|
Dazbo
|
1#
|
Registered:08/08/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:03/05/2005 14:29:14)
I've just been on the wesite: http://www.leziate.demon.co.uk/hom/melodeons.htm
It is still showing as last year's at the moment but this year's dates are the 12th and 13th of November 2005. A quick search on Google showed that John Kirkpatrick is one of the tutors this year (it's on his website gig list) and I've heard and unconfirmed rumour that Brian Peters is another.
Looking forward to seeing many of you there.
Darren
|
| Support us |
Create free forum and click the links below and your donations will make a difference here. |
 |
www.dinodirect.com
Online Huge Store for Various Cool Gadgets, Nintendo Wii Controller, iPod Charger, iPhone Cases, BlackBerry Cases, Laptop Accessories, Rechargeable Battery, LED Tactical Flashlight, iPod Earphones, iPhone Charger, Wii Controller, iPod Cables, Video Players, Music Players, Car Accessories, Cell Phone Accessories, Video Games Accessories and Hobby Gadgets.
If you use the code "DDLIFE", all orders will get 10% discount plus worldwide free shipping!
|
|
Steve_freereeder
|
2#
|
Rank:none
Posts:405
Registered:01/07/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:03/05/2005 20:23:02)
Reply to : Dazbo
I've just been on the wesite: http://www.leziate.demon.co.uk/hom/melodeons.htmIt is still showing as last year's at the moment but this year's dates are the 12th and 13th of November 2005. A quick search on Google showed that John Kirkpatrick is one of the tutors this year (it's on his website gig list) and I've heard and unconfirmed rumour that Brian Peters is another.Looking forward to seeing many of you there.Darren
Hi Darren,
Thanks for the advance warning. I hope to be there again this year, swelling the numbers of the Sheffield contingent. How many shall we book a table for at the pizza house?
Cheers,
|
|
welshmally
|
3#
|
Rank:none
Posts:67
Registered:04/10/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:03/05/2005 21:49:36)
Dear all
Can anybody give me an insight into the type of workshops that happen at Witney? I will have been playing for about 18 months by then, and still feel very much the beginner.
Are they 'tune-based' or 'technique based' or maybe a bit of both? I presume you don't have to do any solo's?!!!!! Still a bit scared for that sort of game.....
Cheers
WM
|
|
Parsifal
|
4#
|
Rank:none
Posts:32
Registered:14/12/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:04/05/2005 01:06:36)
Blimey! I was hoping to go to Witney too and I will have barely been playing for 10 months.
Parsifal
|
|
Steve_freereeder
|
5#
|
Rank:none
Posts:405
Registered:01/07/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:04/05/2005 10:10:29)
Reply to : welshmally
Dear allCan anybody give me an insight into the type of workshops that happen at Witney? I will have been playing for about 18 months by then, and still feel very much the beginner.Are they 'tune-based' or 'technique based' or maybe a bit of both? I presume you don't have to do any solo's?!!!!! Still a bit scared for that sort of game.....CheersWM
Hi Welshmally,
There has been discussion of this sort of topic on this board before. Use the search facility on the header of this page to search on 'Witney' as a key word and date range 'from the beginning'.
Here's what wrote in response to a similar query from Jazzie (on this board) a few weeks ago:
Melodeons at Witney is a wonderful event! I've been going for 5 years now and I would not miss it. There are generally between 50 and 70 participants of all ages and all abilities (from total beginner to expert). The whole gathering is very friendly indeed and is very encouraging for new players. There are always some modules for inexperienced players, with tutors who are especially helpful and sympathetic to the needs (and fears!) of new players. <snip>
All in all, it is GREAT FUN. I really do recommend that you give it a try (and no, I'm not paid by Dave Townsend to say this!)
In addition, the workshops can be a mixture of 'tune-based' and 'technique based'. The Witney course literature generally tells you what to expect. The is also usually a CD and sheet music sent out to you a couple of weeks beforehand, so you can have a bit of a practice in advance. And no - you don't have to play any solos!
Hope this helps. I'm sure others will endorse what I have said, or add their own comments.
See you at Witney, then?
Cheers
|
|
Fee
|
6#
|
Registered:28/03/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:04/05/2005 11:44:34)
Parsifal and Welshmally...
Really don't worry....I went to Witney last year and I'd only been playing for 10 weeks or so!. I had a great time  about which I have babbled on at various points on this board and no doubt elsewhere. Teaching is in groups so it's not too scary, and I didn't feel any edge of people 'showing off' in fact, during the lunchbreak on the Sunday I ended up discussing how to play the piece with one of the other students (who I since find out is a Morris Offspring). An atmosphere of mutual support pervades. Steve (who's posted below) says you do most of the real learning afterwards with what you take away with you, and that's certainly been the case for me.
