'There is only one way of becoming a traditional player or singer, and that is by listening to genuine material performed in a traditional manner.'
– Brendán Breathnach
CONTENTS
Private, Partner & Group Lessons
Reflecting Waltons’ ongoing commitment to Irish and folk music, the New School offers a strong traditional programme. Lessons are available for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in
- Banjo (Irish/tenor banjo and bluegrass/5-string banjo)
- Bodhrán
- Concertina (Intensive Lessons only)
- Fiddle (Irish and bluegrass)
- Irish/Wooden Flute
- Trad Guitar
- Harmonica (diatonic and chromatic)
- Irish Harp
- Mandolin
- Piano Accordion (Intensive Lessons only)
- Tin and Low Whistles
- Uilleann Pipes
Traditional instrument tuition can also include preparation for Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practicals, and instrumental study at the school counts as the 'personal skill' challenge area for Gaisce - The President's Award.
Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- and 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are available for all of the traditional instruments taught at the New School; instruments can be provided for banjo, bodhrán, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and piano accordion intensive lessons.
Go to Tuition Options for more information on private, partner and group lessons, and Enrolment & Fees for tuition fees and enrolment forms.
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Comments from Students
'Great tuition! Have been taking trad flute lessons here for the last year and my instructor has brought me on by leaps and bounds. The Friday sessions are an excellent way to learn new tunes.'
– C. Boylan
'My fiddle teacher is really helpful and encouraging. I always leave feeling more confident about my playing. Thanks!'
– R. Walter
'I'd highly recommend taking harp lessons with Junshi here. I had been thinking about taking lessons for years and am very glad I finally did so. It has been an absolute delight.'
– H. Hegarty
'You are never too old to play an instrument. I have only had five lessons and can now play three tunes to my satisfaction.'
– M. Smithers
Have you taken – or are you taking – traditional or folk instrument lessons/courses at the school? We would appreciate your feedback!
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Group Courses for Beginners
We offer a range of courses for absolute beginners:
Group Courses for Intermediate-Advanced Students
Our two 'Basics' courses for guitar are intensive introductions to the styles for players with some previous experience:
We also offer occasional One-Off Workshops in traditional instruments and techniques.
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Sessions & Jams
- Our Trad Slow Sessions are traditional Irish music sessions in all ways except one: the tempo. We play the session tunes at a slower than normal pace (usually less than half the speed), so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. More experienced players who wish to refine their techniques at a slower pace are also very welcome.
- Our Bluegrass Slow Jams are open to anyone who wants experience playing and singing bluegrass standards at a moderately slow tempo and in a supportive, educational and fun jam setting. Participants will build up a repertoire of bluegrass, folk, gospel and country blues songs and learn how accessible and enjoyable playing with other musicians can be, while supervised by an experienced teacher.
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Friday Casual Concerts
The New School’s Friday Casual Concerts are a great opportunity for students of all instruments (and all musical styles) to play in public, in a relaxed and supportive setting, before friends, family and other students. These brief concerts, which take place once a month on Friday evenings at 7.30 pm in the school, allow individual students and ensembles to perform in public, show off their skills and learn how to cope with nerves. They are also highly recommended for students preparing for grade exams.
Outreach
Sounds Irish is an outreach workshop in Irish traditional music for primary schools and youth centres. The workshop features dynamic live demonstrations and allows participants to develop their musical awareness through the hands-on exploration of the forms, rhythms and instruments of Irish traditional music.
Recommended Instruments & Payment Plans
In association with Waltons music shops, we have selected several recommended instruments for students of traditional instruments at the New School. Because the cost of instruments shouldn’t deter students from starting lessons, we have also created payment plans for instruments priced €150 or more that allow students to purchase beginners' instruments or upgrade their existing instruments without a large financial outlay. Payment plans consist of an initial deposit and six monthly payments. Go to Recommended Instruments for more information.
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Faculty
Eamonn Galldubh (uilleann pipes, flute, tin whistle, low whistle)
Mairéad Hurley (concertina, tin whistle)
Patrick Kiernan (5-string/bluegrass banjo, Irish/tenor banjo, Introducing 5-String Banjo and Introducing Irish Tenor Banjo courses)
Francis Long (mandolin, Irish/tenor banjo)
Harry Long (tin whistle, low whistle, guitar, Introducing Tin Whistle course)
Cathy McEvoy (bluegrass fiddle)
Eddie McGinn (bodhrán)
Michael McInerney (harmonica, guitar, Introducing Harmonica and Fingerstyle Guitar courses)
Ian McTigue (bodhrán, Sounds Irish outreach workshop)
Sinéad Madden (Irish fiddle, Introducing Fiddle course, Sounds Irish outreach workshop)
Junshi Murakami (Irish harp)
Tara Novak (Irish fiddle)
Kevin O'Hare (bodhrán, guitar, Introducing Bodhrán course)
Anne Orr (piano accordion, tin whistle)
John Sweeney (guitar, bodhrán, tin whistle, Trad Guitar Basics course)
Located in Dublin city centre, Waltons New School of Music is a comprehensive music centre, combining music tuition of the highest standard with innovative approaches to music education. The New School offers tuition in the broadest range of instruments and subjects of any music school in Ireland, for students of all ages, levels and abilities.
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