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.
Sessions
Please download the tune book in advance from tuneworks.co.uk
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 SFF 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.
Workshops
Bodhran Workshop:
Friday 16:00-17:00 and Saturday 19:00-20:00
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.
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 and Rory MacLachlan, Adam and Billy Tunnicliffe, these workshops aim 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!
Traditional Tunes on the G Harmonica
Saturday 13:30-14:30
You will need a harmonica tuned in G for this workshop. Join George Garside for a taster session learning how to play traditional tunes. Perfect for all ability levels.
Welsh Tunes
Saturday and Sunday 16:00-17:00
Since introducing these workshops in 2015, they have 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 give you a chance to play some brilliant tunes in great company! Led by Jem Hammond.
D/G Melodeon
Sunday and Monday 12:30-13:30
Mel Biggs is a very well-known melodeon player and teacher. She delivers workshops with the kind of infectious energy that you need to inspire your playing to new heights!
Piano Accordion Taster Session
Sunday 13:30-14:30
Hosted by Ed Moseley, dust off that old box and jumpstart your skills, or perhaps you need some help on particular aspects of your playing. As a local music teacher, Ed has the experience to get you making the most of your instrument.
The Pipers’ Gathering
Monday 11:30-12:30
Ever fancied playing bagpipes but didn’t know who to ask? We have asked a few uilleann and highland pipers (and a great pipe maker) to come along for a few tunes but, more importantly, to talk to you about how to get started or improve. If you’re a tune player on any instrument, there’s a good chance you will get a few tunes in as well!
Breton Tunes
Monday 13:30-14:30
A chance to get together and learn some Breton tunes. This will be the third year for this popular workshop, and we are very happy to welcome James McLaughlin again. This is suitable for anyone who can play a few tunes already, and James will soon have you learning these catchy and memorable tunes.
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!
Beginners 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
D/G Melodeon: Gavin Lewery (Cajun Accordion – Sat), Mel Biggs (Sun, Mon)
Saturday, Sunday, Monday 12:30-13:30
