I have one book that's specifically written for flute, "Celtic Music for Flute", arr. Jessica Walsh, which has some lovely melodies and has a CD you can play along with. I've also got a couple of books of traditional Irish songs but which often need transposing (... I know, I know, very good practice!)

Can anyone recommend any collections, with or without CD? Thanks.

I don't know about any books or collections specifically for flute. I'm surprised you've had problems with range though as most whistles don't go down very low and you could easily play up an octave if you need to with the huuuge flute range.

Have a look for tunes here. If you don't want to shift bits up an octave, there's plenty that don't go below C.

Irish music isn't written for a particular instrument--while some tunes sit better on one than another, in general, you can play the entire reportoire on the flute. as far as range goes, it's very rare for tunes to go below low B, and even that's uncommon, as the concert flute and D whistle both have D as their lowest note. (if you don't have a low B foot, you can substitute a harmony note or an octave higher B for the low B.) i believe Scottish music is slightly trickier as the flute isn't such a common instrument up there, and i've no idea about Breton.

anyway, there are loads of books containing this kind of music; from purely traditional to AB-style pieces with piano accompaniment--if you mention the sort of thing you're looking for, i'm sure someone can recommend something. if you want to stay strictly traditional, thesession is great (although it has so many tunes, it's sometimes hard to find one!). you might also want to pick up a copy of the CD set "Wooden Flute Obsession", which has some great examples of Irish music played on the flute; most of the tunes will be available at thesession.

Hi.
I've got a couple of books by Sir James Galway & Phil Coulter, Celtic Legends and Winters crossing.
They are pretty good, plus you can get the proper music cd's of them too.

Another one i have is Round Ireland with a flute by Gareth McLearnon, not a bad book either.

Hope that's some help.

I've just written a celtic lament in which the flute suits the melody perfectly. The piano part is simple and will have a demo/backing CD too soon. You can hear it here; http://reverbnation.com/keridegg (click on the first track, called Lament)

If this is the sort of thing you're after, let me know and i'm sure we can sort something.

Celtic music is just soooooooooo beautiful

You will probably know this site already. But just in case.... It has hundreds of Irish tunes (beginner level ...)

http://www.tinwhistler.com/index.aspx

The page comes up as Whistler Archives, just click on "The tunes" (LH colulmn) for the list

By 'celtic' music I assume you mean Irish/Scots traditional?

'Thesession' is very good. Otherwise, there used to be an encyclopedic printed collection of traditional music in sets for barn dances, called 'Kerr's Merry Melodies for the Violin' all of which is flutable. Don't know if it still exists.

When the mood to play this sort of music strikes me I've always just begged or borrowed violin music. Then played on the nearest available instrument (recorder, fife, flute, whistle...)

I always feel slightly sheepish knowing I just aint doing it right though. Too much classical training and a tendancy to score read. My folk music friends despair...

I appreciate all your replies very much; thanks again. Thesession is a fantastic site which I didn't know and which I foresee will keep me busy! I think I really must get out of the score-bound approach to playing. Saxgirl's "Lament" is beautiful and I hope to be able to play with such beautiful tone one day. Do listen to it.

Just an idea... if you register to the session, you can get midi files, if you were at all interested in learning them by ear.

unfortunately the MIDI renditions are - how do i say this nicely - ###### :-) i'd much prefer trying to find a version on YouTube or some other recording which is actually played by a person. while playing by ear is a crucial skill, i think you're probably better off using the sheet music than the MIDI versions.

ETA: okay, apparently i didn't say it quite nicely enough.

If you want a bumper collection of Irish tunes, I can thoroughly recommend getting hold of O' Neills Music of Ireland. There are a few editions knocking around, but they contain over a 1000 jigs, reels, hornpipes and marches - enough to keep you going for a while!

I could practice my step-dancing while playing ... now that'd be a test of a solid embouchure!!

hi i have a book by clarkes came from a charity shop it lists whistle, tabor, fife and fiddle tunes most in the key of d when i get home i will have a look for isbn number. of all the books i have that have celtic tunes in this is the best, i have the belfast hornpipe in a book by james galway for flute the book is called tunes for annie.



i have some photo copeis of morris dancing tunes which are fun to play

pm me if i can be of more help

monkey flute