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Author Topic: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.  (Read 59565 times)

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Strigulino

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From another thread there has come a brief discussion on the merits of playing together for new players, and I mooted the idea that as there seem to be quite a few Melnetters in the "been playing for a couple of years or less" bracket, it might be an idea to have a relatively informal social gathering, perhaps specifically aimed at the newer player?

Fun though it was, I did find that M&M was very much something for the rather experienced player, and it is always difficult to really get involved in regular sessions.  They tend to *start* slow, but the more experienced players soon get bored of playing at our speed...

I was thinking perhaps a day somewhere relatively central and/or easy to get to, where some of the newer Melnetters can just meet up, perhaps have a little informal workshop of tips and tricks, discuss how/what/where/why we've been learning melodeon, have a go of eachother's boxes, socialise and play what we've learned so far for everyone without fear of feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Just have a bit of a muck around with people of a similar grade, in effect.  Everyone could play their favourite "party piece" and get a bit of experience of playing "live" in front of people who are similarly.... well... still a bit wobbly.  :D

I don't really want to call it a workshop as "work" sounds a bit boring and advanced.  I was thinking more of a cross between a self-help group and a social get together, always bearing in mind that we are still doing our melodeon baby steps.

I therefore had the idea of calling it the Melnet Playgroup.  :D

So, if any of my fellow toddlers like the idea, let me know and I'll start thinking about where/how it can be organised.  And if any of the others would like to come along and help out, let me know, although I do very much want to keep it as a day for toddling.

I'm in Essex and I know a few other Melnetters are too, so we could organise something down here, although London/somewhere else may be easier, so I'm open to suggestions.
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The Strig

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Lester

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2012, 04:37:24 PM »

More than happy to come along, share my bad habits, take a box apart to show how it works, minor fettling etc

Strigulino

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2012, 05:09:08 PM »

Minor fettling a great idea.  Sort of the melodeon equivalent of checking the oil and screenwash, tyre pressures etc.  :)

I was also thinking we could have perhaps one of the past TOTM or similar that we could come having practiced a bit, so we can play it together, discuss problems/inspirations that we've had with it etc.  Bit more of a deconstruction than a workshop, perhaps.
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The Strig

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Theo

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2012, 05:15:29 PM »

We could have an informal playgroup session at my stall at Whitby, plenty of spare boxes for new or aspiring players to try.
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Strigulino

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2012, 05:16:25 PM »

Nice idea - no reason why we can't just organise a flashmob style Playgroup at any melodeon event.  :)
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The Strig

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Pets:  Two cats, one husband, a D/G Hohner Morgane, a C/F Liliput, a dark and mysterious anglo concertina, a Streb, a Giordy...

Eoin Mac

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2012, 06:46:16 PM »

I'd be up for meeting up somewhere between Hull and London if we could manage to find a venue somewhere in the midlands? (:)
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Strigulino

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2012, 06:53:15 PM »

Midlands is probably fairly accessible for most people, I would have thought.  Perhaps some of the more long-term players can think of a fairly melodeon-friendly venue in that area?
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The Strig

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Pets:  Two cats, one husband, a D/G Hohner Morgane, a C/F Liliput, a dark and mysterious anglo concertina, a Streb, a Giordy...

Mike Carney

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2012, 10:03:36 PM »

We could have an informal playgroup session at my stall at Whitby, plenty of spare boxes for new or aspiring players to try.
Look forward to meeting you at Whitby - after your good work on my Isis..  The Playgroup sounds a good idea.  Would be keen to support it - been playing for about that length of time. I'm in Sheffield.
Mike   :D
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oread_uk

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2012, 01:12:57 PM »

I'd be up for this also - based in Sheffield/Chesterfield area - somewhere in the Midlands would be fine for me..

Liz  :|||:
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Lyn

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2012, 03:01:37 PM »

Just found this....have been busy with family, scarcely time to play!

That sounds great to me. If I had my d'ruthers, I rather NOT have to circumnavigate London if poss! But otherwise, yes, lets go for it. Are you thinking of an overnight stay - otherwise people from further away will rush to get thtere in the morning and be home very late. Yes, count me in if the dates suit, certainly. Great idea! :D
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Strigulino

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2012, 04:11:16 PM »

I was thinking of a one-day thing somewhere where people can stay nearby overnight if they wish, but if they want to drive home straight after they can.
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The Strig

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Pets:  Two cats, one husband, a D/G Hohner Morgane, a C/F Liliput, a dark and mysterious anglo concertina, a Streb, a Giordy...

