To have your information included on this page contact flaxey green

Organisations and agencies
Devon Squeezebox Foundation
A new organization has been formed for squeezebox players in Devon and the West Country. Their mission: "to promote and encourage the learning and playing of music, primarily from the English tradition, on squeezeboxes in Devon and the West Country." Sounds grand doesn’t it?
Devon Squeezebox Foundation Update

The Devon Melodeon Project - The Devon Melodeon Project workshops, which have been held around the county throughout the winter were completed in June. We've had in excess of 40 musicians learning the melodeon, fantastic.

Devon Melodeon Hire Scheme - Devon Squeezebox Foundation is still running it's Devon Melodeon Hire Scheme for those who would like to try before they buy

Squeeze Keys - At last, the long awaited Piano Accordion workshop series on the lines of The Devon Melodeon Project, with tutors John Golightly, Jason Rice, Steve Turner and Paul Hutchinson

Big Squeeze Day - Some of the giants of the English squeezing world leading workshops in the heart of Devon! And a proper concert!

For More information, call Ed on 01363 774426 email > or visit the website >

Read more

Ed Rennie (from the Bismarcks) has got together with a group of like-minded folk and community music enthusiasts, Annie Rennie, Mark Bazeley (from the Dartmoor Pixie Band), Colin Andrews and Alan Quick. Together they have formed the Devon Squeezebox Foundation.

This is a new Not For Profit Organisation set up to promote and encourage the learning and playing of music, primarily from the English tradition, on squeezeboxes in Devon and the West Country.
"The plan is to run more workshops, both for beginners and improvers, from 12 years old upwards, from September until the Summer next year. We’ll be working in again East Devon, West Devon and The South Hams and this time round we are hoping to set up some in North Devon as well. We’ve already had some interest from the North and we’re definitely looking for more. Wherever there’s a group of folks wanting to learn, there we shall be."
Though starting with the melodeon (which is an accordion with buttons instead of piano keys) the Devon Squeezebox Foundation is hoping to progress in the future to piano accordion and concertina lessons.

Wren Trust

Wren is a Devon based music organisation. "We go out to people, we listen to what they want and see what's going on and we make things happen".

The work that the Wren Trust is involved includes:

Workshops Music & Song
Education
Open Access Performance Groups
Community Arts Development Projects
Wren Concerts, Performances & Dance
Baring-Gould Festival & Study Break
Publications and Merchandise
Oral History and Folk Music collecting

Wren Trust Updates

April 2008 Make music with the Folk Orchestra Of Torbay and And how about singing too? >
March 2008 Bang the Drum for Exeter City >
Contact Wren Trust for more information - details below
March 2008 Free your voice in Paignton >
Jan 2008 New opportunities for young singers in Exeter >

Wren Music
01837 53754
email >

Visit website >

Folk Camps
Folk Camps as an organisation has been running now for over 40 years. The camps much smaller than festivals and run on DIY principles but are just as much fun. The chances are that some of you may even have attended a folk camps in the past.

Folk Camping is ideal for Morris dancers and their families and provides a holiday which encompasses music, dancing - not just Morris - and many more activities with like-minded people.

More information from Folk Camps Website >

Folk and Roots Music Agency

Just building up....needs really good ceilidh bands (particularly smaller outfits) and pro-standard acts to fill some gigs in Devon and Cornwall.

Limited demand at the moment for solo acts, but some are being tried. 10% commission for gigs we give you. 10 acts on the books so far and growing.

Call Deni, Mad Rush Entertainments on 01752 661367 or email >

Please send demos or personal recommendations/reviews to Deni Couch
MRE 10 Short Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth, Devon PL3 4PZ, or phone for a chat.

Woven Wheat Whispers
A new (and legal! folk music download site

The site will give artists the opportunity to make their music available via a paid download to a massive global audience of folk music fans.

