Workshop Folk Fiddle in Potsdam

Contents:

• Short introduction to the history of Irish Folk
• Presentation of the different types of Irish dances (Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes)
• Presentation of 3 classical dances (tunes) of Irish folk with explanations
• Joint learning of a simple tunes
• Explanations of the steps with examples and exercises

Approach:

In folk, playing from memory is a frequent practice. Usually, the tune to be learned is initially played to record so it makes sense having recording equipment or mobile phones with recording function or a corresponding app. Then, the tune is rehearsed in small steps.
At first, it is a bit complex for beginners but the tunes are very systematic and consist of many repetitions so that you usually get a quick overview.
At the end of the workshop, I hand over notes and additional material.

The theoretical part will be kept very short. We will focus on a simple tune because it is best for beginners and you can get more involved with the technique.

The teacher Barbara Steinacker

After a classical education and the participation in different symphonic orchestras (for example University of Music Dortmund, Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra), I came to the Folk music by chance to which I am still committed to today.

During sessions in different places in Ireland, I got to know and love the diversity of Irish Folk. In masterclasses, studies and workshops with various great musicians of Folk music like David Boulanger (CA), Benedicte Maurseth (NL), Harald Haugaard (DK), Hanneke Cassel (USA), Kevin Henderson (Shetland), Pete Cooper (UK) and others, I learned new nuances and deepened and improved my playing technique.

Inspired by capricious representatives of New or Modern Folk such as Majorstuen (Norway) and Frigg (Finland), I came to Nordic Folk a few years ago.

For 25 years now, I have been playing in various formations and bands, currently in Berlin’s oldest folk band “flinkfinger” and I am a founding member of the Nordic Folk Band “hälm” and fiddle at various folk sessions in Berlin.