Celtic Music Intensive Workshops for all levels of melody and backup players Jamie Laval, instructor

Saturday, March 23 (jigs, reels) Saturday, April 27 (polkas, hornpipes, slip jigs) Saturday, May 4 (slides, strathspeys, marches, reels)

Celtic Backup (guitar/bouzouki/piano) 10:00 AM–12:00 Noon. Authentic strum patterns and chord shapes for accompanying Irish & Scottish style tunes. I will introduce the use of open tunings such as drop-D and DADGAD utilizing easy chord shapes that sound authentic to the style. You will learn how to back up a tune without relying on a written chord chart. You will also learn how to establish a danceable groove that does not rush and feels exciting for melody players to play with. After teaching a given sequence or phrase, I will take up my fiddle and provide the melody to which students may then practice backing me up. Recording devices welcome.

Celtic Essentials (fiddle/whistle/flute/pipes/mandolin) 1:00 PM–3:00 PM. For melody players who are relatively new to Irish music, along with more experienced players who wish to polish their skills. You will learn several tunes at a nice, easy tempo. I will discuss the rhythmic feel of each type of tune, how the rhythms are born out of a dancer's steps, and how to play along in a jam session. I will introduce a few basic ornaments which are essential to all Celtic tunes. I will show you some easy accompaniment patterns you can play when someone else is taking the melody. I will also teach you how to pick up a tune by ear and how to practice efficiently. The class will be taught by ear with sheet music given out at the end of class. 

Celtic Mastery 3:30 PM–5:30 PM. Geared towards fiddlers (or violinists) who have a reasonable command of their instrument. The class is also open to players of other melody instruments (whistle/flute/pipes/mandolin) who wish to expand their repertoire. You will learn several well known Irish and Scottish tunes phrase-by-phrase at a moderate tempo, then gradually speed up. I will introduce a full range of authentic style ornaments, preferred bowing patterns, and rhythmic accents that produce the best groove. I will discuss the harmonic structure of tunes and how tunes should be played in sessions and when accompanying dancers. Since the class will be taught by ear, participants will find it most beneficial if they are able to locate notes on their instrument by matching notes they hear me play rather than being told verbally which note to play. Sheet music will be given out at the end of class.

Location: St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1510 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204

Cost: $40 per class or $75 for two or all three classes in a single day

Registration: pre-registration is required.  https://jamielaval.com/tickets

For more information: phone Jamie Laval (206) 226-5663