Northeast Concertina Workshop
Online Registration Form
System played:
English
Anglo
Duet
If you would like to let us know the range, keys, or system of your concertina(s) you may indicate this in the "Special Instructions" section when you check out.
English
Anglo
Duet
If you would like to let us know the range, keys, or system of your concertina(s) you may indicate this in the "Special Instructions" section when you check out.
Proficiency:
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Beginner: People who have a handle on the main notes of the instrument, have some knowledge of note names, and can find their way around a few tunes (at a slow tempo is okay).
Intermediate: People who can play in a few keys and meters (reels, jigs, etc.), have a fair sense of rhythm, and can play at a moderate pace.
Advanced: People who can play with fluency in several keys, modes and meters, have a good understanding of the layout of the instrument, and can play at tempo.
Intermediate: People who can play in a few keys and meters (reels, jigs, etc.), have a fair sense of rhythm, and can play at a moderate pace.
Advanced: People who can play with fluency in several keys, modes and meters, have a good understanding of the layout of the instrument, and can play at tempo.
| Period 1: | |||||
| Class | Level | Staff | Description | 1st Choice | 2nd Choice |
| Pat Shaw Ensemble | Int, Adv | Allan Atlas |
We'll work on three pieces by PAT SHAW: (a) John Tallis' Canon (2 parts), Round Pond (4 parts, including one for baritone concertina), and The Real Princess (3 parts, arr. Allan Atlas). Ability to read music required.
All systems, but must be able to play in the keys of G and D. |
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| Intermediate Irish Anglo 1 with Florence | Int | Florence Fahy |
Learn a selection of tunes by ear, with sheet music available as needed. The class will concentrate on rhythm, timing, and technique, with the exact focus detemined by what will benefit students the most.
30-button C/G Anglo. |
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| Songs and Tunes from the Shape-Note Repertoire | B, Int, Adv | Rachel Hall |
Nineteenth-century singing masters published hundreds of folk melodies in shape-note books such as The Kentucky Harmony and The Sacred Harp. Although mostly paired with sacred texts, many of these songs were arranged in three- or four-part harmony from melodies that had been enjoyed for hundreds of years as dance tunes, love ballads, tavern songs, and sea-faring songs. We will learn to play and sing several songs from this repertoire, both secular and sacred, and explore the distinctive style of shape-note harmony. The ability to read music is helpful but not essential. Singing is optional.
All systems. |
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| Beginner/Intermediate Hayden Duet | B, Int | Aaron Marcus |
We will learn some lovely basic tunes with a focus on basic technique, fingering, and bellows use.
Hayden duet. |
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| Basic English-style Anglo | B | Brian Peters |
The characteristic feature of Anglo played in the 'English' style is that the melody is accompanied by chords. In this class we'll take a very simple melody and work on adding the essential chords in the key of C. All different material from Brian's 2011 workshop.
For C/G anglo, preferably with 30 buttons. Please borrow a C/G instrument if you don't have one; students with instruments in other keys are welcome but won't be able to participate fully. |
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| Master Class | Int, Adv | Christian Stevens |
For intermediate to advanced players. Discuss how to get the most out of your Irish-style Anglo concertina playing. Please bring voice recorder and notebook.
30-button C/G Anglo. | ||
| Period 2: | |||||
| Class | Level | Staff | Description | 1st Choice | 2nd Choice |
| Beyond the "Session Keys" | Int, Adv | Allan Atlas |
This will be a bit of a "workout" in playing in keys beyond (in terms of sharps and flats) those that are customary in folk music. We'll warm up with scales in F-sharp major and D-flat major (exploring different possibilities in fingering) and then move onto what the late Victorian concertinist Signor Alsepti presented as "Regondi's Golden Exercise." Ability to read music required.
English concertina. |
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| Ornamention for Irish Anglo with Florence | Adv | Florence Fahy |
Ornaments and how they are best applied.
30-button C/G Anglo. |
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| Concertina Band | B, Int, Adv | Rachel Hall |
Join in the glorious tradition of the concertina band. We'll play a multi-part arrangement and work on timing and musicality. Now is the time to break out that baritone or bass concertina, if you have one! Although this workshop is open to all levels, beginners must register in advance so that suitable parts may be written for them. Participants should be able to read music. Please bring a music stand.
