Music Workshops
Below are some of the workshops scheduled for 2009 - there are more to come soon, so stay tuned!
Music Workshops Bahar Bayram 2009
The camp offers a wide variety of music tuition, with a focus on developing skills and giving musicians an opportunity to play together and gain knowledge and inspiration.
Instructors will be doing their best to cater to the skills and needs of all participants –please let them know so they can provide the most appropriate tuition for all. If you don't have an instrument there will be some available for sale at the camp and some to borrow or you can just come and watch and learn.
Drumming and Percussion
Drum Solo and drumming for dance (Beginner/ Intermediate): Karen Wray
- basic technique on a variety of percussion instruments including darabuka, doholla (base drum ) & frame drum & riq
- learning rhythms and how to play them as a group and solo
- Incorporating simple solo patterning
- counting bars to make it easier for you to form rhythm patterns;
- confidence building
- supporting a lead percussionist.
Drum Solo and drumming for dance (Intermediate/Advanced level): Karen Wray
- advanced technique & getting the most out of your darabuka
- constructing a drum solo
- developing more complex solos and patterns for dancers
- the importance of a base section
- developing a rhythm section with skill and sensitivity;
- confidence building with solo patterns.
Ornamentation of a Rhythm (Intermediate/ Advanced): Matt Stonehouse
Learn how to decorate a rhythm with simple yet effective techniques and fills. This is where a rhythm comes to life!
Drum Solo (Intermediate level): Matt Stonehouse
Learn this fantastic solo that is played over Maqsum, Cifte Telli and Ayub.
Also in this workshop you will gain an insight into how the solo was created and how to compose your own.
Drum Solo (Advanced level): Matt Stonehouse
Drum solo over Malfuf for Advanced players. This solo is influenced by Turkish styles and introduces some real ambidextrous drum fills. Not for the faint hearted!
Odd Time Cycles (Intermediate/Advanced): Matt Stonehouse
A look into 5, 7,9,11 beat cycles. Learn rhythms and variations for Laz, Kasilima, Kalamantiano and more.
Tappan (classes will be held for beginners to advanced): Rob Bester
Rob Bester from renowned Gypsy band “Xenos” will be teaching technique and rhythms for Beginner to Advanced level players. For more advanced players some Tappan lessons will be combined with the Balkan Dance sessions and will focus specifically on skills required for playing for dancers.
Gypsy Rhythms (Open level): Rob Bester
This workshop will focus on the various rhythms, variations and the dances and musical styles they relate to.
Persian Def: Amir Naderi
The Def is a large frame drum used in Persian and Sufi music. Learn techniques specific to this drum – different to other frame drums due to the many rings inside the drum which form part of the sound of the instrument. Persian and Sufi rhythms will also be taught and workshops are divided into different skill levels.
Arabic Riq (Beginner level): Tamara Taylor
The Riq is a wonderful instrument that adds colour and excitement to both small ensembles and big orchestras, in Arabic music. This delightful percussion instrument has many sounds and qualities, creating a huge range of possibilities for a skilled Riq player. This introductory workshop will cover techniques, Egyptian rhythms and variations.
Instrumental
An introduction to the Art of Taksim in Turkish Classical Music: (Beginner) Techniques for instrumentalists and vocalists: Pin Rada
This workshop will introduce the 'Makam' modal system used in Turkish Classical Music and explore how to use makams to improvise melodically in this system, known as 'Taksim'. The workshop will introduce some key makams used in taksim and offer direction for performing these improvisations on various musical instruments and voice.
An introduction to the Art of Taksim in Turkish Classical Music (Advanced) Techniques for instrumentalists and vocalists: Pin Rada
This workshop offers stylistic techniques for developing and performing more 'authentic' taksim improvisations in Turkish Classical music. The workshop is best suited for musicians already familiar with the Makam system, and explores ornamentation techniques, phrasing, and melodic aesthetics such as tonal centres and transpositions used to better develop'authentic' Taksim improvisations.
Ney Techniques in Turkish Classical Music (Beginners): Pin Rada
This workshop offers practical advice for beginner ney players approaching the Turkish Classical tradition. Participants will learn correct techniques of playing posture, breath and embouchure, finger positions, and how the the 'makam' modal system translates to the ney. The workshop will also introduce particiapants to sight reading and performing Turkish classical compositions.
Ney Techniques in Turkish Classical Music (Advanced): Pin Rada
This workshop offers practical advice for experienced ney players wishing to further develop an 'authentic Turkish sound' in their playing. The workshop explores advanced stylistic techniques in embouchure and breath control, ornamentation and phrasing, and applies those techniques to performing Taksim improvisations and classical compositions.
The Gentle Art of Music Practice - for all musicians: Pin Rada
This is an experimental workshop designed to improve a musician's ability to better practise and perform on their musical instrument by learning to overcome physical and mental blockages that often hinder progress and free musical expression. The workshop is suited to both beginners and advanced players of any instrument (the more difficult the instrument the better) and focuses on the body's processes rather than the musical instrument's music. Participants should bring their chosen instrument or voice and a pair of earplugs to the workshop.
