Folk Music

The Yukka Folk Weekend in association with Living Tradition

Start: 26 February 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
End: 28 February 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
With Anna Esslemont | Cormac Byrne | Sarah Allen |  - |  -

Following the runaway success of 2009’s Fiddle On Folk Weekend at Farncombe, internationally known tutors Cormac Byrne – bodhran/percussion (Uiscedwr, Seth Lakeman), and Anna Esslemont – fiddle (Uiscedwr) are proud to present “The Yukka Folk Weekend”.

The course brings musicians together to learn how to arrange folk tunes for performance. A large part of playing and performing folk tunes is down to how they are arranged – changing the style, rhythm, harmonies, dynamics etc can bring a tune to life, and take it somewhere you never imagined possible when you first heard the basic melody! You will learn how to create interesting counter melodies, how to get the best from the instruments you have in your group, how to vary the chords backing a tune and much more.

Alongside group leaders Anna and Cormac, tutors for 2010 will include Sarah Allen – flute (Flook). The course is open to players of ALL instruments. Each of the tutors is experienced in working with both tune players (e.g. fiddle/flute/melodeon) and backers (e.g. guitar/bass/percussion) and variety is definitely encouraged!

The emphasis is on arranging and not learning tunes. Sheet music with basic chords or a recording of the material will be provided well in advance, so participants arrive feeling comfortable and confident with the tunes and time can be spent on the real task: arranging, which will be done largely by ear.

Each musician will be assigned to a mixed group (containing some melody players and some backers) lead by one of the tutors, and then the fun will start! You will get a chance to work on arranging two pieces to perform at an informal concert on the Sunday. The first piece will be the tunes you have worked on with your tutors in smaller groups, and the second will be a full group piece with everyone involved.

The beauty of arranging for folk music is that it caters for a wide range of abilities – sometimes the most important part of a set of tunes is the simplest part – it’s amazing how an off-beat “chug” on the chords can lift a tune from being good, to foot-stompingly good! So this course is suitable for pretty much every musician who wants to come and have a go, whether you’re a beginner or a pro looking for some fresh ideas for arranging. However, as the weekend will be quite challenging, the programme is not suited to absolute beginners on their instruments; there isn’t time to provide teaching on how to play your instrument. If you are unsure as to whether this course is suited to you, please get in touch and one of the tutors will be happy to discuss your concerns.

Suggested Links:

Watch the Folk Weekend 2009 on Youtube

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Other events this weekend.

Other Courses By This Tutor

Other Courses That This Tutor Has Run

How to Book

Online: To make a booking, please use our Website Booking Form.

By Phone: Call 01386 854100 (Please leave message out of normal office hours)
By Post: Download our Booking Form and send to
Booking Office, Farncombe Estate Centre, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7LJ.

Payment: Places are only confirmed on receipt of payment.   Payments can be made securely via our website using Streamline, by credit card over the telephone or by sending a cheque to "Farncombe Estate ALC Ltd".

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