Accordion workshop: Interpreting a Lead Sheet: from Oom-pah to Groove - presented by George Butrumlis (24 Feb 2024)

Interpreting a Lead Sheet - From oom-pah to groove.
Presented by George Butrumlis.

In this workshop, highly regarded accordionist George Butrumlis will guide participants through a number of lead sheets (chord charts with melodies) and discuss how to approach them with a particular focus on how to make the left hand (basses) work like a rhythm section rather than an Oktoberfest brass band. Not that there's anything wrong with Oktoberfest brass bands but there are ways to play popular songs and interpret lead sheets with greater stylistic integrity! If it's swing, let's swing. If it's bossa, let's bossa. If it's rock, let's rock.

Materials will be sent out prior to the workshop which participants should print out and bring along on the day of the workshop. It's assumed that participants can read music and are reasonably comfortable with the major, minor and chromatic scales in the left hand and no, it's not going to be a scale fest but there are small aspects of these scales and patterns which are essential to fluid bass lines.

Please note that less experienced players are welcome to attend but that the focus of the participatory aspects of the workshop are geared towards intermediate to advanced level players.

We look forward to seeing you there!