We cover folk music in the broadest possible sense. The following (and much more) would all be considered suitable
Traditional song
Folk - rock
Shanties and maritime song
Singer Songwriter material
Mountain music
Experimental acoustic music
"world" music (I hate that term!)
Charity / fund raising projects
Folk Club publicity

Conditions
Our site is and will always remain totally legal. You can only offer music for download via ourselves that you actually own, or have the written permission of a record company, etc. Therefore if you have recorded an album that is still owned by XYZ records, we will not make it available for download unless they agree. However if you retain the rights to the recordings, we are more than happy to proceed.

For more information visit Woven Wheat Whispers website >

Performance
The Parson and the Village Song Men

The folk song and music collection of Devon squire and parson Sabine Baring Gould presented by

Bob Mann ~ Stories and background information on the collection Les Noden > ~ Songs, guitar and Anglo concertina ~ Songs, guitar, lute and Anglo concertina Mick Bramich >

This entertaining and informative show has been presented at numerous festivals, churches and specialist societies over the last twelve years. It is constantly being revised as new material comes to light and the song and story elements are tailored to suit particular localities.

If you are looking for a folk music based performance for your group, club or festival then contact either:

Bob Mann ~ 01803 847930 or Mick Bramich ~ 01752 895054

A track from The Parson and the Village Song Men - Speed the Plough - from William Andrew's manuscript (2 MB)
Roots and Shoots
Listen on 106.8 FM and online >
Mondays 6 to 8 pm (British Summer Time)
In the Exeter area and online to the world featuring the best in folk/roots music and news of folk/roots events in Exeter and south and east Devon.
Please note that a new schedule begins this Monday 5 May on Phonic FM, the community radio station for Exeter. Our show, Roots and Shoots will run for a series on Mondays between 6 and 8 pm. We will continue to feature the best in local and international folk/roots/world music including live sets from local artists as well as information on what's on locally.

We'd welcome contributions from musicians, singers and anyone involved with folk/roots/world music in and around Exeter.

Most importantly, listen in, then get in touch to tell us your reactions and suggestions.

Contact Roots and Shoots
Email> Telephone 01392 217827 (Martin Hodge) 01837 83347 (Martin Henning) or check out blog>

Other
Bodmin Folk Club The Barley Sheaf 2 Lower Bore Street, Bodmin (Upstairs function room)

Opening in a NEW venue with an OPEN HOUSE - Bodmin Folk Club returns to its roots.

The Club started on 31st May 1968 in the Function Room at The Barley Sheaf and we are delighted to have been invited back by the licensees Simon and Kerry Come and join us for the opening night on Friday 20th April Information on 01208 75261 or 01637 880394 Secretary - Mike Freemantle on 01726 816454 Visit website >

All welcome - membership encouraged, not essential.

Rev Hammer's freeborn John Live DVD and Audio CD Double pack - released on Levellers day Friday 19 May 2007

A star studded cast of English Folk Royalty perform the world’s first historical folk opera, live at Levellers’ Beautiful Days festival in front of thousands, including the English Civil War society

Starring:
Rev Hammer as ‘Freeborn’ John Lilburne, Maddy Prior as Elizabeth Lilburne, Justin Sullivan (New Model Army) as Nehemiah Warton, Rory McLeod as Vox Populi, Romney Getty as Mary Overton, plus Phil Johnstone as Will o’The People and The Levellers as...themselves.

Elizabeth's Great Gallop (7MB) - Featuring Simon Friend (Levellers) and Maddy Prior

More information (PDF file) >

Visit website >

Cyril Tawney - two new albums

ADA Recordings have released two new albums which were launched at "Celebrating Cyril", the recent national memorial event for Cyril Tawney.

"The Song Goes On" (ADA 108CD), is a double album consisting of re-mastered recordings of archival traditional gems, beginning with the first song Cyril ever broadcast (1957), interspersed with a few of his classic compositions and a sprinkling of offerings from fellow songwriters. The collection ends with Mick Ryan's special recording of the title song which he wrote as a tribute, shortly after Cyril's death.

