Longford's latest music tuition

Follow your dreams to play and sing by starting music lessons this September in Drumlish.

Whether it is trad or classical, whether you wish to play or sing, join classes in Drumlish Community Centre with Mairead Whelan (pictured) and Martha Cousins (daughter).

Mairead will offer violin (fiddle) lessons on Friday afternoons (3-6pm) and Martha will offer piano/keyboard lessons on Saturday mornings (10-1pm). Martha will also offer one class of singing with guitar. There are options for group classes and individual classes.

It can be difficult to know what kind of instrument to buy for a class, and whether it is better to buy ahead of time, or to wait. Mairead has given plenty of advice about suitable instruments on the website www.midlands123.org, and gives answers to many Frequently Asked Questions.

If you would like to sing and accompany yourself with guitar, Martha is looking forward to a fun and relaxed group class on Saturdays. Instead of using the standard 6-string guitar, Martha uses the smaller 4-string. This is easier and students make much faster progress and can transition to the 6-string at a later stage. Details about the instrument and the song listing for the first term is given on the website.

Class times, availability and fees are given on the website, and Mairead invites all interested students to get in touch with their questions, and to let me know what they would like. Lessons commence on September 6, and follow the normal school year. For more see www.midlands123.org