James Fagan Bouzouki & Cittern Workshop

About

Lewes Saturday Folk Club Workshop No 295 - James Fagan Bouzouki & Cittern Workshop

James Fagan is a leading player of the flat-backed bouzouki, with a wide range of stylistic approaches to instrumental & song-based music. He's taught internationally; his teaching is personal, challenging & inspiring. His duo with NANCY KERR has attracted many ears & three BBC Folk awards. Bouzouki, cittern & octave mandolin/mandola players are all welcome. James specialises in GDAD tuning, but his clear approach will be useful to players in other tunings too. During the day we will look at both lead & accompaniment techniques, with great emphasis on rhythm, chord work & becoming a better all-round accompanist. Tunes will be taught both by ear & with music.

Places £45 (2 under-25-year-olds £22)  Email valmaigoodyear@aol.com to reserve tickets & bring cash on the day. Royal Oak, Station St., Lewes BN7 2DA

Provisional Timetable 10.45 Registration & coffee; order lunch (refreshments not included). 11.00 'Why the bouzouki?' Overview including tunings, GDAD & its advantages, basic chords, more interesting chord voicings. Dronal and chordal approaches to a common tune. Pulse & rhythm – plectrum techniques & how to become a great rhythm player. 12.30 Lunch 13.30 'Exploring textures & colours'. Tasty chord progressions with example tunes. Approaches to different time signatures with example tunes. Finding colour in a monochrome bunch of notes! Getting lift & pulse into your playing, including ornamentation. 15.00 Tea/coffee break 15.15 'Transcending the instrument' Becoming a really tasteful and useful musician, including more advanced accompaniment, song accompaniment, improvisation, session technique. 16.45 Finish

In the evening, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan perform at Lewes Saturday Folk Club at the Elephant & Castle.   (£15: Email valmaigoodyear@aol.com to reserve tickets & bring cash on the night)