Stafford Spring Music Day May 9th. 2010
PROGRAMME

Grading of Workshops

*/ ** Beginners / Intermediate [Grade 3 minimum unless advised differently by Music Day organiser] If in doubt, please ask.                           

***Intermediate

****  Experienced                            

*****  Band Musician   eg. Have played for Public Dances.

Guide-lines to content of workshops

Session  2

Accordion Technique   ***/****
This is a workshop for experienced players.   An emphasis on right hand technique.

Fiddle Technique   ***/****
This will be for more experienced players.

Band for inexperienced musicians  */***
This session will be suitable for all those musicians who lack confidence and/or playing experience.
An opportunity to play straightforward tunes whilst being aware of the qualities of other instruments in the group.
Practice in playing Folk dance tunes to accompany dancing in a band situation, the importance of clear beginnings and endings and lots of other information and tips to improve your skills.
Easy and transposed parts, 2nd. parts and bass lines will be available to ensure all can join in and make a significant contribution to the band sound.
Transposing instruments are welcome. There will be additional tutor support within the group for younger and less experienced players.

Beginner Accordion   */**
Accordion technique for inexperienced players.
Explaining the bass and advice on Technique to help with fingering on bass and keyboard etc. This is for very inexperienced players and any better players who come will be expected to work at the pace of the real beginner. It is not intended as an easy session for all!

Playing for Contra dancing  ***/****
Contra is renowned for its energetic style of dancing. This workshop will teach how to ensure lifting the dancers feet and maintaining the drive in the music.

Playing by Ear */**
Playing by ear is easy once you know how!  This workshop is for those who don’t play by ear and who are intimidated by the prospect, but would like to learn.

SESSION  3

Challenging tunes.   ***/*****
Instruction on playing Strathspeys and Airs.

Any Jig or Reel won’t do!   **/****
Advice on choosing the most appropriate music for a dance. Relating the music to the dance notation and style.
Some tunes are better than others depending on the steps and figures involved. The aim of the musician is to lift the dancers’ feet and a bad choice of tune can have a considerable effect on the end result. There will be opportunity to dance and see dancing to illustrate these points.

Playing by ear   */***
This workshop is intended for musicians who have difficulty in playing by ear, or who lack the confidence to try.
Advice will be given to dispel fears and explain strategies to achieve some success where failure has previously been the only outcome. You could surprise yourself and discover talent you never knew you had !

The Choice is yours!   ***/****
This is an opportunity to share a favourite tune with others. Please bring with you 10 copies of the music, and be prepared to lead the playing. The group would be pleased to hear any interesting information, origins or anecdote associated with the tune.

Playford   ***/****
There is a particular skill in playing for the many varied dances under the “Playford” umbrella.
This workshop will give guidance on how to play these tunes to best effect.

That sounds familiar!   ***/****
This is an opportunity to play tunes with some content from classical and popular oldies that are being used today for dancing throughout the Folk scene.