Boxster

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2012, 06:24:11 PM »

This sounds "just the job" for us beginners.
Having set up an acoustic pub session with the emphasis on supportive playing and tolerance of beginners, I get to play my few tunes without being overrun.
The idea of meeting up for a day with players of the same ability seems very appealing.
Anybody fancy it at Shrewsbury Folk Festival?
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malcolmbebb

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2012, 06:34:13 PM »

Just to register an interest - weekdays I'm in south Birmingham and weekends in east Dorset.
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Strigulino

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #13 on: June 25, 2012, 06:36:18 PM »

August is out for me, I'm afraid.  I'm working at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  My other concern with piggybacking on a big festival is that it would just add to the costs, as people would have to buy the door ticket also.

If we seem to be homing in on the Sheffield area, can anyone round there suggest a likely venue?  Pub function room or adult education centre that doesn't mind a bit of noise would probably be favourite.  I know someone who organises comedy in the Sheffield area, he might know a good room.
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The Strig

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Pets:  Two cats, one husband, a D/G Hohner Morgane, a C/F Liliput, a dark and mysterious anglo concertina, a Streb, a Giordy...

Helena Handcart

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #14 on: June 25, 2012, 06:38:01 PM »

Count me in too please!  I'm in Surrey (about  an hour from London) so don't really want to travel further than the Midlands if possible.  I will be at Sidmouth and Swanage festivals too.
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chappie86

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #15 on: June 25, 2012, 06:44:39 PM »

I would be up for this. I am based in Evesham, Worcestershire which is just South of Birmingham.

There is a pretty folk friendly pub here, the fleece at Bretforeton, it may be possible to hire their barn its a good venue along with good beer!

Anywhere in the Midlands would be great for me though!

All the best,

Jack
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chappie86

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #16 on: June 25, 2012, 06:46:58 PM »

Only just read the Sheffield post, I could possibly make it to Sheffield too depending on what day it is on.
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Boxster

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #17 on: June 25, 2012, 07:09:03 PM »

August is out for me, I'm afraid.  I'm working at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  My other concern with piggybacking on a big festival is that it would just add to the costs, as people would have to buy the door ticket also.

Good point, but if anybody is booked for Shrewsbury FF (it's sold out, by the way), perhaps we could meet on a very informal basis at one of the very many session areas. Safety in numbers. Just a thought.
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Strigulino

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #18 on: June 25, 2012, 07:19:12 PM »

Okay, so we've got people in the South getting involved too.  I must admit that Evesham is probably a good place also, as it is handy for M5 and M40 if I remember rightly.  Just south of Brum. 

I see from their website that they are doing something for the Asparagus Festival.  I didn't know such things existed.   They boast their own Ceilidh and Morris sides - I wonder if they might be invited?  Presumably playing for Ceilidh and Morris are things that budding melodeon players might like to find out about.  I know Lester has much experience of this, but a sample of what the melodeon has to offer a player would be a good part of a new melodeonists day.  Barn hire seems reasonable, if costs are split between us.

If those who have expressed an interest are happy with the idea of Evesham, perhaps Jack could have a look at approaching the venue to see what dates we can do and I can think about a programme of events?

I think Evesham is probably about as central as we are going to get for Sheffield, Essex, Dorset, Surrey and all these other places - it's handy for the motorways too.

As I said previously, August is totally out for me as I'm in Scotland.  July is probably a bit too soon.  September/October/November I think I'm okay for most weekends though, although judging from their website the Fleece is only really available on Sundays in September (must be wedding season).  Looks like a few more Saturdays available in October and November.  I'm assuming for work/drinking/staying over reasons, most people will be looking at a Saturday for this?

Happy for someone who is going to Shrewsbury find out about organising a little Playgroup at Shrewsbury if that is possible.  Presumably all we need is a room we can just be ourselves in for a few hours, and a Playgroup Assistant a la Lester or similar?
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The Strig

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Pets:  Two cats, one husband, a D/G Hohner Morgane, a C/F Liliput, a dark and mysterious anglo concertina, a Streb, a Giordy...

Steve_freereeder

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Re: "Melodeon Playgroup" day anyone? For the Newer Melodeonist.
« Reply #19 on: June 25, 2012, 07:39:42 PM »

September/October/November I think I'm okay for most weekends though, although judging from their website the Fleece is only really available on Sundays in September (must be wedding season).  Looks like a few more Saturdays available in October and November.  I'm assuming for work/drinking/staying over reasons, most people will be looking at a Saturday for this?
Keep clear of 9th - 11th November 2012. This is the Melodeons at Witney weekend, which is THE event of the year for all melodeonists, of all abilities. Be there or be very, very square indeed. No doubt details will be available soon (usually about July) but for the moment put the dates in your diaries.
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