Welcome to our brand new ‘Learning & Tuition’ page!
Here, we will introduce the North East’s most exceptional music tutors and give you a helping hand to organise those music lessons you’ve been dreaming of.
Joey Oliver (422 Ceilidh Band, The Pack) is here with a simple tutorial, introducing you to the first steps of playing the tin whistle. The whistle is a great beginner instrument for getting to know your way around the musical scale. It’s perfectly portable and a superb way to get your foot in the door at the local trad session.
Joey’s tutorial is suitable for all ages and abilities and will take you step by step through your very first whistle tune.
In this video, Joey is playing a Magnetic North East Tin Whistle, available HERE.
We hope you enjoy your first try at learning this fantastically versatile instrument! If you would like to hone your skills further with some tuition from an experienced and encouraging tutor, contact us at agency@magneticnortheast.com or see below for further details.
learn an instrument (online)
Learning an instrument is a marvelous way to give your brain a workout, enhance your social life, improve emotional well-being – it is also great fun! It is never too late to start learning for the first time or to take up a new instrument if you have played music before.
Our professional tutors are all highly skilled in teaching and performing traditional music, and all have first-hand knowledge of Northumbrian music traditions. (All lessons are currently being taught online via video conferencing platforms).
Meet our traditional music tutors below:
Clog Dance
Laura Connolly (Demon Barber Roadshow)
Grace Smith (Monster Ceilidh Band)
Northumbrian Smallpipes
Alice Robinson (Windy Gyle Band)
Richard Butler (Piper to the Duke of Northumberland)
As a youngster with strong family ties to the Northeast, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a secondhand set of pipes. Bitten by the bug, I absorbed everything I could and was helped along the way by more experienced pipers who gave me the benefit of their experience. Not only were these players some of the most exciting around, but they remained true to the unique tradition of the pipes.
Before long I was doing the rounds of competitions and music sessions, enjoying both the sociable side and the drive to perfect performance playing.
In recent years a desire to make reeds for the instrument has led me to make the pipes themselves, and I’ve found still greater enjoyment in reaching for a sound that satisfies me.
I perform at formal occasions, when requested wearing the traditional plaid. By profession I’m a teacher at a high school, and I know the value of encouragement and a helpful approach. My life has benefited so much from my involvement with this wonderful instrument, and I’m delighted to help others get off the ground.
Harp
Ada Francis
Jan Bennett
Fiddle/Violin
Sophy Ball
> “Chloe is an excellent, versatile and encouraging fiddle teacher. Our recent transition to online lessons has been seamless and we’re having as much fun as ever. I’m an adult learner and Chloe tailors the lessons to my needs. I wholeheartedly recommend Chloe as a teacher for all ages and abilities.”
How do I go about booking a lesson with my chosen teacher?
Click through our ‘Booking & Enquiries’ button which will take you to our booking form. Here, you will be able to specify your first choice of teacher, let us know your availability, whether you would like 1/2 hour or full hour lessons, and the length of block you would like to book. If you are not sure of your requirements and would like advice on the best teacher for your particular needs, please feel free to send us an email enquiry through the form.
Should I ask for 30 minute or 1 hour lessons?
Most of our teachers offer a choice of 30 minute or 1 hour lessons. We recommend that for most beginner students, 30 minutes feels to be plenty enough time to benefit from the expertise of the tutor – little and often is best. 1 hour lessons may be fitting for the more advanced student. Your choice of tutor will be happy to advise you on which lesson length may be most suited to your ability or technical requirements.
How frequently should I have a lesson with my tutor?
We recommend that lessons are arranged on a weekly or fortnightly basis to allow for sufficient practice time between lessons. It is important to see your tutor regularly enough to ensure that you are progressing along the right path and not developing any bad habits that may limit your progress.
Do I have to sign a contract?
Our contracts are provided to guarantee both the student and the tutor peace of mind when booking a lesson. The contract sets out what is expected of the tutor in terms of setting aside time for the student’s lessons, as well as preparation time in advance of the lessons. The contract is an agreement that the student is prepared to commit to their booked lessons and maintain a positive relationship with their chosen tutor during the period of the contract. Both student and teacher are required to sign a contract at the time of booking their lessons. You can view our standard student contract HERE.
How much can I expect to progress on my instrument in 10 lessons?
There’s no single answer to this. Every instrument has it’s own challenges and no two students are the same. Regular practice is a vital part of musical development alongside lessons with an attentive tutor. Your chosen tutor will endeavour to give their very best advice to help you progress on your musical journey.
