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Flagship · Ongoing studio

Irish Flute & Tin Whistle

This is the ongoing studio for Irish flute and tin whistle. First launched in 2009, it gathers together more than 150 tune masterclasses, separate technique libraries for both instruments, foundational beginner courses, accompaniment tracks, and downloadable materials shaped by years of teaching online.

150+ tune masterclassesTwo technique librariesTwo free Foundations courses included

Irish flute and tin whistle
Blayne’s structured teaching style completely transformed my flute playing. His clear, detailed video tutorials were a perfect match for me — they allowed me to go from an absolute beginner to a confident intermediate player in under a year. Finding the right teacher truly does make all the difference.
Olaf, Irish flute studentOlaf D. Vize · Irish Flute, NYC
About the studio

At the center of the course are the tune lessons themselves. Reels, jigs, hornpipes, airs, polkas, slides, and marches are taught phrase by phrase, with close attention to rhythm, phrasing, ornamentation, breath, and the musical details that give Irish playing its character. Many lessons include both a fully ornamented version of the tune as well as a simpler "bare bones" version, allowing newer players to enter the repertoire gradually while still learning the shape and flow of the music.

Alongside the tune lessons are separate technique libraries for Irish flute and tin whistle. Rather than reteaching the same techniques inside every lesson, the course organizes them into dedicated studies that students can return to as needed while learning tunes. Rolls, cuts, crans, slides, articulation, breath work, tone development, and other foundational techniques are taught individually and demonstrated in musical context.

The course reflects the way many traditional musicians actually learn over time: through tunes, listening, repetition, sessions, and recordings. Blayne's own teaching grew out of study with prominent players in the tradition, as well as formal study in Ireland at the University of Limerick, where he completed a master's degree in Irish flute performance.

Over time, the emphasis became less about constantly adding new tunes and more about helping students spend deeper time with the music already there — learning tunes well, revisiting technique, refining phrasing, and allowing repertoire to settle naturally over years of playing.

Since its launch, thousands of students around the world have used the course as part of their learning — from complete beginners to long-time session players refining tone, phrasing, rhythm, ornamentation, and repertoire.

Each lesson includes looping controls, playback speed adjustment, downloadable notation and tablature, accompaniment tracks, and a comment thread on each tune lesson and technique library page, where students can ask Blayne or fellow players directly.

Much of the archive was built during an especially active five-year period of teaching and recording, eventually growing into a substantial body of work. Over time, the emphasis became less about constantly adding new tunes and more about helping students spend deeper time with the music already there: learning tunes well, revisiting technique, refining phrasing, and allowing repertoire to settle naturally over years of playing.

How it's taught

Two surfaces, one tradition

150+

masterclasses

Tune lessons

Reels, jigs, hornpipes, airs, polkas, slides, and marches — taught phrase by phrase, with close attention to rhythm, phrasing, ornamentation, breath, and the musical details that give Irish playing its character.

Many tunes are given twice: a fully ornamented version, and a simpler "bare bones" version that lets newer players enter the repertoire gradually while still learning the shape and flow of the music.

Two

dedicated libraries

Technique libraries

Rather than reteaching the same techniques inside every tune, the course keeps them in dedicated studies you return to as needed. Separate libraries for tin whistle and Irish flute.

Rolls, cuts, crans, slides, articulation, breath work, tone development — taught individually, then demonstrated in musical context. A reference, not a curriculum.

Blayne Chastain
Who teaches

Blayne Chastain

Irish flute & tin whistle

Blayne opened his online teaching studio in 2009, and since then thousands of students around the world have worked through his courses, tune libraries, and technique lessons. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he later earned a master's degree in Irish Flute Performance from the University of Limerick in Ireland. His teaching draws on years spent performing, recording, playing in sessions, and helping students develop the skills that bring traditional music to life.

Two ways to join

Subscribe to the studio — or own it for life.

Both options include full access to the tune library, technique studies, Foundations courses, accompaniment tracks, downloadable materials, and discussion threads.

Subscription

Recurring access

$39.95

every 3 months · about $13.32/mo

Full access to the complete studio through a recurring membership. Ideal for students actively working through lessons, technique studies, and repertoire at their own pace.

Cancel from your account · No price increases for current subscribers

Lifetime

Yours, for life

$499.95

one-time · permanent access

Permanent access to the complete studio, plus a complimentary one-hour private lesson with Blayne. The library was built to be revisited over time. Learn at your own pace and return whenever you need it.

Complimentary one-hour private lesson ($80 value)

Over video call — or in person if you're in or passing through Colorado.

Future material included

Both plans include
  • 150+ tune masterclasses, with new lessons added throughout the year
  • Irish flute and tin whistle technique libraries
  • Foundations courses for beginning players
  • Downloadable notation and tablature
  • Accompaniment tracks and practice materials
  • Discussion threads throughout the studio
Learn this music deeply

The goal isn't simply to learn more tunes. It's to learn them well, revisit them often, and develop the technique and musical understanding that make traditional music come alive.

Inside the studio

Irish Flute & Tin Whistle