Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro

Subject: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: Gavin A
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 02:58 AM

Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitroast, Horsmonden, Kent

Learn to play traditional tunes for music sessions and dancing in the company of other beginners. Play slowly and practice whatever's causing difficulty for you.

Join multi-instrumentalist Gavin Atkin at the Gun & Spitroast pub at Horsmonden, Kent (TN12 8HT) on the SECOND and FOURTH Wednesdays of each month from now until the summer, starting at 8pm. We'll have a class for an hour and a half, followed by whatever playing people feel like, or even just chatting. Admission is free. Typical instruments might be melodeon, fiddle, concertina, mandolin, whistle or banjo, but we'll be just as happy if you pitch up with a triangle, a saxophone or a piano. Reading music isn't necessary, though it definitely helps!

The first class and session starts at 8pm on November 24th. Please tell your friends and especially anyone who's starting to play and needs to know!

For information, call Gavin Atkin on 07985 522734

Subject: RE: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 03:28 AM

Best of luck and have much fun Gavin

L in C#
And all at The Beech

Subject: RE: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: Gavin A
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 03:31 AM

Sorry to have posted twice - I couldn't for the life of me find the previous one, so was sure it hadn't gone through!

Anyway, if you think you're coming do please let me know at [e-mail], and also if you're a music reader so I know how many copies of the dots I'll need.

I thought I should just add a few words about why we're doing this. In a way it follows on from a couple of workshops I did at Towersey last year, one for concertinists about working lift and life into a tune, and one for guitarists about accompanying dance music - some Mudcatters who were there might remember them. The other reason we're setting these up is that I feel that many people may feel a little unsure about stepping into a lively session, because the music is all so fast and they might feel bad if they play a wrong note.

These classes won't be like that. We'll be tucked away in a quiet room and bad notes are definitely allowed - though I imagine we all hope they'll come out the way you meant the next time around!

Why am I doing this now? It's partly because playing this music is great fun and a wonderful social activity, and that I think there should be more of it everywhere, including around mid and west Kent. I've played it since I was a teenager, so I should know!

But it's also partly because after decades of playing fiddle, concertina, mandolin and guitar (with the dance band Florida) I have recently finally come to grips with the melodeon. So hopefully I can now understand whatever problems people may have in playing, and will be able to be really helpful!

Gavin

Subject: RE: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 03:44 AM

Florida is a great band. This should appeal to anyone in the area. Have you notified ( I'm sure you have ) Folk in Kent to put it on their website and the folk section of the SE caravan and camping club [e-mail]   - they do dances throughout the summer and are increasingly using live bands made up of the members.
If I lived closer I'd be there
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: Gavin A
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 05:00 AM

I've sent Folk in Kent a round robin, but should write personally to Beau, who runs it. I've been meaning to...

I don't know the caravanning and camping folks. I'll write to them too. Not many people know that camping can be arranged nearby at Frittenden where we run the last Sunday of the month sessions, and of course the spring event in March.

Thanks for the compliment btw Flora. We've been together a long time but still love to hear that people like the band as much as we like playing with it!

Gavin

Subject: RE: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 05:17 AM

The camping and caravan club folk section are part of the caravan and camping club. They have a South East branch. They organise weekend camping get togethers in the summers with a camp site and a hall for an evening dance. If Frittenden has this they would be interested in this as well as its nice to go to a new venue. All the work done by the members of the club is voluntary but they have to charge for the weekends to cover the cost of the hall and camp site. I've come accross some of the best dance callers in the club, and they have been kind enough to let me try out some of my new dances on them.   

The SE group organise a hotel get together in Feb - with a come all ye band for the evening dances. It works better than you would imagine a scratch band to work.

They have to follow the club rules - tents/ caravans must be 6 meters apart - no playing bagpipes after 11 pm etc so it would not be everyone's cup of tea. However, for people who camping and folk music they are worth trying out.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 05:58 AM

GReat idea! We have a lot of fun with the Lewes Favourites, which is a similar enterprise.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Traditional music classes - Gun & Spitro
From: GUEST,Gavin Atkin
Date: 23 Nov 10 - 01:08 PM

Just a little reminder that these classes start tomorrow evening at 8pm, and that if you're not a learner we'll be delighted to have experienced players drop in for a bit of a sesh from 9.30pm or so.

Check this link for info: http://frittendenfestival.com/free-traditional-music-classes-at-the-gun-and-spit

Gavin