Music
Workshops
Skip to Aberdeenshire Workshops
11:00–12:15
Come and Try Clarsach
Aberdeen Arts Centre 2
Level 1
If you would like to have a go at playing the clarsach (harp) then this workshop is for you. Open to players of other instruments as well as complete beginners. Clarsachs will be available to try.
Sponsored by The Clarsach Society NE Scotland Branch
11:00–12:15
Karen Steven
Aberdeen Arts Centre 3
Playing for Dancers
Level 2
Karen will introduce fiddle players to repertoire and techniques to facilitate the rhythm and lift associated with step dance. Karen will encourage and advise fiddlers how to make the tune into a ‘dance tune’, using examples of bowing and ornamentation. With opportunities for participants to also learn some steps, musicians will be able to actively make the connection between the two disciplines.
11:00–12:15
Danny Diamond
Lemon Tree Studio
Irish Fiddle
Level 3
This workshop analyses and deconstructs the elements of style in Irish fiddle music. From the fundamentals such as ergonomics, bow hold and tone, to historical sources, and contemporary influences from Irish music and other traditions. Walk through the process of building a personal version of a traditional tune, using examples including The Roving Bachelor, Johnny Cope and The Pinch of Snuff.
11:00–12:15
Göran Premberg
Arts Centre 1
Swedish Fiddle
Level 2/3
Göran is a master of the fiddle style and repertoire of West Sweden. Learn about polska, Engelska, and other dance tunes, picking up tricks of the trade to achieve the infectious 1-3 pulse of Swedish dance tunes.
11:00–2:15
Adam Sutherland
Anatomy Rooms Dance Space
Composition
Level 3
For the more seasoned tune writer, this workshop provides an opportunity to fine-tune existing skills in a relaxed, fun environment. Adam will delve deeper into the creative process of tune writing, asking why certain tunes are so attractive, and suggesting ways for students to get going with their own writing.
11:00–12:15
Iain Fraser
Musicrange Studio
Fiddle Warm-Ups
All levels
This workshop is open to any level. Work on building your own musical and technical warm ups, developing finger dexterity, bowing ideas, rhythms and grooves stage by stage. Develop a mindful approach to fiddling through focusing on the sounds and invented musical lines produced by the group. The perfect start to the day!
11:00–12:15
Beginning Fiddle (FREE – Register Online – Click Here)
Level 1
Have you ever wished that you could play fiddle but haven’t found the time? Well, there is no time like the present! This is the perfect opportunity to learn the basics and get you started. Bring your own fiddle please, if you have one.
14:00–15:15
Sophie Lavoie
Musicrange
Québécois Fiddle
Level 2/3
Enjoy a taste of Québécois music with a hint of Irish with singer and fiddler Sophie. Explore some characteristics and bowing techniques of Québécois music through a tune or two from Sophie’s native region in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec.
14:00–15:15
Claire White
Anatomy Rooms Museums
Shetland Fiddle
Level 1/2
An introduction to Shetland style in an engaging and accessible manner, featuring ringing strings, shuffle bowing and drawing bass, to carefully selected tunes.
14:00–15:15
Alicia Blore
Musicrange Small Room
Métis Fiddle
Level 1/2
The Métis of Canada are guardians of a fiddle style that developed in the early days of contact between Europeans and First Nations and which is a true hybrid of the New and Old World. Discover crooked tunes, and find familiar Scottish and Irish tunes woven into the music.
14:00–15:15
Marc Clement
Aberdeen Arts Centre 3
Guitar
Level 2
Join skilled guitarist Marc Clement (of Session A9) for a fantastic workshop learning to shape the music and energize the melody played using chords, rhythm and bass to give character.
14:00–15:15
Irene Watt and Patsy Reid
Aberdeen Arts Centre 2
Clarsach and Fiddle
All Levels
Clarsach and fiddle sound beautiful together so this workshop is an opportunity for these instruments to work together. Open to all abilities of fiddle players and harp players.
Sponsored by The Clarsach Society NE Scotland Branch
14:00–15:15
Irish World Academy
Aberdeen Arts Centre 1
Irish Fiddle
All Levels
Through studying at the University of Limerick together, these musicians had the opportunity to get creative with the dancers and work on different tune types that best suit different dances. In this workshop, Aoife, Saoirse and Rebecca will be teaching jigs, reels, and hornpipes, which best show off Sean Nós dancing.
15:45–17:00
Osiris Ramsés Caballero León
Lemon Tree, St Kay's
Huasteca Fiddle
Level 2
The quintessential group of huasteca music is the trio composed of violin, jarana, and quinta. In this workshop, Osiris will explain the main rhythms used in this style, and teach a son of carnival and a huapango, two of the most important dances of the Huasteca region.
15:45–17:00
The Rheingans Sisters
Aberdeen Arts Centre 1
English Fiddle
Level 1/2
Fiddle duo - Learn some tunes from the finest multitalented musicians around. Putting a twist of the contemporary and an open ear on the folk traditions of Europe, Rowan and Anna Rheingans present a workshop on English fiddle tunes and the possibilities of playfulness and inventiveness within them.
15:45–17:00
André Marchand
Aberdeen Arts Centre 3
Québécois Guitar
Level 2/3
In this workshop, explore harmonic progressions in various keys, using chosen examples from the repertoire of Quebecois and Irish traditional music. Sophie Lavoie will be present to interpret these melodies on the fiddle.
15:45–17:00
Alfonso Franco
Musicrange Studio
Galician Fiddle
Level 2/3
With a wealth of teaching experience, Alfonso promotes Galician fiddle culture internationally, and will give you an opportunity to explore this scene in-depth.
15:45–17:00
Raemond Jappy
Anatomy Rooms Museum
North-East Strathspeys
Level 2/3
Explore the elements of favourite strathspeys, and other tunes, using the bow for lift and drive, double-stopping, and ornamentation to give your playing a North-East flavour.
15:45–17:00
Elise Wessel Hildrum
Aberdeen Arts Centre 2
Norwegian Fiddle
Level 2
Part of the Scandinavian trio Fru Skagerrak, Elise offers a taste of some of the lovely tunes from Norway. Norwegian tunes vary in style and rhythm from place to place – learn some dance tunes, including the assymetrical Springar.
10:30–12:30 & 14:00-16:00
With Jonny Hardie, Paul Anderson, Troy MacGillivray, Shelly Campbell, and John Pellerin
Fiddle Workshops
Glenbuchat Hall
The Fiddle Tunes of Alexander Walker
A day of workshops exploring the tunes from fiddler and composer, Alexander Walker, in the landscape of his youth, before he moved across the Atlantic to Nova Scotia. Learn the local versions in a North-East accent, and some of the favourites from the Cape Breton repertoire.
Book Full day including concert
Book Half Day including concert
Can be included on the ‘Day Oot Tour’. Book Day Oot
14:00–16:00
FREE Musical Walks with Jonny Hardie
Glenbuchat Hall
Two guided walks to choose from, exploring the local landscape around Glenbuchat. You will be joined by renowned local fiddler Jonny Hardie and friends who will provide a live soundtrack of Walker’s tunes to illustrate the journey and highlight local sites. Refreshments, lunch, and afternoon tea and cake will be available to purchase on the day at Glenbuchat Hall.
Can be included on the ‘Day Oot Tour’.
