This year's Melodeons and More day took place on Saturday 29th March 2008, with guest tutors Saul Rose, Tim Laycock, Brian Peters and Rob Say. For earliest information for future Melodeons and More events, email us with your name and postal address and put Melodeons and More in the subject line.

2008 programme

ALL DAY WORKSHOP

1a & 1b. Inexperienced Melodeon: you will again benefit from the combined wisdom and talent of Maggie Moore and Rees Wesson. Maggie starts you off with a straightforward tune and a few agility exercises, and Rees will lead you on to look at simple right hand techniques and the high octave. FULL 14.02.08

MORNING WORKSHOPS

2. Anglo concertina: Brian Peters FULL 11.02.08
Participants need a C/G anglo and the workshop will focus on chording.
3. One Row melodeon techniques: Rees Wesson FULL 13.02.08
Participants need a one row melodeon in D or a two row in D/G.
4. Tunes from Lincolnshire: Steve Dumpleton (any instrument)
Music from the Joshua Gibbons collection
5. Melodeon bass end masterclass: Saul Rose FULL 04.01.08
6. Tunes from the West Country: Tim Laycock (any instrument)
Including tunes from the novelist and fiddler Thomas Hardy’s manuscripts.
7. English concertina: Rob Say
Rob will explore the capabilities of the instrument and how to bring music to life.
8. Absolute beginners melodeon: Alan Wood - no experience necessary. FULL 22.01.08

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

9. Tunes from the North West: Brian Peters (any instrument)
Participants need an instrument that will work in the keys of G, D, Am and Em.
10. Two Row melodeon techniques: Maggie Moore FULL 21.01.08
Participants need a D/G melodeon and the workshop will focus on crossing the rows.
11. The waltz in East Anglian tradition: Katie Howson (any instrument)  FULL 07.02.08
12. Playing for Dancing: Saul Rose FULL 16.01.08
A look at dance rhythms including morris and ceilidh (any instrument)
13. Song accompaniment on the concertina: Tim Laycock (any concertina system)
14. Hidden Gems from the North East: Rob Say (any instrument)
15. Absolute Beginners anglo-concertina: Steve Dumpleton - no experience necessary FULL 08.01.08

Tutors

Workshops are about far more than just learning a new tune or two, and our team of regular and guest tutors are all fine musicians with much to share with you.

Brian Peters (left)

(Anglo Concertina and Tunes from the North West)

Brian has played anglo concertina and melodeon in concert, and given

classes in both, all over the world during a twenty year career. He

takes on everything from driving English dance music to ragtime and

blues, and according to one reviewer, 'plays as though the limitations

of the Anglo didn't exist.'

To visit Brian's website click here.

You can also see Brian in action on Youtube: Dallas Rag on concertina

There have until recently been clips of Brian playing melodeon, but as of 13.12.07 they don't seem to be there anymore!

Saul Rose (right)

(Bass End Masterclass & Playing for Dancing)

Saul plays with almost too many bands to mention! Currently with Waterson:Carthy

and Faustus as well as dance bands Whapweasel and Random, after a few years

out of the limelight he is now busier than ever, and brings enormous energy and

imagination to everything he does.

Find Saul on Myspace or click on one of these links: Waterson:Carthy

Random   Whapweasel

Rob Say (left)

(English concertina and Hidden Gems from the North East)

Rob is based in Northumberland and is a superb exponent of the English Concertina. After a childhood surrounded by music, he started

playing at the age of sixteen and soon became absorbed by the vibrant

traditional music of the North East of England. It wasn’t long before he

developed a strong rhythmic style focusing on clarity – a style much

suited to the dance music of Northumberland and Durham. Having taken

to the concertina and absorbed so much of the music, he then picked up

the Northumbrian Smallpipes to learn once again from masters of the instrument.

During these formative years, and more recently, Rob has been fortunate

enough to play with and learn from some of the finest traditional musicians;

a source of inspiration that continues to influence his playing. He has won

numerous competitions on the pipes and taught around the country.

Rees Wesson (right)

(One Row Melodeon & Inexperienced Melodeon)

Rees is one of our most popular regular tutors, and a fine

musician with a deep knowledge and understanding of a

variety of genres from Zydeco to East Anglia. His relaxed

manner belies great expertise.

Rees has a Myspace page or click here for his website.

Tim Laycock (left)

(Tunes from the South West & Song Accompaniment for Concertinas)

Tim began singing and playing traditional music in Norwich, inspired by Tony Hall,

Peter Colman and Walter Pardon. Now living and performing mostly in the South West,

Tim plays duet concertina and two row melodeon, and loves exploring the instrumental

and vocal repertoire of Dorset for solo performance and with the New Scorpion Band.

To find out more about Tim's music click here for the New Scorpion Band website.
 

Katie Howson (right)

(Waltzes from the East Anglian Tradition)

As well as directing ‘Melodeons and More’, Katie has led a workshop every year at this event. Since the last Melodeons and More, she has taught East Anglian music in Scotland and the Netherlands, and has edited the recently published EATMT book of music Before the Night Was Out. She leads the English ceilidh band Katie's Quartet and was a founder member of Old Hat Dance Band and Old Hat Concert Party.

