Harry McGowan, flute player

In November of 2011, Blayne Chastain and I had the opportunity to go to Ireland for 10 days to film flute players for our documentary, “The Keymaster: Patrick Olwell’s Story”. We met and interviewed 14 flute players, traveled over 1,000Km, and had one of the most memorable trips of our lives.
Our first interview was the wonderful flute player Harry McGowan, from Carrowdore, Co. Sligo, and he warmly welcomed us to his farm. We were fresh off the airplane that morning, jet-lagged like crazy, but Harry made us feel right at home, and shared some lovely tunes with us. I still remember how effortless he made it seem, barely moving his fingers and tapping his shoe, but the music danced around the room.
I hope you enjoy watching and listening, and if you do, please visit our Vimeo link vimeo.com/ondemand/keymaster to watch the trailer. “The Keymaster: Patrick Olwell’s Story” is available there as a download, or on DVD and Blu-ray from irishflutestore.com
Here are the other flute players featured in our series so far:
June McCormack vimeo.com/162962433
Harry McGowan vimeo.com/162391670
Eibhlin De Paor TheKeymasterPatrickOlwellsStory/videos/1129937473704428/
Colm O'Donnell vimeo.com/1635...

[@MickEdwardsAccordionVocal]

Hello there Harry, This is a very nice Tune and you Play it well, " CHEERS "🪗🪗🪗Mick.

[@Ubertubermeister]

I've watch hundreds of flute and whistle videos just to absorb whatever I can. Tutors, performers, buskers, and amateurs. This film drew me in. It is the anchor of music that keeps the Irish who they are. The Irish should be forever protected as any treasure of world heritage.

[@AndieArbeit]

I love the way this man plays flute... not so many innecesary hands or fingering movements, precise ornaments, and beautiful phrases, that is how you identify an artist who has dedicated many of his life to master his instrument. Great

[@colinstewart6367]

Good man Harry, simple, not overplayed, timed to perfection. Rare quality these days...

[@jcortese3300]

Amazingly efficient technique ... moving his fingers only as much as needed. Wonderful ...

[@cantalherve1704]

tradition will never die because it's life itself

[@EricOwensFlute]

Like a true master this man makes it look effortless.

[@NathanielDowell]

He sure doesn't move his fingers any more than he absolutely has to. I'll have to try that. Great playing.

[@moorejem]

he's so relaxed, but has that wonderful lift that keeps your toes tapping, eh?

[@karlmcternan520]

Great solid playing with a marvellous tone and power. Lovely stuff Harry.

[@griffinc9071]

Look no further. This is as real as it gets. And much more complex than it looks.

[@eileennestor9274]

What a beautiful musician he is, love his effortless style sweet music

[@bridboland3786]

Lovely laughter lines as well as the most lovely of music

[@friendlybanjoatheist5464]

I love this. The purity. No reverb or synthesizer drone! Sweeeeet!

[@Salvatore-Celiento-Music]

very nice flute playing

[@janekelton]

Thanks so much for making these films. Lovely playing here; it's a pleasure to be listening. :-)

[@paulc4649]

beautiful music. wow.

[@santigaitero]

Superb material, THANKS!!!

[@Anamcara1956]

I love this guy playing. Could someone please name the tunes he's playing.

[@rozencrantz58]

Battering Ram, Down the Broom, Gatehouse Maid, Billy McCormick’s Jig, Kilkenny Jig, Humours of Ballinahulla - I think!

[@andyconroy7025]

Great playing.

[@williamswhistlepipes]

Great playing lovely stuff.interesting style.

[@Anneplt2024]

C'est très joli!

[@davidgoodwin7269]

good taste james

[@friendlybanjoatheist5464]

I cannot tell, are there keys on his flute? It is just a six holer?

[@mkirksmith]

No keys, just six holes like a penny whistle sideways.

[@NeilGerstenberg]

He's playing two different flutes... First one with keys, then without

[@aaronspahn6422]

Anyone know the make of the two flutes he plays?

[@moorejem]

He only plays one flute during our interview, and it's an Olwell, this is from the documentary "The Keymaster; Patrick Olwell's story" available on Vimeo

[@aaronspahn6422]

@@moorejem thank you! I should have read the description better. I will check out the documentary. I'm very new to flute playing but the first tune his flute is keyed and the second tune he is playing a keyless flute. Is he just switching out the bottom section of the flute?

[@MrDavieRavie]

Does someone know the name of the second tune?

[@karl2423]

A year later but... Down the Broom then the reel after that is the Gatehouse Maid

[@liamkelly4338]

whats the name of the first tune

[@philipwhittaker5999]

The Battering Ram?

[@j.p.kennedy2557]

Great stuff Harry .Keep up the good work.

[@pintman9102]

Hupp sligo