Flute Tuition
in the Staffordshire Moorlands area 

I usually use the book 'Funky Flute' by Heather Hammond or 'Abracadabra Flute' by Malcolm Pollock for beginners, the students will progress quickly on to playing many popular pieces. For the more advanced student a variety of different books are studied including '76 Graded Studies for the Flute' book 1 and 2 and the Trevor Wye books bringing them eventually up to Grade 8 standard. In between examinations the 'Guest spot' books with CD accompaniment can be worked through. This offers the pupil an enjoyable break from the intensity of examination work, and they can play modern music for their enjoyment. Tuition for the Associated Board practical examinations is included in the lessons if required. I also teach the flute, clarinet , saxophone, tin whistle , recorder and xaphoon in several schools in the Moorlands area.

Theory of Music

Tuition for the Associated Board Theory examinations will be included in the lessons if required.

Fees

£12.50 per 30 minute lesson subject to an annual review each September.

Cancellations

All lessons cancelled within 24 hours of the arranged time are charged for at the full rate unless the absence is due to illness, please telephone or email for further details.

The Flute.

(Exerpt from my book, available as a pdf download )

The Flute, the very word conjures up for me thoughts of many sounds, situations, people and feelings. It is such a beautiful instrument, you don't even need to hear it to know its beauty, the way it glints at you when it moves, the feel of the cold, smooth metal against your skin, the way the keys move gently down and embed themselves over the holes. To have the opportunity to hold a flute, just to handle it is to me, a treat and to be able to play it also, well it is pleasure itself. To have the opportunity to practise the flute until you can play what you play very well is an honour indeed.

The Flute has always seemed to me to be a very feminine instrument, but many of the best players are male. When I was a child James Galway was very much my hero. My Mum loves the sound of his "Golden Flute" and I have spent many hours practising to become even slightly as good as the master himself. Mum used to glide up and down the hall at home, moving from one job to another with the radio on full blast and she would sing at the top of her voice to James Galway's magical tones. She particularly likes his version of "Annie's Song" by John Denver and "Danny Boy" the traditional Irish ballad.

I have been in many situations while playing my music. My most vivid and exciting memories are from when I was at college studying for my H.N.D. I learnt many different techniques there and although it was hard work I loved playing as part of an ensemble.

People who are musicians are quite often quiet and deep thinking, we need our own space and we need the company of others too. When I was at college and playing with Harmonic Enterprise there were six of us, and each of us were very different in personality. The two "characters" who stick in my mind the most were the "two Jeremys". They both played the Clarinet to a very high standard, one was very tall and like a bean pole and the other was smaller, they were both blond and together they were an entertainment both musically and otherwise. One was known as Big Jeremy and the other was known as Little Jeremy and they were always getting into mischief!

My chosen instrument today is a Miyazawa PCM 300E which is a professional model of flute produced from solid siver and palladium copper and the sound it produces is just a pleasure to listen to.

Take a moment to listen to a few of my favourite pieces, they may take a few minutes to load:-
Debussy - Syrinx
Bullard - Furious Flute
Telemann - Allegro
Trad. - Dr.O'Neill 
Debussy - La Fille aux Cheveaux de Lin
Amazing Grace
El Condor Pasa
Loch Lomond
Scarborough Fair
The Skye Boat Song
The Minstrel Boy
Dr. O'Neill

