Instrument Workshops

Workshops
Instruments and dance

Dance Workshops

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Irish Ceili Dance Workshop
Ceili dancing (pronounced Kay-lee) is the social dancing of Ireland

NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!!!

Willson & McKee’s Ceili dance workshops introduce the beginning dances done at such a gathering.

· Ages 8 and up/ do not require a partner, since at a community dance in Ireland, you just "pair up" with who ever is there

· Children under the age of 8 need to dance with a parent

· The dances require groups of 10 or more. No maximum, the more dancers, the more fun!!

· Post concert dance workshops are less structured and invite all audience members to participate. Depending on time, usually one dance is taught.

· A stand alone dance workshop usually lasts 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours. The dances are progressive, starting with the easiest. A typical workshop can cover 2-4 dances, depending on the group.

· Comfortable clothes and shoes

· Spectators are invited, to make this a community event!! Laughing is a necessity!!!!

Rhythm Guitar Back-up
(Ken Willson)

“ Basic Back-up Playing for Dulcimers”

Beg. Guitarists:
Guitar back up needs to be subtle, but solid. Overpowering the lead instrument is a common problem with hammer and especially mountain dulcimers. Learn thoughtful yet driving approaches to backing up dulcimers. Learn the rhythmic differences between jigs, reel, hornpipes and slip jigs, and why the rhythm guitar can make or break the tunes.

“New Options for Traditional Celtic Tunes”

Intermediate Guitar: discover open and drop tunings, to add modal back-up to traditional Irish/Scottish tunes. Find new ways to hold the rhythm and add harmonies, without drowning out the melody of the lead instruments. Also studying the rhythmic phrases, that add life and lift to the tunes rather than squaring them up.

Hammer Dulcimer
(Kim McKee)

“ Step Away from the Strings!”

Beginning Players: look at your hammers… without them all those strings will just sit there! Exercises and fun with percussive rhythms, and useful tips about those objects in your hands, whether or not there is a hammer dulcimer at the other end of them! Learning basic rhythmic techniques, as well as keeping that dominate hand under control.

“Latin Rhythms: What masking tape can do for you!”

Beg/Intermediate Players: transform the beautiful ringing tones of your instrument, into the beautiful rhythmic sounds of a marimba! Find out how muted tones amplify the subtleties of rhythm and can make you want to wear fruit on your head! This is also a great class for movement… you can’t possibly play Latin Rhythms and sit or stand still! So all you "set in concrete" players come on in!

Mountain Dulcimer
(Kim McKee)
“Splitting up the Siblings”

Beginning Finger Picking: for students who have a basic understanding of DAD tuning, and have worked they’re way around simple chording and strumming, its time to separate those fingers! Opening up the possibilities of individual fingers working independently!

“ Going With the Flow”

Intermediate Finger Picking: for players who have already experimented with melody, thru individual notes rather than chords. Explore the ornamentations, and tricks to smoothing out tunes, and adding lilt and subtleties, literally letting the tune “flow”. Hammer-ons, pull-offs, brushes, pulls, and keeping the right hand invisible!

“ Playing by Ear”

hammer or mountain dulcimer
Beginning Players: Traditional Celtic music was all passed on orally. Learn a tune by ear alone, no paper, no tablature, and no notation! Just your ears, your fingers, and your heart!

Kim Teaching Mtn Dulcimer Workshop

	Workshops Instruments and dance
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Dance Workshops	Click on Pictures for a bigger version
Irish Ceili Dance Workshop Ceili dancing (pronounced Kay-lee) is the social dancing of Ireland NO DANCE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!!! Willson & McKee’s Ceili dance workshops introduce the beginning dances done at such a gathering. · Ages 8 and up/ do not require a partner, since at a community dance in Ireland, you just "pair up" with who ever is there · Children under the age of 8 need to dance with a parent · The dances require groups of 10 or more. No maximum, the more dancers, the more fun!! · Post concert dance workshops are less structured and invite all audience members to participate. Depending on time, usually one dance is taught. · A stand alone dance workshop usually lasts 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours. The dances are progressive, starting with the easiest. A typical workshop can cover 2-4 dances, depending on the group. · Comfortable clothes and shoes · Spectators are invited, to make this a community event!! Laughing is a necessity!!!!

Rhythm Guitar Back-up (Ken Willson) “ Basic Back-up Playing for Dulcimers” Beg. Guitarists: Guitar back up needs to be subtle, but solid. Overpowering the lead instrument is a common problem with hammer and especially mountain dulcimers. Learn thoughtful yet driving approaches to backing up dulcimers. Learn the rhythmic differences between jigs, reel, hornpipes and slip jigs, and why the rhythm guitar can make or break the tunes. “New Options for Traditional Celtic Tunes” Intermediate Guitar: discover open and drop tunings, to add modal back-up to traditional Irish/Scottish tunes. Find new ways to hold the rhythm and add harmonies, without drowning out the melody of the lead instruments. Also studying the rhythmic phrases, that add life and lift to the tunes rather than squaring them up.	Hammer Dulcimer (Kim McKee) “ Step Away from the Strings!” Beginning Players: look at your hammers… without them all those strings will just sit there! Exercises and fun with percussive rhythms, and useful tips about those objects in your hands, whether or not there is a hammer dulcimer at the other end of them! Learning basic rhythmic techniques, as well as keeping that dominate hand under control. “Latin Rhythms: What masking tape can do for you!” Beg/Intermediate Players: transform the beautiful ringing tones of your instrument, into the beautiful rhythmic sounds of a marimba! Find out how muted tones amplify the subtleties of rhythm and can make you want to wear fruit on your head! This is also a great class for movement… you can’t possibly play Latin Rhythms and sit or stand still! So all you "set in concrete" players come on in!


Mountain Dulcimer (Kim McKee) “Splitting up the Siblings” Beginning Finger Picking: for students who have a basic understanding of DAD tuning, and have worked they’re way around simple chording and strumming, its time to separate those fingers! Opening up the possibilities of individual fingers working independently! “ Going With the Flow” Intermediate Finger Picking: for players who have already experimented with melody, thru individual notes rather than chords. Explore the ornamentations, and tricks to smoothing out tunes, and adding lilt and subtleties, literally letting the tune “flow”. Hammer-ons, pull-offs, brushes, pulls, and keeping the right hand invisible! “ Playing by Ear” hammer or mountain dulcimer Beginning Players: Traditional Celtic music was all passed on orally. Learn a tune by ear alone, no paper, no tablature, and no notation! Just your ears, your fingers, and your heart!	Kim Teaching Mtn Dulcimer Workshop

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