For all systems. |
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| Spicy Melody Lines | Int, Adv | Aaron Marcus |
Why do some concertina players sound so different, even when playing the same melodies? We will listen to a few recordings of some great concertina players, and discuss what makes their styles so captivating. We will then incorporate some of these stylizations into our own playing.
This class will work for any concertina that can play in G, but non-Hayden players will need to be able to figure out their own fingerings. |
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| English-style Anglo: Next Steps | Int | Brian Peters |
In this workshop we'll work on increasing our range of chords in the key of C, and venture into some different keys that come easily on the C/G instrument. All different material from Brian's 2011 workshop.
For 30-button C/G anglo. Please borrow a C/G instrument if you don't have one; students with instruments in other keys are welcome but won't be able to participate fully. |
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| Beginner Irish Anglo I | B, B+ | Christian Stevens |
Learn the basics of playing the Anglo Concertina in the Irish style. Learn 2 tunes by ear with proper rhythm, fingering, phrasing, and basic ornamentation. Please bring voice recorder and notebook.
20- or 30-button C/G Anglo. |
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| Period 3: | |||||
| Class | Level | Staff | Description | 1st Choice | 2nd Choice |
| The Use of the Bellows to Shape Phrases | Beg, Int, Adv | Allan Atlas |
We'll begin with some non-problematical examples in which the manipulation of the bellows is rather obvious, that is, up-tempo tunes with symmetrical phrases. We'll then tackle examples in which things are rather ambiguous, especially long, asymmetrical, legato phrases for which each player might well devise a bellows pattern of his or her own, depending upon what feels comfortable. You must be able to read music.
English concertina. |
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| Intermediate Irish Anglo 2 with Florence | Int | Florence Fahy |
More Irish Anglo, with more and different tunes. As with the 1st class, students will learn a selection of tunes by ear, with sheet music available as needed. The class will concentrate on rhythm, timing, and technique, with the exact focus determined by what will benefit students the most. It's fine to take #2 without taking #1, and the repertoire will be different, so it's fine to take both, too.
30-button C/G Anglo. |
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| Scandinavian Tunes | Int. Adv | Rachel Hall |
This workshop introduces the distinctive rhythms and ornaments of Scandinavian dance music. Although most Scandinavian dance tunes are in 3/4 meter, each geographic region has its particular rhythmic "swing" that distinguishes it from other regions. We will learn several tunes from different traditions. Sheet music for lead and harmony parts will be provided.
All systems. |
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| Harmony and Accompaniment | Int, Adv | Aaron Marcus |
Learn to accompany other musicians, focusing particularly on bass lines. What feelings do different notes and chords convey? How can we intensify or relax a set of tunes simply by changing the bass line?
For all concertinas that can play in D, but non-Hayden players will need to be able to figure out their own fingerings. |
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| Song Accompaniment for Anglo | Int | Brian Peters |
Although the English concertina is more usually the choice of the song accompanist, the anglo works well both for rhythmic songs and also for slower ones. We'll have a look at both. All different material from Brian's 2011 workshop.
For C/G anglo, preferably with 30 buttons. Please borrow a C/G instrument if you don't have one; students with instruments in other keys are welcome but won't be able to participate fully. |
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| Beginner Irish Anglo II | B, B+ | Christian Stevens |
Learn the basics of playing the Anglo Concertina in the Irish style. Learn 2 tunes by ear with proper rhythm, fingering, phrasing, and basic ornamentation. Different tunes from Beginner I, so it's fine to take both classes. Please bring voice recorder and notebook.
20- or 30-button C/G Anglo. |
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The Fine Print:
Registration: The fee is for the entire event. You are not required to attend all class periods or the evening concert, but there is no reduced fee for partial participation. Please note that meals and overnight lodging are NOT included.
Cancellations: Cancellations before March 22 will receive a full refund. Cancellations received between March 22 and April 12 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds after April 12.
Oversubscription: Most classes have a maximum limit. Please give a second choice for all class periods. Also, please let us know if you have any specific learning interests and concerns, and we will forward your comments to the staff.
Confirmation: We will send confirmation after we process your registration. We look forward to seeing you in April!