The other new release is a limited edition of a concert recorded at the legendary Holsteins in Chicago in 1981. "Cyril Tawney - Live at Holsteins" (ADA 109CD) is a fine example of Cyril in his heyday, on top form before an appreciative and knowledgeable audience and obviously loving every moment of this flawless performance.

All Cyril's CDs are available from ADA, shops, and via his website >

Copies of the "Celebrating Cyril" Commemorative Programme are still available. In fact the programme part takes up only two pages out of the forty page booklet, which is principally about and by Cyril. Besides reprints of some of his classic articles ("The South West Folk Revival- the Early Years", "A BBC Folk Life Department – Why Not"?, "The Folksong Penny") there are verses, anecdotes and extracts from his (as yet unpublished) childhood memoir. Proceeds will go to the fund to preserve his archive.

The Programme is available via Cyril's website > and from the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

Courses
Cornwall Harp Centre

Courses, Tuition, Music, Information, History, Recordings, Merchandise

Based on the rugged north Cornish coast near Bude, the Cornwall harp centre provides tuition, courses, sheet music, and merchandise for harpists in the beautiful surroundings at Trehawsa, the home of harpist Sarah Deere-Jones.

Weekend residential courses are held from 7pm Friday evenings to 4pm Sunday afternoons at the Cornwall Harp Centre near Bude, B&B (extra charge) is available on site and locally, and camping on site is free

Cornwall is a beautiful county with a fascinating history, an ancient language and a fine legacy of Celtic culture. With its historic links to Wales & Brittany, Ireland and Scotland, all countries with their own vibrant harp playing traditions, it is a perfect place for a centre for the harp in the south of the British Isles. For more information email >

Halsway Manor - Somerset

Halsway Manor, Somerset, is the UK's only residential centre for traditional folk music, dance, song and crafts; it caters for groups throughout the year.
A Grade 2* listed manor house on the slopes of the Quantock Hills, its history
goes back over a thousand years. It has been run as a folk music centre for over 40 years.

Halsway Manor offers a unique setting for conferences, wedding receptions, business meetings as well as folk events.
The Manor dates from medieval times and is set in its own grounds on the edge of the Quantock Hills, 15 to 20 minutes drive from the County Town of Taunton with its main line station and M5 motorway link to London.

Halsway Contra Club

For more information regarding booking Halsway Manor or for a programme of events visit Halsway Manor website >

Publications
Mick Bramich Concertina Tutors

The Irish Concertina
1996 saw the publication of Mick Bramich's tutor for the Anglo Concertina. The Irish Concertina by Dave Mallison Publications. This book is an advanced manual for the instrument and has given Mick the opportunity to run workshops at many national festivals. The book is beginning to penetrate the U.S.A. and a workshop tour is envisaged.
£14.95 + £1.00 p&p in the UK - CD £10.99 + £1.00 p&p in the UK.

Trade prices supplied on request.

Absolute Beginners Concertina
This manual follows on from Mick's first tutor - The Irish Concertina. The book explores the mine field which awaits the prospective Anglo player, and by using the same format tablature as in his previous book, opens up the little box of tricks to the willing learner. A range of easy to follow diagrams, tips on maintenance and buying concertinas plus a potted history of the makers all add up to a well designed and planned tutor with a set of exercises which both challenge and give instant results to the beginner. The method has been "road tested" on new students of the instrument and they attest to the value of the teaching system.

Price £6.95 plus £1 p&p in the UK

In-between Anglo

A range of exercises for the improver on Anglo concertina. All the music in the book appears in both staff notation and tablature for the instrument. Suitable for the twenty key Anglo but aimed at the thirty key instrument. 40 pages of lessons and tunes.

£8.95. Add £1.00 p&p in the UK.