It really is an absolutely excellent way to indulge your inner melodeon obsessive, get taught by brilliant players, and meet loads of lovely people who'll come up and frown quizically at you and say 'are you...??? off melodeon.net?' . And you can buy stuff (new melodoens!) too.
Fee
(hoping to be an honorary member of the Sheffield contingent for the weekend  )
|
|
Dazbo
|
7#
|
Registered:08/08/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:04/05/2005 12:36:45)
Let me just concur with what Steve and Fee have said, you won't feel left out or out of your depth (not that they aren't hard work). The workshops are graded for beginners, intermediate and advanced and mixtures of beginners and intermediate, intermediate and advanced and all three. If I remember correctly, Fee couldn't get on a beginners course but you can see from her post that she had a great time. So try to book early as it's on a first come first served basis and workshops are limited to numbers and can fill up quickly. If you have a look at the website, although it is still showing last year's details I think you can find the gradings used and the type of workshops done.
You'll also get sent a list of hotels and B&B etc for those of us that need to travel.
Darren
PS Fee, I'm sure there won't be a problem with you being an Honorary Member of the Sheffield Contingent. Our first steps in global domination!!
|
|
Jo Ellis Boyfriend
|
8#
|
Rank:none
Posts:223
Registered:19/07/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:04/05/2005 20:33:09)
Witney is an excellent place to pick up tips and tricks and to learn new tunes. You really don't have to have been playing more than long enough to get a scale out of it. There will be someting for everyone, Im sure. They send you a booklet with all the music in it, and for those who don't read, a CD comes too!
It does get booked up early though so I'd advise booking as soon as you decide your coming. Most tutors are also perfectly willing to let you record the workshops on to a recording device, providing you ask them very nicely first. Sunday is a day of spending lots of money as the trade stalls turn up.
I was definitely going, but this time last week, i was invited to go to the Ennis festival of music in Ireland by some local musicians. This clashes as it is on the same weekend. Hard choice...................................
Pip
|
|
Lester Bailey
|
9#
|
Rank:none
Posts:344
Registered:27/06/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:04/05/2005 20:36:29)
As a player of 25+ years I still find Witney an educational experience. It's also terrific fun. Can I also put my name down as the Buckinghamshire outpost of the Sheffield players?
|
|
Steve_freereeder
|
10#
|
Rank:none
Posts:405
Registered:01/07/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:05/05/2005 01:03:09)
Lester and Fee,
Consider yourselves Honorary Sheffielders* for the weekend!
Cheers,
*Otherwise known as 'dee-dah bleeders'
|
|
welshmally
|
11#
|
Rank:none
Posts:67
Registered:04/10/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:05/05/2005 21:48:48)
Reply to : Steve_freereeder
Does this mean that I will have to go now?!
WM
|
|
Steve_freereeder
|
12#
|
Rank:none
Posts:405
Registered:01/07/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:06/05/2005 11:48:05)
Reply to : welshmally
Reply to : Steve_freereederDoes this mean that I will have to go now?!WM
If you're not there, you will have to answer to a good many members of this forum! We will demand a 3000 word essay entitled 'What I did at the weekend instead of going to Witney, and why I am now regretting it" 
So - see you there, then?
TTFN
|
|
Dazbo
|
13#
|
Registered:08/08/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:01/06/2005 19:31:58)
The Hands On Music website is still showing last year's details but I've just found this on Rees Wesson's website:
"On Saturday I will be teaching blues and zydeco for D/G melodeon, plus a concert spot, hurrah. Other tutors include John Kirkpatrick, Katie Howson and Tim Van Eyken, hurrah"
So with Brian Peters that makes 5 tutors for the Saturday but only 4 (assuming Rees is manning his stall all day) on Sunday. I did one with Tim Van Eyken last year and though he was very good. Depending on what they are teaching and what level I think I may plump for JK and or KH over the two days.
Darren
|
|
Fee
|
14#
|
Registered:28/03/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:01/06/2005 19:35:39)
Reply to : Dazbo
The Hands On Music website is still showing last year's details but I've just found this on Rees Wesson's website:"On Saturday I will be teaching blues and zydeco for D/G melodeon, plus a concert spot, hurrah. Other tutors include John Kirkpatrick, Katie Howson and Tim Van Eyken, hurrah"So with Brian Peters that makes 5 tutors for the Saturday but only 4 (assuming Rees is manning his stall all day) on Sunday. I did one with Tim Van Eyken last year and though he was very good. Depending on what they are teaching and what level I think I may plump for JK and or KH over the two days.Darren
Sounds super doesn't it . The only downer is it's the same weekend as the AFO conference, which I would have liked to have gone to but, Witney wins out...of course!!!! When does it go on sale normally, does anyone know?
