Below is the programme for 2024. The organisers reserve the right to amend this programme if necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

Friday 2nd February:

 

16:00 - 18:00.     Informal pub session in the Pewter Room of the Fleece Inn for any early arrivals

 

20:00 - late.       Pub sessions in the Pewter Room of the Fleece Inn and the (heated) Barn 

 

Saturday 3rd February:

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Absolute Beginners Workshop with Helena: Starting with the basics of how to hold the thing and working up to being able to play a simple tune!

 

Beginners Workshop with Lester: A selection of simple tunes to work with to enhance your playing skills and techniques

 

Improvers Workshop with Ian: how to get away from "oom-pah" in general by treating the bass end as effectively a separate instrument, using bass runs and cross-chords (and drones sometimes) -- and on the right hand, how to punch-in extra notes and chords for emphasis, as well as things like playing harmonies and in parallel octaves.

 

Advanced Workshop with Ian: as per the Improvers (above) but at a more advanced level.

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Improvers Workshop with Paul: Some French tunes to introduce an all row-crossing approach together with scales and general approach. Left hand and ornamentation dependant on progress.

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Advanced Workshop with Paul: Waltzes and other slow tunes to look at cross-rowing and some 3/2 hornpipes for block chord accompaniment

 

09.30 - 10:20      Meet and greet, registration in the Fleece Barn

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10:30 - 13:00     Workshops in Social Club (Absolute Beginners), Church (Beginners), Village Hall

                            (Improvers) & Barn (Advanced)

                         

13:00 - 14:20      Lunch break - hot and cold food available from the buffet menu of the day

 

14:30 - 17:00     Workshops in Social Club (Absolute Beginners), Church (Beginners), Village Hall

                            (Improvers) & Barn (Advanced)

 

17:00 - 18:00      An opportunity to practice tunes, and to try out the instruments on offer from

                           Pete of Acorn Instruments.

                           

19:30 -               Session and further practice in the Pewter Room (1930-2100 - slower pace led by Lester

                          & Helena) and session in the Barn (faster pace led by Nigel & James)

 

 

Sunday 4th February:

 

10:00 - 11:00      Workshop in the Barn - "Learn a Tune" - suited to Beginners and upwards, and

                           Absolute Beginners welcome to have a go!

11:00 - 12:00      Morris dancing from our local side Belle d'Vain who invite you to join the sides'

                            musicians to experience playing for dance.

12:00 - 13:00      Barn available for eating lunch

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ALSO:

 

14:00                  A Sunday afternoon concert in the Barn by the guest tutor Ian Dedic of

                           Hammersmith Morris fame!

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                           Please note this will be a separate ticketed event hosted by the Fleece Inn

                                       and is not part of the Melodeon Playgroup event.

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                                          Tickets may be purchased directly from the Fleece Inn