Review: Bob Taberner The Folk Mag

"This book aims to bridge the gap between Mick's other two books, 'Absolute Beginners' Concertina' and 'The Irish Concertina'. The anglo concertina is a much-maligned member of the concertina family because the majority of players don't feel comfortable playing in keys other than those of the two main rows of buttons. For the majority of anglos, this means the keys of C and G, where the G row is an octave higher than you'd like it to be. Hence the demand for anglos in G and D to fit in with melodeons and fiddles.

Mick's book demonstrates that it is possible to play in other keys - D major, A minor, E minor - on a 30 key C-G anglo as well as tackling the key of G by picking out the majority of notes on the C row. The exercises are well thought out and the tunes are all interesting and well chosen. You don't need to be a music reader because all the tunes are presented in an easy form of tablature, while different time signatures are clearly explained. The book is very much aimed at the player of tunes. Maybe song accompaniment is a subject for a future book. One slight disappointment for me was that Mick sticks to single note playing and doesn't include a few harmonising notes. I found myself adding them, anyway.

There are a surprising number of tunes in B flat in the English tradition and Mick's book shows you how to play in that key on a C-G anglo. Which is certainly a lot cheaper than the alternative solution of buying a B flat - F box."

Order

To order any of these publications contact Mick Bramich at: Hinton House, 12 Tower Lane, Moorhaven Village, Ivybridge, PL21 0XN - Telephone/fax +44 (0) 1752 895054 - email >

More information about Mick Bramich >

Folk Services
Concertina repairs
If you have a concertina that requires attention whether new straps, springs, bellows or reeds to a complete returning contact Nigel. He can also offer valuations and occasionally has concertinas for sale.

To contact Nigel Sture telephone 01548 531525 or email >

Lessons and Tuition
West Country Concertina Players
West Country Concertina Players have been running playing days and weekends for some years. We run bi-monthly meetings at Ruishton Village Hall which comprise workshops and playing for absolute beginners and others, all are welcome irrespective of ability, we do have concertinas for use if you just want to try one out. Also we have two weekends at Kilve Court, Somerset, the one in March caters for post beginners up to advanced playing and the October weekend caters for complete beginners and post beginners. Contact information: secretary Mall Derricott 01258 450927 or visit website>
English Concertinas for hire.

Folk South West have 15 Jackie English Concertinas which they are willing to hire out too learners, they belong to West Country Concertina Players and are on loan to FolkSW. For more information eMail>
The Jackie 30 key English Concertina has been developed for the beginner concertina player. It has 30 keys, ranging from G below middle C to the second C above middle C. Fully chromatic.
6 fold bellows, Traditional thumb straps Accordion type steel reeds.

Workshop Leader Available
Beginners workshops in Tin Whistle, Accordion, Session Playing, Reading music, Singing, Accompanying Folk Songs with Piano, Harmony, Folk Flute. Plymouth & area. Also all types of musical entertainment and writing or music workshops for care homes & small clubs (daytimes). Please see details on website >
Contact Deni 07854 725 399 or email >
Phil Berthoud - Irish fiddle, folk mandolin, guitar
Phil offers tuition in Irish fiddle, folk mandolin, guitar (folk/world/rock/pop). He is author of three books on Irish fiddle playing and one on Irish Mandolin playing, all published by Mel Bay. He's written 12 other books, all due to be released in the next year. Phil has over 20 years experience of instrumental tuition. All standards are catered for from absolute beginners to advanced students. Traditional and popular styles are normally taught by ear but written music can also be used if desired. Please contact Phil on 01803 862282 for more information.
Learn Melodeon

If you would like to learn the Melodeon or are already a learner and would like to have lessons - I teach both English or European styles of playing on GD or CG/CGF boxes. Please contact Louise on 10364 649227 or 07737 238 076 for further information

Accordion workshops Mondays from 7 April, 7.30-9 in Totnes
with Leslie Thompson of the 3db English Ceilidh Band >

These workshops are for keyboard players who would like to transfer their skills and use them more fully. Accordion opens many opportunities for playing socially and professionally; in pub sessions, in schools, in bands, in shows on holiday and at home. Whatever style of music, Folk, World, Musicals and even Chopin you can take it with you wherever you go.