|
|
welshmally
|
15#
|
Rank:none
Posts:67
Registered:04/10/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:02/06/2005 21:45:52)
AFO conference? First I've heard about it. Wot is it, anyway, as the only AFO I know of is an Ankle Foot Orthosis (sorry - talking shop here)
WM
PS Apparently I'm going to MAW as it appears to be compulsory for melodeon.net members!!! (I haven't got time for that 3000 word essay)
|
|
Fee
|
16#
|
Registered:28/03/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:03/06/2005 14:20:23)
Reply to : welshmally
AFO conference? First I've heard about it. Wot is it, anyway, as the only AFO I know of is an Ankle Foot Orthosis (sorry - talking shop here)WMPS Apparently I'm going to MAW as it appears to be compulsory for melodeon.net members!!! (I haven't got time for that 3000 word essay)
AFO = Association of Festival Organisers.
Excellent to hear you'll be coming to Witney
|
|
sueed
|
17#
|
Rank:none
Posts:8
Registered:03/04/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:22/06/2005 04:36:32)
this sounds like a wonderful weekend, can anyone tell me how much it usually costs and are you allowed to go if you dont live anywhere near sheffield, or Yorkshire or the midlands or north of England, and just come from Kent.?
I might be able to try a sort of northern accent but I don't think I can keep it up for long.
If some one can get me some details I may be able to get together a Kentish contingent, Is anyone coming down to the Broadstairs Festival in August if so see you there
Bye Sue
|
|
Dazbo
|
18#
|
Registered:08/08/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:22/06/2005 12:46:46)
Reply to : sueed
this sounds like a wonderful weekend, can anyone tell me how much it usually costs
Last year it cost ?0. On top of that you have to sort out your accomodation. Hands On Music send you a list of accomodation when you've booked your place on the course. The accomdation is mainly hotels and B&B so it's best to not leave it too late before all the good and/or cheaper places have filled up.
.. and are you allowed to go if you dont live anywhere near sheffield and just come from Kent? I might be able to try a sort of northern accent but I don't think I can keep it up for long.
Although it is not compulsory to be from Sheffield it is frowned upon if you are not  . Northern accents are not necessary although a good comedy northern accent is considered good value and very polite  .
Darren
|
|
pig pen
|
19#
|
Registered:12/05/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:22/06/2005 12:56:01)
Reply to : Dazbo
Although it is not compulsory to be from Sheffield it is frowned upon if you are not . Northern accents are not necessary although a good comedy northern accent is considered good value and very polite .
Having discovered the thread on how to play bass buttons as well as tunes, I've decided that I might be brave enough to come to Witney too. I can do comedy Yorkshire and Geordie, though I can't lay claim to an accent of my own. May I form the York branch of the Sheffield contingent?
Pen
|
|
Dazbo
|
20#
|
Registered:08/08/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:22/06/2005 17:17:08)
Reply to : pig pen
I can do comedy Yorkshire and Geordie, though I can't lay claim to an accent of my own. May I form the York branch of the Sheffield contingent?Pen
I thought Geordie was a comedy accent  Why eye man!
Sheffield definitely does need a branch opening in York to counter-balance the opening of branches in Buckinghamshire and Kent.
Darren
|
|
welshmally
|
21#
|
Rank:none
Posts:67
Registered:04/10/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:23/06/2005 00:37:45)
 What about a comedy Valley's accent? I can do that AND a northern accent as long as I can join the Sheffield/York/Kent chapter for a pizza! Unless, of course, we can set up a rival faction from Wales to compete. (Shall we say garlic bread @ 15 paces, for starters? )
WM
|
|
simonw
|
22#
|
Rank:none
Posts:114
Registered:28/06/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:23/06/2005 14:12:42)
Reply to : welshmally
Dear All
The dates and tutors for this year have just gone up on the website. No course details as yet. As usual there are going to have to be some hard choices to make!!
Simon
|
|
Jo Ellis Boyfriend
|
23#
|
Rank:none
Posts:223
Registered:19/07/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:23/06/2005 21:29:56)
Can we have a sussex content there too?
See you all in November
Pip Ives
|
|
karlosfandango64
|
24#
|
Rank:none
Posts:53
Registered:18/07/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:20/07/2005 19:31:27)
Beds I'm afraid, not Sussex, but I'd certainly like to be at Witney this year (my first). Are the booking forms available yet? I haven't had one from the mailing list.
|
|
welshmally
|
25#
|
Rank:none
Posts:67
Registered:04/10/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:21/07/2005 08:51:34)
Reply to : karlosfandango64
Beds I'm afraid, not Sussex, but I'd certainly like to be at Witney this year (my first). Are the booking forms available yet? I haven't had one from the mailing list.
Hi Karl,
I see you have been infected with the 'I must play my melodeon' virus, like the rest of us!!