Examination archives

All Examinations listed are for Flute unless otherwise stated

June 2009
Caroline Grade 1 Clarinet Distinction
Richard Grade 1 Descant Recorder Merit
Jenny Grade 1 Pass
Rebecca Grade 5 Pass
Emily Grade 3 Pass
March 2009
Rebekah Grade 4 Merit
November 2008
Rebecca Grade 5 Pass
Vincenza Grade 5 Pass
Mary Grade 4 Pass
Mollie Grade 1 Pass
Chloe Grade 1 Pass
Emily Grade 2 Pass
Alice Grade 2 clarinet Pass
June 2008
Rebecca Grade 4 pass
Sadie Grade 3 Pass
Alice Grade 1 clarinet Pass
March 2008
Vincenza Grade 3 Merit
James Grade 1 clarinet Distinction
Megan Grade 1 clarinet Distinction
Mary Grade 3 flute Pass
Alix Grade 3 flute Pass
Cassandra Grade 1 flute Merit
Elise Grade 1 clarinet Pass
Rebecca Grade 4 flute Pass
Sian Grade 3 flute Pass
Chloe Grade 3 flute Merit
November 2007
Georgina Grade 1 clarinet Pass
Emily Grade 1 clarinet Merit
April Grade 1 pass Merit
Rebekah Grade 2 Pass
Katie Grade 2 Pass
Vincenza Grade 2 Merit
Emily Grade 1 Pass
Maddie Grade 1 Pass
Emily Grade 2 Merit
Alex Grade 8 Pass
June 2007
Sarah Grade 6 Pass
Rebecca Grade 3 Merit
Rebecca Grade 3 Merit
Alix Grade 2 Pass
Chloe Grade 2 Merit
Mary Grade 2 Pass
March 2006
Lucy Grade 5 Merit
Emily Grade 1 Pass
Katie Grade 1 Pass
Rebekah Grade 1 Merit
November 2006
Chloe Grade 1 Pass
Rebecca Grade 2 Merit
Kate Grade 5 Pass
Alix Grade 1 Merit
Stephanie Grade 2 Merit
Rebecca Grade 2 Merit
June 2006
Lucy Grade 4 Pass
Kate Grade 4 Merit
Rebecca Grade 1 Distinction
March 2006
Lucy Grade 3 Merit
Emma Grade 3 Merit
Stephanie Grade 1 Merit
Rebecca Grade 1 Merit
November 2005
Rosie Performer's Certificate Merit
Lucy Grade 2 Distinction
Alex Grade 6 Pass
Joe Grade 8 Pass
Felicia Grade 5 Pass
Emily Grade 5 Pass
June 2005
Stephen Grade 3 Clarinet Pass
Ingrid Clarinet Grade 3 Pass
Phillippa Grade 3 Pass
Fern Clarinet Grade 1 Merit
Lorna Clarinet Grade 1 Merit
Sarah Grade 5 Pass
Emma Grade 2 Pass
March 2005
Lucy Grade 1 Merit
June 2004
Alex Grade 5 Merit
Sarah Grade 4 Merit
March 2004
Charlotte Grade 5 Pass
Rebecca Grade 1 Distinction
November 2003
Emily Grade 3 Merit
Alex Grade 4 Distinction
Julie Grade 2 Distinction
June 2003
Charlotte Grade 4 Pass
March 2003
Alex Grade 3 Merit
November 2002
Julie Grade 1 Merit
Emily Grade 1 Merit
June 2002
Jessica Grade 3 Merit
Charlotte Grade 5 Merit
Rebecca Grade 4 Merit
Charlotte Grade 3 Pass
March 2002
Victoria Grade 8 Merit
Rosie Grade 8 Merit
Rebecca Grade 8 Pass
November 2001
Emily Grade 5 Merit
Charlotte Grade 2 Pass
Rebecca Grade 3 Merit
June 2001
Charlotte Grade 4 Pass
Ruth Grade 4 Pass
Jessica Grade 1 Pass
Georgina Grade 5 Pass
March 2001
Charlotte Grade 1 Pass
November 2000
Rebecca Grade 1 Merit
June 2000
Georgina Grade 4 Pass
Laura Grade 5 Pass
Jackie Grade 5 Pass
Victoria Grade 7 Pass
Rebecca Grade 7 P:ass
Bethan Grade 1 Pass
March 2000
Kate Grade 2 Pass
Rosie Grade 6 Merit
Victoria Grade 6 Merit
November 1998
Amanda Grade 5 Merit
Richard Grade 4 Pass
Amanda Grade 3 Pass
Annabel Grade 2 Pass
June 1998
Vanessa Grade 3 Merit
Amanda Grade 5 Merit Clarinet
Laura Grade 3 Pass
Victoria Grade 5 Pass
Rebecca Grade 5 Pass
March 1998
Richard Grade 3 Merit
Rosie Grade 5 Pass Descant Recorder
Tim Grade 2 Pass
Holly Grade 3 Pass
Anabel Grade 1 Pass
Timothy Grade 5 Distinction
Amanda Grade 2 Merit
Rebecca Grade 4 Merit
November 1997
Louise Grade 4 Merit
Jackie Grade 4 Merit
Roland Grade 3 Merit
Laura Grade 2 Merit
Michael Grade 1 Merit
June 1997
Holly Grade 2 Distinction
Timothy Grade 4 Distinction
Rosie Grade 4 Merit Descant Recorder
March 1997
Laura Grade 1 Merit
Tim Grade 1 Merit
Rosie Grade 3 Distinction Descant Recorder
November 1996
Jackie Grade 3 Merit
Kate Grade 3 Pass
June 1996
Louisa Grade 4 Merit
Rebecca Grade 3 Pass
Olivia Grade 1 Merit
Joseph Initial Grade Merit Guitar
March 1996
Timothy Grade 3 Distinction
Roland Grade 2 Merit
Hannah Grade 1 Merit Guitar
Louise Grade 3 Pass
Lianne Grade 1 Pass Guitar
Natalie Grade 1 Merit Guitar
Rosie Grade 2 Distinction Descant Recorder
November 1995
Rebecca Grade 1 Pass Theory
Melissa Grade 2 Merit
Stuart Grade 1 Merit Guitar
Rebecca Grade 2 Merit
Louisa Grade 2 Merit
Jackie Grade 2 Merit
Rosie Grade 1 Distinction Descant Recorder
Nadine Grade 2 Merit
June 1995
Jackie Grade 1 Distinction Theory
Louisa Grade 1 Distinction
Louise Grade 2 Merit
Stuart Initial Grade Distinction Guitar
Lianne Initial Grade Merit Guitar
Kirsty Grade 5 Merit
March 1995
Louisa Initial Grade Distinction Guitar
Andrew Initial Grade Merit Guitar
Timothy Grade 2 Distinction
November 1994
Jackie Grade 1 Distinction
Nadine Grade 1 Distinction
Natalie Initial Grade Merit Guitar
Melissa Grade 1 Merit
Roland Grade 1 Merit
Louise Grade 1 Merit
June 1994
Timothy Grade 1 Distinction