Workshops ( 2011)

The 2012 Workshops schedule has not yet been announced.

Here’s a list of last year’s workshops, to give you an idea of what you can expect:

• Children’s Band Workshops. Beginner’s workshops on each day provided guidance and the chance to try a variety of simple instruments. Whistles, bodhrans, mini melodeons and ukeleles were available to play.
• Spirit of the Rainforest – Su Hart from Baka Beyond hosted the Baka Women’s Singing Workshop.
• Beginners bottleneck guitar with Phillip Henry, including introduction to open tuning, setting up an instrument, holding the slide, playing simple scales, vibrato and accompanying yourself.
• Autoharp demonstration and workshop. A hands on workshop led by Bob Ebdon from the UK Autoharp Association who gave a demonstration on how to play the instrument followed by the opportunity to have a go.
• Introduction to Irish music workshop with Tri. Young wizards Tri explained their introduction into Irish Music and give tips on techniques employed.
• Flatpicking guitar with Viper Central explored the guitar style used in bluegrass and old timey country music.
• Fiddle tunes from Hampshire’. A fiddle workshop led by Paul Sartin based on tunes from his native county.
• Songwriting workshop with Anthony John Clarke. With 35 years of songwriting experience and having written several well-known folk songs, Anthony John discussed the significance of the lyric and its relationship with the listener and performed some of his favourite songs which have influenced and delighted him over the years.
• Harmony Singing with the Young Uns. An introduction to singing in groups and the use of harmonies in folk song.
• Percussion with Jim and Dan from 4Square.
• Clawhammer and bluegrass banjo with Viper Central who demonstrated techniques used on the 5 string banjo.
• Mi Tunes. Accordion workshop with Paul Hutchinson
• Bluegrass harmony singing with Viper Central.
• Fiddle workshop with Gabe McVarish (Dàimh). Gabe hails from Northern California where he learned traditional Scottish tunes on the fiddle. His versatility as a tutor has seen him highly sought after, having taught at festivals and higher education establishments including the University of Limerick. Gabe also teaches fiddle regularly in Lochaber. Gabe taught traditional Scottish and Irish fiddle tunes.
• Mandolin and tenor banjo workshop with Damian Helliwell (Dàimh). Damian, from the Island of Eigg taught Scottish & Irish tunes using GDAE tuning. Entirely self-taught, Damian joined the Dàimh in the spring of 2011, and is not only an outstanding musician but also an exceptional composer of tunes.
• Whistle workshop with Angus MacKenzie (Dàimh) Angus is a native Gaelic speaker from the musically rich area of Mabou, Cape Breton Island on Canada’s east coast. Angus works with Fèisean nan Gaidheal teaching whistle to children across the Highlands of Scotland. Angus taught Irish and Scottish tunes on tin whistle.
• Songwriting Forum with Dave Wilson. For the aspiring through to fully fledged songwriters to share their thoughts, tricks and tips and discuss the wonderful art of song writing.
• Melodeon workshop with Pete Grassby.
• Acoustic blues guitar workshop with Steve Phillips. A chance to pick up some tips on fingerpicking techniques, the use of open tunings and playing slide guitar.
• Molly Dance Workshop led by Ouse Washes. An introduction suitable for all ages.