No booking form available yet - knowing my luck, they'll come out while we're in Forestside (week 2 - are you going?) and then get fully booked!
See you soon
Hugh
|
|
karlosfandango64
|
26#
|
Rank:none
Posts:53
Registered:18/07/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:21/07/2005 10:18:04)
Hi Hugh.
Yes, ask my family about that. They have to listen to me day in, day out :-) I'm just worried I'll get RSI!
I will be at Forestside weeks 2 & 3 so will see you there and *hopefully* won't miss out on Witney as this sounds fantastic. Maybe we can take it in turns to pop down to the library and check for forms (now that's keen) :-)
Hello to all in the forum from a newbie.
Karl
|
|
Lin Erica
|
27#
|
Rank:none
Posts:224
Registered:01/08/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:01/08/2005 14:50:16)
hello all. i have just joined today and have looked at thread about Whitney but what is Whitney??? plus I saw that Pig Pen referred to thread about how to play bass buttons with a tune - how do I find that??? bass buttons are a nightmare!! please can anyone help a very un forum-minded person with advice about how tu navigate around threads?? I am an "oldie" and having to learn new things!!!!! but what I have managed to see so far is great just what I as a new player needs
|
|
Triskel
|
28#
|
Rank:none
Posts:329
Registered:19/12/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:01/08/2005 15:41:23)
Reply to : windy miller52
hello all. i have just joined today and have looked at thread about Whitney but what is Whitney???
The short answer is that Witney is an attractive Cotswold market town, where Hands On Music (click on the name to go to their website) organise instructional weekends for players of various instruments. Melodeons at Witney 2005 (click for link), "Traditional Music for G/D Melodeon", takes place 12th-13th November.
|
| Support us |
Just click the links below and your donations will make a difference here. |
|
|
|
pig pen
|
29#
|
Registered:12/05/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:01/08/2005 23:57:24)
I have a query for all you Witney veterans:
When I acquired my melodeon a couple of months ago, I was taking time out from academia, and had a wonderful time playing it all day every day, and planned to go to Witney. I've since started a PhD, and my computer-related RSI is stopping me playing tunes for more than 5 minutes a day (howl!).
Is it still worth my while going to Witney, even if I can't play all that much? (I have the sneaking feeling that I will get so enthusiastic that I'll play too much and won't be able to do any work for weeks afterwards!) I've heard (somewhere on this forum!) that the real work is done afterwards, assimilating all the learning from the weekend, and also that Tim Van Eycken does courses on how to play without injuring yourself.
Pen
|
|
Steve_freereeder
|
30#
|
Rank:none
Posts:405
Registered:01/07/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
|
(Date Posted:02/08/2005 02:13:32)
Reply to : pig pen
I have a query for all you Witney veterans:When I acquired my melodeon a couple of months ago, I was taking time out from academia, and had a wonderful time playing it all day every day, and planned to go to Witney. I've since started a PhD, and my computer-related RSI is stopping me playing tunes for more than 5 minutes a day (howl!).Is it still worth my while going to Witney, even if I can't play all that much? (I have the sneaking feeling that I will get so enthusiastic that I'll play too much and won't be able to do any work for weeks afterwards!) I've heard (somewhere on this forum!) that the real work is done afterwards, assimilating all the learning from the weekend, and also that Tim Van Eycken does courses on how to play without injuring yourself.Pen
Hi Pen,
Your words are so familiar. My own PhD - finished 4 years ago (hooray!) - involved a lot of mouse clicking and I, too, developed RSI in my RH, especially my 1st finger. There is a bit of arthritis setting in there too. It was exascerbated by rather too much melodeon playing than was good for me. :-)
However, I got great relief from Arnica massage oil rubbed on to the affected parts and a regular (3x daily) course of glucosamine sulphate capsules over a period of several months. I also took a break of nearly 2 weeks when I didn't touch the computer or the melodeon at all, which allowed a lot of healing to take place, and fortunately the problem has largely gone away. Now, if I feel a bit of a strain coming on, I know that I'm close to overdoing the mouse or the melodeon or both, and I ease off a bit. Also, I experimented with different types of mouses (mice?) and found one (LogiTech ergonomic) which was really comfortable and with buttons that took hardly any effort to press. A wrist support in front of the keyboard and mouse-mat is also good.
As far as Witney is concerned, the tutorial sessions generally do not involve continuous or intensive playing; the sessions are usually well broken up into times of you playing and the tutor playing or talking. There is also a splendid concert on the Saturday evening. It's worth going just for that. My advice would be to come to Witney, but try, if possible, to get a short break from playing and computer work for a couple of days or so beforehand. Tim v E does indeed have very good advice to offer on playing positions, posture, warm-up exercises (non-playing), etc.
Hope this helps...
-- (Dr) Steve
|
|
|
