FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What type of flute and whistle are you playing? And who made it?
A: I play a wooden transverse flute, the predecessor to the silver flute.
My flute was made by Stéphane Morvan: https://morvanflutes.wixsite.com/stephane-morvan.
The tin whistle I mostly play is a brass whistle by Tony Dixon, which makes it a bit heavier than other whistles.
Q: Will the price increase over time?
A: Yes! But don't worry — as an early member, your monthly rate will remain the same as it was when you joined, as long as you maintain an active subscription.
Q: I’ve never played the flute before. Is this course a good place to start?
A: At the moment, I don't have beginner tutorials available, but they're in the works! For now, you can contact me for a private lesson if you're interested.
Q: Are the drones in 440 Hz?
A: Sort of, they’re close enough!
Q: What instruments are used in the drones?
A: It's a mix of flute, violin, whistle, harmonica, button accordion, melodica, my voice and a harmonium. All playing the same note in different octaves.
Q: Is there a contract or minimum commitment?
A: No, you can cancel anytime. If you decide to cancel, you'll still have access until the end of your current billing period.
Q: What are the chords for this tune?
A: Celtic music is "modal," meaning you can often get by with a single chord. For example, if a tune is in E-minor, you can play just one chord: E. The melody will guide whether it feels major or minor. If you'd like more variety, use the circle of fifths. Any chords surrounding "Em" (like Bm, Am, C, G, and D) can work in different parts of the tune. Everyone approaches it a little differently.
The best way to learn to play chords in Irish music is to start by learning the melodies.
Q: What key should my first tin whistle be in?
A: Deeeeee! (D)
Q: What's a good tune to pair with another tune?
A: I usually try to start the next tune on the same note as the first ones last note and, if possible, change the key as well. With practice, you can make almost any tune fit with another.
Q: Can I download the videos?
A: No, the videos are available for online streaming only, and you need to be logged into the website to watch them.
Q: The metronome and drones aren’t playing simultaneously. What’s wrong?
A: Some web browsers may have compatibility issues. Try using a different browser. If you’re on a mobile or tablet device, this might also affect the functionality of the website.
Q: Can I use your drones and metronomes in my music project?
A: No, you may not.
Q: Some tunes don’t have a third video with ornaments and details. Is something wrong?
A: I haven’t recorded those yet. They’ll be added over time.
Q: The sheet music isn’t exactly the same as you play. And why aren’t there any ornament notations?
A: In Celtic traditions, melodies vary a lot between players. The music is meant to be a living, evolving tradition, so each musician often has their own version. There have been many attempts to notate Irish ornaments, but there are so many ways to play them that I don’t find it necessary to write them down.
Q: When will the next lesson video arrive, and what will it be about?
A: I record a batch of lessons at a time, covering different topics. More content will be added regularly.
Q: How do I delete my account?
A: Send me a message or email at jonantonsson@hotmail.com, and I'll help you out, no questions asked.