Workshop Descriptions
For our anniversary camp we will looking at the world of compositions and original music. We will be doing a techniques track and a repertoire track looking at ways to create your own music as well as repertoire from our own works and our favourite composers
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Rachel Bell Workshop Session 1: How to Write a Tune We’ll explore various approaches for writing tunes in the Celtic, contra dance, bal folk, and English country dance styles. If you have ever wondered how people write tunes, or if you enjoy composing but sometimes find yourself stuck in a rut, this session is for you. This workshop will be largely discussion-based, so be prepared to take notes so that you can try out ideas later. We’ll do some playing and listening as well, so do keep your accordion handy. We’ll think about how to start the process if you’re fresh out of ideas, how to develop a whole piece of music out of a little snippet of inspiration, where to look to jumpstart your creativity, and how a little basic music theory can help you along the way. _____________________________ Workshop Session 2: Tunebook Sampler Take a little journey through Rachel’s new tunebook, digging in to learn phrasing, articulation, chord options, and bass rhythm ideas for a contrasting set of tunes. We’ll work on a groovy march that you can rock out on and a slower, beautiful tune. If time permits, we’ll visit one of the waltzes from the book as well. |
Jeremiah McLane Workshop Session 1: Swing Gavotte In this session we’ll look at the music of Breton accordionist Yves Menenz, the originator of the ‘Swing Gavotte’ style from the 1930s and 40s in Brittany, France. Grounded in the traditional repertoire played on the bombarde and binou, Yves Menez developed a more modern style that incorporated elements of early jazz, including rhythmic syncopation, key changes, and chromatic melodies. We’ll discuss the evolution of the accordion in Breton traditional dance music and we’ll learn one of Yves’ signature pieces, “Gavotte Chromatique”. Alex Cumming Workshop Session 2: Bringing your Music to Life In this workshop we will look at how to create harmonies, how to choose chords and what to do with a tune once you have composed or learnt it. We will take a journey through various methods from music theory, accordion specific techniques and the interesting world of Alex's brain. |
