Music and Song Workshops

Tickets are on sale at Bridport Tourist Information and are priced at £5 each.
Due to popularity we advise purchasing your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Please Note that some of the times may have changed or may be different to what is shown on your ticket, the correct times are here on the website and in the programme.

https://bridportandwestbay.co.uk/tickets/bridport-folk-festival/

Saturday

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11.30am - Slide Guitar
At The Town Hall

Garry Smith - Sliding into Folk
A workshop aimed at beginner to intermediate players, exploring slide guitar in a less Blues oriented context.  Tuning will be open D, and we'll be looking at some of the chord shapes found in that tuning too.  Expect to leave with printed notes.

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12.30 pm - Intro In To Concertina   
With West Country Concertina Players
At The town Hall

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1 pm to 3 pm - 'Luthier'  Guitar And Other Instruments.
With Marshall Stapleton
At The Literary and Science Institute

An introduction to hand building an acoustic guitar and other stringed instruments

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2.40 - The Banjo Explained
With Banjo Bob
At the town Hall

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Sunday

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11.30 am - Hammer Dulcimer with Damian Clarke
At The Town Hall

Damian will be carrying out Workshops, introducing both the Hammer Dulcimer and Hurdy Gurdy. He will start by explaining some of the background to the instruments, playing some short examples, taking questions and then finally giving participants the chance to play on the instruments. If people already have an instrument, he encourages them to bring them along so that others can see a wider range of types and make comparisons. Damian has information on hiring Dulcimers and where to get hold of a good quality instrument, costs, learning resources etc. Damian is a qualified teacher and has experience as a Music teacher.

More information at www.damianclarke.co.uk

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12.25pm - Fiddle and Guitar with Mitchell and Vincent
At The Town Hall

Playing as a fiddle and guitar duo - Mitchell and Vincent will explore and discuss the DNA of a traditional tune set and how to add development and dynamics. David Mitchell will discuss substitute chords, inversions and changing rhythmic patterns and picking, Graham Vincent will talk about giving shape to the tune and giving the performance a form and story.

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1.15pm Vocal Harmony
with  'No Direction'
At The Town Hall

Ever thought of trying to sing in close harmony within a group? It’s easier than you think. Just like last year, No Direction will be running a taster session at this year’s Festival and would love to have you along to help us out. Keep an eye on the programme to see details of where and when it is on and we’ll see you there.
Let’s make some beautiful music together!

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2 pm - Songwriting with Reg Meuross
At The Town Hall

WHY DO WE WRITE SONGS?

“When I ask people why they write songs, it doesn’t matter what their answer is… “I just love it,” or “I don’t know, it’s like an itch I have to scratch.” That drive is different for everyone, but all songwriters need to feel it.
My own songwriting satisfies a need to communicate meaningfully with other people. I still love writing songs, In fact I probably progressively love writing songs more and more as time goes on. That doesn’t mean that it’s always an easy process, but what I’ve learnt is to think of it as a muscle that needs flexing. Not everything you do with that muscle is going to be great, or even worth writing down. But the more you do it the more you are going to refine your process and the more likely you are to get better at it, and to enjoy it more.”

In this workshop the master of the art of songwriting, Reg Meuross, will share with you his tips on how to live and breathe ‘like a songwriter’; ideas which could become part of the regular practice of honing your craft.
“Meuross doesn’t write lines of lyrics. He writes short stories then sets them to some of the most captivating melodies you’ll ever hear." Pennyblack Music.
Open to songwriters of any level as well as anyone interested in the art of songwriting.

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