapters was the section
on Irish trad musical modes and some of the history of flutes, the rest
nevertheless served as tremendous reaffirmation and focused what learning
and experience I already have. This is indeed the perfect must-have reference
for one who also comes to this music as an outsider (although you are
certainly no longer an 'outsider.') This is very well-written and presented
in clear and concise terms and logically. Chapter Six is perfect for me
as I am now considering taking up flute in addition to whistle. Perhaps
you will demystify the transverse embouchure for me and highlight the
additional joys of flute playing.
"In sum, a great work for all, including and perhaps particularly
beginners. I read music and have been playing whistle for years and am
still in search of some mastery of that 'lilt' that you and teacher Bill
Ochs refer to. I've seen some comment on C&F [chiffandfipple.com]
that the book is perhaps not good for beginners who haven't yet learned
to read music. I disagree. There is so much pivotal info re the really
important approach to the instrument and music that I simply can't imagine
any beginner not taking advantage of this work.
"I look forward to the ornamentation section because you just happen
to explain things in a way that is easy for me to intake (we each take
in learning differently).
"Terrific job. Thanks again."
- Phil Osattin
"Grey Larsen heeft bereikt wat - tot nu toe - onmogelijk leek: het leren spelen van Ierse traditionele muziek op fluit en whistle zonder hulp van een leraar! Tijdens mijn vijfentwintigjarige loopbaan als fluitdocent heb ik al aardig wat methodes onder ogen gehad. Geen van hen waren zó omvangrijk, diepgravend en toch gemakkelijk te begrijpen. The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle is een juweel."
English translation:
"Grey Larsen has achieved something that - until now - seemed impossible: learning to play Irish traditional music on flute and whistle without the presence of a teacher! During my twenty-five year career as a flute teacher I've seen quite a few methods. None of them were as extensive, profound, and comprehensive as this book is. The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle is a gem."
- Bart Wijnen, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
"The book is fantastic and I am excited about delving into it (Kate [Chris' wife] thought you must have been a university professor to have written such an all encompassing work.) I still think there is a place for you somewhere as a professor - you already have your text-book and credentials as a player and teacher (Have Book, Will Teach)."
- Chris Abell, Abell Flute Company
"Looking forward to the book and cd's. I can't believe you can offer it at that price. I paid $40.00 for a cd-room tutor with no book last year only on the whistle.
"I'm continuing to go through the book and find it just full of great information. One of my favorite parts is the section on each player you have transcribed. Just great to get a sense of who these great players are, and in some cases were."
-Stephen Brown
"The hardcore traditionalists reckon the only way to learn ITM is to immerse yourself entirely in the music and the culture. Maybe they're right, I don't know, but I live thousands and thousands of miles away from the nearest hotbed of Irish culture, so that ain't gonna happen. Fortunately with Grey's new book, previously impenetrable mysteries of Irish fluting have opened themselves up to me, and together with a lot of listening my playing has improved in leaps and bounds in the few months since I received the book. Tome, I should say. In particular, Grey's examination of ornamentation, and the new notation system he's developed to describe ornamentation, have been invaluable to my whistling and flootin'. I look forward to future publications using this notation system, whether they're further analyses of the playing of the pro's, or tune-learning guides. Landmark stuff."
- Matthew Du Plessis, South Africa
"Mi è arrivato oggi il libro di di Grey Larsen ,se tutto quello che promette nell'introduzione è vero ,sarà un calvario di delizie."
English translation:
"Today Grey Larsen's book arrived. If everything written in the preface and in the introduction is true, it will be a 'Calvary of delights.'"
- Stefano Zucchi, Italy
"Grey, I just wanted to let you know that I'm very pleased with your Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. The title for this book is certainly apt. It is indeed an 'essential' book for anyone wanting to learn to play the Irish flute and tin whistle. I was especially appreciative of the chapters on cuts and rolls. Your explanation of the timing and rhythm for this ornamentation was a real epiphany for me. To be honest, I'd given up on playing tin whistle, not to mention even attempting the flute. But your book has inspired me to give it another go and to stick with it."
- Greg Laing
"I just wanted to send a note of thanks and congratulations your way...your new book is absolutely fantastic! I've been playing Irish music for about two years (having come from 15 years of classical flute playing), and already within two weeks of owning (and voraciously reading) your book, aspects of my playing have begun to improve, and my awareness of various elements of my playing and of Irish music has increased.
"So thank you for this wonderful gift to the music community, and congratulations on a most marvelous testimony to your musicality and teaching abilities."
- M.S., Wisconsin
"Got the book. WOW!! I had no idea that you had made something so comprehensive. This is just what I've been looking for for quite some time.
"Gotta run, holidays and all that, but I think I'm going to be in a room away from the family with your book and the other prize that showed up today: my Olwell blackwood six key. Yes, they did show up at the same time.
"I should say that I have been living with [your book] since it's arrival and, as a sign that it is well used, it now can stay open on my music stand without any 'secondary weights' holding the pages open. I have learnt many a thing, and have RELEARNED many more. BRAVO!"