Click here to find out more about Before the Night Was Out.

Steve Dumpleton (left)

(Tunes from Lincolnshire & Absolute Beginners Anglo Concertina)

Steve joined our team of tutors last year. His playing is firmly rooted in the English

dance tradition and he aims for rhythmic vitality coupled with melodic phrasing.

Maggie Moore (right)

(Inexperienced Melodeon & Crossing the Rows)

Maggie needs little introduction to many of you who have

attended her classes over the years. Her pupils are aged

from 8 to 80 years old, and following the success of the

"Maggie's Melodeon" tutor book and CD, watch out for

"More Maggie's Melodeon" for more advanced players.

Alan Wood (extreme right in photo)

(Absolute Beginners Melodeon)

Alan again helps to introduce newcomers to the delights of the melodeon. He has played the melodeon for over 25 years and is a dance musician, singer, club organiser, teacher and session player.

Workshop Information

This year we again offer a wide variety of workshops for melodeon players, and are pleased to be able to provide a wider range of workshops for concertina players, as well as opportunities for absolute beginners on both instruments.

Levels

Inexperienced melodeon players should be able to play the major scales and simple tunes.

The other melodeon workshops are for more experienced players, who should be willing to explore some of the trickier aspects of the music and extend their repertoire of tunes. If you’re unsure about the suitability of a particular workshop, please ring or email your query before booking.

Concertina workshops are at any level except absolute beginners.

Absolute beginners have probably never picked up the instrument in question before and instruments are provided in these classes.

Teaching styles

Workshops vary in style, but all include a mixture of demonstration and participation, and are taught largely by ear, although written music may be provided by some tutors as well. We will send you a recording and notes about the tunes to be used in advance of the day to enable you to familiarise yourself with the music (this does not apply to Absolute Beginners). Please be aware that where workshops are open to melodeon and concertina players, teaching will focus on style rather than specific techniques.

Timetable

The day runs from 9.45 to 5.30. Morning workshops start at 10.30 and afternoon workshops start at 2.15, followed by an informal workshop showcase concert at 4.30.

Instruments

Unless otherwise specified, participants need an instrument that can play in the keys of G and D and the associated minor keys of Am and Em. Where workshops specify ‘any instrument’ that means melodeon or concertina (or harmonica), and teaching will focus on style and repertoire rather than techniques on specific instruments.

Tickets

This year we have introduced combined tickets for the workshops and concert, which will save you £3 on the price if you buy both together. Please read the booking form carefully!

Music Market

There will be a chance to browse amongst specialist suppliers of instruments, recordings and books at the Music Market, which is open until 4.45. If you’re not attending workshops but would like to look at the stalls, you are welcome from 10.45 onwards.

Stalls confirmed so far include: Hedingham Fair - books, cards, t-shirts; Veteran - CDs, cassettes, videos and books; Thrift Music - concertinas, melodeons, harmonicas & other instruments; Theo Gibb of The Box Place - vintage melodeons and repairs and Mike Acott - concertinas and repairs.

Squeezebox Special Concert

A wonderful chance to hear four of our extremely talented tutors in concert. The concert starts at 8pm and features Saul Rose, Brian Peters, Tim Laycock and Rob Say. Rob will be joined by his wife Ali on fiddle for the concert. A real ale bar plus wonderful music - should be a great evening! Tickets are available separately for those who would like to come and listen but don't wish to attend the daytime workshops - book them using the main booking form.

Location and facilities

This year, the ninth annual melodeon workshop day is again in the lovely village of Mendlesham, about 5 miles from Stowmarket, where there is a rail and bus station. The event takes place in the Community Centre & St.Joseph’s Centre, both on Old Station Street, and this year we are also using the Old School Room, a few minutes walk away. The Community Centre is fully equipped for wheelchair users. St Josephs Centre and The Old School are accessible to wheelchair users but have no other facilities. Mendlesham has many attractive historic buildings including two pubs (the Fleece and the King’s Head) and is also known for its unique armoury, housed in the beautiful church. The village has a fish and chip shop and a general store with cash facilities. If you wish to stay overnight in the area, contact the Mid Suffolk Tourist Information Office on 01449 676800 or email tic@midsuffolk.gov.uk Some details are sent out with the confirmation form as well.

Refreshments are provided during the day, and lunch may be booked in advance. A real ale bar will be open at lunchtime and during the evening concert. Early evening meals for workshop attenders who are staying on for the concert are available at the Fleece. Details will be sent out to you with your confirmation form.

Click here for a printable booking form.

Melodeon makers courses

In March 2007, we were proud to be able to offer a unique opportunity in the UK. Eight people joined a course taught by French instrument-maker and musician, Emmanuel Pariselle, to make their own high-quality one row melodeon. This course will run again in October 2008, and is already over-subscribed! However, you are welcome to email us and state your interest, as we aim to continue providing these courses in the future.

Click here for further details.