Melodeon Playgroup started in 2012, with the realisation that there was a lack of workshops available for players who were at the very beginning of their experience with the melodeon, or who perhaps lacked the confidence or experience to join established music sessions.

 

Since then the event has become very popular, with those first beginners returning as improvers, and the Playgroup has expanded in line with demand to now offer workshops for three levels of players: Absolute Beginners, Beginners, and Improvers.

 

Our Absolute Beginners tutor - Helena - was a nervous newbie at our very first Playgroup, and has penned a wonderful history of how the event was first conceived, and how it has developed into the form it takes today. Please click here to read her history, and we are certain it will give confidence to even the most aprehensive beginner that they can join us and can learn to play in the safe and friendly environment that is the Melodeon Playgroup.

 

Absolute Beginners: Musicians who have only just started to learn to play melodeon, or may not even have been brave enough to pick up the the box yet. This level is also aimed at those who would like to "have a go" and see how they get on, with the guidance of a tutor to help get them started.

 

Beginners: Musicians who can play a few tunes, who do not necessarily know note names or chords, and may not have started to use their left hand when playing.

 

Improvers: Musicians who are playing with some confidence, can follow by ear to some degree, are using chords, and are ready (if not already started) to explore playing styles, harmony, ornamentation, and want to begin to do something different with tunes.

         

The Playgroup takes place in February each year, and is based at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Evesham, Worcestershire.

 

The formal workshop sessions take place on the Saturday, however the weekend starts with a general session in the Pub on the Friday evening, and separate sessions on the Saturday evening to allow for the less confident players to go at a slower pace in the Barn, away from the more experienced players who tend to race away at speed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 February 2024

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Melodeon Playgroup is for players of the D/G melodeon. Players of melodeons in other keys are welcome to join us but must understand that the workshops will be based on the D/G box and tunes will generally be in the keys of D, G and Em.

 

 

Melodeon Playgroup is a Community Interest Company, and is a non-profit making event, organised entirely by volunteers. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme in case of unforeseen circumstances.