Using traditional and contemporary “folk” tunes in different styles and time signatures (for example: waltzes, polkas, bourrées, jigs, hornpipes, schottisches, songs…) we will work together to make some fun arrangements for people to dance, listen or sing along to. Sometimes we’ll concentrate on the melody, sometimes we’ll work out other voices in harmony. We’ll play indoors, maybe under a tree or in a café, at a bal, walking through the village or as a Flashmob. Sometimes we will talk about technique and explore how to improvise and communicate emotion in music. Either by choice or necessity bagpipers often play alone, or in small groups with other instruments, so we will practice how to play together as a larger ensemble. The challenge with bagpipes is that they are either “off” (silence) or “on” (making a ferocious noise!). How do we exploit that? The workshop is about everyone working together as a team, supporting and learning from each other – and laughing a lot.
