Resources for Irish tune players
Virtual Guided Sessions & More
We learn best from one another!
It’s how Irish music is passed on.
It’s how we learned.
Matt Heaton and I launched the VGS in March 2020 as a simple, free offering for fellow tune players. We played an hour of session tunes at a moderate pace, suitable (we hoped) for a wide range of Irish music lovers. For over six years we livestreamed weekly (eventually monthly) on the ShannonHeatonMusic YouTube channel.
Our community has grown into an oasis of kindness, support, and humor. People from all over the world have joined us to enjoy Irish tunes. And the lively chat has connected us for over six years! After the final REGULAR meeting on May 9, 2026 session, we will transition to occasional VGS events—pop-up sessions and livestream events.
Stay tuned for announcements of pop-up livestreams, Zoom Tunes, and other session/tune learner events. We’re even kicking around the idea of in-person events!
For news, the sure bet is to sign up for the HeatonTuneShed monthly newsletter. And/or check Our EVENTS page!
Past Virtual Guided Session Livestreams
6+ years of livestreamed music sessions with me and Matt Heaton, featuring featured common tunes (and a few unusual ones) at a moderate pace, are all up ad-free on the ShannonHeatonMusic YouTube Page
While Covid kept up apart, we connected with the weekly online sessions, and other special events, like the VGS Retreat, a weekend of live performances from Jean-Michel Veillon, Louise Mulcahy, Conal Ó Gráda, Hatao & Nami, Ivan Goff, Nathan Gourley & Laura Feddersen, Faliq Audi & SherLy, Soomee Han, and Matt & Shannon Heaton. We closed the event with SIX FLUTES playing the Wren + Road to Cashel + Fox on the Town
Virtual Guided Session Database
Our VGS friend Clayton Cook created this wonderful index to help folks navigate Saturday session tunes! His VGSdb organizes individual tunes with links to videos. It’s comprehensive and easy to navigate. Many thanks to Clayton for creating and maintaining this free tool for everybody–he also built my Original Tunes Database.
The VGS has been so special not only because Irish music is so sweet–it’s because of all the people who have come together to enjoy the music and to connect and support one another, as we learn and enjoy the tunes.
In our private VGS Facebook Group folks ask music questions, share ideas and encouragement, and post practice videos. It’s gentle accountability–fun and empowering. (Make sure to answer membership questions, to keep this safe and private for musicians!)
I also offer Zoom TUNE classes—I usually offer a run of three (Feb/Mar/Apr… and Sept/Oct/Nov). Folks sign up for one or three, and it’s a freewill offering. We visit for a moment then learn one great tune together. It’s so sweet. And even though participants are muted while learning, there is real connection. We address a few elements of flute style, but it’s really for all instruments, all levels.
I announce the series in the HeatonTuneShed monthly newsletter. Or just be in touch if you’d like more info/want to be put on the list when I send our Fall dates!
TUNE BOOKS
Irish music is a living tradition. And there are great musical and social benefits that come when we learn these tunes by ear and play them by heart
*AND there are just a lot of tunes to learn, for players hoping to participate.*
To help navigate the overwhelm, we made a Tune “Cookbook” called IN HARMONY — and we’re working on a follow-up. It’s a collection of audio recordings with the flute and guitar panned on different sides (choose your own blend), along with melodic and chordal notation.
I’ve also got two books with additional tunes and tips:
First 50: simple, beautiful tunes that prioritize smart flute breathing and fiddle bowing choices over ornamentation
Oil for the Chain: tunes and ideas for practicing and participating in sessions
TUTORIAL VIDEOS
In my Tune of the Month series (usually with Matt Heaton), I break down tunes phrase by phrase, for easier aural learning. Here’s the TOTM Playlist
I’ve also got Trad School Videos that address flute technique, aural learning, conquering nervousness in social music settings
And Matt Heaton has contributed wonderful videos about harmonic accompaniment with his Backer’s Corner Videos (not just for chordal players!)
FURTHER READING/LISTENING
I wrote this 2022 Essay about SESSIONS
Irish Music Stories Episode 71 is a fun and funny look at session (and wedding gift) etiquette
IMS Episode 77 is about balancing rules and sponteneity
IMS Episode 03 surveys sessions in Boston, Chicago, New York, and Clare
My favorite of all time is a book of essays by Belfast flute player Ciaran Carson. He takes us “in and out of time” with his incredible snapshots of Irish sessions and tunes: Carson, Ciaran. Last Night’s Fun. New York: North Point Press, 1996. ISBN 0-86547-511-3
I have ads on the beginning of the instructional videos, but I’ve worked hard to keep the VGS ad-free, for a more seamless, immersive learning experience… more community/mutual appreciation of Irish music, and less commercial intrusion.
To make a contribution to our free offering:
PAYPAL tip jar VENMO tip jar
