These are series of special one off workshops consisting of group playing, individual instrument technique, modern arrangements, songs and tips on how to direct.

 

All sessions will be held in Ardee Castle.

 

This course is an excellent way to get right to the heart of Brazilian Carnival music.

As well as group playing there will also be time spent on instrumental and stick technique.

 

For those who are interested there will be separate sessions on Cavaco (Cavaquinho). These will be held in the old court room. Participants will get the opportunity to play along with the Bateria.

 

There will also be some time spent learning lyrics to the songs whos arrangments we will be working on in the bateria.

 

Some of the rhythms covered include Samba, Maculele, Funk, Coco, Ciranda, Xote, Quadrilha, Afrobeat, Ijexa, and many more.

 

Instruments covered during the weekend in will be Caixa, Repique, Surdo 1 2 3, Tamborim, Agogô, Chocalho and Cavaquinho.

 

Andy Carter

Andy is a highly talented cavaquinho and strings player. Having worked alongsdie J P since 2009 they have built up a huge reportoire of material.

Andy is a trained educator and his lessons in Cavaquinho have made good players great and inspired people to take up the instrument.

The sessions which will move at a medium to fast pace are suitable for people who

• already play in a Brazilian carnival band

• play other styles of drumming or drum kit

• are musically trained

• dancers who would like to learn or improve their percussion skills

 

Timings (with breaks)

Fri 1900 – 2200

Sat 1000 – 1900

Sun 1200 – 1700

 

Accommodation

Shared rooms in Setanta house BnB which is across the road from our amazing workshop venue.

 

Eating

Food will be provided for everyone at these times

Friday evening - Soup and sandwiches

Saturday - Lunch and Sit down evening meal in a local restaurant.

Sunday - Lunch

 

Those people staying at the BnB will of course have a choice of continental or cooked breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning.

 

Parking

There is free and pay (very cheap) on street parking in Ardee with spaces beside the Castle and Accommodation.

J P Courtney

As well as running weekly and monthy rehearsals in Hitchin, Bristol and Birmingham J P is also in demand to run classes all around the UK and Europe. He has also taught in many universities as well as in Rio de Janeiro.

 

JP Courtney (who hails from Ireland) is known internationally for not only his knowledge and technical ability in Brazilian music but also as a teacher. His style has seen some great results with various successful projects at national and international level.

He is credited with being the first person outside Brazil to organise their own traditional carnival parade in RIo.

 

His workshops are a great way to improve existing skills, learn new ones and get inside the heart of Brazilian carnival music.

They're also a great way to meet other musicians and people who already play Brazilian music in your area.