Continental dance rhythms on the melodeon
16 Broad St,, Suffolk, NR35 1EN
Saturday 5th September 2026
Box players!! Do you love playing for dancing?!!
In this workshop we will be exploring different balfolk tune types and how we might make the most of the rhythms that underpin these dances. We will explore the groove, feel and how we can use the bass in different ways to complement and add more flavour. Having a few different ideas in your tool box can make a huge difference to the dancing and your enjoyment of playing. We'll look at how we can take small melodic and rhythmic ideas and use them to start to build an arrangement. This workshop will be for D/G melodeon players, all models from 8 to 18 bass welcome! Some notation will be available and please bring a recording device. Please note, this workshop is not intended for beginners.
Hailing from Norwich, Nick has performed and taught professionally since 2010 after completing the BMus Folk and Traditional Music with a 1st from Newcastle University. Since then, he has been part of various musical projects both in the UK and abroad. In 2015 Nick joined the Germany-based Irish music trio ‘Iontach’ and has since toured all over the country performing and giving workshops in both fiddle and diatonic button accordion. More recently, in 2024, Nick became the third member of the balfolk trio ‘Woodwose’, specializing in playing for dancing and with an emphasis on newly self-composed melodies. Nick’s musical style stems from a blend of inspirations and music traditions including Great Britain, Ireland, France and Scandinavia.
In this workshop we will be exploring different balfolk tune types and how we might make the most of the rhythms that underpin these dances. We will explore the groove, feel and how we can use the bass in different ways to complement and add more flavour. Having a few different ideas in your tool box can make a huge difference to the dancing and your enjoyment of playing. We'll look at how we can take small melodic and rhythmic ideas and use them to start to build an arrangement. This workshop will be for D/G melodeon players, all models from 8 to 18 bass welcome! Some notation will be available and please bring a recording device. Please note, this workshop is not intended for beginners.
Hailing from Norwich, Nick has performed and taught professionally since 2010 after completing the BMus Folk and Traditional Music with a 1st from Newcastle University. Since then, he has been part of various musical projects both in the UK and abroad. In 2015 Nick joined the Germany-based Irish music trio ‘Iontach’ and has since toured all over the country performing and giving workshops in both fiddle and diatonic button accordion. More recently, in 2024, Nick became the third member of the balfolk trio ‘Woodwose’, specializing in playing for dancing and with an emphasis on newly self-composed melodies. Nick’s musical style stems from a blend of inspirations and music traditions including Great Britain, Ireland, France and Scandinavia.
