Northeast Concertina Workshop Registration

NORTHEAST CONCERTINA WORKSHOP
Saturday April 8, 2006 - Amherst MA
Registration Form
Please print this form out, fill it in, and mail it to us

English

Anglo

Duet

Name:
Address:

_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

I play:
Proficiency*:
(fill in B,I,A)

Range:

______

Phone:

_________________________________________

Keys:

______

E-mail:

_________________________________________

System:

______

Payment:

Payment in full is required. Enclosed is my check. Or
Here is my VISA, MasterCard, or DiscoverCard info:
#___________ - ___________ - ___________ - ___________ Exp:_____ CVV**:_____
** This is the 3-digit code on the back of your card

The Northeast Concertina Workshop starts at 9 a.m. with a general welcome and a chance to meet the staff. The morning workshop runs from 10 to noon and will be followed by a break for lunch. The two afternoon workshops will run from 1:30 to 5:00, leaving a couple of hours for networking, jamming, prowling around the town, and dinner before the 7:30 p.m. concert.
Please indicate your workshop preferences by filling in the boxes below; please write a "1" and "2" for each period to indicate your first and second choice. This is NOT the final schedule - depending on the response, it may change somewhat to accommodate participants' choices.
* Proficiency - These workshops are geared for specific skill levels in order to better suit participants. Please consider these guidelines when filling out this form

Beginner Level - People who have a handle on the main notes of the instrument, have some knowledge of note names, and can play a few tunes (at a slow tempo is okay).
Intermediate Level - 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 (not necessarily full speed).
Advanced Level - People who can play with a fair degree of fluency in several keys, modes and meters; have a good understanding the layout of the instrument; and play at tempo.

Workshop

Level

Staff

Brief Description

Beginning English Concertina

Basic foundation techniques - posture, hand/wrist/finger positioning, fingering techniques; exercises for warming up, increasing agility and avoiding fatigue. Applying that and more to some very easy tunes.

Beginning Irish-style Anglo

The basics: holding the concertina, bellowsing, fingering scales in the keys of C, G, and D. Beginning concertina players should come away from this class with a few simple Irish tunes, and the knowledge which will enable them to approach new tunes in the future. For C/G anglo concertinas.

Beginning English-Style Anglo

Getting started with some simple tunes using the English technique of playing the melody on the right side and accompaniment on the left side.

Beginning Hayden Duet

Understanding the system, fingering techniques, and typical left side note/run/chord sequences applicable to common dance tunes. We'll have several Hayden concertinas available for people interested in exploring this system.

Irish Song Airs

I,A

Settings, phrasing, rhythms, and some of the ways that great traditional instrumentalists (especially pipers and fiddlers) have "dressed up" the airs with drones, octaves, fragments of harmony, etc. For all concertinas with specific support for anglos.

Duet Accompaniment Styles

I,A

We’ll have a brief discussion of chord construction, then apply this to a few tunes and look at examples of various accompaniment styles along with a discussion of inherent problems with playing the duet and what to do about it. The emphasis of the examples in this session will be on left hand articulation and two part accompaniment. Requires ability to read treble and bass clef. Treble range to include middle C preferred.

Expression Techniques

I,A

Fingering and bellows techniques to develop "touch" that enables one to play with expression and drive. Primarily for English and Duet concertinas.

The Debussy Code: Deciphering Written Music

Discussions and exercises illustrating how the different elements of music (pitch, rhythm, temp, dynamics) are represented in written music. Demystification of things like scales, keys, time signatures, clefs, and similar squiggly marks.

Unusual Irish Tunes and Settings

I,A

Unusual Irish tunes and unusual settings for familiar tunes in the
Irish repertoire.

Rhythm and Emphasis

B,I

Recognizing and understanding rhythmic patterns. Finding your own style by breaking out of rhythmic traps and using dynamics and phrasing techniques to add life, sparkle and interest to traditional dance tunes.

Concertina Band 1

I,A

Concertina Band 1. All concertina systems welcome. Requires moderate or better sight reading skills.

Irish Cross-row Fingering

Discussions of when, why and techniques of how to cross-row finger a tune illustrated by several tunes being taught. For C/G anglo concertinas.

English-Style Anglo Accompaniment patterns

Realizing the notes in both bellows directions for bass runs and chords for typical major and minor tunes from traditional English repertoire.

Duet Technique and Patterns

I,A

Duet technique with particular attention to using the overlap area. Fuller accompaniments and arrangements patterns appropriate to the music. Examples will be mostly traditional tunes. Requires ability to read treble and bass clef. Treble range to include middle C preferred.

Americana for the Anglo

B,I

We will select from the folk and popular tradition of the 19th and 20th centuries one or more songs that are familiar to the whole class, then explore different approaches to arranging and playing these in styles from pure melody (easy and yet beautiful if well-performed) to bass/chord/harmony/melody.

Song Accompaniment

B,I

How to effectively support your singing with interesting backup without drowning out the words. For all types of concertinas.

Tunes: What Makes Them Tick?

A closer look inside traditional dance tunes: their parts and repetitions, note intervals and chord progressions, key changes and modulations. Putting it all together for effective medley construction. Recommended as a continuation of the Rhythm and Emphasis Workshop.

Tunes from the Repertoire of Chris Droney

I,A

Understanding through select tunes, the fingerings and selective use of embellishments typical of Chris Droney’s playing which results in his driving, no-nonsense style. The focus will be on ear learning, although copies of the music will be available at the end of the class. For C/G anglo concertinas.

Concertina Band 2

I,A

Concertina Band 2. Continuation of the previous workshop.

Complex Duet Accompaniment

I,A

Accompaniment for tunes using more complex harmonies than typicaltraditional or folk tunes. The agenda for this session is flexible and will be catered to the needs of the attendees, including the continuance of previous topics or tunes in greater depth. Requires ability to read treble and bass clef. Treble range to include middle C preferred.

The Fine Print:

Registration: The registration fee is for the entire event. You are not required to attend all workshop sessions 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 April 1 will receive a full refund. Cancellations on or after April 1 will receive a 50% refund. There is no refund for no-shows.

Oversubscription: Some workshops have a maximum limit. Please give a second choice for all workshops. 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 a confirmation letter or email of your workshops, driving directions, and any relevant updated information. We look forward to seeing you there!

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