Just found out that Julian Sutton (JS hereinafter) will be the third tutor at this year’s Halsway D/G weekend, so a little anecdote…
About ten years ago I went to Melodeons at Witney and JS was one of the tutors. The workshop of his I went to was “all abilities” and I was very much a beginner. It was way, way beyond me and I came away massively frustrated and annoyed that it was not as pitched. Trying to learn “The Great North Run” and “93 Not Out” at great pace, suitable for beginners?! I walked out knowing I’d learnt nothing and wasted that time when I could’ve gained useful knowledge/ technique in a different workshop.
Fast forward to last year at Halsway when playing in the bar one evening, someone started a tune and I joined in without particular difficulty although I didn’t know it, and also the one they segued into. “What were they?” I asked, “I don’t know them but seemed to be able to play them.” The reply, of course, was “The Great North Run into 93 Not Out.”
I’m not saying I guarantee I could repeat the capability to just join in and play them, but clearly something had stuck and I’d done JS a great disservice!
#Melodeon #DiatonicAccordion #Accordion #FolkLife #Folk #FolkMusic #Music #TradMusic #Trad