Arabic Violin, Cello, Viola, Kamenche and Joze: Nawres Alfreh
For already experienced strings players who wish to learn the Arabic style of ornamentation and technique.
Arabic Maqam and musicianship: Nawres Alfreh
Nawres will be teaching musicianship in Arabic music, covering ornamentation, modulation, phrasing for all instruments. Learn techniques to get the authentic Arabic sound and style.
Zurna reed making: Anne Hildyard
Learn how to do away with the agony of faulty reeds and make your own reliable ones! Anyone who has tried to play the Zurna knows how a bad reed can change everything and Anne has all the tricks you'll need to ensure that you never have to suffer again!
Lebanese Dabke dance tunes on Zurna (Open Level): Anne Hildyard
Anne will be teaching some Lebanese Dabke Dance tunes for playing with dancers at the Sunday night concert. Beginners are welcome and Anne will help you to get started with the Zurna while more experienced players learn the tunes.
Macedonian Traditional Wedding Tunes on Zurna (Open Level): Anne Hildyard
Learn some Wedding songs to play at the Wedding celebration. Beginners are welcome and Anne will help you to get started with the Zurna while more experienced players learn the tunes.
Technique, Rhythm, Improvisation and styles used in Gajda dance music: Anne Hildyard
This workshop is primarily for saxophone and clarinet, intermediate and advanced students, but all brass players are welcome.
Gaida (Gajda) Bagpipes: Cory Dale
This workshop is an introduction to the Gaida; including technique, regional styles, ornamentation, and the origins and traditions of the instrument. Beginners to advanced players will be catered to.
Oud: Yuval Ashkar
Yuval will be teaching technique, Maqams (scales) and songs and catering for all levels of skill – you'll need to bring your own Oud – naturally!
Ney and Kaval: Bill Andersen
Bill will be showing people how to get started on these instruments and for those who can get a sound (or even a few) he will be teaching technique, Maqams (scales) and a few tunes. There will be a few spare Neys and Kavals for students to have a go on but please bring your own if you have one. Note: these instruments will be taught separately and groups determined by skill level to cater to everyone. There will be some PVC practice Neys available for sale ($8.00).
Arabic and Turkish Maqams (scales): Bill Andersen
This workshop focuses on learning and understanding Maqams in Arabic and Turkish music. This is essential knowledge for those wishing to improve their improvisation (Taqsim) skills and knowledge. Suitable for all instruments and skill levels. Pens, paper and instruments are recommended.
Didgeridoo in Middle Eastern music: Bob Robinson
Combining Middle Eastern rhythms on the Didgeridoo to complement and enhance percussion and other Middle Eastern instruments in order to give a uniquely Australian "flavour" to Middle Eastern and Balkan music.
Sufi Chill out sessions: Bill Andersen and friends
Feeling exhausted and need time to relax, meditate, or just lie down and listen to some beautiful music? Bill and friends will be playing some Turkish Sufi music to calm, inspire and refresh the mind and spirit. Those who feel inclined can also try out the whirling skills they learnt with Leah Raymond. Bring a cushion or pillow to sit or lie on!
Singing
Traditional wedding songs from Macedonia : Anne Hildyard
In preparation for Saturday night's wedding celebration, Anne will be teaching traditional wedding songs, along with vocal technique and singing styles.
Singing Roma Style: Anne Hildyard
The Roma style singing group will be practising and performing Gypsy songs with the Gypsy Band and joining in the wedding festivities too!
Middle Eastern Chanting: Yuval Ashkar
Explore the use of voice as an instrument, while learning to sing some Arabic scales (maqam). Yuval will also teach a simple song or two.
Turkish Singing: Bilge Ozgun
Bilge will teach a couple of Turkish songs and Turkish vocal technique and ornamentation.
Music Groups/ Ensemble Work
Ensembles are one of the highlights of the camp, bringing together players of all skill levels to share in learning and performing structured pieces of music under the direction of the camp teachers.
All are welcome and encouraged to participate!
The Cross Rhythm Ensemble (Intermediate/Advanced): Matt Stonehouse
This ensemble workshop is aimed at crossing different rhythms and patterns to create a trance effect and just a super funky wall of sound in general!
Gypsy Brass Band: “XENOS” Anne Hildyard, Rob Bester
This is a workshop for all lovers and players of Gypsy music, whether you are a percussionist, instrumentalist or singer. This year the Gypsy band will be learning traditional Macedonian Wedding band music and will be the main entertainment at Saturday night's wedding!
Egyptian Orchestra: Mike Taylor and Nawres Alfreh
A workshop focusing on working as a group to play songs and create richly textured music utilising all the talents and skills of band members. This is a valuable opportunity to learn how to create arrangements that are interesting and balanced, working with call and response and improvisation. This group will be working towards a performance in the Camp Concert .
Suited for all instruments and skill levels and percussionists are welcome and needed too! Just bring your enthusiasm, patience and desire to work as a team.
Turkish Ensemble: Bill Andersen
The Turkish ensemble will be learning songs and arrangements in the Turkish “Sanat” (classical) style, which will be performed in the camp concert on Sunday night.