Playing Levels / Groups - PLEASE READ!!

 

Please read carefully the guidance below to help you choose the correct group to place yourself in. In particular please note that we have renamed the groups for clarity.

 

*** It is also important to realise that the Intermediate and Advanced workshops generally cover the same or similar material, but at different depth and pace. These two group allow you to choose the level of challenge that feels right for you *** 

 

Beginners – (previously called "Absolute Beginners") This class is primarily designed for those who have never played melodeon, or who have played very little. It can also be a great place for players who have had an instrument for a while but feel they haven't really got anywhere with it. Perhaps you've picked up a few tunes but lack confidence, don't yet feel comfortable holding or controlling the instrument, or simply feel you need to start again with a solid foundation of good technique. Beginners will get a gentle, supportive introduction to playing the melodeon, with a focus on good foundational techniques to set you on the right path. Loan melodeons are available by prior arrangement. This level starts right at the beginning!

 

Improvers – (previously called "Beginners") Ready to move beyond the basics and make your playing more confident, expressive and fun? This class will help you build on your skills, discover new ways to bring tunes to life and develop your own style of playing. These workshops will explore topics such as chord choices, row crossing, bellows control, rhythm and ways of shaping a tune to make it your own, helping you develop your technique and build confidence along the way.

 

Intermediates – (previously called "Improvers") This class is for players who are comfortable with the fundamentals and ready to stretch themselves further. We'll explore things such as phrasing, harmony, ornamentation, row-crossing strategies, alternative chord choices and techniques for developing your own style, while looking at more creative and ambitious ways to use the instrument. Intermediate offers a gentler route into more demanding material: the pace is a little more relaxed than in the Advanced group, with more time to explore and consolidate new ideas. It's ideal if you're ready to progress beyond the Improver level but prefer a little more breathing space.

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Advanced - Aimed at confident players who are ready to work at a faster pace and take on more demanding material. You should be comfortable playing with pace, fluency and rhythm, understand the layout and notes of your instrument, and be able to pick up and play tunes with reasonable confidence. Workshops will explore more demanding approaches to phrasing, harmony, ornamentation, chord choices, rhythm and other techniques, with an emphasis on developing fluency, musicality and individual style