Instruments provided!

4 sessions £20 hire of instrument for 4 weeks from £10

Call Les Thompson 01803-862393 for venue details & book your place. Or email >

The Devon Accordion Project - Leslie Thompson.
I have been given/loaned a number of piano accordions which I will use to teach complete beginners, making the accordions available on short-term loan. The teaching sessions start at KEVIC in September, in the meantime I'm appealing to anyone with an unused accordion to either come along to the sessions or consider loaning the instrument on a sale-or-return basis to the Devon Accordion Project. Minor repairs will be done free, and the accordion will benefit for being used as well as give someone the chance to learn and possibly buy the instrument at a fair price.
If interested please visit website > - email > or call 01803-862393
Piano Accordion tuition from experienced and qualified teacher based in Totnes. Instruments available for loan/sale. Expertise in British folk, French musette, Klezmer and East European styles, and anything else from Chopin to Zydeco. Telephone Leslie Thompson 01803-862393 or visit website >.
Anglo Concertina and Melodeon Tuition.
All levels catered for. Three publications for Beginners, Improvers and Irish style on the Anglo.
Contact: Mick Bramich 01752 895054 - email >
Guitar Tuition
Learn a wide range of musical styles through TAB. Early music and folk song accompaniment are my specialisms.
Contact: Mick Bramich 01752 895054 - email >
Tuition
Guitar/Fiddle/Mandolin/Tenor Banjo Tuition
For players at all levels in North Devon. Torrington based.
All ages welcome.
Please call Adrian on 01805 623231
Melodeons for Hire?

When Ed Rennie, through Spinningpath music, started the beginners' melodeon workshops (Devon Melodeons Ahoy!), he determined to locate them wherever demand was greatest. That way he figured the workshops would be more accessible and would reach more people.
The location issue being addressed, Ed realised that the workshops were still only accessible to those who owned, or could borrow, a melodeon. So, if you were interested in learning the melodeon, but didn’t have access to one, there’s currently not much option other than to buy one, which is a big outlay for something that may or may not suit.
Ed is now investigating whether a melodeon hire project, similar to that run by Katie Howson through the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, would be appropriate in Devon. Through this scheme good quality instruments might be hired, at an affordable cost, on a monthly basis and, in conjunction with the workshops, music making could be accessible to more people.
This is where you come in. If you think such a project could be useful, please send Ed an email, entitled “Melodeon hire? Good Idea!” It would be handy if you could let Ed know your location, i.e. North Devon, South Hams etc. It would also be handy for Ed to have all the replies by the 31st May 2006.
This is a toe-in-the-water exercise at the moment, so you would be under no obligation by expressing an interest at this time.

Contact Ed email > using the title “Melodeon hire? Good Idea!”

D/G Melodeon Lessons
For players at all levels of competence, from beginners to advanced
Mainly English-style (D/G instruments)
Phone Chris on 01626 871 260
Fiddle Lessons
Relaxed informal fiddle lessons for beginners to intermediates in South Devon.
Must have own instrument.
All ages welcome
Please call Olivia Dunn on 07748 166943
Guitar / Bass Guitar Tuition
Guitar / Bass Guitar Tuition one to one in you own home by experienced professional musician Beginners onward - folk / jazz / rock
Please call Martin Henning 01837 83347 or email
Page last updated on 04/05/2008
Folk Information
Welcome
About flaxey green
Whats On
Musicians
Folk Information
Folk Information
Although every care is taken in the presentation of information contained on this web site I cannot be held accountable for any inaccurate information supplied. Please inform flaxey green of any errors found on this site.
flaxey green was first published in January 2000
Site re-designed May 2006/December 2007
Copyright Trevor Paul 2008 ©