Group
Learning
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Group lessons are
designed to enable players of similar ability to learn new tunes and play
together with others in a relaxed, comfortable and jovial environment. The
first Highly Strung group lessons took place over 20 years ago!! .....and over the years the type and number of groups has developed -
and with increasing skill and experience, the group members now play for dancing and at community
events on a weekly basis - We always welcome complete beginners on an instrument
or those new to playing for dancing or in a band.
No
need to read music as playing by ear is encouraged in most groups
There
is a class on Monday evenings designed for readers to understand the dance music
genre
We
have often have a break during the 2 hour groups for refreshments and chat!
Lots
of support, encouragement and fun!
By
attending each week your repertoire is magically extended, your playing improves
without you realising!
You
get to play in a fun band for dancing and community events even as a beginner.
You will
be able to find a group to suit you - all abilities, all ages and any melody
instrument suitable for group playing - if in doubt just turn up to any group
and see for yourself.
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Daytime
Groups
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Monday
mornings weekly
beginners/intermediate
group 9.30am - 11.30am
(Yew
Tree Cottage BS20 7RH)
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An
ideal way to start the week! Aimed at those fairly new to their
instruments and learning traditional music. Current group members play mandolin,
violin, melodeon, recorder, fiddle and whistle. £10 per person.
We learn the tunes for the Highly Strung repertoire so you can be included in
the band as soon as you wish.
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"Can
I be the first to say that your group classes are great!! I started
the fiddle from scratch 2 years ago and I have loved every minute of
it. I like the fact that in the group classes you can learn at your
own pace, without feeling that you've fallen behind. Most of all,
the group sessions are a good laugh!"
John
- IT & Telecoms
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Play
for a Dance Morning
Tuesday
mornings weekly 9.30am - 11.30am
11.30am-12.30pm
tunes session for the band
(Folk
Hall Portishead, BS20 6PR )
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Ideal
practice and great fun for group members in playing for dancing.
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Sat.
Morning fortnightly - 10.00am - 12.45pm
(Hibernia
Centre Bristol, St. Andrews, BS11 9EN)
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Learn Irish tunes in various
groups with different teachers.
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Evening
Groups
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No need to pre-book, turn up
as and when you can. The format for the evening groups will generally include a
play through/revision of the previous week's tunes, learning a new tune, and
also playing a selection of tunes that are chosen by group members at the
time. The actual format will depend on who turns up to each group on a
particular night so
there is a good deal of variety, and you will meet different people most weeks.
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"From
my point of view I think the best thing about the fiddle groups, apart
from learning a wealth of tunes, is the chance to play with other people,
which is a skill in itself and which improves your playing as well as
being fun. I also found the supportive and encouraging atmosphere
very important as a complete beginner with no knowledge of traditional
music.
Catherine
- Librarian
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Mondays weekly - beginners
classes at Falfield Village Hall, GL12
8DH and Learn to Interpret Music Score
5.00pm-5.30pm and 5.30pm-7.00pm
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Complete beginners on fiddle, mandolin and whistle
welcome at 5pm. No need to pre-book. Learn a new instrument in a fun and relaxed
way by learning tunes. Music readers class from 5.30pm
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Tuesday
7.30pm -9.30pm weekly
Traditional
Irish Music Group
(Yew
Tree Cottage BS20 7RH)
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Always taught
by ear. Please bring recording device as most of the tunes taught and
played in this group are not posted on this website. Over the years
with an increasing amount of data available on line, it may be possible to
access a version of most of the tunes covered.
£10
per person - no pre-booking necessary
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The group session is lubricated by a nice
cuppa to start with and has a very happy
atmosphere. 'Bum notes' are referred to as 'improvisation' or 'harmonising'!"
Bob Bailey - Music Shop Proprietor - aged fairly
mature (in years) Bob
has been coming to the groups since day 1!! We were honoured to celebrate
a significant birthday in 2015 with his close family... and in September 2020
for another significant milestone !
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Wednesday
evenings weekly
Highly
Strung Music Club
Beginners
6.30pm-7.30pm
(Yew
Tree Cottage BS20 7RH)
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Complete
beginners group. Other more experienced musicians also attend and it is
understood that the pace will be inclusive for any beginners in the group.
No pre-booking - £10 per person
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Wednesday
evenings weekly
Highly
Strung Music Club
For
All 7.30pm-9.30pm
(Yew
Tree Cottage BS20 7RH)
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We
focus on learning and playing tunes for barn dances some traditional song melodies.
Beginners can stay and try to join in or listen and this group will go at the
pace of the majority of musicians attending on a particular evening! Often
a new tune is learned followed by a round the table session with each member
choosing a tune they wish to play. Lots of fun! No pre-booking - £10
per person
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Each
group has a dedicated web page on this website with a term's dates to
view. On this page you will also see tunes learned in the
past. Click on the link in the green column with yellow text on the
left that corresponds with the group you play in.
All
groups suitable for most melody instruments - and accompanists are welcome
to play on Wednesday evenings from 8.30-9.30
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Barn
Dance, Country Dance, fetes, festivals and fundraising
All local players are encouraged to play
with The Highly Strung Band at the weekly and monthly events which include Folk Feet - a weekly Dance group at the Folk Hall on
Tuesday mornings 9.30am - 11.30am, various charity barn dances such as our own
"It's Your Ceili" and events organised by the Rotary Club, plus
fundraising music events for Southmead Hospital, Tyntesfield National Trust
Property, St. Peter's Hospice and lots of others including our annual trip to
Sidmouth Folk Festival every August.
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Contact Jill:
jillyelliot@gmail.com
or ring 01275 847909 or 07515 904 707
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