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[Frank Lee]

In case anyone living in the Bath area is interested, I'll be leading a melodeon workshop on Wednesday 10th August 2-5pm. as part of Bath Folk Festival, venue TBC, but I'll update this as and when.  Price seems steep to me (currently £16), but I guess my 'boss' would argue it's my job to give value for money! At the moment, unless I'm prevailed upon to do otherwise, this'll probably take the form of a talk on approaches to getting the best out of English music on the box, with some demos, and perhaps some 'hands-on'.    I'll probably be giving a concert as part of the trio 'Goodwife Hot' (with Trish Winter, flute and whistles, and Corrie Lee-Schrijver, Northumbrian Pipes, fiddle and recorder), on Monday 9th, but this, its venue and time are yet TBC.

[Frank Lee]

Two workshops now planned  (Tues & Weds).  Time and venue still TBC.  Still £16 each but they're each 3 hours and I'm assured I'll give good value. Haha!

[Frank Lee]

No details re  times yet, but the workshops will be for players of two row diatonic accordeons (aka melodeons) of the D/G type and I'll be concentrating on playing the whole instrument, in other words, making the left and right hands equal partners in the production of melody - no more donkey basses - and in the quest to rid the device of its 'christmas cracker toy' status.  Also I'll be talking about attitudes to practicing and crossing the various rubicons we all face in melodeonsЯus.   For those who don't know who I am (pretty much all of you I guess) I'll put a video on YouTube, a few of you may even recognise my sadsack physog from playing for Hexham Morris. 

[Frank Lee]

Here's a link to the cajun waltz 'La Valse du Reveur' played on my rather out-of-tune Black Pearl 3. in D/G.  The workshop is billed as 'English Tunes', and in the main this is what i'll be dealing with, but with references to other cultures where appropriate.  I'll add some more tunes shortly.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Swordsmith100?blend=7&ob=5   

[Frank Lee]

Here's another link...Sailor's Hornpipe.  Baffetti sounding a tad rough I'm afraid!   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nRmOfnKw6s

[Frank Lee]

Here's another,  Bumpus of Stretton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6tu0EYrHEs

[folkypete]

I've booked a place for the first session (9th Aug) so looking forward to that.   Is the session the following day a repeat or a continuation of the first session.  Cheers.

[Frank Lee]

As a virtually unknown player I'm guessing there won't be a high level of interest in the workshops.  For the same reason it'll be possible to pay at the door, rather than book in advance,  so I'm prepared to 'play it by ear' and base decisions about what to teach on the levels of experience of the punters.  I asked for the words 'participants are encouraged to bring recording devices' to be published on the website, (I see this has not been done) so that you can take away with you whatever snippets of Melodeon wisdom you think you'll find useful.  Also, when not performing/running sessions/teaching workshops, I'll be free to spend extra time with anyone who wishes to talk squeezeboxes in whatever venue we can find. 

[Theo]

As a virtually unknown player  

As usual Frank is being far too modest.  He is a creative and inventive player with a great sense of rhytym and a unique repertoire.  His workshop is sure to be a great learning experience.

[Frank Lee]

I'll settle-up in The Cumberland, Theo!

[Theo]

Thanks Frank- pint of Rapper please!

[folkypete]

Cheers Frank - I'm really looking forward to the workshop.

[folkypete]

Just finished two days with Frank (Lee).   What a superb player, teacher and all round great guy.  This guy really knows his stuff and how to teach.  I was lucky in that I had practically one-to-one instruction on both afternoons.  If you ever get the opportunity to do a workshop with Frank - take it.  Cheers Frank for imparting all that knowledge and for your patience as I grappled with playing in octaves and all the other wonderful things that you showed me and I attempted to incorporate. 

Also this is a gem of a festival - a really friendly and encouraging ambience.

The organiser said that they are thinking of putting on an English tune summer school next year - so I'll be watching out for that.

[Frank Lee]

Thanks so much Pete, great to have met you,  hope the 'new ingredients' spice-up the fun you get from your box!  They really are boxfuls of secrets aren't they?!  Now stuck in Bath 'til my head shrinks sufficiently to allow access to my car!

[ducksuit]

Hello Frank (and Pete).

I really would have liked to have attended your workshop, but was unable to.

I'm quite new to the melodeon world - been playing for a few months now. I'm learning by watching melodeon.net YouTube performances and JK's video.

Frank, I think your 'Bumpus of Stretton' YouTube is inspirational. I've tried to watch your fingers on the video, but it's difficult to really appreciate what's going on.
I don't suppose you've got a transcription?!

Maybe if you do any more courses in the future I'll be able to get there.

Thanks again.

Martin.

[Frank Lee]

Hi Martin,  thanks for the message. I'm afraid I don't read music, just play by 'ear and feel', so I don't have a transcription.  I wasn't teaching tunes at the workshop, just demonstrating my approach to arranging tunes for the D/G system, (which seems to be a very different one from most)  with some tricks for getting a 'full' sound from the basic box, whilst not compromising bass work.  If I'm asked to lead another workshop I'll post under 'Teaching and Learning' (as I should have done this time!), but think this is unlikely.  The Bath one was the result of being 'on the premises' being already there to do a concert.   

[Frank Lee]

Hi Pete, tried to contact you but appear to have mistyped your phone number, so this is my only conduit to you.  However, if you need any follow-up my email address is on my profile page.  Cheers
 F.

[Frank Lee]

I've agreed to lead another workshop at this festival. Everything still in ferment dates and times-wise but prob. 2nd week in August.  I'd guess it'll be pretty much as last time Pete (!).  Just a discourse on tricks for getting the best out of the D/G system when you're 'getting on a bit' and never going to be the Chopin of the Melodeon.  Having spent a few decades trying - and failing - to make the thing sound as good as a fiddle I suppose I've got something to say!  I don't read music, so there won't be any, and I probably won't teach tunes either, but rather demonstrate approaches to putting some gravy on your favourite dishes!