- ABOUT THE WORKSHOP -

You will spend two days with acclaimed "riksspelman" of the modern nyckelharpa, Josefina Paulson, learning traditional and newly composed tunes rooted in the Swedish folk music tradition, including Västmanland and Southern Sweden.

Josefina will be joined by her husband Fredrik Bengtsson (bass, mandola), with Jess Foot (fiddle, hardanger fiddle) and Louise Godwin (cello) offering joyful contributions.

Fiddles in all their different shapes and sizes will be front and centre, however all melody instruments are welcome (chromatic instruments are recommended).

The focus of the workshop will be learning tunes and exploring how to play them, with an emphasis on style, rhythm and feel.

Tunes will be taught by ear using call and response, with some sheet music provided as a reminder.

The workshop will be best suited to players of all ages who have an intermediate+ level of experience with their instrument.

For more information or to ask questions, just email Louise at: bigfiddlelittlefiddle@gmail.com

- DRAFT SCHEDULE -

Note: This schedule is offered as a guide only and is subject to change.

Monday 5th January

9:00am: Arrive & welcome

10am-12:30pm: Morning session

12:30-1.30pm: Lunch

1:30-4pm: Afternoon session

4:30-6:30pm: Dinner Break

6:30pm: Session [Venue tbc]

Tuesday 6th January

10am-12:30pm: Morning session

12:30-1.30pm: Lunch

1:30-4pm: Afternoon session

4:30-6:30pm: Dinner Break

6:30-8:30pm: Concert in the Chapel, Swedish Church, featuring workshop participants and a small taster of the results of the creative collaboration between Duo Bengtsson/Paulson and Big Fiddle Little Fiddle.

- BIOS -

Duo Bengtsson/Paulson (Sweden)
Frederik Bengtsson, a southern Swede with a double-bass, and Josefina Paulson, a nyckelharpist born and raised in Västmanland county in Sweden, meet in this duo to discover how they can challenge their given roles that comes with their instruments. Together, they take new roads with the melodies and tell the stories in a personal way. Duo Paulson/Bengtsson perform new composed music in traditional style, blending flavours of jazz, baroque, and drone music, and painting a picture of a dream and illusion. Mirroring the darkness and light of the seasons, each instrument leaves its traditional roles, taking turns to carry the melody and lead the dance.

Big Fiddle Little Fiddle (Australia)

Big Fiddle Little Fiddle (Jessica Foot, violin, hardingfele and Louise Godwin, cello) have been drinking tea and playing tunes for 10 years. They are heard at festivals and in venues and lounge-rooms playing a mix of original tunes, lots of music about their friends, plus Celtic, Scandi, and other vibes, and are often sighted energetically leading workshops at community music camps. Jess loves English tunes more than Lou. Lou loves dark tunes and mournful laments. "Cello tunes", she calls them. BFLF laugh and chatter and play raucous string arrangements. It’s a sort of gentle chaos, and their joy is infectious. They bring everyone along for the journey: people always leave gigs saying they’re going to unpack their instrument they haven’t played in ages.

Supporters:

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Swedish Church (Melbourne) and international travel funding through the Swedish Arts Council.

Contact the host of Two-Day Swedish Music Workshop with Josefina Paulson