Find us in the Goldfinch tent!
Tuneworks offers sessions for beginners and improvers and there are also some focusing on specific instruments. If you want to take your first steps to playing with others or just enjoy a session, Tuneworks is for you.
Please don’t forget to bring your own chair or stool. The timetable has been programmed* with no gaps between sessions – please assist tutors by keeping to the times of your session and exiting before the next session is due to start.
*(may be subject to change – check the printed souvenir programme available via pre-order or at the festival for final timings)
Sessions
Introductory Session
Friday 14:30-16:00
A chance to meet the tutors and get into some early festival tunes.
Improver Session
Saturday 14:30-16.00
Features a good range of popular session tunes from the online book, played at a relaxed speed for players with a bit of experience.
Beginner Session
Sunday 14:30-16:00
A selection of tunes from our online book, played at a very steady speed.
Full Speed Session
Monday 14:30-16:00
Tends to be about ‘ceilidh speed’. A great chance to get some tunes in on the last day!
Irish Tune Sessions (beer tent in the food village)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 20:00-22:00
Jennie Nolan and Jon Turton have each been playing, teaching and competing in Irish music for more than 40 years, playing button accordion and uilleann pipes, although other instruments make an appearance too. Having performed in bands and as a duo, they love nothing more than a good tune session. Being involved in the Tuneworks Irish Sessions at Shrewsbury for the past few years, they are delighted to be invited once again and are looking forward to many tunes over the weekend! They will be joined by friends from the Liverpool and Chester session scene. After 22:00 there will be space for the session to move to The Hub.
Workshops
Welsh Tunes
Friday and Saturday 16:00 – 17:00
Since introducing these workshops in 2015, they’ve really gone from strength to strength. Our proximity to Wales means that there is a strong local community of traditional Welsh tune players. The workshops, led by Jem Hammond. give you a chance to play some brilliant tunes in great company. Don’t miss the Welsh Tunes session in the Salopian Berwick Bar from 18:00-20:00 on Saturday too!
Playing for Ceilidhs
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18:00 – 19:00
If you haven’t attended this series of workshops before, it’s a great way to get playing with a big ceilidh band led by local legends, This Way Up.
Irish Session Prep
Friday and Sunday 19:00 – 19:45
Led by Izzy MacLachlan, Rory MacLachlan, Adam Tunnicliffe and Steve Miles, with some of the Irish session team, these workshops are a confidence booster aimed to get you ready for the Irish sessions (we’ll even finish a little early so you can head over and nab a decent seat!). We have picked some tunes that are usually played in the first hour of the Irish session and we will play them lots of times at session speed to help you get them under your fingers. Check out tuneworks.co.uk for a list of tunes!
Delicious Duets
Saturday and Sunday 11:30 – 12:30
Experience the uplifting sound of tunes in harmony! All melody instruments welcome. Kitty Greenwood will guide you through a selection of traditional tunes with original harmony parts from her book, Delicious Duets. Sheet music provided – bring a music stand. Tunes can be played by all, harmony parts may be in a lower register, perfect for fiddle, mandolin, concertina – anyone who can reach the G below middle C. Sample pdf sheet music – including parts for B flat instruments – will be posted in advance at kittygreenwoodmusic.com
Cajun Accordion
Saturday 12:30 – 13:30
Led by one of the finest UK Cajun and Zydeco box players, Gavin Lewery, this workshop explores the rich cultural history of Cajun music, giving you a great introduction to this exciting style of playing. This workshop is perfect for all skill levels, D/G melodeon players very welcome!
Breton Tunes
Saturday 13:30 – 14:30
A chance to get together and learn some Breton tunes. This popular workshop, led by James McLaughlin, is suitable for anyone who can already play a few tunes. James will soon have you picking up these catchy and memorable melodies, played in great company.
Bodhran Workshop
Saturday 19:00 – 20:00 & Sunday 16:00 – 17:00
Led by Conor Nellis and Steve Bentley. Conor is not just a great bodhran player but a maker as well. Looking at his website, goytcraft.com, you will see Conor is immersed in all aspects of this popular instrument. Steve is a fine bodhran player for Greenman Rising, a Midlands-based band popular on the folk festival circuit. The workshop will focus on playing techniques, but tutors will be able to talk to you about all aspects of bodhrans.
Backing Traditional Tunes with DADGAD Guitar
Sunday 12:30 – 13:30
Designed to help you understand accompaniment of traditional tunes in this modal tuning, Izzy MacLachlan’s workshop is a tried and tested method to helping you understand the structure and chordal patterns behind many traditional tunes. This also leads nicely into the Session Survival Skills workshop directly afterwards.
Session Survival Skills
Sunday 13:30 – 14:30 | Session: Monday 12:30 – 13:30
Taking part in sessions ‘out in the wild’ can be a daunting experience and might feel as nerve-racking as facing a pack of lions out on safari. It doesn’t have to be that way… Enter: the Session Survival Skills toolkit! Join Mel Biggs & Izzy MacLachlan and learn practical skills to boost your confidence with session playing. All abilities welcome – especially beginners.
Theory for Folkies
Monday 11:30 – 12:30
Led by Neil Browning, this friendly and practical session will show how understanding a little music theory can really help your playing and deepen your connection to the tunes you love. Designed as a painless introduction or refresher, it will give you simple tools to make better sense of the music you play – no previous theory knowledge needed!
Piano Accordion Oompah Oktoberfest Tunes
Monday 13:30 – 14:30
Hosted by Ed Moseley, this lively workshop invites you to dust off that old box and dive into some rousing Oktoberfest tunes. Whether you are jumpstarting your skills or looking for help with particular aspects of your playing, Ed’s experience as a local music teacher will help you make the most of your instrument – and have plenty of fun along the way!
Individual Instrument Workshops
Our instrument workshops generally come in threes and are mainly aimed at players with a bit of experience who might play the occasional session and would be comfortable in the Tuneworks improver session. We do however have a set of workshops aimed specifically at beginners on flute and whistle. These would suit players who are perhaps in their first year of playing or are trying to get their first few tunes flowing.
Note: Please don’t be offended if the class is too advanced for you – we have lessons at different levels and the tutor will aim to teach at the right level for the class. Everyone has a slightly different opinion on what makes you a beginner/improver/advanced player but the tutor is in charge!
Beginner Flute and Whistle: Amy Hardy
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 17:00-18:00
Mandolin: Diana Buckle
Saturday, Sunday, Monday 08:30-09:30
Irish Fiddle: Karen Lacy-Roberts
Saturday, Sunday, Monday 09:30-10:30
Flute and Whistle: Mark Priestley
Saturday, Sunday, Monday 10:30-11:30