Events

FIDDLE WORKSHOP with GERRY O’CONNOR www.gerryoconnor.net
I try to teach so that the fiddle player learns how to approach the learning of the instrument with a focus on making the bowing enhance the melodies learned. I will teach a small number of tunes, both popular and unusual, focusing on the bowing patterns inherent to, and specific to each tune learned. I will highlight and explain what I describe as “Typical Bowing Patterns in Irish Music specific to the playing of Dance music”.
Level. This class is offered to students of an intermediate level of fiddle playing.
Some experience in learning by ear would be an advantage. More importantly what is required is a positive approach to attempting to learn by watching and listening. In this way the tune and the bowing will come together naturally.
The bowing and articulation of bow patterns in the playing of jigs and other familiar dance rhythms introduced in the early part of the class will provide the basis for a systematic approach to a generic playing of Irish fiddle music suitable for this level of experience.This will enable the student to identify some repetitive patterns of bowing which, although non specific, will aid the student in understanding the non- random activity of fiddle bow activity in Irish fiddle playing.
Tunes Types will include Jigs,Reels, Highlands, SingleJigs, Hornpipes, Slip Jigs and a slow air other melody types will be taught should time allow.
Audio and selective video recording is encouraged. The notation of the workshop tunes with some typical bowing motifs indicated will be forwarded by email after the class
The focus in this class will be not just to learn more tunes but to improve the ability to play and enjoy the experience of playing the fiddle. A class of 10 -12 would be considered appropriate.
GUITAR WORKSHOP with GILLES LE BIGOT www.gilleslebigot.com

(This can be given in French and/or Engish)
This workshop is above all an occasion for pleasure and relaxation– pleasure to come together to learn new songs and techniques, each at one’s own pace and level.
My role is to best meet your expectations as you enter into my musical world, and to ensure that you leave with lots of new ideas to explore.
Level required: At least 2-3 years of experience in standard tuning. In this workshop different levels are made possible by alternating group with individual work.
TOPICS: Study of open tuning: The guitar being tuned DADGAD, we will work on different chording positions, accompaniment approaches and appropriate guitar works. Repertoire: Celtic music
Techniques discussed: Working with both pick and fingers through a variety of songs and accompaniments. Appropriate exercises are offered in both techniques.
Rhythm: A look at different right hand rhythms in the accompaniment of dance music, along with relevant exercises in these rhythms.
Harmony: The goal is to provide some approaches to the harmonizing of melodies, and will be illustrated with specific examples of accompaniments in Breton and Irish music.
Material: Something to record portions of the workshop. Scoring will be in tablature.
Bring a pick and a capo.