Bob Soper and Elizabeth Nicholson
"Theory and practice of accompanying traditional Irish dance tunes"
For the first segment of this workshop, Elizabeth will explain and demonstrate her theory of what works (and what doesn''t) in backing up traditional tunes. Following the exposition of these ideas, Bob will demonstrate his approach to accompaniment. For
the remainder of the workshop, we will pick a set of tunes and go around the circle, examining participants'' individual approaches to accompaniment. Therefore, attendees should definitely bring their instruments.
Dave Barnes
“Singing with your friends”
Based on years of unaccompanied session singing, at festivals, with friends and at the regular session in Wellington, Dave aims to cover why it is that "traditional" songs still work so well. He''ll look at how and why some newer songs can fit in, and will also look at how to present songs in a trad manner despite the formality of a stage. There''ll be plenty of chances for participation as that''s what it''s all about, with plenty of choruses and refrains!
Billy Ebeling
Blues, Rock Piano Workshop.
Basic blues and improvisation. No sight reading. Basic skills to get you soloing or playing with a band. Workshop will cover left hand bass lines for slow blues, shuffle, rock, New Orleans second Line, right hand rhythms and lead improvising.
Introduction to the kalimba (aka thumb piano).
Learn about this traditional african instrument. Once you hear it it''s hard not to fall in love with this dynamic instrument. Easy to play yet quite dynamic. The workshop will cover tunings, technique and use in modern music.
Terry Ebeling
How to turn that harmonica into a musical instrument!
Basic structure of harmonica, basic techniques, knowledge of how to play your diatonic harmonica in 3 different keys, with different mood! bring your own C harmonica or buy one for $15.
Donna Dean
Connecting Mind and Body with Yoga
"Hoping to keep up my flexibility, I started practicing first Hatha and then Asthanga yoga in London in 1999. After several months of regular pratice I felt more energised, I slept better, noticed normal daily stresses were much easier to cope with and I felt generally brighter in myself. Ten years on I studied to teach with the Svastha School of Yoga in Auckland, NZ, a branch of the Svastha School in Chennai, India run by A.G and Indra Mohan. I graduated in 2010. A practice with focus on the connection between body, breath and mind has the potential to help develop inner quiet while nourishing the nervous system, improving immune function and opening the doors of the mind to crerativity. The latter is of enormous benefit to me as a
songwriter". Donna Dean
La Petite Manouche
Jazz guitar with a touch of gypsy.
Description- An introduction to simple jazz concepts, scales, voicings, jazz guitar and jazz theory relating to gypsy jazz and modern applications. Participatory so bring your instruments.
Alan and Kristin Kelly
Bodhran Workshop.
All are welcome to this Bodhran workshop (Irish Drum). Dubliner Alan Kelly hosts this fun, informative workshop designed to give you the basics and a lot more besides. Included will be a worksheet to keep you going well into the future. Beat that Goat skin, you know you want to.
Celtic fiddling
Fiddle Workshop for beginners to intermediates. Brisbane born fiddler Kristin Kelly hosts this fiddle workshop. Basic fiddle skills are needed to get the most out of this workshop which will leave you with a few tunes under your belt.
Karen Lynne Bluegrass Circle
Banjo Workshop
Pick up some tips on how to play bluegrass banjo in the Scruggs style and how the banjo fits into its important place in a bluegrass band. Martin Louis will talk about its origins in Bluegrass and about the different styles, & also teach some lead and backup techniques used in Scruggs-style banjo playing. Session designed for beginner to intermediate ability levels with practical tips and techniques that you can use in your next jam. Some topics include the role of the banjo in a jam or band situation, vamping, roll patterns and backup, using fill-in licks & negotiating kick-offs and endings. Martin uses a fully integrated ''hands on'' approach incorporating lots of question & demonstration opportunities.
Mandolin Workshop
Learn the importance of Mandolin & it’s origins in Bluegrass music and how it’s percussive “chop” is perfect for creating the backbeat which drives the rhythm forward in a bluegrass band. Nigel Lever & Daniel Watkins together will show some picking & strumming techniques in order to get the rhythmic ‘groove’ necessary in bluegrass with emphasis on timing & feel. He uses a fully integrated ''hands on'' approach incorporating lots of question & demonstration opportunities.
Fiddle Workshop
Learn how to play bluegrass fiddle authentically and how the fiddle fits into Bluegrass music. George will work through a tune or two and talk about the sounds and styles behind this particular style of fiddle music and will use a fully integrated ''hands on'' approach incorporating lots of question, answer & demonstration opportunities.
Bluegrass Harmony Workshop
Learn about harmony singing and why it is so important in Bluegrass music. Learn about it in Bluegrass and how to find the tenor & baritone harmonies and a little about the bass part. The workshop will include an practical exercise where attendees will find the harmony that suits them best, and then will split up into groups and be assisted to learn their parts, joining at the end to sing all parts together.
Twisted Oak
Old-timey and Bluegrass duo.
Twisted Oak is old-time and bluegrass duo featuring fiddle and guitar. Long time friends and collaborators George and Dan mix things up to perform exciting arrangements of the old standards and a delicious load of original tunes. George Jackson is a three time Australian Bluegrass Champion and Daniel Watkins is a winner of the bluegrass rising star award, adds strong vocals to Guitar and Mandolin Duties. These two are sharing duties with the Karen Lynne Bluegrass Circle at the festival, but are too good an opportunity to miss not to feature them as well.