- Dave Weiss, NYC Studio Musician
"The first of the books I ordered arrived today. It's super! Thanks for turning out such a great resource, Grey. Thanks as well for using the female third person singular. As a linguist and English teacher, the overuse of the 'generic' male (when research tests show over and over again that it's clearly not neutral) has long perturbed me."
- Tommy Kochel, Harrisburg Area Community College
"The book, by the way, is FABULOUS; you've done a marvelous job, and I am looking forward to spending a lot of time exploring its pages in the days/weeks/months (years?) to come!
"It's a HUGE thing you have done, and you have my sincere 'Attaboy!' (or, in keeping with the book itself, my sincere 'attagirl!') for your effort. Bravo!!! May this book of yours bring you both monetary and spiritual riches untold!"
- Rebecca Deryckx
"I have received The Book and whew! I've dived in already! Thank you, thank you, thank you for such a comprehensive compilation of comparative composition that I hope to comprehend. :-)"
- Judi Stewart
"I've just gotten my copy of your new book, it is excellent. It helped me immediately resolve a problem I was having with my flute grip."
- Mark Thompson, woodwinds and pipes for the Burnt Haggis Band
"This is a really astounding work which I think will benefit Celtic wind players hugely. I think your new notation for ornaments makes a world of sense. I came to whistle via classical music (my wife and I remain avid recorder players) and it truly does not make sense to use the classical notation to write out Celtic ornaments. I looked briefly at your discussion of cuts which is terrific. If that teaches people to play this ubiquitous ornament as a mere interruption of or between notes, rather than as a discrete note, that alone would be worth the price of the book. I suspect the rest of the book will be similarly insightful. More after I delve deeper...."
- Paul Busman
"I just got your new book and it is a great addition to the history of the instrument. I will be back after the holidays to get another book for my nephew. Thank you for your hard word and inspiration!!"
- Laura Monagle
"Grey: arrived today! already can tell its an incredible piece of work.... looking forward to learning from it and also want to use it to explain stuff to others..."
- Tim Smith
"There's no substitute for hearing how something should be played, no matter how good the explanation, so the CDs are a great addition to the book."
- Claire Farra
"I have your new book on the Flute & Tin Whistle -- Wonderful effort! Thanks for writing this. I ... am diligently working on embouchure. Once I get a little more advanced, this well help tremendously.
"I'm looking forward to The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox."
- Dan McFeeley
"I consult the Chiffandfipple web site from time to time, and saw your book advertised, as well as knowing about your flute exploits. I'm an Irishman and started the flute and whistle about a year and half ago and need good resources, as there are no Irish flute teachers here in China. I take courses through Scoiltrad but also need a good book that is comprehensive on all aspects."
- John McCormack
"Wish you an outstanding Christmas and New Year. As we say in india, your stars are shining bright these days with the new ground-breaking book and new CD."
- Greg Collins, India
"I just purchased The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle, am only about 1/3 of the way through, and am totally entranced. This is a great book! I am a tin whistle newbie, but not to music (trumpet, guitar for many years).
"I have been teaching myself from the material that was packaged with the whistle I bought and was having some fun, until I got this book. It just opened up sooooo much more to me on so many levels.
"The book is written well and flows logically and smoothly. It has tons of detail and pictures, right down to how to sit and how to hold the whistle (...I needed that). It also has tons of exercise and song transcriptions. But it is still real easy to navigate through all the detail you may not need.
"The CDs add a 3rd dimension to the package and really help to flesh out the real thing, in addition to all the fine historical and cultural info.
"I can't say enough good about the book. It's the complete package and the real deal."
- Fred, Austin, Texas
"I received the book on Tuesday, and I'm very, very impressed with it. Thank you very much for an amazing piece of work.
"I'm self-taught on the flute and pennywhistle, and I really appreciate this book's detailed step-by-step instructions on every aspect of technique. The depth and breadth of this work really do make it 'essential' for any player who's interested in moving to the next level of playing Irish traditional music. And the historical background and discussion of controversies are enlightening for those who like to understand what they're hearing and doing."
- Mitch Imhoff
"You have created an important, monumental work. I am unaware of any other treatise for any instrument that so accurately and clearly deconstructs an entire musical idiom. I find your fully notated tunes including ornaments, articulations, breath pauses and alternate phrasings particularly useful."
- Robert Yarbrough
"The first few chapters, in which Larsen covers the basics of Irish traditional music, are required reading for anyone wanting to participate in this musical culture, especially if not born into it. The rest of the book is a must have for fluters and whistlers, and will also prove extremely helpful to Uilleann pipers. There hasn't been as thorough an examination of how Irish music works, from any perspective. He introduces a new, clear way of notating tunes that will become the standard. As technical and scholarly as the content is, Larsen is never dry or academic. The two CDs are an added bonus.
"Five stars. Excellent, and not just for fluters."
- An Amazon.com customer from Burton, Washington, United States, March 8, 2004
Reviews for The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox
“An essential set of tools for the beginning and intermediate tin whistle player. I highly recommend it!”
- Joanie Madden, whistle and flute player with Cherish the Ladies