Bill McBirnie

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Flute, Improvisation, Jazz Improvisation
Avg. Response Time: 18 hrs, 36 mins

Lesson Fees
from $75.00 / 60 Minutes

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About

Bill McBirnie is an acclaimed and internationally recognized jazz and Latin flute specialist. He was solicited, personally, by Sir James Galway to serve as his Resident Jazz Flute Specialist. Bill is also author of the book, The Technique and Theory of Improvisation – A practical guide for flutists, doublers, and other instrumentalists. His most recent album, The Silent Wish (with Bernie Senensky) was nominated for a Juno award as “Best Instrumental Album of the Year”. In addition, Bill is the only flutist to have ever attained triple-crown status at the National Flute Association (NFA) convention in the USA, winning all three of the jazz flute (1) Soloist, (2) Master Class and (3) Big Band competitions. He is also a “Designated Haynes Artist” with the venerable flute maker, Wm. S. Haynes Co. 

....All of Bill's recordings are currently available at Bandcamp!...

Here are just a few responses to Bill's work:

- "Dear Maestro McBirnie, ...This just blew me away. Great, great playing...Innovative...I have never heard anyone play like this...Great technique and music making. The scales are so even it sounds like you wrote the Taffanel scale book...Bill, when you read this, I have to take my hat off to you. This is great playing by any standard." SIR JAMES GALWAY (Galway-Flute-Chat)

- “In both duo and quartet formats, McBirnie dazzles...In every instance, his technique is flawless, dynamic and often simply jaw-dropping...McBirnie has been called Canada’s standout jazz flautist. I maintain he is one of the top two or three in the world." MARK E. GALLO (JazzReview.com)

- "A distinguished flutist with a devotion that shows up in the airy sweetness of his sound at ballad tempos and in the remarkable control he can bring to rapid-fire, skittering runs on up-tempo, Coltrane-inspired material." STUART BROOMER (Editor, Coda magazine)

(1)  DOWNBEAT - REVIEW
The Bill McBirnie/Bernie Senensky Duo
Opening for Eliane Elias at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival
 
    "…Toronto’s deep pool of local talent was on display at dozens of events…Opening for Eliane Elias, flutist Bill McBirnie proved a passionate and eloquent improviser with sure-footed support from pianist Bernie Senensky. Their set included works by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Clare Fischer and a show-stopping finale penned by Senensky that [McBirnie] said was inspired by Hermeto Pascoal and Charlie Parker.” (by ALLEN MORRISON 7/16/2013)
 
(2)  JAZZTIMES - REVIEW
The Bill McBirnie/Bernie Senensky Duo
Opening for Eliane Elias at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival
 
    "Best Opening Act - Eliane Elias delivered a solid, opening-weekend show at the Old Mill Inn, focusing squarely on selections from her recent Chet Baker tribute, I Thought About You. But it was the dynamic opening duo of pianist and composer Bernie Senensky and flutist Bill McBirnie that, battling a cacophony of cutlery, truly set the expansive dining room aflame and, ironically, provided far more satisfying dips into the Brazilian songbook. For the uninitiated, check out their 2005 pairing on Paco Paco." (by CHRISTOPHER LOUDON 7/8/2013)
 
(3)  JAZZIZ - REVIEW
The Bill McBirnie Trio
Find Your Place
 
    "...An effervescent, joyous quality pervades The Bill McBirnie Trio's Find Your Place [which] showcases a wide range of grooves, from bop and bossa to gospel and swing…Those new to McBirnie will be amazed at his imagination and originality on this engaging album."  (by MARK HOLSTON Spring 2014 Edition, page 109)
Teaching Style
Although I have had extensive classical background, I have been working almost exclusively as a non-classical flute specialist for the past three decades. During that time, I have succeeded in modifying my technique so that it works effectively in jazz and Latin contexts. Accordingly, my technical approach will be of interest and relevance, not only to doublers, but also to classical flute players who want to cultivate a “non-classical” style.
 
In addition, I have developed an improvisatory approach that has proven to be remarkably versatile in all of my non-classical playing contexts (which have ranged from flamenco to hip hop!)  So, I can also provide you with useful insight and guidance into developing and improving your improvisatory skills...in any idiom!...
 
The Technique and Theory of Improvisation is available at Amazon.
 
...Also, ALL of my recordings are now available at Bandcamp!...
 
Credentials & Affiliations

- American Federation of Musicians, TMA Local #149, Toronto, Ontario

- National Flute Association, USA

Curriculum
To get ready for your first private and personalized lesson, please be prepared to tell me the following:
 
(1)  what your musical goals and interests are; 
(2)  what things you are currently working on; and  
(3)  what technical and/or musical issues might be giving you trouble.
 
[NOTE: If you have any specific questions, then please write them down beforehand so that we can be sure to address them.]
 
Finally, don't hesitate to check out my book, The Technique and Theory of Improvisation, which is available at all Amazon websites!
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