Learn great Balkan tunes and how to play them amazingly.
This is the 6th Unit, last one of the year, continuing from a wonderful year of successful Units that were both fun and high quality education. Current participants describe it as "fascinating, enthusiastic, insightful and valuable, with a good pace for learning tunes” and “a systematic approach to training embellishments, ornaments, and uneven rhythms.”
When? Wednesday evenings, 19:00 – 20:15h BST
Where? Online on ZOOM
WHAT WE’RE BRINGING FROM UNIT 5:
· More interactive work: Greater emphasis will be placed on participants playing in class to receive constructive feedback and share ideas with everyone. Instructions for the technical set-up will be provided prior to the first session (any normal laptop will suffice).
· Video feedback: for participants who cannot play live in the session (technical reasons, shyness…) , short videos can be sent for feedback – this is limited to four each week.
· Session duration: The time has been reduced to 75 minutes to avoid a fee increase whilst allowing for video feedback.
This course will explore authentic Balkan tunes, emphasizing essential techniques for playing with precision and expression. The curriculum is taught via a mixture of by-ear learning and sheet music, allowing participants to delve into dynamic phrasing, articulation, ornamentation, tone, and speed. The course also offers exercises to enhance overall technique and flexibility.
Sheet music in PDF format is distributed before and/or after each session. Recordings of the Zoom sessions are shared afterwards, allowing participants to review the material taught or engage in self-study if a session has been missed. Additional practice videos or MP3 audio for playing along are distributed throughout the course.
The course runs weekly throughout the year, expect school holidays. Booking either annually on a 6-weekly direct debit, or by booking 5-lesson units.
Participants: Players of any melodic instruments from intermediate to advanced.
Fee: £60/£45 concessions for one Unit of 5 weeks (half a UK term, the next unit will start on the 6th of November 2024, although you can join any time - contact me for adjusted payments).
Discounts available when signing up until the end of the academic year, check details on the booking page.
Detailed Information
The Balkan region is known for its rich and diverse musical heritage, which has been influenced by various cultures and traditions over the centuries. I am launching this new course to share the finer things about Balkan music. The correct notes can be played by any musician, but how often do I find myself in tears when listening to a great musician who gets it so wrong, simply because they did not have the opportunity to travel, listen, and learn from native masters?
Instead, they might have learned it third-hand or from a piece of sheet music. Western classical music notation cannot fully capture the essence of other types of music, and a metronome can stifle the authentic phrasing of asymmetric Balkan rhythms.
I am not a native Balkan music master either, but I feel very privileged that I had the opportunity to learn from several of them, and engage in endless, wild jam sessions. In this course, I aim to convey not only the right musical feel but also the fervour and passion for this music.
More info and booking: gundula@magicviolin.co.uk www.magicviolin.uk/balkanacademy
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