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A Class for Diatonic Autoharpists
Quintessential Melody Chords
When: September 15-17, 2008 (M-T-W), 1-4pm each day
Where: Across the Walnut River from the Walnut
Valley Festival campgrounds at a private home in Winfield, Kansas USA
Taught by: Lucille Reilly, Mountain Laurel Autoharp Champion & two-time International Autoharp Champion
Description: Finding melody chords is also about finding the best
harmony chords that support the tune underneath. In this class we will
build a basic melody-chord progression from the bottom up in a way that also
satisfies the ear's backup-chord
expectations. The
result will be a basic, solid harmonization of a tune that can hold its own when
played on a diatonic autoharp without additional instrumental assistance.
From here, you can go on to develop an arrangement for performance or
competition, as you choose.
This
class of three afternoon sessions (nine hours in all) will take you through the
process of finding quintessential melody chords (some of them surprising: suspended chords?!) that
will inject lively, harmonic energy into the tunes you love know about, or have
been stumped by. We will start by finding the
back-up and melody chords
to one tune together while better understanding the diatonic
autoharp’s take on music theory, and then all participants will chord tunes of
their choosing on their own (keep reading for information about tune choices). I
will be on hand during individual chord-search times to provide one-on-one
guidance as needed. Related
topics along the way will include creating effective "harmonic detours" when the back-up
chords damp melody notes; when/when not/how often to "pump felt";
chord choices that can make a tune’s energy sink or float; creating a great
bass line; the use of "color chords" as basic harmony chords; and more.
All tunes chorded in class will be
compiled into a booklet for each participant for future reference and
personal playing enjoyment. (If the class size maxes out at eight people,
and everyone chords two tunes, then each participant will get a wonderful booklet with 16
tunes! So, tell your friends about this class and come on out!)
Maximum class size: 8 eager students.
Level: Advanced beginner and up, with a bent for adventure!
Music reading skill is not necessary but of course helpful. You must
have experience “pumping felt” on a diatonic autoharp; if you’re not sure
what pumping felt is, click here to see
the music examples (especially the second one) that explain it. (This class is
not recommended for experienced chromatic autoharpists who have never
pumped felt before on a diatonic autoharp.)
Schedule: M-Tu-W, Sept. 15-17 (the festival begins on the evening of
the 17th, so you won't miss any concerts), 1:00-4:00 all three days.
(We may do lunch in town on Wednesday before class.)
On-your-own chording time will be built into each day's schedule; there
is no evening homework because jamming with your friends is bound to afford some
new insights on your chording journey!
What to bring:
- Monograph #2: The
Flowers of Edinburgh (revised edition) (may be purchased when you
register or when class begins; let me know if you need a copy).
- A sense of humor! J
- 4-6 tunes of your choice (I don't expect anyone to chord all of the tunes
on his/her list; I simply would like you to have a bunch of tunes from which to choose).
Tunes may be reels, jigs, waltzes, O'Carolan compositions, tunes whose chords have
just plain stumped you, etc. You don't have to know how to play the
tunes on your list (after all, the chords will be changing around, altering motor
memory), but you do have to know what they sound like (being able to sing
the tunes will be marvelously helpful). Tunes that are played to
death by the autoharp/folk community are fine, especially if they are new to you
(previous QMC classes have found amazing chords to suit the most familiar
of tunes). If you will be competing in the
International Autoharp Championship, please DO NOT include contest tunes in
your list! Click here for a list of recommended tune sources.
- Enough hard copies of all the tunes on your list (whether you read music or
not) for yourself (2-3?) and everyone else in the class (Lucille will notify
you in late August about the number of copies to make). These copies
will serve as our "blackboard" when someone has a question about a
chord in a tune, while giving you something to doodle your own chord ideas
on..
- Autoharp(s) having the keys of your chosen tunes.
- Fingerpicks (of course).
- A clipboard or other smooth writing surface, pencils and a big eraser
("decomposing" is guaranteed!).
- Optional: music stand.
- An open ear and mind, your questions, and an eagerness to soar in
new directions!
- A 9 x 12, pre-addressed envelope plus $10 to cover preparation and mailing
of the class tune
collection.
Related handouts will be provided.
Fee:
$75,
paid in full and postmarked on or before September 1.
How to register: Print this page (be sure to keep all of the above information
for your records), fill out the registration form
below, cut off the form and mail it to me at the address shown, along with your check or
money order in full.
Cancellations/Refunds: Before September 1: Full refund.
September 2-9: Refund less $25. September 10: No refund.
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Registration Form: Quintessential Melody Chords, with Lucille
Reilly
Name
______________________________________________________
Phone_______________________
Address
_________________________________________________________________________________
City
___________________________________________ State___________ Zip+4
___________-_________
Email (if you have it)
________________________________________________________________________
Home phone
_________________________________ cell
phone_____________________________________
Enclose
check or money order payable to Lucille Reilly; then
mail this form and your check to Lucille at P.O. Box 7338, Denver,
CO 80207.
See you in Winfield!
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