This course will be open to all abilities, from beginners with a sound basic knowledge of the instrument as well as more experienced players of any banjo, as long as the instrument is played with the fingers (rather than picks or plectrum).

Basic notation and chord reading will be required; help can be provided with different reading abilities. We’ll use standard notation and chord symbols; music will have different difficulty levels. We will concentrate on improving confidence, technique, rhythm and tone.

There will be opportunities to share challenges and discuss how to deal with them, and where we can explore our approach to practice, learning and playing. Ensemble playing and accompaniment will be covered to encourage engagement with different musical styles, other instruments and musical formats.

Music will be provided, but students are welcome to bring along pieces they can already play or that they’re currently working on.

Roland Gallery: Classical Guitar & Mandolin Ensemble 

This course will cover a variety of music styles including Baroque and is suitable for intermediate to advanced players of any instrument in the mandolin family and guitar (including bass). Music reading skills will be required and music will be available beforehand.

The primary focus of sessions will be to prepare ensemble pieces for performance, and during the classes there will be guidance, advice and instruction on most aspects of playing and performance.

Topics to be covered will be warm-up exercises, technical improvement and maintenance, reading at sight, how to rehearse and work effectively in ensemble, projection and tone production, soloing and accompanying, interpretation, how to practise efficiently, and harmonic analysis where useful and appropriate.